To understand why the NCSA Athletic Recruiting Network exists look no further than a black and white photo from 1980 that has a permanent residence in the office of NCSA CEO, Chris Krause.
Growing up in a blue-collar town north of Chicago, Chris had the opportunity to play high school football with teammates who possessed the ability and desire to play college football. However, when graduation arrived, Chris was the only member of the team who would continue playing football at the collegiate level.
Why? Chris was fortunate to learn the rules of recruiting so that he could play the game successfully. The rest of his high school teammates, some of whom were better athletes and students, were not so lucky, abandoning their dreams of athletic scholarships when college coaches failed to notice.
Sports took Chris from a blue-collar town north of Chicago to one of the most prestigious universities in the world on a full scholarship. Sports have taken him around the world to once in a lifetime experiences that reflect the awesome power of the wanted athlete. Chris owes much of his life to sports and the intangible traits that separate an athlete from the crowd.
The black and white photo serves as a reminder about those less fortunate; the athletes who never had the opportunity to maximize their athletic potential. It is with these athletes in mind that Chris has dedicated his life to giving back and preventing the fate of his former teammates from happening to others.
