Actually, I'm ENTIRELY with you. I think EVERY athletic department in the state should pony up membership fees for their coaches' professional affiliations, and coaches SHOULD participate as part of their job description. I hate reading that a deserving kid may have been passed over because nobody from his region attended. I also hate reading that an undeserving kid (and let's all just admit there have been a few of those) is selected because his coach and region have disproportionate representation in the process.
And you're absolutely right about the two-way street, with one proviso. I truly hope that a widely recognized great kid/talent isn't locked out because his school/coach/AD didn't do their due diligence. I truly hope there's a path for THAT kid's selection. Because in a fair and transparent process, you don't down a kid because of his coach.
