Athletic Guidance Counseling

Find Your Perfect
Collegiate Home

The "Next Level" is a Journey. Don't Attempt it Without a Map.

The current system is failing families. Led by coaches with deep college and amateur experience, the AGC replaces the stress of recruiting with a truth-first blueprint for the right college placement.

500+
Student-Athletes Guided
100%
Family Support

The Mission Statement

To restore clarity and integrity to the student-athlete journey by replacing the high-stakes uncertainty of the recruiting industry with a professional blueprint for success. We serve as a trusted advocate and strategist, providing the truth-first guidance, emotional support, and roadmap necessary to align a student’s athletic ambition with life-long goals

Scott Lawler

About Scott Lawler

Founder & Athletic Guidance Counselor

Scott Lawler is a veteran athletic leader with a rare dual perspective on the student-athlete journey. Currently the Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at Benet Academy, Scott previously served as the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Notre Dame. Having spent years on the recruiting trail at the highest collegiate levels, he now leverages that "insider" insight to demystify the landscape for families. Scott’s mission is to bridge the gap between high school preparation and collegiate success, providing a truth-first roadmap that allows athletes to play free and find their best-fit future.

Scott bridges the gap between high school development and collegiate placement. By combining extensive, current college coaching connections with elite recruiting insight, he provides families with the expert preparation and perspective needed to secure the right fit for their student-athlete's future.

Collegiate Coaching (10 Yrs D-I)
  • · Assoc. Head Coach — Notre Dame, Arkansas LR
  • · D-I Pitching Coach — Notre Dame, Evansville, Arkansas LR
  • · Infield/Outfield Coach — Notre Dame, N. Illinois
  • · Hitting Coach — Notre Dame, N. Illinois
  • · Recruiting Coordinator — 9 years
Professional Scouting
  • · Assoc. Scout — Florida Marlins
  • · 2011 Team USA 18U TOS Coach/Scout
Achievements & Impact
  • · Coached 3 nationally ranked college teams
  • · Coached 52 players to professional baseball
  • · Recruited 35 players to professional baseball
  • · Recruited 5 nationally ranked recruiting classes
  • · 4 Conference Rookies of the Year, 5 Freshman All-Americans
LEADERSHIP EDUCATION & CLINICS
  • · Head Baseball Coach — 14 years
  • · Athletic Director — 14 years
  • · 3x Coach of the Year (2 Conference, 1 Area)
  • · ABCA National Clinic Speaker 2013
  • · State clinic speaker — IL, IN, IA, MI, AR

What We Are & Aren't

What We Are NOT:

We are not a recruiting "service" that blasts emails to coaches. We are not "agents" seeking a commission.

What We ARE:

We bridge the gap between the athletic department and the guidance office, acting as a specialized sports-focused counselor. Our mission is to provide the truth-first roadmap necessary to find the right collegiate fit, prioritizing a student's long-term well-being over the chaos of the recruiting industry.

Experience in the College and Amateur Ranks

Leveraging decades of insider knowledge to provide an honest, realistic perspective on the recruiting landscape and what it truly takes to compete at the next level.

Truth-First Strategic Blueprints

Replacing the "high-stakes gambling" of the recruiting industry with a professional, data-driven roadmap designed to achieve long-term success without the hype.

Athletic-Specific Guidance Counseling

Serving as a specialized extension of the school's guidance office to manage the complex "sports side" of the journey with the same integrity as academic planning.

Objective Decision-Support & Advocacy

Providing a neutral, expert voice to filter out the noise of the industry, ensuring every decision is grounded in facts and centered on the student's best interest.

Recruiter vs. The Athletic Guidance Counsel

FeatureTypical Recruiting ServiceThe Athletic Guidance Counsel
Philosophy"Tell them what they want to hear.""The Truth of where you stand."
StrategyMass emails to 100+ coaches.Targeted fit based on coaching style.
FocusThe "Signing Day" photo op.The 4-year graduation rate.
RelationshipTransactional (Walks away after signing).Relational (Stays through the transition).

The "No-Abandonment" Promise

We don't "place and walk away." We offer a First-Year Bridge Program that includes:

Check-ins during their first semester of college.

Helping them navigate the "Freshman Wall" or early conflicts with coaches.

This proves to high schools that we care about their alumni's long-term success.

What Families Are Saying

ND
Arizona State
Butler
Illinois
Michigan
Illinois Springfield
Quincy University
Grand Valley State
North Central
Illinois Wesleyan
San Jacinto College
St. Johns River State
Southwestern Illinois
ND
Notre Dame · Division I

"The AGC helped us navigate the entire recruiting process with clarity and confidence. We had no idea where to start, and they gave us a real roadmap. Our son is now playing at the college level he always dreamed of."

Mike & Jennifer T.

Parents of a Division I Baseball Player

Success Stories: The Roadmap at Work

Real families. Real placements. Total clarity.

The AGC Process Explained

The AGC Process Explained

Learn how the Athletic Guidance Counsel guides student-athletes from evaluation to collegiate placement.

Recruiting Truth: What Families Need to Know

Recruiting Truth: What Families Need to Know

An honest conversation about the realities of the college recruiting process and how to navigate it.

Film & Metric Evaluation Walkthrough

Film & Metric Evaluation Walkthrough

See how we break down athlete film and performance metrics to build a realistic college target list.

The AGC Podcast

Straight Talk from Inside the Game

We sit down with college coaches, scouts, and experts to give families the unfiltered truth about the recruiting world.

Coming Soon
Recruiting

Inside the College Recruiting Room

College Head Coach (Coming Soon)

An inside look at what college coaches are really looking for when evaluating recruits — and the mistakes most families make.

Coming Soon
Transfer Portal

The Transfer Portal: Opportunity or Trap?

Division I Recruiting Coordinator (Coming Soon)

A candid conversation about how the transfer portal has changed the landscape and how families can navigate it wisely.

Coming Soon
Academics

Academic Success at the Next Level

College Athletic Academic Advisor (Coming Soon)

What student-athletes need to know about balancing academics and athletics once they arrive on campus.

Episodes dropping soon — book a consultation to get notified when we go live.

Our Services

Educating, advising, and empowering student-athletes and families through the recruiting process

College Fit Counseling

Personalized guidance to find colleges that match your academic, athletic, and personal goals for long-term success.

Recruiting Strategy

Navigate the recruiting process step-by-step with clear, realistic pathways to your next level.

Academic Planning

Academic strategy and NCAA eligibility guidance to ensure you're prepared for collegiate athletics.

Film & Metric Evaluation

Our team provides expert film and metric feedback to provide a clear roadmap for reaching your goals

Create Training Plan

Whether through us or a partner organization, we'll ensure you have the right training plan to succeed.

Showcases, Camps, Club & Travel Circuit Navigation

We maximize your sports ROI by navigating the showcase and travel circuit with a custom strategy that ensures fit. Plus, get exclusive invites to our private showcase camps

Collegiate Transfer Advisory

Navigate the Transfer Portal with a Market Realism Audit. We ensure academic continuity, athletic marketability, and coaching compatibility—prioritizing the "Triple Fit" for your second home.

NIL & Brand Strategy

Navigate the Name, Image, and Likeness landscape with expert guidance on compliance, opportunities, and brand development for student-athletes.

Family Empowerment

Educate and empower families through emotional support and realistic expectations throughout the process.

Data-Driven Strategy & Technology Stack

At the AGC, we don't guess—we track. We use proprietary technology and data analytics to remove the "noise" from the recruiting process and provide a clear, evidence-based roadmap for our students.

The Engagement CRM (Active Tracking)

We don't just send emails; we monitor the "digital interest" of college programs. Our custom CRM allows us to see:

  • Who opened the student's profile
  • What specific film or academic data they clicked on
  • How long they spent reviewing the information

The Counselor Value: This data allows us to stop "spraying and praying" and start targeting the coaches who are showing genuine interest, saving the family time and emotional energy.

Verified Performance Benchmarking

We provide a "Truth-in-Data" assessment using advanced evaluation tools to capture verified athletic metrics (speed, strength, mechanics).

  • Comparative Analytics: We see exactly where a student stands compared to successful college recruits in their age bracket
  • The "Verified Source" Stamp: College coaches treat our reports as "scout-grade" information

Developmental Prescriptions (Referral Network)

Data without a plan is just a number. Based on our benchmarking, we create a Developmental Roadmap to bridge the gap between where a student is and where they need to be.

  • Mechanics & Strength: We refer students to our curated network of specialist trainers and coaches
  • Closing the Gap: A clear "training-to-target" plan

Strategic Roster Analytics (The "Needs" Audit)

We perform a "Deep Dive" into college rosters to find the highest probability of placement.

  • Positional Needs Analysis: Identify high-value opportunities based on roster composition
  • Recruitment Cycle Tracking: Apply where students are actually wanted

Digital Footprint & Reputation Management

In the modern era, a student's social media is their resume.

  • Brand Exposure: Strategic social media posts and professional email outreach when the "Fit" is correct
  • Digital Etiquette Training: How to use your platform to attract coaches

Holistic High-Performance Wellness

A student-athlete is a "corporate athlete." We look at the whole person to ensure they can handle the physical rigors of the next level.

  • Nutritional Guidance: Referrals to certified nutritionists
  • Supplement Education: Seminars on safe, NCAA-compliant supplementation
Proprietary Technology

The AGC Fit IQ™

What is Predictive Analytics in Athletics?

Traditional recruiting looks at historical data—what an athlete did yesterday. The AGC Fit IQ™ uses predictive modeling to forecast what an athlete will do tomorrow. We move beyond isolated metrics like a 40-yard dash or a GPA; we look at the interconnectivity of a student's total profile.

By analyzing the synergy between academic rigor, mechanical efficiency, and psychological makeup, we generate a "Success Probability" that identifies the specific collegiate environments where that athlete is most likely to thrive, graduate, and lead.

Investment in Your Future

Professional, transparent, and scalable pricing designed to make the Athletic Guidance Counsel accessible to everyone while offering premium, high-touch service.

The Initial Counsel

Consultation

$250 - $500
One-time or Two Sessions

Primary Goal:

Truth-finding & Roadmap

  • One-time Academic/Athletic Audit
  • Showcases, Camps, Club & Travel Circuit Navigation
  • 1 Strategy Session
  • Initial Counsel Credit: 100% of your initial fee is applied to the balance of your next service level."
Most Popular
Available Now

The Pathway

Mid-Tier

$1,500 - $2,500
Annual/Season

Primary Goal:

Active Guidance & Support

  • The Initial Counsel*
  • Film & Metric Evaluation
  • Create Training Plan
  • Showcases, Camps, Club & Travel Circuit Navigation
  • Collegiate Transfer Advisory
  • Family Empowerment with Monthly 1-on-1 Check-ins
  • Monthly 1-on-1 Check-ins
  • Strategic Professional Advocacy: Direct, personalized outreach to our vetted network of active college recruiters and professional scouts.
Monthly Subscription Option
$250/mo*
Coming Soon

The Elite Counsel

All-Out

$5000+
Full Cycle

Primary Goal:

Full-Scale Management

  • The Pathway*
  • Full CRM Access + Roster Analytics
  • Unlimited "Therapy" & Strategy
  • Digital Footprint & Reputation Management
  • Monthly Deep-Dive Academic/Athletic Audit
  • Holistic High-Performance Wellness
  • The AGC Fit IQ™
Monthly Subscription Option
$500/mo*

* Monthly subscription pricing is available subject to qualification standards and a minimum commitment period. Contact us for details.

The "Add-On" Menu

Social Media Management

$150/mo

Manage athletic profiles, post highlights, and monitor digital etiquette

The "Portal Ready" Package

$500

Specialized audit for current college students looking to transfer

School Partnerships

Institutional Subscription Model

When partnering with schools, we offer an Institutional Subscription rather than individual student pricing.

The School Contract:

Schools pay a flat annual fee of to have access to our "On-Call Athletic Guidance Counselor" services for their entire athletic department.

Club Program Partnerships

Team-Based Subscription Model

Partner with us to provide comprehensive guidance for your entire club program. We offer tailored support for travel teams and club organizations looking to give their athletes a competitive edge.

Team Package:

Includes group evaluations, college fit guidance, and showcase strategy for all team members

Club Organization:

Comprehensive support for all teams within your organization, including parent workshops and coach training

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Schedule a consultation to start your journey toward finding the perfect collegiate home

Or schedule directly via Calendly:

Ladder Athletics

Guiding student-athletes to find their perfect collegiate home.

Quick Links

Contact

info@ladderathletics.com

+1 (555) 123-4567

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