5 Mistakes Hawaii Athletes Make with College Recruiting Videos
In today’s recruiting landscape, video is often the first (and sometimes only) introduction a college coach has to a Hawaii athlete. With limited in-person exposure due to Hawaii’s location, high-quality video content is more important than ever. But unfortunately, many athletes make critical mistakes with their recruiting videos that can cost them valuable opportunities. At PROMA, we’ve reviewed hundreds of recruiting videos, and we want to help Hawaii athletes avoid the most common pitfalls.
Mistake #1: Only Submitting Raw Game Footage
While game footage is important, sending full unedited games or random clips without context can overwhelm recruiters. Coaches have limited time and want to see the athlete’s best moments quickly. Instead, athletes should create a carefully curated highlight reel that showcases:
Athletic ability and key skills
Game awareness and decision-making
Versatility in different situations
A professionally edited video ensures recruiters stay engaged from the first few seconds.
Mistake #2: Neglecting to Show Work Ethic and Training
Coaches aren’t just recruiting talent—they’re recruiting work ethic. Highlight reels that only show game moments fail to reveal how an athlete trains, prepares, and improves. Including footage of workouts, conditioning, or skill development sessions demonstrates discipline, coachability, and a growth mindset—qualities every recruiter values.
Mistake #3: Forgetting the Personal Story
Statistics and highlights only tell part of the story. Coaches want to know who the athlete is off the field—their character, family support, values, and community involvement. Including short personal interviews or family perspectives helps recruiters connect emotionally with the athlete and builds trust in their long-term potential.
Mistake #4: Poor Video Quality and Production
Shaky footage, bad lighting, unclear audio, and low-resolution videos instantly lower the perceived professionalism of an athlete’s application. In today’s digital age, high-quality video is expected. Professionally produced content shows seriousness, preparation, and respect for the recruiting process.
Mistake #5: Failing to Showcase Hawaii’s Cultural Strengths
Hawaii athletes offer something truly unique—the values of aloha, ‘ohana, kuleana, and deep cultural pride. Highlighting these values through storytelling gives recruiters insight into how the athlete will contribute to team culture and community. This can be a major differentiator for Hawaii athletes competing for limited scholarships.
How PROMA Helps Hawaii Athletes Stand Out
At PROMA, we go far beyond highlight reels. Our full documentary-style athlete profiles are designed to:
Showcase athletic skills AND personal character
Include training footage and cultural storytelling
Provide professionally produced, recruiter-ready video packages
Help families build powerful media content that opens scholarship doors
Final Thoughts
Hawaii athletes have the talent. What they often lack is the right exposure and media strategy to get noticed. Avoiding these common mistakes and investing in high-quality storytelling can give Hawaii athletes a powerful edge in the recruiting process. If your business wants to help support local athletes through sponsorship, or if you want to learn more about PROMA’s recruiting media services, contact us today and join our mission to elevate Hawaii’s next generation of athletes.
