MEET COACH WHEELER...

Without athletics, Dion Wheeler would never have graduated UW-LaCrosse. At nine years old, the death of his father saw him placed in Glenwood School for Boys where he resided until high school graduation. He was an average student in high school. But a young coach inspired him to both exploit his athletic ability and to take his education seriously, as they were the foundation upon which he would "prepare for the future." And so he did. As a high school football Chicago Tribune All-Star and Track athlete, Wheeler was recruited by a number of colleges. At UW-L he went on to be a 440 yard dash and hurdle conference champion as well as a small college All-American. After his collegiate career, he coached sprinters and hurdlers at the high school and collegiate level while serving as adjunct faculty in Lewis University's College of Education.

Education and athletics have been the motivators of his time. Despite a few interruptions to experience the business world, he has taught and coached at every level: grade school, high school, and college. He has been a presenter and instructor at business, athletic, recruiting and education seminars and has occasionally been accused of being a motivational speaker.

In addition to his recruiting experience-fourteen years at the high school level and eleven years at the college level-he managed the recruitment of his two (now grown) children, who were both successfully recruited. One by a Division I state university, the other by a Division III private college. One was an All-American, the other's career was cut short by injury.

His ownership of a college prospect recruiting service was the experience where the final piece of the recruiting puzzle fit. There he exposed, and often negotiated for, academically and athletically qualified prospects to coaches of nearly every sport around the country. His unique grasp of the recruiting process from every angle has prepared him to write this powerful guide.