Who to ask, what to ask for, and how to turn praise into proof.
A strong endorsement does more than say something nice.
It adds proof to your profile. It helps someone else understand what it was like to work with you, what you did well, and why your impact should be taken seriously.
In a profession where reputation matters, that kind of specificity is powerful. The best endorsements are not compliments. They are evidence.
Why endorsements matter
Most people in sports are known through scattered impressions. One person knows how they recruited. Another knows how they taught. Another knows how they organized a staff, handled pressure, or elevated standards.
Endorsements help bring those impressions into one place. They make trust more visible. They give context that a title alone cannot provide. That matters on OG1 because a clear profile gets attention, but proof helps move someone from awareness to belief.
Who to ask
Start with people who have seen your work up close. That may include:
A head coach or supervisor
An athlete you directly impacted
A direct colleague or staff partner
A performance lead, operations lead, or administrator you worked closely with
Someone you supported across a season or project
A trusted peer who saw your consistency and standards in real environments
The strongest endorsement usually comes from someone who can speak with specificity, not prestige alone.
What to ask for
When you request an endorsement, do not ask for general praise. Ask for clarity around three things:
What did I do well?
Who or what did it help?
What changed because of that work?
That is what creates usable proof.
Sample message
Clear asks usually lead to better responses.
Coach, I'm sharpening my OG1 Profile so it better reflects the work I've already earned. If you're open to it, would you be willing to film a short video endorsement that speaks to how I contributed, who it helped, and what you saw up close? Specific examples around player development, communication, daily standards, or reliability would be especially helpful. Thank you either way.
What strong endorsements sound like
A weak endorsement says:
"Great coach. Hard worker. Highly recommend."
A stronger endorsement says:
"Built trust quickly with athletes, brought consistency to daily teaching, and helped raise the standard of communication and accountability inside the program."
The second version gives the viewer or reader something they can actually use.
Curate range, not repetition
If your profile includes multiple endorsements, try to show different parts of your value.
One might speak to leadership.
Another might speak to development.
Another might speak to organization, reliability, or collaboration.
Together, they create a fuller picture.
Endorsements should not all say the same thing. They should deepen your identity from multiple angles.
Next step: ask one person this week for a specific video endorsement that reflects the work you most want understood.