I think that's more the norm than the exception, where the informal connections win out in the end. A mentor, relative, friend, AAU Coach, et. al, influence the prospect in a big way.
Unless you are a power 5 blue blood program, no longer can a Coach waltz in with a dog and pony show and steal a recruit and his mom.
I would be shocked if in most cases where we are pursuing a name recruit to make a campus visit, there wasn't a strong informal connection paving the way. All the great facilities we have at UD are simply the price of admission to have a chance at top talent. The informal network is the straw that stirs the drink.
