In episode 59 of Elevate with Elsner, Blake Elsner interviews Dave Wiggins, a Senior Director at Recruits Baseball Club and head coach at Principia High School, as he shares stories of athletes who rose above adversity, the changing landscape of collegiate recruitment, and how modern success isn’t just about exposure—it’s about accountability, culture, and intentional growth.

Tune in for inspiring perspectives, actionable advice, and an honest look at how coaching can impact lives well beyond the game.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00:21] Building character vs. chasing exposure in youth sports
[00:01:35] Dave’s transformation: from player to coach
[00:05:59] Leadership lessons from early coaching experiences
[00:09:42] Team discipline, goal-setting, and building culture
[00:14:11] D1 vs. D3: reframing success and college recruitment
[00:17:09] What college coaches REALLY look for
[00:22:44] Staying focused—navigating distractions and accountability
[00:26:41] The impact of NIL on athletes and leadership
[00:29:05] Mentorship, relationships, and lasting influence

QUOTES

• "Those things don't show up on a stat sheet, but they determine everything." – Blake Elsner
• "My job is to help them continue to love the game of baseball, but it's also to help develop young men and leaders." – Dave Wiggins
• "It's more important that you run as hard as you can out of the box…Your gameplay gets you in the door, but your character keeps you there." – Dave Wiggins

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

Blake Elsner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpelsner/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blake.elsner/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-elsner-a04396b5/

Dave Wiggins

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-wiggins-1ba17760/ 

X: https://x.com/CruitsCoachDW 

WEBSITES

Elevate with Elsner Podcast:https://elevatewithelsnerpodcast.com/