National speaker and former collegiate athletic director Jack Renkens is bringing his no-nonsense insight on the world of college recruiting to Manteca High.

Renkens is offering a free 45-minute presentation to the public on Thursday in the cafeteria at 7 p.m. Coaches, administrators and counselors, serious athletes and their families are encouraged to attend. Renkens’ message can by surmised in six words: “It’s a game … know the rules.”

He’ll attempt to explain those rules, leaning on a lifetime of experience and accrued knowledge. He’s used that expertise to launch Recruiting Realities, a foundation that through the years has helped dissolve some of the mystery and illusions of college recruiting for tens of thousands of students.

Among the topics he’ll address: marketing; the impact of today’s social media; the role of the high school coach; and where parents fit into the process.

“There are a lot of student-athletes out there and less than 1 percent are going to a Division I school,” Renkens said in a press release. “However, you’ve got 99 percent of kids out there that can play at the college level in divisions other than D-I. The key is finding the right school and financial aid package.”

He said student-athletes need to come to terms with three basic realities: One, schools pick you and not the other way around; two, student-athletes must market themselves; and lastly, keep your focus on the type of funding available to you, whether it’s academic or merit money, or grants.

Renkens is entering his 18th year touring the United States and he speaks to more than 170 high schools a year, ranging in enrollment sizes. He’s also penned 14 books on the recruiting process.

His presentation style is aggressive and, at times, brutally honest.

“It may not be what some parents want to hear, but it definitely is what they need to hear,” Renkens said. “I’m primarily trying to get families to be realistic about the opportunities that are available and to get them to understand it’s about getting your education, not about hitting the ball, kicking the ball, throwing the ball. It’s about finding the right match academically.”

Renkens is coming to the right place.

The city of Manteca has witnessed a large number of its student-athletes, from basketball players at Sierra High to soccer players at East Union to football players at Manteca High, mark the recent Signing Day periods with small celebrations in the schools’ libraries and foyers.

The Buffaloes’ football program has had seven offensive linemen sign to four-year universities in the last two years, including four off the starting line in the fall.On Monday, Sierra High two-sport star Hunter Johnson, also the Bulletin’s All-Area co-MVP for basketball, signed a letter of intent to study and play at CSU Maritime.For more on Recruiting Realities and Renkens’ presentation, visit www.recruitingrealities.com.