Finding colleges, let alone ones where you can play a sport, is a daunting challenge for high school students. The sheer number of colleges is enough to make most 17 year-olds a little jittery. To be successful in recruiting, the athlete has to drive the recruiting process forward. But there are lots of moments in the college recruitment process when a parent's guidance and assistance are invaluable.
As parents, concentrate on what is right for your child. If he's not Harvard material, don't push him in that direction. If she wants to explore a lot of other activities, maybe Division I isn't right after all. Most importantly, don't be overbearing. Instead, think of yourself as teammates trying to win the recruiting game together. The cool thing is that this can be an exciting, collaborative experience.
Here's how parents can have a hugely positive impact on recruiting:
- Help your kid identify 10-ish colleges that seem to have the right combination of sports and academics.
- Sit down together and write a cover letter. Help edit, but don't censor.
- Practice recruiting phone conversations at the kitchen table. Play both roles, so your kid gets to see what it's like to be on the other end of the line.
- Help keep all of the recruiting materials organized and your CaptainU recruiting Logs up to speed.
- Make sure that your kid maintains regular contact with each college coach.
- Address the financial issues — which are a complicated aspect of the college selection process that will stump most kids.
- When your kid reaches an impasse, help him work through it.
- Speak to college coaches only when you absolutely must. Otherwise, let your kid do the talking.
Your most important job is to keep the vibe positive. There are always setbacks in recruiting. How you deal with them will help set the tone for your kid. Emphasize the point that this is an exciting opportunity in which your family can take control of the college recruitment process.
