What is a Parent's Role in the Recruiting Process? |
Learn Ways to Help Your Child Find Their Best Fit. |
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 For college-bound student athletes,
the recruiting process can be confusing,
stressful, and extremely time consuming. Most
young people who face this challenging time in
their life will look to their parents for
sound advice and direction. So what exactly
should parents do and not do throughout
this complex process?
THE DO'S:
Encourage your child to properly research
colleges and golf programs early in the
recruiting process.
Be realistic (academically, athletically,
and socially) when helping your child target
potential colleges to attend.
Help your child prepare for a successful
collegiate career by reflecting on your
college experiences.
Speak with parents of children currently
attending college to learn more about their
respective school and coach.
Prepare a list of questions for your child
to ask college coaches during campus visits
(see my February 4, 2005 article).
Plan as many unofficial visits as possible
during your child’s sophomore and junior years
in order to learn more about college campuses.
Keep your child focused on academic
excellence throughout high school—including
SAT and ACT prep classes.
Remain positive and optimistic throughout
the entire recruiting process, constantly
reminding your child that you will support
their final decision regardless of where they
select to attend college.
THE DON'TS:
When meeting with a coach, refrain from
answering questions for your child—let them
speak for themselves.
Resist the temptation to tell your child
where they should attend college and play golf
without asking their opinion.
College questionnaires should be completed
by the student athletes, not the parents.
When coaches call your home, they are most
interested in speaking with your child — stay
off the call unless you are asked to listen in.
During junior golf tournaments (and
especially in the presence of college
coaches), refrain from showing excessive
emotion after each shot your child plays -
remain as calm as possible.
Pressuring your child to play better in
order to get recruited is unhealthy and in
many cases, can be counter productive.
Parental calls and/or emails to college
coaches should be kept to a minimum during the
recruiting process.
Overstating your child’s true athletic
ability can result in a poor long-term
decision and a bad college fit— for both your
child and the coach.
Young people need their parents to provide
guidance and support at many times during
their life, including the college recruiting
process. This is generally a stressful time
for both the child and the parent as change is
on the horizon. Throughout this process,
parents need to encourage their children to:
(a) think and speak for themselves, (b) do as
much research as possible, and (c) ultimately
make a personal decision that they are
comfortable with.
Coaches are generally hesitant to recruit
players whose parents are too involved. Make
sure you are not perceived as one of these
parents.
Happy Holidays!
Coach Brooks
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