How to prepare your child for collegiate athletics
If you think your child’s sports skills are all they need to work on to get a college scholarship, it’s time to think broader. Going through the recruiting process and playing collegiate sports require a lot more than excelling in the pool or on the court, field, or rink.
The NCAA estimates that 3.5% of boys who play basketball in high school go on to play at a Division I, II, or III school. Only 1% do so at the Division I level. For your reference, the NCAA provides the probability of competing for men and women in all sports. Another example from the chart: Only 1.2% of girls who play high school volleyball go on to play for a Division I college.
Is your child in the 3%?
But what if your child does have the skills and desire to play at the college level? What will set them apart from others competing for the same opportunities?
As this is something I have not been involved in personally, I enjoyed a conversation about recruiting with Matt Rogers, whose experience provides insights from several roles. After playing college basketball for Division 3 Coe College, Rogers has built a career in athletics. His resume includes:
6 years as a High School Basketball Coach
12 years as an NCAA Division 3 and Division 2 Head Basketball Coach
8 years as an NCAA Division 3 Athletic Director and Associate Athletic Director
9 years as the Head National Scout and Director of Team Solutions at Next College Student Athlete (NCSA)
Relationships first
Rogers’ first piece of advice is critical to young athletes and their parents navigating the recruitment process:
“If you are raising a young, talented, dedicated athlete, the best thing you can do is establish a supportive relationship with your child.”
Why? Because while the odds of playing in college at any level are small, the demands of playing will not be. Rogers says parents can help prepare their child for what lies ahead.
The ability to balance college academics with a rigorous practice and training schedule, as well as building relationships with coaches, athletic trainers, and teammates are part of being a successful collegiate athlete. As a lead recruiter for NCSA, Rogers talked with student athletes and their families about what to expect from the recruiting process and playing in college.
HIs advice can apply to all parents when it comes to youth sports.
Putting the child before the sport
“For me, recruiting begins with a conversation about how to put academics and character first,” Rogers said. “Then I ask the student athlete who they want to be when they step on the court. How do they want to feel after they play? After they win? After they lose? How do they want to treat others?”
Whether a student athlete and their parents are aiming for a college scholarship or aiming to enjoy playing the game for a high school team, it’s wise to prioritize the same things Rogers does when it comes to playing sports:
Grades – academics come first. Playing days will end eventually, but education lasts a lifetime.
Character – what behaviors and actions will build character? Is the athlete a team player? Do they build relationships with coaches and teammates?
Role models – young players should find someone older than them who behaves and plays the way they would like to. They should talk with them about their workouts, what they do to prepare for a game, how they talk with their parents about sports.
Talking to mom and dad – parents need to support their athlete with healthy values and listen when their child is tired and overwhelmed — or even tired of playing.
The child’s desire – if an athlete isn’t driven by their own desire, if their heart is not in it, if their parents want it more than they do, then maybe it’s time to find an activity that is a better fit for the student.
According to Rogers, relationship building is one of the most important skills a high school athlete can work on, starting with their parents. He has worked with parents who have a healthy, supportive relationship with their child athlete. He has also met parents who:
Want their child to play more than their child wants to play
Think that their child is more talented than they really are
Have good intentions, but act in a way that drains their athlete—like cheering every time their child does something good or ranting every time something goes wrong
Rogers works to help families see the whole picture and develop those healthy, supportive relationships. Parents can learn more in his forthcoming book: The List of 12: A Parent's Guide to College Recruitment.
“Kids need to know that their parents will love them win or lose, whether they get a scholarship or not, and even if they choose to stop playing,” Rogers said.
As he gets to know them, Rogers asks young athletes questions like:
What kind of positive reinforcement do you need from your parents?
Can you be honest with your parents about what you need from them?
Could you say, “I love that you’re passionate about my game, but every time I do something I hear you, and I need to stay focused on the game—can you wait until we get home?”
Are you comfortable explaining to them why you’re valuable coming in off the bench and you’re proud of your role and excited to do it well?
Are you able to talk with your parents when things aren’t going well? If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed?
He also talks with parents about their role.
“I try to help parents foster a supportive relationship with their child, so their child can talk about how they feel and what they want from their sports experience,” Rogers said.
Conversations with coaches
The most successful student athletes also learn to communicate well with their coaches. Rogers encourages young athletes to learn how to build relationships with different kinds of coaches. He asks them:
What kind of relationship do you have and want to have with your coach?
Have you talked with your coach about it?
Have you talked with your coach about how you want to receive feedback?
Do you need positive reinforcement through words or actions?
When young athletes learn how to communicate with their parents and coaches, they lay a foundation for the recruiting process that will help them through, and guide them to making good decisions for themselves in deciding if or where to play.
“I’ve met Division I players who are miserable and Division III players who love the experience,” Rogers said. “Finding a good match for the athlete should be the goal.”
Indeed.
Learn more about recruiting services
There are many organizations that provide services to help young athletes and their families navigate the recruiting process. It takes about six months to get a student athlete ready for the recruiting process. Parents interested in such services should explore several and choose one based on what is best for their family.
What does Next College Student Athlete offer?
Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) was one of the first to offer recruiting assistance. They evaluate, guide, and coach student athletes through the recruiting process. NCSA offers many free resources for young athletes including:
Free online profiles for athletes 13 and older that are searched and viewed by college coaches and recruiters across the country
Access to a database of colleges and athletic programs for every college and university in the country for all sports
Student athletes can use these resources to learn about athletic programs, as well as academic majors, the location, coaches, and other factors they should weigh in selecting a college.
NCSA also offers paid memberships that range from $1-4,000 per student athlete. Packages include additional services such as:
A personal mentor who will help a player understand what is involved in playing at the collegiate level. They talk with the player about school relationships, healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and why a collegiate coach might be interested in them.
Advisors to aid in the recruitment process
Films and video creation to promote the player
Classes for parents, coaches, and students
ACT/SAT tutoring
Information about:
How to apply for college
How to apply for financial aid
How to get recruited for a specific sport
Recruiting rules
Athletes and parents can learn more on the Next College Student Athlete website.
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