The quest to become a college athlete

It’s summer. The peak season for some high school student-athletes looking forward to their next competitive experience.

There are camps to attend, phone calls and visits from college staffs. This time can be stressful and exciting for students and parents alike.

I have a grandson who is a soon-to-be senior high school football player who has dreamed for years about playing in college and hopefully professionally. A talented young man I don’t mind saying, he began to be noticed during his junior campaign when he was a starting defensive lineman.

Coaches began coming to his school to watch him in the weight room, to talk to him in person. So much so that the school began to become a little annoyed by his brief absences from the classroom. Phone calls were scheduled for times after school.

Then the invitations came for college summer camps. He has visited no less than seven or eight campuses, requiring him and his parents to miss work time and rearrange schedules for children remaining at home. Some schools have invited him back for second visits, one-on-one with staff.

It’s like applying for a job. You don’t want to turn down interviews for fear you will miss out on a great offer at a place you feel comfortable with the coaches, the facilities, the environment; scratching those schools off the list that don’t seem to be a good fit.

For my grandson, so far it has paid off. He recently received his first Division I college offer, removing some of the stress. But the process isn’t done. He still has more visits.

These are 17-, 18-year-old kids. They need an involved supporting cast, whether it be from current coaches, teammates and friends, but most importantly, from parents. What should that support look like?

A blog posted on the Soccer Parenting website by Sports Recruits, a college recruiting network, discussed ways for parents to support their children during these recruiting events. As it said, coaches look at more than just flashy plays, evaluating more difficult items like coachability and body language by athletes and parents.

The first tip given in the blog revolves around the preparation needed before attending recruiting events.

* Effective communication with college coaches is critical before attending any event. Coaches want to hear directly from the athletes themselves about the interest in their school and why, leading to coaches making a list of students they wish to evaluate further.

* Email coaches eight to 10 days before the event to inform them of your attendance. Include a strong subject line indicating who you are and the purpose of the email. Include your name, graduation year, position, high school/club. Address each coach personally.

* After the event, the student, not parents, should send thank-you messages to the evaluating coaches.

* College coaches are evaluating the students, but they also are recruiting the parents. Maintain a positive and supportive demeanor on the sidelines. Avoid coaching your child from the sidelines, arguing with officials or coaches, or engaging in harmful behavior such as gossiping with other spectators. Coaches may see parental behavior as a warning sign of the athlete’s behavior on a team, and also avoiding this culture to represent their school. If you see a coach nearby, respect their focus and avoid approaching them.

Lastly, parents should be a calming presence and avoid adding pressure. Be the biggest cheerleader for your child. Make sure he or she gets a good night’s sleep, a nutritious breakfast and snacks for later energy. Encourage open communication and remind them it’s OK to lean on their support network for emotional balance.

* Finally, help your child feel comfortable talking about their feelings. Encourage them to share their feelings with you or the people in their other support groups.

These tips may seem obvious but it never hurts to remind parents of these suggestions. Good luck to your son or daughter in their quest for future success.

Nancy Justis is a partner with Justis Creative Communications and the founder of Iowa Youth Sports Initiative. Contact her at najustis120150@gmail.com