College Recruiting: Give your Kids the Keys

College Recruiting: Give your Kids the Keys

guidingfuturestars | October 11, 2016
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Welcome to the Guiding Future Stars Academy College Recruiting Blog

Are you interested in playing sports in college?

Are you a prospective student-athlete or parent of a child who aspires to play in college but have no idea where to begin.  If so, you’re not alone.  The college recruiting process can be a very windy road and can be difficult to navigate if you don’t have a road map.  There are thousands of schools to choose from and seemingly endless routes for getting to to the one that will provide you with the best college experience, academically, athletically, and socially. Don’t worry.  Guiding Future Stars (www.GuidingFutureStars.com) is here to help. We know that a clear road map may be all you need to go from undiscovered to highly recruitable. Guiding Future Stars Academy will:

• EDUCATE prospective student-athletes and families about what it takes to compete at the next level and how the college recruiting process works.
• GUIDE prospective student-athletes in their pursuit to find their College Experience Trifecta.
• INSPIRE prospective student-athletes to chase their dream to play in college and be a successful student-athlete in the classroom, on the field, in the community, and beyond.

 

The college recruiting process is an exciting time for a high school student-athlete, its a journey full of adventure.  It’s important that the student-athlete is looking for the “right fit” for them and nobody else.  That does not mean the parents are not a part of this journey with their child.  Parents should focus on what is right for their son or daughter, academically, athletically, and personally.   I encourage parents to help their kids look at the big picture when it comes to looking at colleges.  Remember, it is important to understand that college coaches are recruiting your child not you.   However, college coaches don’t want to recruit a student who has overbearing parents also known as helicopter parents.   This is the time to hand your kids the keys.

• Don’t contact the college coach on your child’s behalf that’s an immediate sign to a coach that parents are over involved.  Over the years, there have been many instances where a college coach has not recruited a student-athlete because of his/her parents.  Don’t be that parent!  As parents of a child who aspires to play in college you should provide them with guidance and support.  College coaches can usually recognize an email written by a parent compared to one written by a student.    As you get further into the process and your child has built a strong relationship with the coach, it may be alright to contact the coach if you have a specific questions maybe related to financial aid, etc.
• Parents should be respectful of their son or daughters’ ownership of the college search process.  It is the student who will spend the years on the college campus, and therefore, the decision must ultimately be theirs.  The college decision is one of the biggest decisions a teenager will make, and that is why I believe it is the first step to becoming an adult.  Students can gain decision making skills, improve their self-confidence, and develop perseverance which will help them throughout the rest of their lives.
• You should be realistic regarding your child’s abilities and talents.  While each student is special and has unique qualities, it is difficult for a parent to be entirely objective about one’s own child.  Remember that college athletics are extremely competitive and there are many talented young athletes who are looking for the same opportunities as your son or daughter.  There is a school out there that will fit your child’s athletic, academic, and personal needs, and you need to help them find it.
• You need to give your son or daughter the benefit of your wisdom and your experience, and tell your child “up front” if there will be restrictions (financial or otherwise) on his/her college options.  Your kids want and need your help throughout the process but they do not need to be overwhelmed with your impressions and ideas.  Be available to help when help is solicited.

Parents can be very useful with the logistical aspects of the college search process. They can help make travel arrangements to campuses, schedule college interviews, and schedule testing.  Parents can help to ensure that critical deadlines are met.  Be supportive of your child’s aspirations, but encourage him/her to be realistic. Help him/her to select the “best” college choices, not necessarily the “top-name” or most prestigious institution.

• You should prepare your child to be an independent being. Encourage time away from home where your child must be self-reliant.  Help establish a checking account so they can learn to manage their own money.

Realize that the college admissions process is a highly stressful time for the students as well as you the parents. Take each part of the process one step at a time, and remember that help is always readily available.  The college recruiting process is the pinnacle of all of time, effort, commitment, and sacrifice that both the student and parents have put in over the years.  So,  it only makes sense that this journey is for both the student and parent.  Make sure you are looking for the "right fit" for you.

• Be True to yourself.  While you should listen carefully to the advice of others, avoid being overly swayed by peer pressure or the impression of others.
• Begin the college search process early, allowing plenty of time to do research, communicate with college coaches, visit campuses, weigh your options, and ultimately make a decision.
• Research a variety of schools, and don't limit your options too soon.
• Visit schools to which you are most interested in. There is no substitute for seeing the college and getting a feel for the campus.
• Don't let the process get you down.  Keep in mind that thousands of other students are going through the same thing you are and they share your same fears and concerns.   Support your friends and classmates and they will support you.
• Find positive ways to relieve your stress.
• It is important to keep everything organized and maintain complete and accurate records.

Enjoy the adventure. Be sure to explore all of your options so that you can make informed decisions. Do your homework and seek out the appropriate help to find the answers you need. It is your future.

Are you ready to start driving the car in your college search process?

Let’s begin the journey to find your College Experience Trifecta.   Grab your copy of the College Recruiting Playbook today and start making your dream a reality.

JOIN GFS TODAY

In 2015, the College Recruiting Playbook was published to help educate prospective student-athletes about the college recruiting process. The College Recruiting Playbook is a student-athletes workbook to finding the right college to fit their academic, athletic, and personal needs. Finding the right college for your student-athlete doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, with College Recruiting Playbook, you can navigate the five phases of the recruiting process with surprising ease. 1. Planning and Preparation 2. Communication 3. Gaining Exposure 4. Decision Making 5. Beyond the Decision This step-by-step guide walks parents and students through everything they need to know and do in order to find the best college athletically, academically, and personally. Written especially for high school athletes, this guide is also an essential read for parents, teachers, and coaches. By utilizing the included organizer and looking at the process from more than an athlete’s point of view, you can form the best strategy for your young athlete’s near and distant future.

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Christopher Stack is the Founder and CEO of Guiding Future Stars and author of the College Recruiting Playbook. GFS is a student- development company that transforms the next generation into excellent students, great athletes, and extraordinary people. A former Division I soccer player for Mount St. Mary’s University, he holds a degree in sports management and an MBA in marketing. Stack has worked in intercollegiate athletics for over twelve years. Starting his career in college administration at his alma mater as the Coordinator of Intramurals, he also served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the university’s women’s soccer team. He eventually transitioned to the academic side of college sports as the coordinator of student-athlete academic support.  In 2014, he created Guiding Future Stars.  In 2015, he published his first book The College Recruiting Playbook. Stack now enjoys using his higher education experience to help educate  high school students achieve their dreams of playing sports in college while also gaining first-rate educations