As a parent, it can be an exciting and rewarding feeling to learn that your child has captured the interest of a college coach. When the coach reaches out to contact your son or daughter to discuss being recruited, it’s easy to feel a bit intimidated and fearful. It’s a new experience for you, too. You don’t want to do anything to lose the coach’s interest in your favorite “commodity” – your child.

Parents should feel they are in charge of the process. Losing perspective can happen even for the best – intentioned parent. Remember, asking questions is totally appropriate and will not compromise your child’s opportunity to be recruited by a school. In fact, my conversations with college coaches overseeing the recruiting process revealed that coaches appreciated the chance to have a candid conversation with the recruited athlete’s parent(s).

Guidelines for Productive Conversations with Coaches:

1 – Learn about the coach’s recruiting process.

How many athletes are you recruiting for the team this year?

Where would my child fall into this group – top – middle – bottom?

2 – Ask about the influence the coach will play in the admissions decision and application process.

Is there an athletic liaison in the Admission’s Office to guide the admissions process?

Should my child have an interview with Admissions?

Can the coach arrange for a prequalification from admissions before my child formally applies?

How certain can I be that my child will be offered admission into the college if he/she has the endorsement of the coach?

3- Ask about the resources the team can provide to ensure your child’s athletic activities will not compromise their academic experience.

Does the team offer tutoring to help the athletes stay on top of their studies?

Do the athletes get preferential class assignments to ensure that practice and team travel does not create a conflict with their class schedule?

4 – Ask about the athletic scholarships (not applicable to Division III schools; those schools cannot offer them)

How many scholarship positions are you awarding this year?

What is the likelihood that my child will be offered an athletic scholarship?

Does the school offer scholarships to recruits who do not apply for early decision?

What amount of $$ can I expect for my child?

What are the limitations of the scholarship?

Is the scholarship renewed on annual basis or is it guaranteed for four years?

5- If you need financial aid to have your child attend the college.

Is the financial aid decision at the college influenced by the amount of athletic scholarship provided?

Can the athletic scholarship be added to the financial aid granted by the school or is the total package determined the school’s financial aid office?

Can I get an estimate of the scholarship my child will receive before making an application to the school?

***If your son/daughter is applying for early decision this is an important conversation to have before applying to the school.

In closing, this is uncharted territory for the first timer. We all have different responses when approaching something for the first time. What joins us all?  We are talking about our children. Count on there being heightened emotion for you, your athlete and your family. Take a deep breath, make a plan for talking with the coaches and go for it. Again, you are allowed to be the #1 advocate for your child. Still in the job description…