Making a College Decision for an Athlete

Congratulations to your son for having so many options to choose from! That speaks a lot to his ability and hard work.

I have to agree with the moms that he should choose the school that will provide him the academic program he's most excited about. God forbid an injury sideline him, he will not be miserable. As a good athlete, he will have the opportunity to highlight his skills regardless of the Tier he plays in. A good player will be noticed by recruiters (if that's his long-term goal).

Does he have a preference? If so, how you can make that preference best work for him and for the family?

Best of luck!

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You've gotten lots of good advice already. I just have a couple of anecdotes to add, to help you think things through and keep them in perspective.

1) I was recruited to a division 1, at the time national championship team. I lasted until midterms the first semester, when it became clear that I could NOT maintain the academic standards I considered acceptable (I was barely getting C's) and keep up with the demands of the team (30+ hours a week--and yes, I know the NCAA says 20, but let's get real). I quit the team, and got a great education, and don't regret anything. But when I was in high school I thought the team was the most important thing. I was wrong.

2) Most division 1 schools won't let you do more than one sport. If your son really wants to play both, he'll probably have to go division 2.

3) Please be realistic about any dreams of going pro. Even at the very best division 1 schools, in a good year, 10% of the graduating football players get drafted. Play sports because you find it fun and rewarding; if it gives you some help paying for school, great. But your son is almost certainly going to need to grow up and get a "real job" someday; education needs to prepare him for that.

4) Remember that even if he gets to play, loves it, and can juggle the academics, relying on athletics to pay for school is very risky. I have student right now (I teach college) who is risking her long-term health to continue playing tennis so she won't lose her scholarship. I think this is terrible, short-sighted, and tragic. I admire her determination to finish her degree, but HATE to see her destroy her shoulder, probably for life, in order to do it. Do your best to find a place where your son can succeed, and finish his education, even if the unforeseen happens.

I know this is a tough decision, and there's a lot to consider. GL!

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You have gotten some good advice from others. If I were you I would put more emphasis on the education and scholarships that are offered. Sports scholarships are fine but the bottom line is this if you get injured you are out - period. Whereas if you have an academic sholarship you can continue and get the education. Many yeras back I went to school with several really good athletes and at that time basket weaving was considered a course for credit. The boy lasted a semester and came home and got an education in another school nearby. As for the pros that is a long shot a pipe dream so to speak and if you do play you will only do it for a short time compared to working.

Law is a good profession he will have to find his niche in it but it can work and he can make a very good salary. This is a decision that all need to be involved in. As far as the fully paid school it would not be a bad idea for him to work for spending money or something so that he is able to learn the real life lessons and be responsible.

I also trust that the two of you have a retirement fund in effect if not, I would put some of the post doc money aside for you guys. You can possibly borrow for colledge but not retirement. Sorry for the rambling. The other S.

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It's pretty challenging to have good grades and compete in one college sport much less two. It's a whole different ball game in college. Usually the sports last all year. Plenty of people have done both, but for most people it's probably better to pick just one. Then remember that it's only 5 years that an athlete can be on a team unless they get a medical waiver so the school that has a academic program most aligned with his interests because that's what's going to have the biggest impact on the course of his life. Another thing to consider is academic support. Is tutoring available at any of his options? Can he be eligible for tutoring even if he maintains a 4.0 average? ----Just some of the things I looked at when I had to make a choice.

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Hi J.,
What great opportunities your son has. If I were in his position, I would likely do #3 and keep #1 as a second option.

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Went through this with an athlete and here are some questions to ask yourself and your son
1. Is football, baseball, or education the most important aspect of college
2. How much are you willing or can afford to pay
3. Is football or baseball his priority, because most coaches don't want to share even if they say they will
4. Why do you want him to stay close
5. If he wants law, how much time is he going to be able to devote to sports especially two

Our daughter went division 2 because division 1 was about the sport(s) first and education second. She did receive both an acedemic and sports scholorship but the acedemic was greater. She is doing both and loving it but at the end of college, she will have a degree and hopefully a great job. She also went to a private school because she is a name and not a number. Is it cheap, no but the education is worth every cent. If he didn't play much in high school (even though you as parents think he has great talent) what are his chances of going pro? But if he's interested in law, is this even an option. Even though our daughter went far away, we still go watch her about 4-5 times a year. As she put it, I want to be known for who I am not who I was or was suppose to be. She is an A student in college, works as a tutor in the writing lab, was ask to edit the college newspaper next semester, and is a great athlete. She has established herself as an athlete and a serious student in college and coudn't be happier. She has received numerous awards acedemically and that to me is what college is all about. A great education is what we send our kids to college for so hopefully they can support themselves afterwards. If you lay everything out and go over the pros and cons, it's your sons decision. Now is the time for the parents to take a back seat and cross your fingers he make the right decision. We knew our daughter made the right choice when she can home for Thanksgiving. She told us she was ready to go back Friday and she had a new family, her college teamates. That was the greatest feelings I had ever had. SHE made the right choice. Good luck!!

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J.,

Having two daughters, 21 and 18, I understand you're wanting to take advantage of all possible financial assistance. I orginated a college fund, but after a house fire and terminal illness in family member we depleted it. Things just happen.

I would probably sit down with my spouse and decide if we NEEDED to throw out any options before sitting down with our child and asking him what makes the most sense to him, and what would he be happiest with. ANy of the options will give him an education.

I, personally believe what's meant to be will be. If he's MEANT to play football, as long as he keeps looking for the avenues it'll come to pass. Go to tryouts, do the walk-on thing...

I know a parent (our pastor) that insists his children live the first year at home. Statistically (HIGH statistics), that first year out of HS is a year that is most vunerable for young people to be pulled away from their faith. If they stay home the first year and do the dorm thing the second the number drops incredibly. Just a thought...

T.

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Hi J.,

I think I'd focus on education first. I like the option where there's a law program he's interesed in. I think that should weigh heavily since the purpose is to get an education. It seems as though you guys have the means to help your son start his adult life with out the burden of student loans. If he's wanting to go for his masters before starting a career, I'd definatly pick a school that is either affordable for you or is offering enough scholarship money to make it affordable. So personally I'd vote for option 1 or 3. :) Good luck with this decision!

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education lasts forever...athletics are short term. Let him decide where HE wants to go to college...everything after that doesn't really matter long term. Being a teacher this should be the only logical decision for you.

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My husband got a full scholarship (football) to a smaller college in OK. He took it because he was guaranteed the full ride and to play football. He lasted a year (wasn't happy) then transferred to OK State. He walked on to OSU football team, but never got to start. The thing is your son has to decide if he o.k. with going to a school and maybe not playing as much or going to the school where he knows he is guaranteed to play. For my husband it was fine that he didn't start because he was attending a school that had the Veternariain program he wanted. He had to quite the football team after 3 years because of the demands of Vet. school, but truly loves his job. Playing college football/baseball is great and I wish him the very best, but it only takes one injury to keep you from that dream. Be sure he picks the best school for his career goals.

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education is first..go to where he can pursue his academic interests. I understand he loves football and baseball but sports are very demanding in college. Most kids never play all 4 years and if they do their academic years get extended to finish their program. he needs to sit down and figure out what he wants. I went to a large university for my first 2 years and played softball then transferred to a smaller college and didnt play athletics because I changed from a vet major to an engineering degree. base the decision off of academics and whats going to be financially easier. my parents and i split the 4 years and its nicer to have less debt.

My brother went through the same thing and to be honest with you, you have to take the politics and numbers out of it. All they want to do is play ball. He decided to go to a smaller Division school because he would be a starter his freshman year. After two years he can always upgrade to a higher Division school and get his degree from there. Lots of people go for the status of the higher Division schools and then they don't see the field for two years. My brother is so happy at school because he is comfortable and not overwhelmed and is part of a team that helps him get through the college stuff.

Are scholarships the only means of funding that have been planned for this child?

I don't mean to sound rude but a college education is not an option in our family and we've planned financally since our (15 yr old) daughter was born so that she is covered 100% where ever she wants to go when the time comes. A scholarship would be great if she gets one and she is well qualified for orchestra, cheer and academics. Scholarship is not something we count on to get her out of college debt free.

Education is vital, most athletes do not turn pro and they need a good base to fall back on.

I personally know 3 pro football players who counted on the fame and fortune and none are playing now. Of course, starting out being drafted by Jerry Jones' Cowboys with a multi-million contract was fantastic but unfortunately they did not take into consideration the injuries, cuts from team, etc.

My hubby is a prime example...he walked on and ended up with a full ride golf scholarship at a high end top notch school. He had the option to go pro and has played with many of the pros in the field today, still does. However, he also knew potential of injuries and he chose to be financially stable by being in the golf industry but not "living" off the funds.

I have a neighbor who's son walked on to SMU and did very well. A current neighbor is at Oklahoma now is on a sports scholarship.

In reality, most scholarships are offered and done by April so you may not be out of luck just yet. He might walk on somewhere and be the 1 person who makes the team. Look at Miles Austin for example with the Cowboys.

Good luck and best wishes.

Come on, you are a teacher, you know the answer to this! College is about education! If he is able to have fun playing sports, possibly do great at it and maybe play in the future, that would be wonderful, but you have lost the focus of the reason for going to college, education! Option 3 is the only school that you even mentioned a school subject in! The only one you put the words "he is interested", and it sounds like there are great confidence boosting sports options for him to do there on the side. If you don't send your son off with the purpose of getting an education, then you could all waste a whole lot of time and money on college if he doesn't finish and get a good degree(s) that he is interested in and will succeed in in life! You knwo to shift your focus to the education part of college, Option 3 sounds great in all arenas though in my opinion, law program, sports, school! Good luck!