This week’s Ultimate Transformation Moment focuses on the recruitment of student athletes, and college selection. Parents, this one is for you and your college-bound child.
Parents, you and your child/student-athlete should establish some priorities and have some idea of the type of college environment that is preferable.
One of the most important things you must understand is that your child, the young athlete, is an unlimited being with unlimited talents. They are bringing their unlimited talents to the selected university.
So, since it is the talent of these young, gifted student-athletes that brings notoriety to the institution, know that college sports is a business. Because of this, you have to look at the selection of a college as a business decision. Just as the college is anticipating the four-year gain that they expect to receive from the athlete, make sure the student-athlete is looking at the four-year gain they will receive from the institution as well.
The first area to consider is the academic concentration. If the student-athlete is considering a specific academic major, during the recruitment process, make sure to ask if the major is offered.
So, if a business administration degree is desired, and a school is heavily recruiting the student-athlete, be sure that the university offers that degree.
But here’s the most important question: Ask if any other athlete in your sport graduated with that degree in the last five to 10 years. While the college may offer the major, they may not allow the athlete to select this area of concentration (or strongly discourage it), because they feel it may pull them away from the time commitments that the coach of the sport requires.
Secondly, take a close look at the coaching staff. Coaches come to the home and recruit very aggressively, when they are interested in your child. They will say and do just about anything in the world, while on this visit. Sometimes they may even lie. But be aware that a coach can take a higher paying job, just like any other human being. That coach may leave the very next year. The athlete must ask himself/herself, whether he/she will still want to remain at that institution, if that coach isn’t there next year or a couple years down the line. Be sure that the university has much more to offer than just that one coach, because a coach can leave as many have done.
The third consideration is the campus and student body. When you look at a team on the field, it can look like there are quite a few Blacks attending the college, however, African Americans may only comprise one percent or less of the student population. Typically, the major colleges and universities have three percent or less African American students. So, when you take a visit to schools, ask about the racial break down on campus, as well as among the athletes. Talk to other African American students, and ask them about their experiences on the campus, and in the city, to help you gain a true parameter for making a decision.
Family, the college-selection process is a group decision, but the student must accept the plan because ultimately they must live with the decision. Make sure that your child makes a choice that best suits them. You want them to enjoy their time in the new environment, play in their respective sport(s), and most importantly, earn their degree.
That’s our Ultimate Transformations Moment. Peace and be more.
Erich Nall is the owner and founder of Ultimate Transformations Training in Los Angeles, Calif. The certified trainer, nutritionist, motivational speaker, and dedicated life coach is a regular guest and commentator on KJLH 102.3 FM’s the “Front Page” with Dominique DiPrima. As founder of Collegiate Search Youth Organization, Erich has been assisting youth in the community for over 20 years.
