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Spring Signing Week '15: Role of the Parent in College Recruiting
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The college tennis recruiting process can be tough to navigate for the student-athlete, but it's also new territory for many parents. It can often be difficult to determine where to offer guidance and when to let the child take the wheel.

While parents undoubtedly want the best for their children, it's important that they allow the coach/player relationship a chance to grow.

We recently put this question to our panel of college coaches:

 

Q) What is the ideal role of the parent in the recruiting process? How much should the parent communicate with the coach vs. the child? What are coaches looking for in a parent/child relationship?

 

Nicole Selvaggio, head coach, Moraine Valley CC Women

I would expect a senior in high school to take initiative in asking questions, being proactive with communication and showing a sense of maturity. I would also expect any concerned and involved parent to be a part of this process as well.

I always encourage parents to be part of college visits, and I welcome the chance to sit down and meet with them. I understand that this is new territory for prospective recruits. I believe that establishing this relationship ultimately leads to their trust in me, which is vital as their child's potential coach. This then leads to a foundation of respect, which is the main thing I look for in the parent/student/coach relationship. I do not look at recruits as "children," but rather as incoming adults, so at the end of the day, I embrace student-athletes who are comfortable enough to directly come to me with any questions or concerns.

 

Efe Ustundag, head coach, Rice Men

Choosing a school to represent on the tennis court is a decision that will affect the rest of young person's life - not just the next four years. The best thing a parent can do is to ask the right questions. Most prospects get overwhelmed on their visits or in phone conversations and don't ask enough questions. It's important that the parents get the answers they need to able to put the pros and cons in front of the student-athlete. This helps to ensure that decisions are made with a little more information as well as the right feel for good fit.

The biggest parent "don't" is trying to make sure a high-schooler doesn't make the wrong choice as they might have done in the past, or act as if they the ones going to spend the next four years on campus. The parent's role will always be providing their kids with guidance and help in the decision-making process - they should help lay out all the facts without pushing the student-athlete in one direction or another.

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Page updated on Monday, March 11, 2024
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