Official Visit Question

W

woohokie88

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
3
Does anyone have experience with official visits for sports? If so, are parents allowed or expected to attend this visit with their DD/DS?
DD is a recruited athlete and I am interested in visiting too however, USAFA is not especially close to home (Virginia).
 
My DS was not a recruited athlete, but I have talked with the parents of a few. A friend at work went last month with his DS. Parents are welcome but not required to go with their athlete. USAFA only picks up the airfare for the athlete but I'd encourage you to go with your DD if you are interested. You will get a good overview of USAFA and the sports program your DD is being recruited for. This may allow you to give your DD some guidance as she works to decide what her path is for next year.
 
My parents attended my official visit in October and I am glad they did. I spent a lot of time with the team at meals, overnites, and classes which allowed plenty of time for the coach to spend with my parents. They toured the campus, awesome facilities, tailgate, football game and the coach was able to give a feel of the academy, the coaching philosophy and get to know the parents and their values. The coach wanted the parents to buy in as much as the recruit is what I gathered. My parents loved the coach after spending so much time with the coach and they felt very comfortable that I would be in good hands. The coach knows it is very difficult for athletes and also wants to know there is a strong parent support mechanism to help guide the athlete through. Two out of three recruits had parents with them and from conversations I have had with the team players most athletes come with at least one parent.
 
Hi
We never did the official visit, but both me and my wife joined our DS on his unofficial visit and had a great time. The coaches were great and the academy was not only impressive but very interesting. The football game and being on the field was a hoot. Also they beat Army......I recommend the parents go if at all possible. But if not for any reason, I know the coaches will take care of your DS or DD as if they were their own.
Regards
John
 
My son, a recruited athlete, did the official visit in November of his senior year, alone. The trip was paid for by USAFA. We did not attend though we did go to Orientation which was still available at that time the following April, at our own expense, which was considerable for 5 ppl from PA.

Personally, I think it is a time for your child to present himself to the coach and to other cadets, to get a real "feel" for how things will go there when s/he is there alone. If you have questions for the coach, email him/her, or even write a letter or call. The recruiting trip to the Service Academy isn't quite the same as one to a civ institution.
 
My DS is currently an IC for Cross Country and Track. When we were college "shopping", I went with him on all the official and unofficial visits and I personally did not want to pass up an opportunity to go visit the Air Force Academy when his coach offered to bring him out. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and seeing as how my son chose USAFA I guess he did too! Haha!

Seriously though, there was an equal balance of time spent together and time spent apart. If you can swing the flight, I'd do it. We flew out on a Thursday and met by a cadet in Denver. The hour plus ride back to the Academy afforded my DS (and me) and opportunity to ask the cadet some questions. That night, we had dinner with the team and coaches. He then went off to spend the night with a sponsor cadet and I went to the hotel. The following morning, he went to classes and I was picked up at my hotel and given an indepth tour and orientation. It kind of made me wish I was younger so I could go there! I met up with my DS and his Sponser for Noon Formation and had lunch at Mitches. That was an experience I will not forget. We did not sit together so it allowed me to interact with other cadets. After lunch, I had some free time while my DS went back to the dorm with his Sponser. We met up later in the afternoon as there was a track meet going on. He got to train with the team while I watched the events. Later that Friday evening, there was a team dinner. I sat with the coaches while DS sat with members of the team. He then went out for bowling and ice cream while I went back to my hotel. He was dropped off later that evening at the hotel and it allowed us some time to get caught up on what he thought so far. Saturday morning we were picked up and brought to the gift shop and then back to the Field House for the track meet. We ended around Noon on Saturday as we had to catch a flight back East.

My DS was one of those kids who was not exactly sure if USAFA was right for him. The visit sealed that up and he has excelled in his first year at the Academy. Over Thanksgiving Break, he had the opportunity to hear all the college stories from his high school friends. I was not sure what type of impact that would have on him. When I questioned him on this, he said USAFA was the best choice he could have made.
 
On my official visit, I went alone, and that was the best choice I could have made. The last thing I wanted was to hear a constant commentary from my parents about why I shouldn't be going there, and it also served a purpose of being able to visualize myself there alone without them. I'd say whether or not to bring your parents out as well just depends on your personal situation.
 
When our daughter went for her official visit (track/cross country) we went along. It was our first visit to USAFA. It sealed for us it was the place for our DD to go. USAFA paid for our motel, picked us up at airport, motel etc.. We attended a dinner with coaches, other recruits and parents on Thurs. (found out she got her appointment), tour on Friday, football game on Saturday, then home.
 
Went along on the official visit with our cadet. Several other athletes and parents were also there. Gave us all time to get to know each other and meet the coaches. We have all stayed in touch ever since. Glad we went along and we learned a great deal about the academics, process and athletics.
 
Parents on Official Visit with applicant

We went with our son on his official visit. His coach encouraged it, and I'm glad we did. As others have stated, the coach will likely have activities planned for you to do jointly, as well as scheduled time for your son or daughter to be apart from you. We didn't have a military background. By visiting with our son, we gained a better understanding of what would be required and were able to more intelligently discuss the pros and cons with our son. It can be somewhat overwhelming. On our particular visit, there were 4 or 5 other recruits for is sport visiting as well. Each of them had at least one parent with them. By the way, our son (now in his second year) loves it.
 
Do not miss going on your future cadet's official visit. You want to get a feel for the coaching staff and the team. Between my AFA IC athlete and my high school senior my wife and I have been on 7 officials and probably twice that many unofficials. As a matter of fact we are headed out next weekend for another official on my senior. What can you expect? The academy will pay for your child's flight and will pay for your hotel and food. Your air travel and car rental are on you. Breakfast in the press box at the football stadium with other kids on their officials/unofficials, meeting the athletic director, seeing the dorms, meeting with an academic advisor and most importantly seeing how your kid feels about everything. Got to see my DD got to fly in a simulator on her official. Very cool.

On my DD's unofficial visit she said maybe. On her official she said yes.

The official is everything you have worked for as a parent. Taking your kid to early morning/late night practices, weekend tournaments/games and not investing in that new car while paying for your kids sport and coaching. You deserve it - GO!

Have a great time!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top