Recruited athlete, official visit questions

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O'sMom

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My DS is being recruited for one of the D1 sports, and the coach asked him if he would be interested in an official visit. He jumped at the chance, with "I would love to!". He was told he and a parent would be flown out for the visit, and he would have an overnight visit, and the parent would be in a hotel. Yesterday, DS told me that they were still working on the details for the visit, but he said the coach made it sound like it would be easier if it was just him, rather than a parent also going. Does anyone have any experience with this? Should I just cut the cord, and say yes, go ahead without one of us? Or, should one of us try to go with? If one of us do go, what would we be doing? The only other experience I have with a recruited athlete is a friend's daughter who was recruited to a civilian D1 college, and they were very welcoming to parents coming along. Thanks for your help. I guess I could contact the coach or athletic department to ask these questions, but I am trying to let my DS take care of it.
 
Completely appropriate and normal for the parents to participate in the process. The coaches also realize that they need to sell the parents as much as they need to sell the child. I actually would be surprised if the coach said he shouldn't bring his parents along.
 
We didn’t attend with our son. He had a great time. We didn’t need to be ‘sold’ on it. Whatever works for you!!
 
Just a guess, perhaps the coach is saying it would be easier without the parent due to funding? The extra cost of the parent's flight and hotel is maybe more than what the coach anticipated.
 
I dropped my 17 year old off for a visit with no idea how it would go. She attended classses, toured the yard, met potential future teammates, met coaches, and observed practice. 5 hours later, I picked her up and the first words out of her mouth were "I love it!" I think I would have been a distraction.

Everyone is different, but this let her spread her wings. She is owning the decision.
 
I would add that since then we have done 2 additional tours. We also attended 3 home games of the sport she's interested in.
 
a parent has every right to meet with college coaches if their child is being recruited.If the parents have questions it should be the coaches answering

For the most part I did not, or my only part was dropping kid off, maybe saying hello to the coach. But I had a fair amount of experience and not a lot of questions.

There is no one right way. Most Coaches will want to sell the parents on this because usually the parent must buy in. In fact it’s the parents the coach may have to recruit above all.

I’d do what makes you comfortable. Or just call the USNA :)

I really doubt it’s a budget issue. And the comment may not have been made in the way you took it. I really doubt the coaches don’t want you there.

If I am wrong——-you know who to call :)
 
Last edited:
O'sMom said:
My DS is being recruited for one of the D1 sports, and the coach asked him if he would be interested in an official visit. He jumped at the chance, with "I would love to!". He was told he and a parent would be flown out for the visit, and he would have an overnight visit, and the parent would be in a hotel. Yesterday, DS told me that they were still working on the details for the visit, but he said the coach made it sound like it would be easier if it was just him, rather than a parent also going. Does anyone have any experience with this? Should I just cut the cord, and say yes, go ahead without one of us? Or, should one of us try to go with? If one of us do go, what would we be doing? The only other experience I have with a recruited athlete is a friend's daughter who was recruited to a civilian D1 college, and they were very welcoming to parents coming along. Thanks for your help. I guess I could contact the coach or athletic department to ask these questions, but I am trying to let my DS take care of it.
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Definitely appropriate to let your DS take charge. Also, it is appropriate for him to find out if the issue ("easier if it was just him") is one of funding. Then, you can decide how important it is for you to attend with him and whether making things easier is the right approach for him/you. It is appropriate for you to be talking to the coach if your DS wants that involvement. IMO, that should be your only point of contact with USMA - but better to let your DS handle all of the contact. The parent's part of the visit is not that substantial at USMA when compared to the candidate/recruited athlete. Though, of course, it is nice to go along (and there is a great deal to learn even if the parent's part of the visit is limited).
 
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