From my experience, most parents are delusional and drive kids towards something they know nothing about. Who's committed, who isn't....who cares. Why? So a Dad can say my son is committed to XYZ? People, I've been through the mill, as a player and as a Father. Find a great school where your son can succeed, a coach that you trust and will make the game fun for your son and don't worry about the rest.
I made the mistake of focusing on the school name, not the education, the coach , etc. I didn't repeat the same mistake with my oldest son. He's attending a top rate school with a D2 program, he received some academic financial assistance and is part of a program that is very successful and loves the coach and teammates.
People, get some perspective ASAP. A kid in our town committed to a big time program, everyone was really happy for him and he is now miserable. I coached the kid and we still speak frequently. He feels like a piece of meat, an anonymous cog in the wheel. They care that he is eligible to play--period. He wants to transfer. Its a sad story. The kid's dream came true but has turned out to be a nightmare for him.
I cannot agree more. I was an "All-American" on a NCAA Championship team. I was lucky enough to play for an awesome coach and we had a great balanced college experience. I don't see that happening too much any more. IF, my son decides he wants to play a sport in college, I really hope that he can have the amazing experience that I did. I can tell you something else, he won't be "committing" anywhere until he is at least a Junior. I really feel like he is WAY to young right now to make that decision. PLUS, he truly doesn't know if he wants to play a sport in college (he is pretty sure he does), but he also not sure what sport that will be. I really hope that all of these kids end up having a great collegiate experience, it really is a GREAT time in your life. I hate to hear about kids not enjoying it because it has become a job...
And with all this crazy early recruiting, it gets way too real and becomes a job way too young.
