‘Tis is the season when thousands of high school athletes achieve their dreams in becoming a student-athlete on the collegiate level. Being a seventeen or eighteen year old during this process can be highly stressful. Deciding a school that fits your best needs in the class room and on the football field is a lot easier said than done. Coaches, parents, friends, and people on the outside will always have a an opinion on what the best option is at the time.
In the past few years some parents of the future student-athletes acted like the child in this situation rather than being the parent. I understand that some parents may be promised things (Word to Pete Bell), but it is best to support your child during a tedious process. Signing day is a huge moment for them, and they need all the support in the world.
In 2012 Landon Collins selected Alabama over LSU, and his mother was irate about the decision. History repeated itself recently as the brother of Landon Collins, Gerald Willis III disappointed his mother in selecting the Florida Gators over LSU. The of the two student-athlete’s April Justin was visibly upset in both situations, but I think the big picture is being missed. It is a great blessing to have a kid go through college on a full ride scholarship.
A college grad like myself who used loans and grants to get through school would adore the opportunity to go to school for free. When the student-athletes sign their letter of intent they are promised a full scholarship as long as they meet all requirements . I think parents think about the NFL when going through this process, but I think that anything that happens on top of the free education is a cherry on top. The student-athletes do not get paid, and I think they should, but several years of free education, health care, and the opportunity to place them in their ideal career doesn’t sound bad to me.
The kids get a chance to spend three to five years to reach their ideal job. Whether that job is working at Proctor & Gamble or the NFL they get a chance a doing it, and it’s all cost free. I think parents should fall back, and support their kids decision even if it is not to their liking.
