<p>fogfog, in response to this statement or question: “what does kiddo get (really) for the commitment to play for the ivy beyond a jersey with that name one it…and what will it mean after graduation (would that be more than 4 yrs)” - </p>
<p>The vast majority of Ivy athletes do graduate in 4 years as they cannot be redshirted except for real injury that takes them out of competition for the entire season. It’s quite a process to petition for redshirt status in the Ivy league, requiring medical documentation and a comprehensive review. This is in contrast to other DI schools where athletes are frequently redshirted freshman year in order to allow them to get used to the increased training schedule and enable them to be more competitive in subsequent years. I’m not saying one system is better than the other, but the Ivy practice does really emphasize that they are scholar-athletes with the scholar first and expected to finish in 4 years.</p>
<p>We visited one state school, D1 program and were told that ALL athletes, whether recruited or not, received the benefits of early scheduling, dorm picks, athlete dining hall, team academic advisor, tutors, athletic trainer and life coach (my term, can’t remember what their exact title was). Academic support is way up there on my list of requirements for my daughter. I know how hard it is to keep all the balls in the air with training, travel, competition and a full course load. And I am all for mandatory study hours. She and I both also feel strongly about housing, she really wants to be in a dorm with other athletes in her sport. </p>
<p>I certainly agree that these services should be available to ALL athletes not just recruited athletes. I can’t imagine how the non-recruits, in our sport their are many more than in most sports, would feel seeting the recruits getting all this extra support while they receive none. Can’t do a whole lot for team morale in my opinion.</p>
<p>Riverrunner–
I had someone recently tell me the same thing about the alum network of the said school–very strong and supportive…and your point about internship etc is well taken, thank you.</p>
<p>Fishy–agree that seeing some athletes in this sport being “perked” vs others who are not cannot be good for that team…thats an interesting insight…and how that might make moral take a nosedive…have heard a coach (different school–one that mentioend in an email to our kiddo) that the whoel team practices together - not var vs others…in order to protect/promote moral…</p>
<p>Runners2
Good point–kiddo needs to remember that (as do I as the parent) that the ivies do remember kiddo is a scholar first.
Kiddo got an email from an athlete at a school kiddo may consider telling kiddo to consdier whether its worth the pressure etc to compete for xyz ivies/jeopardizing graduation on time etc…
And kiddo should consider schools that promote scholars first over athletes…</p>
<p>I was surprised kiddo got that email…and yet I know of 2 instances where a recruit-about to sign with a HYP, declined because athletes on the campus told them it was hell to play for HYP and balance schoolwork.</p>
<p>How odd is that for a current HYPS student-athlete to tell a recruit to NOT sign there? Both recruits signed elsewhere.</p>
<p>I think it just depends on what your athlete wants. My S is at an Ivy where he does have the following: “team academic advisor, tutors, athletic trainer” and laundry and routine massages! He does not receive early scheduling (would be nice ) or dorm picks. He opted to live with the other athletes on his team, but not all athletes want that. Sometimes with those perks comes some loss of choice or control. His friend at another DI school left the sport because he felt like it (or the coach) was really controlling his college experience to a greater degree than he wanted - e.g. coach chose freshman roommates from among team members, assigned them to a dorm, meals were to be eaten in athlete cafeteria, some courses weren’t allowed because they would conflict with practice, etc. </p>
<p>My S eats and breathes his sport, but still is making his own choices about living arrangements, courses, etc. which is his preference. Others make other, equally valid choices for them. Good luck deciding!</p>
Schools admit the students they want the most. If some schools admit students they believe cannot perform in the classroom, they will have good reasons for doing so, such as performing on the athletic field. For some schools this is a strong part of their culture, and contributes to the well-being of the school in non-academic ways.</p>
) or dorm picks. He opted to live with the other athletes on his team, but not all athletes want that. Sometimes with those perks comes some loss of choice or control. His friend at another DI school left the sport because he felt like it (or the coach) was really controlling his college experience to a greater degree than he wanted - e.g. coach chose freshman roommates from among team members, assigned them to a dorm, meals were to be eaten in athlete cafeteria, some courses weren’t allowed because they would conflict with practice, etc. </p>