<p>Sometimes it's the coach as enforcer ... but lots of times it's the team that makes the decision that they have a goal bigger than partying their season away.</p>
<p>I agree, cnp. The athletes at this school sign an agreement at the beginning of each season committing to practice, sleep, eat, and otherwise conduct themselves in a way that optimizes the team's competitive preformance. It is a commitment to each other, not to the coach. The only enforcement is the student's own conscience, and the honor system.</p>
<p>At most schools - there is a seperate 'code of conduct' for athletes (above and beyond the 'code of conduct' of all of the students at the school - which tends to hold the athlete to a higher standard - and to which the coaches/athletic department are 'supposed' to hold the athletes to. As we have seen in the past - and Duke is a good example of this last year - as to what came out of the investigation regarding the behaviors of the athletes during the Duke LAX scandle - was the lax enforcement by many of the coaches when it came to alcohol and team members - not just the LAX team - but several other teams as well.</p>
<p>This is not new stuff - some schools do a good job of monitoring and enforcing punishments on their athletes who step out of the 'code of conduct' - and others continue (and will continue to do so) to look the other way when it comes to the behavors of their athletes.</p>
<p>Just don't be blind to the fact that athletes DO drink AND party AND do other things as well - just like any other student - they are not set apart from the general student population except for the fact that they play a sport. It certainly does not set them apart to be saints on campus.</p>
<p>The coach can certainly be the enforcer - when he knows about a problem - but until they know - lots can happen to the athlete before the coach even has the opportunity to attempt to get the kiddo back on track.</p>
<p>Just be aware of the possibility that alcohol/partying/drugs/etc... can be a part of the student/athlete's environment - and hope that your student/athlete makes the right choices - there are NO guarateees that they will - or won't.</p>
<p>RIVERRUNNER - you may think what you will - but the rose colored glasses that many parents have are not the reality of MOST (not all) college athlete programs when it comes to drinking and signing something and an honor code. Many (not all) kids figure out pretty easily exactly how to manage it and not get caught - honor system or not. There is absolutely NO way that a coach can absolutely promise a parent that the student/athletes on their teams don't imbibe - usually until something happens.</p>
<p>It is the unique student/athlete that can/will abide by a standard that does not include alcohol - and I admire those students - it can be a difficult road to hoe at times - but it is up to the student to live their own standards and hopefully they will able to manage living in such a way as to enhance their experience to the optimal level - not every student/athlete is able to do that.</p>
<p>But all that said - those official visits certainly can tell alot about the school - the athletic program - the coach and the team - and may open ones eyes to the realities that they may face if they attend that school. It is part of finding that perfect fit that all college students seek. It all comes to choices.</p>
<p>disclaimer- I don't have any children who will be college level athletes.</p>
<p>My son has a friend. Amazing athlete but a kid who for whatever reason was a magnet for trouble. In high school he had drug suspensions, alcohol suspensions and even a vandalism charge plus at one time his parents had even kicked him out of the house. In spite of all this he was recruited by top Div 1 programs in 3 different sports. Judging by the offers he had not very many coaches were concerned. His athletic ability made them blind. He is now playing on a Div 1 college team and having an impact as a freshman.</p>
<p>He probably doesn't have a lot of time and energy to get in too much trouble now! Playing high division one level sports is like taking a full time job in addition to full time academics. A lot of colleges shy away from athletes with "character issues," but there is always a place somewhere for a truly great athlete, especially one who would be unusually gifted enough to be recruited in three sports. I would imagine an athlete like that would garner national attention from the media. Hope he makes the most of his opportunities.</p>
<p>It is a rare college team on which the athletes don't drink, and a rare college campus on which the athletes must hew to a code of conduct that includes not drinking.</p>
<p>Most teams here (and at other schools I have friends at) may have a certain "dry" period during which no one may drink (normally in the key part of the season), and most also have dry periods before games/matches, but other than that athletes tend to drink often and copiously.</p>
<p>jeepmom, I hope I don't sound like the kind of parent who thinks her kid will never do bad things, or that a coach should be held accountable for my child's actions.</p>
<p>I do think coach expectations, and the general drinking culture of a team and school will impact my child's likelihood and frequency of drinking.</p>
<p>Asking a coach or player about this issue is not likely to give you a completely accurate picture partying at a particular school, but its worth bringing up for several reasons: </p>
<p>Parents and prospective students who bring this up may cause the coaches to realize we really do care about this issue for our kids. </p>
<p>You can develop a scale of concern about drinking: 0: no concern or interest in discussing this issue, up to 10: well developed and articulated policy with examples of dismissal from team for breach of agreement.</p>
<p>Bessie-I guess he was one of those cases. I know at least 2 of the offers were from top ranked academic schools. The vandalism charge was the saddest since the boys involved were somehow able to avoid going to court. The vandalism was on school property and costly. All involved were athletes. All are now freshman at various colleges. I can't help wonder if non athletes would have gotten off so easily.
Strangely last night someone told me that his grades first semester were pretty bad.
And the sport is not football or basketball.</p>
<p>RIVER - I understand your stance on this - and yes - your questions and concerns are very valid - but..... in reality - you will not really 'know' what goes on - unless your athlete is completely honest for forthcoming about what goes on and what they did - or did not - do. A coach can give you an inkling - so can another athlete - but in reality it may not be the whole story. Just realize that and be prepared - that's all. Some coaches are very strict about things with good success - but others take a real blind eye to the same types of things. The culture of the school itself will be pretty revealing as well.</p>
<p>Being a concerned parent is great - I agree with that completely. Your athlete will gain a new family when he goes to school - his team mates and the coach. Good coaches know what is going on with his athletes - not so good coaches could give a hoot (at least until it directly impacts his team). Your student/athlete will have choices to make - and all parents hope that they make the good kind. He needs to know about the student/athlete code of conduct and exactly what it means/stands for and what 'can' happen should he choose to use bad judgement. Surprisingly alot of athletes feel that it won't/doesn't apply to them - surprise - surprise.</p>
<p>I really think that the athletes have a good start most of the time - they have instant friends and support system - but they also need to know that there is life outside the team - and to take advantage of that as well.</p>
<p>MOM60 - sure doesn't sound like this guy will be able to stick around his school for long if his grades are pretty bad - doesn't it make you wonder what it takes for some of these kids to wise up?!? Opportunities lost sometimes.</p>
<p>Mom60- This kid did not get recruited without stellar recs saying that his troubles were in the past. Of course, it depends on the school, but the D1 schools most often discussed on these threads (the top academic schools) are not going to take a kid who is a confirmed problem unless they get some pretty convincing indications that he is ready to straighten out. It is also just about impossible to be recruited seriously for three different sports. I wonder if in this case "recruited" means he got a call or a letter.</p>
<p>MOWC-His problems were definitely not in the past. The vandalism was a senior prank that was a month before school let out. Put it this way the kid didn't walk at graduation. It is entirely possible that some of the schools would have rescinded their offer after the last incident. I don't know if they even heard about it. I think what happened is the parents of the boys paid for the repairs and no charges were filed with the police.
Offers were reported in sports section of the newspaper. The 3rd sport was an offer to walk on one of the sports. He already had an offer to play his primary sport at this school. He is ranked one of the top players in his primary sport in the US.
At least from the outside it looks like this is a case of his abilities clouding the judgement of coaches. Could also be the coaches feel they can help him.</p>
<p>Interesting situation as son tries to make final decision. Many posters have suggested picking school first, team second, coach third... and that coaches move around alot. After visits, the coach for son's top choice wrote a letter to admissions to get faster decision on admissions. Son is within stats distribution (low end) for the school with ~40% accept rate so coach letter may have helped. Acceptance letter came a week later. Since then coach hasn't replied to emails or phone calls. Mainly want to confirm that there is a definite roster spot - would hate to show up and find out that something changed and he can't run at this school. I realize the coach shouldn't be the top driver in decision, but this seems a little extreme. Not sure if funding or roster spots got cut and he is reluctant to let son down, or something else going on. Anybody else have experience with a coach who suddenly stops communicating after being very positive previously and during visit and then helping with admissions?</p>
<p>That sounds strange. It's a busy time for college track coaches, but sheer civility requires a response to email or phone calls. My D's next year track coach has asked her to email meet results, keep in touch, and says summer workout schedule for her will be sent out in June. This seems like the norm. Not answering phone is not, but maybe Spring Break is the problem. Some programs take their athletes to spring training camp around now. Could that be it?</p>
<p>Yes, spring break could be the problem. And out of the 5 or 6 coaches that have recruited him, this coach is the slowest with email, etc... but he has always done what he said he would, just takes forever to reply. Just taking much longer in this case since email/phone messages were before spring break. May call or email the head track&field coach if this coach doesn't get back to him shortly.</p>
<p>Wow, maybe he is simply busy, disorganized, or both, but that doesn't sound too good to me. After all, this is the honeymoon stage! Imagine what four years of communicating with a coach who is unable to respond to an email or phone call would be like. And, if he IS avoiding you because he is not saving a roster spot for you son, I would definitely make a complaint to the AD regarding the delay in communication if it goes on much longer. SOMETIMES, there is a glitch in communications that is not anyone's fault though, so give him enough time to make sure that is not the case. Sometimes, when I want someone's immediate attention, I send a big FEDEX so they know I am interested in addressing my issue immediately. Maybe a letter thanking him for his letter to the admissions department and straight out asking if you son will have a spot on his roster if he enrolls would get a reply? Good luck.</p>
<p>Bessie, Thanks for your reply. Yep, coach is definitely busy and disorganized. The only reason we are still letting our son consider this school is that it is strong academically and he got along very well with the team - the coach could leave well before his 4 years is up based on other input. I actually did send an email yesterday thanking him for the admissions letter and asking about roster spot as you suggest. Hopefully will get an answer soon. Thanks</p>
<p>q1spa- This sounds like one of the running coaches that recruited my son a couple of years ago. If you want to send me a PM, we can see if it is the same coach! I tended to get a better feeling when the coach was a better communicator, but the kids seemed happy once they got to the school!</p>
<p>Hope you hear back soon with good news q1spa!</p>
<p>Regarding the non responsive coach. Is it possible there are still some restrictions or limitations on contact between the coach and the recruit? I won't even pretend to understand the ins and outs of any of it. I do know it varies sport to sport and division to division. Our experiences were in a different sport, different season. Just a thought.</p>