<p>S is a freshman at a large southern school. Dream is to "do something" with hockey. Went to large southern school to play on young club team. Son not thrilled with how things turned out for him with the team. He is skilled but not consistent, pulling a 2.5 GPA. Now talking about transferring, still chasing the hockey dream. He knows he's not NCAA material but wants a serious club. My experience is that the Clubs are now selective and competative. I'm not going to force him to stay at his current school and would actually prefer him to find something in New England (closer to extended family, more hockey on some level). However, he thinks he can find a "better" club experience...I doubt it...too much competition (he's a goalie). He gets upset when I suggest intramurals and a focus on schoolwork...guidance? Suggestions?</p>
<p>Obviously, his head is not into academics.
No choice but to let him chase his dream until he’s ready to take his hockey pads off and buckle down and get serious about schoolwork.</p>
<p>Just me, but if you are funding his education I would have a serious chat about the GPA and implications of transferring. My kids are on the 4 year plan period as far as funding for college goes. If they can’t finish in 8 semesters, they are on their own financially after that. Hockey may lose some luster when he thinks about the possible cost.</p>
<p>I doubt he can transfer with a 2.5 GPA.</p>
<p>I would have a problem with a sport taking priority over academics at college if there is any tuition involved, but that is a separate issue.</p>
<p>“Club” hockey has so many different meanings. Here are 2 options we ran across last year: Stonehill (very competitive hockey) & Susquehanna (more laid back) & U of Wyoming…</p>
<p>S1 is a freshman and plays for a less serious club team in Wisconsin. Practice every Tues & Thurs and 2 games each weekend. It is perfect for him.</p>
<p>Thank you for pointing out a few options based on your experience.</p>
<p>Listening Aunt here.</p>
<p>Good friends of ours have a son a Loyola in MD who plays club hockey there. He is loving every minute of his college experience and doing well academically. The club level is exactly what he wanted. My son plays club rugby and is finding the same.</p>
<p>The school in Lynchburg has a good club level team. Her’s a list of schools they played this season. I’d guess there is a range of competition there.</p>
<p>September 17, 2010 Liberty vs Adrian College Win (2-1OT) (summary)
September 18, 2010 Liberty vs Adrian College Loss(1-5) (summary)
September 24, 2010 Liberty vs Niagara U Loss(5-6OT) (summary)
September 25, 2010 Liberty vs Niagara U Win (5-3) (summary)
September 26, 2010 Liberty vs Binghamton U Win (13-1) (summary)<br>
October 1, 2010 Liberty vs Davenport U Loss(7-4) (summary)
October 2, 2010 Liberty vs Davenport U Loss(6-2) (summary)
October 8, 2010 Liberty vs Oakland Win (5-3) (summary)
October 9, 2010 Liberty vs Oakland Win (5-4OT) (summary)
October 22, 2010 Liberty vs UMBC Win (12-2) (summary)
October 23, 2010 Liberty vs Kennesaw Win (14-0) (summary)
October 28, 2010 Liberty at Penn State Loss (3-7) (summary)
October 29, 2010 Liberty at Penn State Win (3-2) (summary)
November 4, 2010 Liberty vs Delaware Loss (2-3) (summary)
November 5, 2010 Liberty vs Delaware Loss (3-4) (summary)
November 12, 2010 Liberty vs Stony Brook Loss (3-6) (summary)
November 13, 2010 Liberty vs Stony Brook Win (4-2) (summary)
November 18, 2010 Liberty at Oklahoma U Loss (4-5) (summary)
November 19, 2010 Liberty at Central Oklahoma Loss (2-3) (summary)
November 20, 2010 Liberty at Oklahoma U Win (5-3) (summary)
December 3, 2010 Liberty at Oakland Loss (4-5) (summary)
December 4, 2010 Liberty at Oakland Loss (2-6) (summary)
December 6, 2010 Liberty vs VA Tech Win (11-6) (summary)
January 8, 2011 Liberty at Stony Brook Win (6-1) (summary)
January 9, 2011 Liberty at Stony Brook Loss (2-3 OT)(summary)</p>
<p>They also play a lower level D2 club schedule</p>
<p>September 18 vs NC State 1:15pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>September 19 vs NC State 10:30am LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>September 24 vs CNU 4:00pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>September 25 vs UNC - Wilmington 10:15pm LaHaye Ice Center </p>
<p>October 1 vs Georgetown 10:15pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>October 8 vs Life 4:00pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>October 9 vs Life 3:30pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>October 15 vs Ferris State (ACHA Showcase) 3:30pm The Ice Zone</p>
<p>October 16 vs Wright State (ACHA Showcase) 8:30pm The Ice Zone</p>
<p>October 17 vs Toledo (ACHA Showcase) 7:30pm The Ice Zone</p>
<p>October 22 vs Kennesaw 10:15pm LaHaye Ice Center </p>
<p>October 23 vs UMBC 3:15pm LaHaye Ice Center </p>
<p>October 29-31 Liberty Showcase (Rider, Rown, ECU, Liberty) LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>November 6 vs Virginia Tech 10:15pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>November 12 @ Kennesaw State </p>
<p>November 13 @ Kennesaw State </p>
<p>November 14 @ Life</p>
<p>November 19 vs Maryland 8:15pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>November 20 vs Temple 8:30pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>December 4 vs Charlotte Hurricans (Jr team) 10:30pm LaHaye Ice Center
December 5 vs Charlotte Hurricans (Jr team) 11:00am LaHaye Ice Center
January 14 vs Penn State 9:15pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>January 15 vs Richmond 9:15pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>January 16 vs ECU 10:00am LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>January 21 vs Richmond Royals 9:15pm LaHaye Ice Center</p>
<p>January 23 @ Virginia Tech</p>
<p>February 4 @ Maryland</p>
<p>February 5 @Georgetown</p>
<p>H also loved the game and still plays to this day at almost 50. His F always made it clear that, in his case, hockey was a sport, not a career. He chose his college accordingly. If it doesn’t hold a future for your S to play, he will have to let go of that dream. Easier said than done. </p>
<p>Have you talked about how to connect his academic pursuits with the game? We have an acquaintance that became a successful financial planner serving many pro hockey players. He’s still “in the game”, just not on the ice.</p>
<p>Thanks to all…yes, we are encouraging S to look at career options for staying near the game. Thanks for reminding me to remind him…I guess I wasn’t expecting such a steep learning curve in all aspects of freshman year. I knew that he would be a fish out of water in the south (with the heavy emphasis on fraternities/sororities…not his interest). I guess I used to have more “control” over things and now that he’s out there, he is having to take the bumps and bruises from the world…I guess we all do. It’s hard to see your kid lose confidence in himself…Thanks for the feedback.</p>
<p>It’s difficult to see kids struggling with something that’s been a dream. Does your S have a particular goal connected with hockey? Is he just happy to be playing? Realistically, a kid who is playing club hockey is not going to be heading to a career as a professional hockey player. Many kids who play throughout their childhood and college years continue to play long into adulthood (my H included) but it’s an interest, an extra-curricular, a hobby, not a profession. Loving hockey, which all in our family do, is a joy and can be a terrific way to enjoy the sport as a fan or as a player for fun. Coaching minor hockey or high school hockey is another way to stay involved. Having a career that is related to hockey is more difficult to plan unless you have a particular goal, e.g, agent, lawyer, public relations, trainer, etc. The academics are going to be important for those related careers. A discussion with his academic advisor and/or the career development office at his college might be a good place to start.</p>