<p>I guess every coach that recruited my son felt that 17 year old kids might need parental guidance when making such a major decision. They all “recruited” the parents as strongly as the child. They called us constantly and tried very hard to maintain a relationship with us and all of the other parents. As I said before, we were invited (and expected) to come on the official visit. Kids often have a hard time being very direct with adults who are in a position of authority over them; by asking direct questions in the presence of our son, my husband and I showed him how to ask for information he needed in a diplomatic fashion. I know sports and schools can be different. My good friend had the opposite experience and had little or no contact with the coach during recruiting. I suppose the recruiting foreshadows the college experience. I have complete access to the coach and can call him anytime I want. I don’t happen to do that, and I never ask about playing time or specific games, but I hear from him every month or two just to trade information about my son and his progress. I appreciate knowing that I can call him anytime if necessary. Just as in business and life, every person needs to assess the folks they are dealing with and act as they feel is appropriate. I would, however, be very wary of sending my child off somewhere if I wasn’t even comfortable enough to ask the coach where my child stands in the recruiting process. There is a little part of me that thinks having a parent present for the important questions might cut down the BS factor a little bit.</p>