<p>Having attended every one of my son's games up to this point, I am wondering how many have sent their child off to play a sport and not been able to attend as often or at all. One school that I think is the perfect fit above all others so far (haven't shared that with my son) is about 5 1/2 hours away. We certainly can get there by car but, every weekend? I don't think so. There are siblings to consider and it seems like it would just get old. </p>
<p>We still have a few schools that will take a plane ride to visit. I don't see him sticking around.</p>
<p>I will certainly ask my son if our attendance matters as we go forward. But, wondering how the parents feel.</p>
<p>I think in a way I was glad to not have to attend anymore or drag my younger one along to her sister’s meets. Also, I frequently felt the stress of the pressure to perform which was on D in high school, and thus the break is healthy for me. But maybe I feel that way because D’s sport is more individual, and track meets can last for 7 hours, whereas something like a soccer game will be over in an hour and a half and your kid won’t often be on the hot seat alone. Regardless, now we can dedicate the extra time to the youngest, who was getting slighted and who is becoming a good athlete in her own right.</p>
<p>What ended up being great for us is that sometimes D’s meets are streamed online by a private running website, or by the NCAA itself if it’s a conference, regional or national championship. Also, someone might post the race video online after the fact. Thus we can watch her remotely. Her university offers a subscription which allows parents to watch other sports like baseball, because all the important games are filmed. Is that something that your son’s school would have?</p>
<p>We’re in the same boat…and will have to travel the exact same distance if we want to watch games. Did you look at this year’s schedule at the proposed school? Often game locations flip-flop every year - home games this year might be away games next year. Are there any other schools in the conference that are any closer to home?</p>
<p>Keepingitlight - for the 5 1/2 hour school, its about the same no matter who they play as all games are out of state. Maybe a few would be closer but, not by too much.</p>
<p>He would like to take a trip to Ohio and Maryland. These also look good to me on paper. These are plane rides for us and going to games would be out of the question.</p>
<p>He did visit one school that is just 3 hours away. That isn’t bad as there is one game that could be close to home. But, of course, on paper - I don’t think its a fit.</p>
<p>My daughters school which is 4 1/2 away has all the games online (at least the conference ones)… It is awesome because we can watch it live and not have to drive there for a basketball game. Other sports do it as well… Softball, baseball, soccer too I think… volleyball as well. Check the sports website at the school and see if they do internet broadcasts… I would HATE to not be able to see her play.</p>
<p>Our student is 2 plane rides away (no non-stops close by)
and freshman year we got to one event and by chance work put me nearby for another.</p>
<p>This year we haven’t been able to go to any so far…and work will land me nearby for one.</p>
<p>For us it is sad as we don’t get good news in “real-time” and K1 is so busy with academics and practices, competition and travel…it can be 2 weeks til we connect by Skype. </p>
<p>There are some parents more local to the U that do go to see the team within a reasonable driving radius and we appreciate that. </p>
<p>K1 was happy when we got to be there last year and I was thrilled to see the team snag a major title at the end of the season.
Our K2 is planning staying with the sport in college as well…then we will be splitting resources.</p>
<p>I saw probably two competitions each year for four years, and a bit of video for major events. I wish I could have attended them all, but not possible due to distance and younger siblings.</p>
<p>But I can tell you, I always knew exactly when she competed, and when I was likely to get a call, and I always got that call. She always knew I would want to know the result immediately, good or bad, and that she could count on me to say the right things. I had always said them from the first time she stepped onto a field, ski slope, or track. So while I couldn’t be present, I knew my role had become the one constant–present in spirit but not overly invested. Now that she’s graduated, I truly don’t miss those anxious hours, and I do have some indelible memories. </p>
<p>The best one is when I waited for the results from her qualifying race to go to the DI National Track Championships. I saw the heat come up on my computer. She beat two Duke girls in the final stretch and was the last qualifier from her region. Best phone call ever.</p>
<p>Its really good to hear its done and the connection is there, but different. I am just starting on this journey and its forever changing. Last night, my son was looking more closely at one of the D2 school websites. This school has been very attentive and is a great school for him. Its only an hour away! So, things can change. But, I am the worrier that looks ahead and immediately places that school/decision in his life and what it would mean to all of us.</p>
<p>My D will be playing on a team next year (D III) on the other side of the country. She is our youngest, so if she gets much playing time as a freshman, we may go for a week and catch 3 games (they usually play one each weekend and one during the week). We did discuss this when she was considering this school vs a closer one, but it was not a major factor in her decision. Picking the best fit academically and socially were the primary considerations.</p>
<p>I think it helps to be aware of the culture of the school/team/parents. In our D’s program there is a serious cadre of parents. Most live within two hours of the school and attend almost every game. We are four hours away and travelled to 16 events in the school year we are just completing. YMMV! (Pun intended)</p>
<p>Living in California and having my son on the East Coast has been both a torment and a blessing. For me, during meet days, I find myself constantly scouring the internet to see if i can get realtime results, video, etc. to see how he does. I have been able to get out to see him once or twice, and that has been great. </p>
<p>On the blessing side, I have seen him grow tremendously as a young man. Being away from home has built his independence, confidence and appreciation for his family.</p>
<p>For my Ds sport parents organize outstanding tailgate pot luck meals after the home games. Many parents travel from all over the region to attend games & tailgates. The coaches & trainers also attend. Parents & team members get to know each other as well as siblings & other family members. This is the only time we see ourD during her season.</p>
<p>Reach2play - I know I will be scouring websites looking for results as well if I am not going to be able to attend games. I do have other kids who also have activities so, even if my S attends school close by, it may not be possible all the time.</p>
<p>windbehindwings - One D2 and one D3 school really tried to sell us on the atmosphere. The tailgating, the food for miles, great parent groups, etc. The players and coaches join in the festivities. It sounds fun. I would feel terrible if my S didn’t have his family there to greet him. </p>
<p>I hope we can be there as much as possible if this all works out. I just booked a flight to Ohio to visit a school. Will this be the one? :)</p>
<p>Yes, we are facing the exact same issue.
Though, even if my d stays relatively close, a rowing regatta could be anywhere, not necessarily conducted at the school itself.</p>
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<p>Our thinking has been – anything within a day’s drive works for us.
Turns out my d is in agreement on this. She has no interest going to college out in the midwest or near the pacific coast.</p>
<p>My son went to college 4 hours away and played lacrosse. Several games were within 2 hours of our house and that helped a lot. Our parent group was fantastic with receptions and meals after every game, either on campus or away. The parents who could be there were incredibly generous with the kids whose parents couldn’t make it in. And it was reciprocated when the far-away folks made it to campus or to an away game – they’d take all the boys to dinner. </p>
<p>But in the spring – Saturday morning. Get up early. Don the school colors. Load the car. Be sure to include everything from ski gear to suntan lotion. Get in the car, stop at Starbucks, the rest area, the gas station and park at the stadium! After the game, sometimes we’d stay over and have dinner and breakfast with our son and his friends. Sometimes we’d drive back. </p>
<p>It was an awesome four years. We’d do it again in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>This journey of where he ends up is going to be interesting to say the least. It sounds like there are many ways to make it work. I have awhile before we will know where he lands. </p>
<p>I have learned from a few folks here why the coaches are filling us in on what the parents do for the players/coaches in the form of tailgating. They are promoting atmosphere and how well the kids are taken care of. Gotcha! </p>
<p>GolfFather - I look forward to going on this journey with you. Does your D have siblings that have to be factored into what you can swing? I do. This makes dropping everything for one kiddo, a bit of a challenge. There is no way everyone is going to find these road trips fun. They have lots of activities themselves. Not sure how invested they will be. :(</p>
<p>This is, indeed, a very interesting journey.</p>
<p>We’re still a year away from having to face the specifics of this but yes, we also have a younger son and his schedule will have to be factored into this when the time comes.</p>
<p>And rowing is a bit unusual in that there are so few actual competitions during the season and many (most) of them can be at far-flung locations away from the school itself.</p>
<p>But, as stated, we are (so far) keeping the search to the mid-atlantic and northeast areas.</p>
<p>OUr son will be playing soccer about 3 hours away (but can be 5 with traffic) but most away games will be completely out of the area. He is our last one at home and we are both in a position to take time off of work, so we will try to see as many games as possible, but it will not be close to all of them. We both really enjoy watching him play so will really miss being able to see him play as often as we do now. I think my husband will miss it especially as he is truly addicted to soccer in any way, shape, or form and watches and refs in all of his spare time. I love watching my son play, however, his club team has been traveling extensively recently and we are gone every single weekend traveling at least a few hours away. I haven’t minded as I knew this would be the last year for it, but I will be glad to have some weekends back to myself!</p>