The Path to College

If you have a pre-teen, or a young teen, that has shown above average athletic ability in their sport or multiple sports and above level interest in sports, then it's important to live in the now AND to have a plan and eye on the future.

It is reasonable to hope that your youth athlete can earn a college scholarship in a sport that they love and show a talent in, but you have to make sure that the journey to pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is a positive experience or they won't make it to the end.  

Studies show that 75% of youth athletes quit playing sports by the time that they are 13, and if you have an above average athlete with an above average interest level, the three main things (outside of height and natural talent/athleticism) that could derail the opportunity to play collegiately are:

1 - Lack of growth and development

2 - Burnout

3 - Bad experiences

I think our biggest jobs as parents are to silently, behind the scenes, make sure that these three things are always being watched.

Make sure that your athlete is having fun and getting better.  If they are doing those two things, they are moving in the right direction.