In 2016, I organized a program called ‘Raising a Student-Athlete.’
The program’s goal was to inform, equip, and educate parents on the challenges they will face raising a student-athlete. During the program, I had current and former student-athletes, coaches, and college counselors. We covered topics such as recruiting, student life balance, college choices and parenting strategies.
I saw a need nine years ago, and once again in 2025, that need still exists but in a different form. Raising student athletes today brings different challenges for families from finances, travel sports, coaching relationships, choosing a high school and recruiting.
Time and money
Sports have become year-round in just about every sport.
I have spent several birthdays and holidays in hotels and at gymnasiums sacrificing time for my student-athlete. The extra activities and support families utilize requires a very flexible schedule that could consume evening and weekend time. Basketball, volleyball, baseball, cheer and now even football have become year-round sports.
There is no longer an off-season for student-athletes and the families that support them. To keep up with the times and competition, families must consider placing their student-athletes in travel sports with sport-specific trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and mental performance coaches.
I have known families that have spent as much as $8,000 during spring and summer for travel sports. Depending on the sport and the student-athlete, the cost could be even higher.
The question becomes, “What can a family do to save time and money?”
The answer is simple … wait!
There is a belief that you should have your pre-teen or elementary-aged student athlete involved in travel sports and all that comes with it as early as possible. This is not true and not necessary. I would not get involved in travel-based sports prior to the eighth grade and in some sports, you can wait until high school and get the desired results necessary.
Invest heavily into your student-athlete’s self-motivation, mental toughness and solid athletic foundation instead of pouring money into travel sports and trainers. Waiting will save you time, money and a few headaches you may face later.
Picking the right high school
Parents have educational choices for high school.
Charter, private, prep and public are all options for parents and families today. Going outside of your district school could require you to provide transportation or cost financially, but you do have choices. If you do your homework, ask the right questions and know what you are looking for, this decision could be made easier.
When choosing the right high school for your student-athlete you should take the time and get to know four people: the principal, athletic director, guidance counselor and head coach. These four people are important in guiding and supporting your student athletes’ efforts to have a successful high school career and potentially play collegiately.
Be sure to ask the following questions:
(Coach and Athletic Director) How do you help student-athletes obtain college scholarships?
(Coach and Athletic Director) What colleges and college coaches do you have relationships with?
(Principal) What role do athletics play in the culture of the school?
(Guidance Counselor) What academic support do you provide student-athletes to help them be successful?
(Guidance Counselor) How do you help student-athletes work through the college process?
Advice from other parents and administrators
Dr. Roland B. — Parents should understand the importance of social media when it comes to recruiting. Students should be active on social media and monitor what they put on social media. Many college coaches begin their homework on a student-athlete with their social media page.
Dr. Michelle R. — Parents must be present and show up for their student-athlete. Your presence at games and practices are important as your student athlete deals with the ups and downs of a season. Show up as their biggest cheerleader, motivator, and accountability partner. Push your student-athlete in the classroom to get the best grades to help them become more recruitable. Students must Finally build a team of people around your student-athlete. A team of other parents, family and other student-athletes. It takes a village!
Athletic Dir. Ramone S. — You must do your part as a parent in positioning your student-athlete to be successful. The high school coach can only do so much to help your student athlete perform and perform well enough to get a college scholarship. It is important for parents to be realistic about their athletes’ talent and talent level. Everyone will not be a Power Five or Division One athlete. If they are lucky enough to get an offer at any level from any school, please do your homework and take it seriously.
(Parent) — Make sure your student-athlete is a multi-sport athlete. You may not be able to invest heavily in both sports, but it will give you two viable options for scholarship dollars for college. I would recommend team sports and an individual sport for development purposes and two different athletic experiences. Parents should also consider involving their student-athletes into sport spaces that are outside of the norm, such as lacrosse, swimming, diving and volleyball.
I encourage parents to have a plan, a support system, and a vision for their student-athlete. There will be many ups and downs with wins and losses that will become more manageable if parents plan out their student athletes’ success.
Tap into your resources and don’t be afraid to say no or to wait. Stay in the game!
