TPM #294: The Long Odds Of Playing College Highlight The Need To Enjoy The Journey

Parents and coaches need to maintain perspective when thoughts of scholarship dance in their heads.

Welcome to edition 294 of The Physical Movement.

While the winter months roll on during a particularly frigid winter here in Canada, the highways and hotels are extremely busy. No, many are not taking winter holidays during the toughest climate of the year in small towns across this land, rather thousands are braving snowy conditions so their kids can get to youth sport tournaments. Hockey, figure and speed skating, gymnastics, boxing and martial arts, skiing, basketball, volleyball, swimming are just a few of the sports attracting competitors from all over.

The demands of the youth sport experience have grown as we have documented previously in TPM. Not only on the athlete, but on the families and the pocketbook. Competitions are no longer only local but rather involve travel. Lots of travel.

With the travel comes the need for increased time and money spent on accommodating.

Which highlights the need of ensuring that the journey itself is enjoyed rather than seen only as stepping stones to the next level.

Memorable experiences (often times away from competition) and friendships should highlight the time in youth sport and if the work ethic, opportunity and talent is there then the next steps will follow.

Too often, the goal seems to be that our local athlete is going to step up from these experiences to earn that scholarship to college or play professionally. That goal is not necessarily to be discouraged, however the odds of it occurring are low and perspective should be sprinkled in.

As documented in edition 274 of the TPM, if our young athlete wants to pursue being a college athlete, there is an extraordinary level of work, talent and discipline required. This drive to practice, must come from within the athlete for it to be sustainable. No amount of parenting and coaching that can do the work for the student athlete. This includes preparation for competition but also work in the classroom. Consistently. Over years.

The below data is published by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The odds of playing college sports are very low.

Youth sport is a $28 billion dollar industry in North America. Much of this is in the private coaching and athlete preparation side. Private coaching and higher end “showcase programs” have become the norm in many communities.

The pursuit of playing at the higher levels seems to have blurred the facts on achieving those goals. The pressure that comes with big money investment, elite coaches and specialization takes the fun away from the athlete and the journey.

Youth sport provides so many great physical, social and mental benefits to our athletes, they should never be overshadowed by constant pursuit of the next thing. Sometimes enjoying the current experience can create memories and experiences of a lifetime.

Should the low odds discourage those who want to pursue elite athletics? Absolutely not. They just should not overshadow the present opportunities. Which may never come around again.

Enjoy your tournaments and the journey!

Travel safe!