educate
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college life skills
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maskmatters.org
FALL 2017
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{
DID YOU KNOW?
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Sixty percent of respondents reported either witnessing or participating in negative or abusive sideline behavior.
F
or any student athlete, it is quite an achievement
to be recruited out of high school or to try out as
a walk-on and secure a coveted spot on a college
sports team. If your son or daughter goes on
to play sports in college, it’s most likely they’ve
played most of their childhood. Regardless, going
from high school to college level play is a big achievement
and a big responsibility.
When a college student is also an athlete, they take on
a host of added pressures. Many of these students earned
their spot in college and on the team because they worked
hard, knowing that a scholarship would enable them to
afford their college education.
While their ability as an athlete opened the door to
college opportunities, academics may be a challenge. For
some, the demands of juggling the requirements of the
team and classes can be difficult. In addition to the pressure
of making good grades and doing well on the field to retain
their spot on the team, they are adjusting to being away
from home.
After years of preparing water bottles, shuttling kids to
and from practice, and attending games to cheer them on, a
parent’s role changes significantly when their athlete heads
to college. We know that parents play a significant role in
supporting their child’s development in any sport, and it’s
often hard for parents to adjust to no longer being privy to
their activities and progress.
If you can go to games, this is one of the most
supportive things a parent can do at this stage. However, it’s
even more important to actively check in with them and let
COLLEGE
LIFE
SKILLS
KEEPING YOUR
STUDENT ATHLETE
GROUNDED
By // Dr. Lisa Strohman, JD, Ph.D.
them know that you are still available to listen, support
and encourage.
Student athletes are more susceptible to potential
pitfalls that can test their integrity and their decision-
making. Remind them of the great athletes before them
and talk about the trappings that star athletes face, using
examples they can relate to.This helps them become
more comfortable sharing their own experiences with
issues they or their teammates may be going through.
It’s important to keep the lines of communication open
and provide a safe place for them to turn, if college life
becomes difficult.
It’s also beneficial to talk with them about the
business of collegiate sports and help them set goals for
their personal future. Colleges spend a large portion of
their budgets on athletics because winning teams bring
universities money and notoriety; for a star athlete or
any member on a coveted team athletics can overshadow
education. To avoid this pitfall, help focus their energies
on learning to balance their job as an athlete with their
job as a student, and utilize the academic resources
student athletes have access to, along with other support
services the school provides.
While few get the opportunity to play in college, even
fewer go on to play professionally. For a student athlete,
it is best to learn to appreciate the friends, coaches
and experiences gained.The lessons in work ethic,
contributing to a team, time management and leadership
— coupled with an academic education — are valuable
lessons for whatever career they ultimately pursue.
