The Parent’s Role in Recruiting

Parents should support recruiting.

They should not own it.

A parent’s role includes:

Helping organize the school list

Helping understand cost

Helping with travel

Helping proofread emails

Helping evaluate academic fit

Helping ask financial questions

Helping protect emotional health

Helping track deadlines Helping verify rules

Helping the player prepare

A parent’s role does not include:

Writing all emails

Calling coaches for the player

Arguing with coaches

Exaggerating the player’s level

Pressuring the player into schools they do not want

Hiding cost realities

Making commitment decisions emotionally

Turning recruiting into family validation

The player must increasingly own the process.

Parent Conversations Ask your player:

Do you actually want college soccer?

What level of commitment do you want?

What academic environment do you want?

How far from home are you comfortable?

What majors interest you?

What kind of coach do you want?

How much does playing time matter?

What are you willing to sacrifice? What are you not willing to sacrifice?

Do not answer for them.

Parent Rule Your child is not your recruiting project.

They are the person who has to live the decision.