Would you put your dc in a different h.s. because it had better sports program?

[Boo'sMom]

I haven't read the other posts, but yes, I'd consider puting my child in a different school for a stronger athletic program, provided the academics were appropriate.

 

[ZuZugal]

*There was a study done a while back by our local newspaper that included how much money parents spent on kids to play competitive sports including tourneys and equipment and registrations fees and everything that goes along with it. Parents overwhelmingly said they did it for the opportunity for their child to get scholarships. If the folks had just put the money in an account and let it grow, they could have more than paid for the Division I colleges they were dying for their kids to play at.

A few points about this.
1. if your child is talented enough and they are potentially good enough to get a scholarship, you want them playing with those who are at their level and better. Putting him/her on a rec team to save $$ over the years will most likely not help the athlete develop to their full potential. This is NOT meant to put down rec teams at all. My kids have played on many rec teams, and there is a time and place for them.
2. Scouts watch players on the best travel teams, not so-so rec teams. Again, if the player is talented enough and wants a scholarship, being on the best teams in the area are what get you noticed by many coaches/scouts.

My dd and ds are in 2 different high schools right now for more than one reason; one of those reasons being sports. I say if it works for your family, then let your daughter choose. My recommendation would be to sit down and make a list for each high school of the "positives" and "negatives". Make sure your daughter is invovled in making the list. Make a list of all questions you have for the administration and coach at the high schools and sit down with them so you are clear about expectations from the beginning.

 

[golfgal]

A few points about this.
1. if your child is talented enough and they are potentially good enough to get a scholarship, you want them playing with those who are at their level and better. Putting him/her on a rec team to save $$ over the years will most likely not help the athlete develop to their full potential. This is NOT meant to put down rec teams at all. My kids have played on many rec teams, and there is a time and place for them.
2. Scouts watch players on the best travel teams, not so-so rec teams. Again, if the player is talented enough and wants a scholarship, being on the best teams in the area are what get you noticed by many coaches/scouts.

My dd and ds are in 2 different high schools right now for more than one reason; one of those reasons being sports. I say if it works for your family, then let your daughter choose. My recommendation would be to sit down and make a list for each high school of the "positives" and "negatives". Make sure your daughter is invovled in making the list. Make a list of all questions you have for the administration and coach at the high schools and sit down with them so you are clear about expectations from the beginning.

I think you missed the point, people pay MORE for these competitive leagues then college would cost or they could earn saving that same money. Playing at an elite level is all well and good but even those kids that are truly full scholarship potential are few and far between. College coaches know what they are looking for and often have these kids tagged before they start the elite programs anyway. They scout high school tournaments as well. True talent shows through even if you are playing rec ball and the coaches know that.

 

[ZuZugal]

I think you missed the point, people pay MORE for these competitive leagues then college would cost or they could earn saving that same money. Playing at an elite level is all well and good but even those kids that are truly full scholarship potential are few and far between. College coaches know what they are looking for and often have these kids tagged before they start the elite programs anyway. They scout high school tournaments as well. True talent shows through even if you are playing rec ball and the coaches know that.

Nope, didn't miss the point at all.

I understand fully what you are saying. I know coaches/recruiters/scouts and have had many conversations with them on the very topic of spending money on sports as the athlete develops.

You are right that coaches have tagged kids quite often before they even start in the travel/elite programs. And yes, players are scouted on school teams all the time. Scouts get to see the most kids at one time watching the hs teams. Those athletes who are really truly great at their sport naturally gravitate toward the travel/elite teams where the competition is the best and the ability to showcase their talent and be visible is the best too.

 

[gina2000]

Academics being equal, I'd change schools in a heartbeat. A child whose talent lies not only in academics but also in sports has better opportunities at the university level. I look at it as differentiation. Many kids are straight A students. If a student can couple high academic achievement with an elite level of extracurricular interest (be it sports, music, etc.), the doors open. Quite frankly, it's not even about money (though that's a lovely perk); it's about opportunity.

 

[jrmasm]

I think you missed the point, people pay MORE for these competitive leagues then college would cost or they could earn saving that same money. Playing at an elite level is all well and good but even those kids that are truly full scholarship potential are few and far between. College coaches know what they are looking for and often have these kids tagged before they start the elite programs anyway. They scout high school tournaments as well. True talent shows through even if you are playing rec ball and the coaches know that.

1) Most kids are playing for elite clubs because they are passionate about their sport.
2) For some sports, recruiters don't ever attend a school game.

 

[Caradana]

Yes, absolutely. She sounds like she has scholarship potential. I hope she doesn't burn out. If the two schools are roughly equivalent academically - switch her to max out her post-HS athletic odds. Go Title 9 -- it has opened hundreds of thousands of doors for girls.

 

[tinah159]

I would change schools!

 

[golfgal]

1) Most kids are playing for elite clubs because they are passionate about their sport.
2) For some sports, recruiters don't ever attend a school game.

I disagree-if a coach is interested enough in a kid they will show up at a backyard pick up game to watch. Most recruiting is done over the phone or through the newspaper these days. Coaches catch state tournament games, etc. Which sports don't you think go to high school games because in my 25+ year coaching career, we have had plenty of scouts show up at games.

Most kids are playing for elite clubs because their parents think they are the next Michael Jordan and will get a scholarship to pay for college.

 

[gina2000]

Swimming is one sport where an elite level (club team) is really mandatory. High school teams practice for about 4 months per year; club teams practice for 11 and travel to sectional and national meets several times throughout the year.

Recruiting occurs by submitting times to college coaches for consideration. State championships may attract some coaches but sectionals, nationals, and world swim meets are where the talent lies and coaches know that and plan accordingly.

My niece has been showcased around the nation in soccer. She's played club her entire life and is now looking at some great scholarships at private schools, both local and around the country. Her HS playing experience has done nothing for her.

It all depends on the sport, the talent, and what university a child's assets are most useful. And that's all assets, not just sports assets.

 

[Art 1]

No.

 

[Schmeck]

My DD18 got into the college of her choice based on her grades and extra activities, but it was her sport that made her stand out a bit, as it was a nationally ranked team. Not a top ranking, though. She was not offered any athletic scholarship for this, and we spent over $1000 a month in season (8 months a year) for her to participate. She knew going in that she could either have her sport, or that money could be put away for college. She picked the sport, and I wouldn't have changed that for anything - it got her into MIT.

 

[2cats1kid]

Yes, provided all the ?s re academics, eligibility etc. were answered to my satisfaction.

My DD will never be an athlete, but she is a talented musician and we have addressed the same issues as you regarding music programmes in the schools she applied to. She actually ended up at a school that was less strong in music because of logistical issues and because she got a scholarship to the school she is at, but we are doing a lot of extra-curricular music stuff with her (orchestras, workshops etc.) to give her the edge when time comes to apply to music college. If it had worked for us to send her to the school with the better music department then absolutely, yes, we would have done it.

 

[goofyernmost]

I think a child should go for a education first sports second.

 

[disfan07]

personally, i dont think its a good idea or really fair to do this for sports reasons. But than again we saw a bunch of people do this when i was in high school a few years ago. Switching from my school to another adn from that school to my school.
I personally think its ridiculous unless the school has no team for that sport at all.

And dont talk about not getting potential scholarships becaus ethe rest of the team is not up to par. If your daughter is good enough for a scholarship...they will find her.

Our football team one year won NO games. nada, zip, nothing. the team as a whole was absolutely horrendous. Yet 2 or 3 players still got full scholarships for college. The next year, we one 1 game. again, 2 kids got full scholarships.

She will more likely get less attention in that way if she is on a team that is so good than if she is teh best on the team.

I had a few friends who were set to be able to get full scholarships for school sophmore/junior year. They were that good. But...by senior year, they had burned out sompeltely. High school academics is tougher. Straight A students might be that way in middle school but add in high school academics, pressure of high school sports, and any other activities they might want to do....it might not work out so well adn what happens if she cant play anymore or decides not to play anymore?

 

[MAKmom]

I disagree-if a coach is interested enough in a kid they will show up at a backyard pick up game to watch. Most recruiting is done over the phone or through the newspaper these days. Coaches catch state tournament games, etc. Which sports don't you think go to high school games because in my 25+ year coaching career, we have had plenty of scouts show up at games.

Most kids are playing for elite clubs because their parents think they are the next Michael Jordan and will get a scholarship to pay for college.

OP many parents let the newspapers know how their child & his team are doing when it is a good day for that child. They email the local sports writer & send pictures.

 

[jrmasm]

I disagree-if a coach is interested enough in a kid they will show up at a backyard pick up game to watch. Most recruiting is done over the phone or through the newspaper these days. Coaches catch state tournament games, etc. Which sports don't you think go to high school games because in my 25+ year coaching career, we have had plenty of scouts show up at games.

Most kids are playing for elite clubs because their parents think they are the next Michael Jordan and will get a scholarship to pay for college.

You have made two blanket statements that simply are not true.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm not sure if you're using the term Travel Team interchangably with AAU.

But if not, then I would consider having your DD play on an AAU Girls Softball team. Most teams have probably had tryouts and formed teams already, but there may still be a few spots open that she could try out for. (Pitching ability is very desirable.)

Personally, I'd take that route before changing schools. She will get the level of play she desires and you won't have to make the sacrifices involved in such a drastic change. Best of both worlds. (You will still be traveling a lot.)

http://www.aauofmichigan.com/Sport_pages/Girls_Softball/GIRLS_SOFTBALL.htm

 

[castleview]

Hi OP,

Here's what you need to consider - if DD were to stop playing softball, would she be happy at this other school?

I'm always skeptical of major decisions revolving around sports because a child's love for a sport can change at any given moment. She can get hurt, burnout, find a new activity, or simply realize there are tons of other amazing softball players out there that she is just one of. Nothing is a sure thing in sports.

 

[KAMLEM]

This is the part that people don't get--they spend MORE on these programs then college will cost. We have some friends that have a DD in an elite soccer program. It costs them about $10,000 year for fees, travel costs, etc. This is the 4th year AT LEAST that she has done this program. Had they invested that money she would have enough to pay for college easily. She still could have played with a "lesser" program costing a few hundred a year and still have the same opportunities for a scholarship as she will get now.

The only program costing a few hundred a year is going to be a rec program and she's not going to have the same opportunities playing rec. My DD's have played club soccer for years and we spend a lot of money on it. It has nothing at all to do with them getting a scholarship, either. We do it because they enjoy it.

personally, i dont think its a good idea or really fair to do this for sports reasons. But than again we saw a bunch of people do this when i was in high school a few years ago. Switching from my school to another adn from that school to my school.
I personally think its ridiculous unless the school has no team for that sport at all.

And dont talk about not getting potential scholarships becaus ethe rest of the team is not up to par. If your daughter is good enough for a scholarship...they will find her.

People talk about it because it's TRUE! In addition, when someone plays on a better team it enables them to play up to their full potential. That alone increases their chances of a scholarship.

I'm not sure if you're using the term Travel Team interchangably with AAU.

But if not, then I would consider having your DD play on an AAU Girls Softball team. Most teams have probably had tryouts and formed teams already, but there may still be a few spots open that she could try out for. (Pitching ability is very desirable.)

Personally, I'd take that route before changing schools. She will get the level of play she desires and you won't have to make the sacrifices involved in such a drastic change. Best of both worlds. (You will still be traveling a lot.)

That's what I was going to ask. There is a world of difference between a town travel team and an AAU or club team. A kid may be the best on the team for a town travel team, but compared to the kids on a club team she may be at the bottom. I'm not saying this in an attempt to put your DD down, you just need to make sure that she's truly good enough to play for this other team if it's a really competitive team. There's also a chance that she could make the team and sit on the bench every game. Just a lot of things to consider.