Sporty families bragging about offers and committing to awful colleges in the middle of nowhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP.

They need to justify the thousand and thousands of sunk hours and dollars.

D3 and most of D2 and even many D1 get no money for sports. People are really ignorant.

OP isn't saying sports are bad, or college sports are useless...just nothing to brag about!

I don’t know the difference between D1 and D2 and D3, I just know a crummy college when I see one. It’s really irrational to go pay big bucks for a subpar university you’d never look at or go to were it not for a roster spot on a team that plays in front of maybe 20 people.

Jesus, OP and these prior posters talking about "crummy" or "no-name" colleges are just snobbish, insufferable assholes. While they may not meet *your* standards for an acceptable college, how on earth should that detract one iota from someone else's accomplishment if that is the right college for them - regardless of whether that fit is attributable to the academics, a particular major they offer, or (gasp) the ability it affords one to continue in a sport he or she loves for a few more years. I think parents and their kids should celebrate their success in getting into *any* college - it's a major achievement.

FWIW, I have two boys - the younger one is an athletic one, pretty bright but not necessarily an academic superstar. I can envision him going on to a range of different schools, including some of those very "no-name" or "crummy" ones the OP loves to hate on. That won't make him any less successful in the future. My older one was always more internally driven - he was top of his class in HS, 1600 SAT, and is now a junior at Caltech. OP, since you're so smug about the college choices that OTHERS make, I'm going to assume by that logic, I should probably not expect to be too impressed by your own kid in comparison to my oldest … asshole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a college athlete and can honestly say that in every internship or job interview I had, I was asked about sports and the lessons and qualities I learned from them. I was D1 but the things you do and learn are the same and they are valuable skills in life and the workplace. So go on and shit on these families and kids all you want—they just might be the ones eventually beating your precious Johnny out for a job one day.

This, sooooo this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Facebook feed is full of this right now. Nothing we'd ever do, but if you want to brag about your child's athletic offer from D1 UVA or Michigan or using sports as a hook to get into super-selective Dartmouth, Chicago or Williams, be my guest. But those are less than 5% of sporty families. The rest boast how their 15 years of sports obsession netted their kids D3 offers from completely mediocre regional private colleges nobody has ever heard of. Or some open admit regional public commuter university they'd never entertain going to were it not for the chance to play sports. What's the mindset that drives this? Seems so irrational. After freshman year, most kids quietly quit the sport and often transfer to a bigger university their high school friends went to.


Is it ego? Do sporty parents lack the ability to cede the 15 years of sports obsession can gracefully end in 12th grade?

Why does what other people do and say bother you so much?

Boast about your kids being travel sport athletic prodigies for more than a decade, then have the gall to brag they’re going to backwater joke colleges who admit everyone and whose teams don’t cut any warm body with a valid tuition check, tends to invite critique.

No, not really. Certainly not from refined people.

Let me put it this way. One of these people's sons comes to me to interview for a job. Your son, displaying the same sort of demeanor you display here, is another candidate. I would choose the first, since your son is clearly not going to be an asset to my team. I don't give a hoot about his fancy degree -- I want someone with a little more emotional IQ and who plays well with others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Facebook feed is full of this right now. Nothing we'd ever do, but if you want to brag about your child's athletic offer from D1 UVA or Michigan or using sports as a hook to get into super-selective Dartmouth, Chicago or Williams, be my guest. But those are less than 5% of sporty families. The rest boast how their 15 years of sports obsession netted their kids D3 offers from completely mediocre regional private colleges nobody has ever heard of. Or some open admit regional public commuter university they'd never entertain going to were it not for the chance to play sports. What's the mindset that drives this? Seem so irrational. After freshman year, most kids quietly quit the sport and often transfer to a bigger university their high school friends went to.


Is it ego? Do sporty parents lack the ability to cede the 15 years of sports obsession can gracefully end in 12th grade?

I used to think like you do. But I went to a recruiting seminar recently for my child's sport and have been talking to parents of older kids (I went not b/c I think DC will be recruited, nor do I necessarily wish this, but it was free and we were encouraged to go so I did). There are very good reasons why these kids don't go D1 that have nothing to do with skill.

First, Lots of D1 colleges recruit from outside the country for whatever reason. There are highly, highly skilled American kids who get pushed out by this. But, you know, that's the breaks.

Second, and more important, I was listening to these D1 athletes (former) talking about what is required of them. You have a lab for your STEM major? Too bad, can't miss practice. You want to study abroad or do other non-sport activities? Nope. Practice, games, travel, etc. In short, it is all consuming and not an insignificant number of athletes honor their one or two year commitment and then drop out of the sport. Esp if it is one that is not going to lead to a big payday (NBA, MLB, NFL).

So, those kids/parents bragging are excited b/c they have found a good fit for them and allows them to do their sport for a bit longer.

Quit being a dick.

[Anonymous]

Heck, if 'crummy D3' includes Brandeis, CalTech, CMU, Case, Emory, Grinnell, Haverford and Hopkins, I guess it can't be so bad .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a college athlete and can honestly say that in every internship or job interview I had, I was asked about sports and the lessons and qualities I learned from them. I was D1 but the things you do and learn are the same and they are valuable skills in life and the workplace. So go on and shit on these families and kids all you want—they just might be the ones eventually beating your precious Johnny out for a job one day.

An employer asked a college kid about the small handful of things on their thin resume? Wow, just wow.

Is it your assertion that playing a sport at an open admit 13th grade U or broke LAC in nobodyville, USA sets you up more than attending a more selective, brand name, more resources, superior faculty, better financial aid university or LAC? Because that’s a bit deluded.

OP I can just picture your prunish face judging comparing weighing envying. Comparison is the thief of joy.

She has no clue that almost every kid on the team will get an internship with a booster from the schools previous players. OMFG! She thinks kids get jobs by sending out resumes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

You really don't understand that these kids will get tutors, merit aid and connections for jobs... all from sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

I have seen this so many times. Another important detail is they post "Larla is going to PodunkU to play sportball." The parents make it about the sport, not the school or the studies. It's gross.

[Anonymous]

You really don't understand that these kids will get tutors, merit aid and connections for jobs... all from sports.

No, just no.

You can get tutors, merit aid, and connections for jobs, from anything.

It's such a laughable premise to think it comes from these sports. I am not against kids playing sports in college, D1-2-3, but it is not a guarantee of anything, especially a job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

I am grateful that I don't know you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like seeing the announcements, I'm very happy for all of these kids and their families.

In fact I'd rather see these announcements for "awful colleges in the middle of nowhere" than the ones bragging about their kids committing to Michigan, UVA, whatever other schools OP mentioned.

You are as bad as OP. Why can't parents post on their social media page where their kid is going to college? They are excited. Live and let live. OP doesn't want "crappy" schools and you don't want better schools. It's a big benchmark for these kids, and their parents, let them enjoy the moment.

It’s not just a single, brief post about where the kiddo is going to college. For literally 10 years these travel sports parents have bragged and posted every single event, check-ins, hundreds of pictures with trophies and medals, and humble bragging about Larla and Lincoln’s top 3 finishes. They whispered to anyone in earshot their kiddo was getting looks from Ivies and maybe D1s, whatever the case, “playing at the next level” was assured ... so when the kiddo ends up at a backwater LAC you’ve never heard of, it’s puzzling. And they always seem to announce this with a 300 word brag post filled with “blessed” and “all the sacrifice was worth it.” We never get the posts letting us know Larla quit the sport after her freshman year.

You are a piece of work. This is some excellent trolling. We're "blessed" to have you on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

It's sad to think that OP represents a number of people on social media.

My D is a current junior going through the recruiting process and will likely end up at a D3 ranked somewhere around 25th in the country (think Bryn Mawr, Colorado College etc). Ones people have heard of before but maybe not ones they think of as "tippy top" to use an annoying phrase people say on DCUM. Given some interest from the coach, there is a chance she might end up at a top 3 LAC but I'm honestly not sure I want that for her because it will be a TON of pressure and she has experienced pressure for years at her private school. During this process we have visited other schools ranked lower (even some that don't make the top 50!) and saw great programs with caring coaches and wonderful teammates at all of them. Many of these have strong track records for grad and med school admissions and opportunities to intern at great places nearby.

Here's the thing, even though DD is a strong student who could attend a top 20 college, she wants to play her sport for four more years in an environment where nobody cares what the "next level" is because this is the end of the road and it's all about the joy of playing and bonding with her team. Her sport provides discipline and a sense of schedule that she loves and craves. It will also allow her to be welcomed by a team of girls who have many traditions and fun events where they can bond over four years. Many of these schools have special programs for athletes like leadership training and academic check ins from the coaching staff - and that makes me feel good as she transitions to a new environment.

Could she attend a "better" school academically if she didn't play sports? Sure, maybe. But why is that the path she needs to choose? I honestly don't care if you're not happy for my child because knowing that she is excited for the opportunities she'll have as an athlete is more important to me. No need to "like" my post or hers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's sad to think that OP represents a number of people on social media.

My D is a current junior going through the recruiting process and will likely end up at a D3 ranked somewhere around 25th in the country (think Bryn Mawr, Colorado College etc). Ones people have heard of before but maybe not ones they think of as "tippy top" to use an annoying phrase people say on DCUM. Given some interest from the coach, there is a chance she might end up at a top 3 LAC but I'm honestly not sure I want that for her because it will be a TON of pressure and she has experienced pressure for years at her private school. During this process we have visited other schools ranked lower (even some that don't make the top 50!) and saw great programs with caring coaches and wonderful teammates at all of them. Many of these have strong track records for grad and med school admissions and opportunities to intern at great places nearby.

Here's the thing, even though DD is a strong student who could attend a top 20 college, she wants to play her sport for four more years in an environment where nobody cares what the "next level" is because this is the end of the road and it's all about the joy of playing and bonding with her team. Her sport provides discipline and a sense of schedule that she loves and craves. It will also allow her to be welcomed by a team of girls who have many traditions and fun events where they can bond over four years. Many of these schools have special programs for athletes like leadership training and academic check ins from the coaching staff - and that makes me feel good as she transitions to a new environment.

Could she attend a "better" school academically if she didn't play sports? Sure, maybe. But why is that the path she needs to choose? I honestly don't care if you're not happy for my child because knowing that she is excited for the opportunities she'll have as an athlete is more important to me. No need to "like" my post or hers.

OMG - for crying out loud! She is looking at schools ranked around 25! How on earth is that considered bad? This is not what OP is talking about!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You really don't understand that these kids will get tutors, merit aid and connections for jobs... all from sports.

No, just no.

You can get tutors, merit aid, and connections for jobs, from anything.

It's such a laughable premise to think it comes from these sports. I am not against kids playing sports in college, D1-2-3, but it is not a guarantee of anything, especially a job.

Sorry but it is different when you are an athlete, just because you don't understand the perks does not mean they don't exist.