Klotz for Hire
Three-Star Recruit
Hey everybody,
It's been a while, but I thought that I would get in here on this sad happening in recruiting these days. It used to be that parents were grateful and thankful for their kids getting an opportunity to have their schooling paid for. For many families, especially those who are socioeconomically challenged, one kid's great talent was an ultimate blessing. It was a channel, and a way "out." Parents used to simply be happy that a kid got a scholarship offer.
Well, the S$%t's changed, folks. Nowadays, it seems like it's not enough for a kid to make a decision for themselves on college choice and get a little press out of the deal. Now, we've got some militant parents out there who forgot that their 15 minutes were up, and they want their free plug on 1620 "The Zone." Enter Mr. Ron Freeman. And, how about that mother of that Portis kid down in Florida, who insisted that her son transfer because he didn't get enough clock in a blowout late season win.
It seems to me that more and more these days, parents are not only taking a stake in, but controlling the recruiting process for these kids. Even going so far as to manipulate coaches and the press to serve their need for recognition of their usually miniscule role in their child's development as an athlete.
As a coach, I feel slapped in the face every time that a parent tries to take control of anything that is the sole responsibility of coaches or players. Sadly, though, it happens all the way down in T-Ball or Pop Warner these days. I thought that with all the concern for child welfare these days that these parents would friggin' realize that it's NOT HEALTHY for parents to live vicariously through their children. For some Prima Donna Parents however, it's not sinking in. Whether it's the mom in the stands at the Mil. North soccer practice with a stopwatch preparing a lawsuit, or the baseball mom who cussed me out after I pulled her son off the mound after walking eight straight hitters in a 9-10 year-old little league game to spare him a loss of confidence, be it known, my Husker Nation, that these parents have been around for a while, and the Genesis of the phenomenon is finally snaking it's way into the college ranks. In the spirit of this opinion, I'd like to give a free plug to daddy coach Freeman: Thanks for poking your head out of the water on behalf of the thousands of the like who have been poisoning youth sports for the last 15 years or so. Now the rest of the up and coming in the coaching community can mentally prepare themselves to deal with you. P.S. Don't blame us when your kid burns out because of your actions.
I am interested in responses to this opinion from grateful parents whose children have received scholarship offers. Also, amateur and professional coaches of youth atheletics, or anyone who works with and cares about kids.
It's been a while, but I thought that I would get in here on this sad happening in recruiting these days. It used to be that parents were grateful and thankful for their kids getting an opportunity to have their schooling paid for. For many families, especially those who are socioeconomically challenged, one kid's great talent was an ultimate blessing. It was a channel, and a way "out." Parents used to simply be happy that a kid got a scholarship offer.
Well, the S$%t's changed, folks. Nowadays, it seems like it's not enough for a kid to make a decision for themselves on college choice and get a little press out of the deal. Now, we've got some militant parents out there who forgot that their 15 minutes were up, and they want their free plug on 1620 "The Zone." Enter Mr. Ron Freeman. And, how about that mother of that Portis kid down in Florida, who insisted that her son transfer because he didn't get enough clock in a blowout late season win.
It seems to me that more and more these days, parents are not only taking a stake in, but controlling the recruiting process for these kids. Even going so far as to manipulate coaches and the press to serve their need for recognition of their usually miniscule role in their child's development as an athlete.
As a coach, I feel slapped in the face every time that a parent tries to take control of anything that is the sole responsibility of coaches or players. Sadly, though, it happens all the way down in T-Ball or Pop Warner these days. I thought that with all the concern for child welfare these days that these parents would friggin' realize that it's NOT HEALTHY for parents to live vicariously through their children. For some Prima Donna Parents however, it's not sinking in. Whether it's the mom in the stands at the Mil. North soccer practice with a stopwatch preparing a lawsuit, or the baseball mom who cussed me out after I pulled her son off the mound after walking eight straight hitters in a 9-10 year-old little league game to spare him a loss of confidence, be it known, my Husker Nation, that these parents have been around for a while, and the Genesis of the phenomenon is finally snaking it's way into the college ranks. In the spirit of this opinion, I'd like to give a free plug to daddy coach Freeman: Thanks for poking your head out of the water on behalf of the thousands of the like who have been poisoning youth sports for the last 15 years or so. Now the rest of the up and coming in the coaching community can mentally prepare themselves to deal with you. P.S. Don't blame us when your kid burns out because of your actions.
I am interested in responses to this opinion from grateful parents whose children have received scholarship offers. Also, amateur and professional coaches of youth atheletics, or anyone who works with and cares about kids.
