In the coming weeks I’m going to have the opportunity to have Keith Van Horn on my youth sports radio show that I host for CNR Basketball. Keith is a former standout for Rick Majerus at Utah before enjoying a nice career in the NBA. He now spends his time working with a youth basketball club in Colorado and shares his thoughts and perspective on a blog on the topic of youth sports.
I wanted to share Keith’s most recent blog post, The Suspension of Disbelief and Athletic Scholarships with our Bombers Basketball families.
Here is an excerpt from Keith’s article.
“Elite youth sports is its own universe, like the Lord of the Rings, and the coaches and operators have created a false reality in which we believe that it is necessary for our kids to practice 5 days a week, work with a private trainer and get a speed and agility coach. They tell us that if our children are committed, and we pay a substantial amount of money, it will lead to fame, glory and the aforementioned… athletic scholarship. Here comes the hook; Despite our doubts and skepticism, we suspend our critical faculties and put aside facts for the belief in our child’s ability to earn that scholarship. It is easy to fall into this fiction. I love to have teachers and coaches tell me that my kids are just that good; that they have the potential to do X, Y and Z. What parent doesn’t? So we drink the Kool Aid. My favorite is grape.”
As parents we want our kids to dream big and aspire to great things. To limit a child’s imagination and hope would be tragic. But how many 8, 9 or 10 year old kids really understand what an athletic scholarship even is? The answer is very few; until we as parents begin to introduce the concept and explain the opportunity.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I attended college on a scholarship to play golf. The financial assistance I received was extremely helpful and appreciated. Yet I was literally one of 5 students out of 20,000+ that attended the University to be awarded this athletic golf scholarship. So you’ll never hear me tell a player, or family, it isn’t possible. At the same time, I’ll make sure they understand the sacrifice and dedication, combined with some natural ability, that led me to the opportunity I was presented.
As a coach I encourage parents to enjoy this journey of youth sports. If handled correctly, it will lead to deeper relationships with your children, while providing some family entertainment along the way. You’ll meet new people with children of similar ages and interests, all the while having the opportunity to literally be in the classroom (on the stands) as you watch your child grow.
I encourage you to read to Keith’s post and follow his blog. He has a very interesting perspective and one that comes from seeing sports (youth, amateur, professional) from virtually every angle possible.
