A Parent's Dilemma: How to Handle a College Football Scholarship for a Seventh-Grader

I wonder if Archie Manning made the decision for Peyton and Eli -- both Super Bowl winners? They seem to be doing fine in other ventures, besides football. It's the family's decision, not the psychologists' or the Parenting Police's, to make.

LS:

Your comment was well said! I agree totally 100% and I really liked the way you stated it.

ummm LS nobody is gonna read that long ass comment!!!people need to keep their comment short

i would tell davids parents cosider boxing it 100 times safer than football and not half as expensive ive been in boxing since i was 9 and now coach a succesfull youth boxing team

Good comments. I thought a scholarship is every parents dream for their kids, but how do you keep him healthy and on track all those years? Push him in sports, but also round him out academically and personally. Sports alone does not make the whole package. Some athletes who didn't learn that are the ones who suffer later with the aches and pains and nowhere to look for a future.

This is BS. Colleges can't speak or write to students until after their Junior year in high school. It's NCAA LAW! If USC spoke to this kid, they did it illegally.

My daughter was recruited & also now has a full ride. A verbal commitment is considered binding by the team that gave it. If that university were to back out, they would get a reputation as being a school that does not honor their verbals. Nobody would commit. And yes, USC made my daughter an offer so I do know what I'm talking about (although she was a sophmore).

There are all sorts of ways of getting around the rules & the top schools do them - I'm not saying it's right, just stating fact. We were contacted as parents way before our daughter was eligible by school with emails saying "responding to your email" when we had not sent one. Parents who spend fortunes on people who say they will position your child to catch a coach's eye are wasting money. Coaches follow the kids through club sports - not so much their school team as it's usually the college season as well - & they know who they're looking for. Very rarely does a kid get picked up for even a walk on spot - let alone a scholarship- especially at a school known for its athleticism in a particular sport by attending camps & more specifically paying a "promoter" to put videos of your child together for parents to send out. Coaches plan ahead & know who they're going to need. They can be very sneaky about recruiting & very much in your face while circumventing NCAA rules. It's extremely flattering but reality strikes once your kid has committed. The coach feels the kid is "theirs" for the future until his or her team days are done.

so true.

You sound like you are from China. The parents there give up their children for life when they are picked to play a certain sport or train for a certain sport, ie figure skating.... call me crazy but my family life and childhood was worth much more than any Olympic Gold Medal. I guess you didn't grow up in a family like mine.

LS, I am along with you and Sean!!! You Stated everything in a correct perspective. Others should read your stsements and
maybe they would have some understanding of things.
I didn't hear negative comments about 9 & 13 year olds entering
into college; so where are these peoples standards.

Every parent dreams is for their children to be successful and to get a free ride to college. Granted things may change between now and when the young man enters college: he may decide he doesn't want to play football; the school may decide they've changed their mind, etc. Which ever, I would accept the verbal and move on....good luck!

Actually LS, a verbal contract is as good as a written one. You are held liable for it and legal action can be taken if you don't live up to it.

Thank you LS for soundness and balance in your response. I agree with you. Everyone always want to see the glass as half empty versus being half full.

If we want to talk about handling the spotlight at such an early age, or being physically demanding and being concerned with "overuse", I have just two words for you "Tara Lipinsky". I don't believe in "pushing" your children into this kind of committment, but if it is something they truly love and they are willing to make the committment, shouldn't we be supportive of their dreams? At least his dream REQUIRES that he graduate from high school, and his college education is pretty much secured. What parent can turn that away? The things that will define success, I think, in any child is that they always have dreams, they strive to fulfill those dreams, and that they always feel loved by family and God.

The problem is not with the parents or the child. If a school like USC offers my son (or daughter) a scholarship when they are 13 years old we verbally offer YES too!!! The thing with the verbal acceptances is that they are not really binding. If other offers come in when the boy is older he can change his mind. Until the official offer is signed, his senior year, he has options. To not accept verbally is a risk.

The problem is with the USC Coach. He is the one who should be chastized for the rediculous offer to a 13 year old!

LS - You are absolutely right. As a teacher, I have seen many children wind up happily pursuing careers that they had chosen as youths. Their parents were solidly behind them but because they were not in the public spotlight, the parents weren't accused of "robbing them of their childhood" I don't see this as a locked in situation, either. You put it so well.

One of my concerns is that this kid will have a target on his back for his remaining years in middle school and high school.

Does USC care?

1) I believe a verbal agreement is a legal and binding contract.
2) Yes, that kid that has to help out at the family store is also being victimized if they are forced to be there against there ultimate will.

I see what your saying though and I partially agree with it. In my opinion, it takes a special breed of person to know exactly where there passion is early on and it builds character when they realize it and follow their heart.