Greetings
I know from reading many posts that some of you have swam in college. I am the parent of an age group swimmer who has his sights set on a college scholarship. I was a sportsmed guy in a a Div 1 school in college and all of us worked many long hours and traveled a great deal to earn our way through. The athletes worked very hard of course and really paid in time for the funds they received in the form of books and tuition. I would rather pay for his schooling and see him study rather than swim. I do not want to steal his dreams though as a result of my cynical view of the system. Have any of you swam in college and what was your experience? Do you view it as a worthy goal or would you have done it differently? Any coaches out there with insight? All advice welcome. This is a great forum!
Many Thanks
Spudfin
Parents
Former Member
Don't overlook the social benefits of being on a team. I learned a lot in college swimming with regard to people skills that I feel have greatly benefitted me in my career today. These experiences were essential to me and I would recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to join an athletic team. On the other hand, my brother was also a college athlete and had a hard time balancing "partying" with good grades. He would have been better off turning down the scholarship. To join a college team is a question that must be uniquely judjed by the indvidual. It requires a lot of discipline to balance everything, but if you can do it successfully you will be better prepared than most other college graduates for wherever your career takes you. Just my two cents.
Don't overlook the social benefits of being on a team. I learned a lot in college swimming with regard to people skills that I feel have greatly benefitted me in my career today. These experiences were essential to me and I would recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to join an athletic team. On the other hand, my brother was also a college athlete and had a hard time balancing "partying" with good grades. He would have been better off turning down the scholarship. To join a college team is a question that must be uniquely judjed by the indvidual. It requires a lot of discipline to balance everything, but if you can do it successfully you will be better prepared than most other college graduates for wherever your career takes you. Just my two cents.
