| The first thing to consider when choosing a | | | | commitment, and you want to be happy. |
| school, providing you have several to choose | | | | How about the coaching staff, in particular the |
| from, is it right for you academically. When | | | | head coach. Ask the coach how many years is |
| choosing a school, you have to consider not just | | | | left on his or her contract. Remember you are |
| your athletic ability, but also the quality of the | | | | signing with the school, not the coach. Do you like |
| schools academics and the diversity of majors. No | | | | and respect the coach is another question you |
| matter what school you attend, you're sure to | | | | need to ask yourself. Your going to spend a lot of |
| find out about majors and careers you never | | | | time with this person, and he can contribute to |
| even knew existed, and one of those may be | | | | making your life miserable as an athlete or very |
| perfect for you. | | | | happy. After all your coach is going to mold you |
| Is the school you are considering right for you | | | | as an athlete, help you grow as a person, and |
| socially. How you fit in socially will have a lot to do | | | | prepare you for life after college. |
| with enjoying your over-all experience. If you are | | | | How about time spent in the classroom and |
| from a rural small town in the midwest then | | | | studying verses playing your sport. Time |
| attending a large school may be a bit of a cultural | | | | management is vital if you are to succeed as a |
| shock. On the other hand if you are from the big | | | | student-athlete. If your sport monopolizes you |
| city then going to a school in say Iowa or | | | | time, one of two things is likely to happen. You'll |
| Nebraska may be a cultural shock. How about if | | | | get burned out or lose interest and quit the team |
| you are part of an ethnic minority, you may want | | | | or you'll struggle to keep up academically. Playing a |
| to find out about how diverse the student body | | | | sport is fun, but having to get up at 6 a. m. for |
| is. | | | | practice or weights,go to class for three or four |
| Is the school right athletically? When choosing a | | | | hours, and then go to more practice is more |
| particular school, be realistic about your chance of | | | | demanding than most incoming freshmen realize. |
| playing. Is the status and allure of a big name | | | | You don't have much free time as a |
| school going to be ok with you if you never get a | | | | student-athlete so must learn to prioritize going to |
| chance to play. Ask yourself, would I be better | | | | class and keeping up with schoolwork, or you |
| suited going to a smaller school and being a | | | | could find yourself not only off the team, but also |
| starter. Remember, this is a four or five year | | | | out of school. |