Guidance for sports parents.
Frameworks, not opinions. Practical, coach-backed thinking on development, recruiting, paying for college, and the decisions that actually matter — written for the parent in the stands.
All posts
Paying for college with VA benefits: the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Chapter 35
Two VA programs can help a service member's family pay for college — the transferable Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) and Chapter 35 (DEA). Here's how they differ and who qualifies.
How does college tennis recruiting actually work?
College tennis recruiting is a two-way search: athletes make themselves findable and reach out, and coaches evaluate and respond within NCAA rules.
D1, D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO: which college tennis path fits?
The right division is the one where your athlete can play, afford to attend, and keep developing — not the one with the biggest name.
When should my athlete start contacting college coaches?
Start the groundwork earlier than most families think, but let NCAA timing guide real contact.
The decision map
A repeatable way to think through the stay-or-switch, specialize-or-don't, push-or-ease-off calls every sports parent eventually faces.
What is the NCAA dead period?
A dead period restricts in-person contact between coaches and recruits — but phone, email, and messaging usually continue.
How to email a college coach
A good first email is short, specific, and quick to act on — and the athlete sends it, not the parent.
Youth sports 101
What no one hands you on day one: how levels work, what actually matters early, and where most of the noise comes from.
What coaches look for in recruiting video
Coaches want recent, unedited point play that shows movement and competitiveness — not just a reel of winners.
Athletic scholarships vs. academic aid: where the money comes from
For most families, academic and need-based aid is the larger, steadier source than athletic scholarships.
The UTR obsession
A rating measures where an athlete is, not where they're going. A calmer way to use the number without letting it use you.
529 plans for sports families: a quick primer
A 529 is a tax-advantaged way to save for college that doesn't depend on a roster spot or a scholarship coming through.
Spotting burnout in young athletes
Burnout is a signal to adjust the load, not a character flaw — and it shows up in fairly predictable ways.
Balancing a varsity schedule with grades
Athletes who keep grades up in season treat school like training — a routine, not a scramble.