<p>What sort of questions should I ask the current team members if I’m given their contacts? I’m really new to this so I’m not sure what sort of questions would be appropriate.</p>
<p>Well, if they are happy comes to mind…How they integrate their schoolwork and practice time…How much playing time they have gotten…</p>
<p>Level of commitment in season and out (e.g hours of training each day/week), summer commitment, does practice influence ability to leave campus during breaks, do team members live together, hang out together most of the time or have other friends? What do they do for fun? (e.g. is it a team that parties a lot/not at all - will you be comfortable with their lifestyle). How does participation affect their academics - e.g. are professors understanding of missing classes for travel, etc.?</p>
<p>Perhaps more important than those questions are your observations of how the teammates interact with each other and with the coach - are they close friends, comfortable, respectful, is there tension, etc.? </p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>“I Hate Me”</p>
<p>You other posts are about teachers not wanting to write you recommendations and about failing grades, and failing tests.
Academics and character should always come first.
Perhaps you should spend time with your parents, guidance counselor and coaches to see what path is best for you.</p>
<p>This forum has been of great help to me and my son. He is a year off from official visits, but has been on several unofficials and camps during the past few months. We have worked on questions for coaches, but this thread got me thinking that there is real gold in the information that team members can share if you are prepared to ask the right questions and ready to observe the things that will affect your life if you choose to attend.</p>
<p>I have captured the comments of prior posters and added some of my own thoughts. If anyone has additional thoughts, please chime in. Perhaps this will be a useful resource to all of the kids making the visits and decisions this fall.</p>
<p>Questions for Team Members</p>
<p>Team Participation:
How much playing time they have gotten?
Can playing time be earned?
How does the coach and staff respond to losing? Winning?
How accessible are the head coach and staff to discussions, help with needs?
What is the role of the team captains?
What are the practice hours/schedule during the season?
What is the practice/conditioning schedule off season?
What are the training and conditioning facilities like? Do you take advantage of them?
Are there training and conditioning staff readily available? Do you have your own conditioning plan?
Level of commitment in season and out (e.g hours of training each day/week)
Have you or any of your teammates been injured while playing? How were you treated?
Are trainers and/or access to medical treatment available at practices and games?
What is your commitment to the team during the summer break?
Does practice influence your to leave campus during school breaks?
What is the travel like? Bus or plane? Time away from class?
Is there structured time and a conducive atmosphere to study while on team travel?
How many players have left the team during your time here? Why (grades, playing time, other?)
Did the players that left the team remain at the school or transfer?</p>
<p>Academic Demands:
How do you integrate their schoolwork and practice time?
How does participation affect your academics - e.g. is there time to get the work done?
Can classes usually be scheduled around practice time?
Can you get the classes or take the major you want and still fully participate with the team?
Is there tutoring or help available when its needed? All subjects?
Do your instructors support your pariticipation on the team? Will they accommodate make up work and the travel schedule?
What course load do most team members take each semester?
Do team members take a light load during the school year and catch up with summer school courses?
What % of team member finish and graduate in four years?
If summer participation is not required, what kinds of summer jobs or internships do team members get?
What kinds of jobs do team members get after graduation?</p>
<p>Life at School:
Are you happy on your team and here at school?
What do you like best about being here?
What do you like least about being here?
Do team members live together, hang out together most of the time or have other friends?
Does the team live together in one dorm or are they spread out around the campus?
What is the food like? Does the team eat together?
What’s it like getting around campus between the dorm, classes, the practice facilities? Distances, transportation, convenience, etc.
What do they do for fun? (e.g. is it a team that parties a lot/not at all - will you be comfortable with their lifestyle)
Does most socializing take place on campus or off campus?
Off-season, do team members stay on campus or go away for the weekends?</p>
<p>Observations:
How do the teammates interact with each other - are they close friends,
How do team members interact with the coach?
How do team members interact with the asst coaches?
Is the team atmosphere one of comfort and respect? Are there tensions
Do team members comfortably interact with other students? Are they a part of the community?
How are the starters treated by the coach, staff and the rest of the team?
How are the non-starters treated by the coach, staff and the rest of the team? Is there a difference?
How do the dorms feel? (conformtable, welcoming, acceptably clean, convenient, safe, etc.)
How’s the food? (what you like, nutritious, clean and comfortable dining facility, special needs accommodated, etc.)
How does the campus feel? (welcoming, safe, convenient, aesthetically pleasing, convenient)</p>