Question for DukeDog4 and others whose girls have completed collegiate careers

bothsportsdad · Dec 9, 2009

munseymj said: ↑

My personal experience (I'm 27yo now and played D1 ball from 2000-2003)...

I love the game more than life, but I knew, even when I was 18, like most girls do...that playing can't last forever...and it's only 2nd to a good career and life for yourself post-college.

This being said, I chose my school based on academics...I knew I wanted to go to a school with a great reputation for the major I wanted to pursue. I got accepted and received scholarships in my community and an academic scholarship through the school. I tryed out and walked onto the school's D1 program and worked my butt off every day. I'm a busy person by nature so I loved the challenge of balancing softball with academics. I had THE BEST experiences of my life playing college ball...it taught me how to deal with more life experiences than anything I have ever been a part of, heck, I even learned what it meant to have dignity and respect for myself and others because we all knew deep down that we had earned the chance to play at the next level and put on that collegiate uniform every day.

I would never take back the 3 years I played ball, yes only three, I did quit my senior year...because of a coach who has since been "released" from the program. I went through an emotional roller coaster with my head coach. She believed that we should all stop by her office every day and talk about our lives with her (which I thought was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard, and of course, I didn't oblige). I worked my butt off for 2 years as a walk-on to finally earn a spot as a starter my junior year, and to receive scholarship money for the sport was an added bonus! And then, I quit before my senior season because of unanswered questions on her end. How could I be the only girl on the team having a multi-hit game and then get benched for the next 3 games? How could I be a part of a back-to-back home run to win a ball game and then be benched the next week and a half? How could I work SO hard and be punished for my efforts? It was the hardest decision of my life, when I confronted my coach before the senior season and asked her those things. When she couldn't answer those questions, I knew it was time to move on and start coaching...so that I could instill everything I had learned from my amazing hitting, fielding, and strength and conditioning coaches into the next generation of ballplayers.

So, as a long answer to your question =), I would say if your daughter wants to play college ball, GO FOR IT!!! It will be the best experience of her life. I have SO much more to say about it, but I'll stop so this post doesn't become too long. I would say that the head coach, though, can make or break your daughter's role on the team...unfortunately. Dealing with the head coach is probably factor number one for girls who don't play the whole 4 years. But there were other reasons too in my experience, girls quit b/c of boyfriends, school troubles, but basically what it came down to was girls that didn't want to commit themselves to that level of ball and what it required, and who put other things as a higher priority than ball, quit. So yes, I would say there was a large number of girls who did NOT play the whole 4 years. But, is there a way to balance school, softball, social life, and even working part-time, DEFINITELY. However, at the end of the day...a good academic school and being on a campus with a major that you like and take an interest to, is the most important thing. In my opinion, everything else can fall into place after that.
Click to expand...

this is an excellent post!

Thank you munseymj for sharing.... it shows the importance of one of the major components in ANY relationship.. COMMUNICATION. If it is not in the equation it is destined to fail.

Braves · Dec 9, 2009 at 8:29 AM

munseymj said: ↑

My personal experience (I'm 27yo now and played D1 ball from 2000-2003)...

I love the game more than life, but I knew, even when I was 18, like most girls do...that playing can't last forever...and it's only 2nd to a good career and life for yourself post-college.

This being said, I chose my school based on academics...I knew I wanted to go to a school with a great reputation for the major I wanted to pursue. I got accepted and received scholarships in my community and an academic scholarship through the school. I tryed out and walked onto the school's D1 program and worked my butt off every day. I'm a busy person by nature so I loved the challenge of balancing softball with academics. I had THE BEST experiences of my life playing college ball...it taught me how to deal with more life experiences than anything I have ever been a part of, heck, I even learned what it meant to have dignity and respect for myself and others because we all knew deep down that we had earned the chance to play at the next level and put on that collegiate uniform every day.

I would never take back the 3 years I played ball, yes only three, I did quit my senior year...because of a coach who has since been "released" from the program. I went through an emotional roller coaster with my head coach. She believed that we should all stop by her office every day and talk about our lives with her (which I thought was the most ridiculous thing I had ever heard, and of course, I didn't oblige). I worked my butt off for 2 years as a walk-on to finally earn a spot as a starter my junior year, and to receive scholarship money for the sport was an added bonus! And then, I quit before my senior season because of unanswered questions on her end. How could I be the only girl on the team having a multi-hit game and then get benched for the next 3 games? How could I be a part of a back-to-back home run to win a ball game and then be benched the next week and a half? How could I work SO hard and be punished for my efforts? It was the hardest decision of my life, when I confronted my coach before the senior season and asked her those things. When she couldn't answer those questions, I knew it was time to move on and start coaching...so that I could instill everything I had learned from my amazing hitting, fielding, and strength and conditioning coaches into the next generation of ballplayers.

So, as a long answer to your question =), I would say if your daughter wants to play college ball, GO FOR IT!!! It will be the best experience of her life. I have SO much more to say about it, but I'll stop so this post doesn't become too long. I would say that the head coach, though, can make or break your daughter's role on the team...unfortunately. Dealing with the head coach is probably factor number one for girls who don't play the whole 4 years. But there were other reasons too in my experience, girls quit b/c of boyfriends, school troubles, but basically what it came down to was girls that didn't want to commit themselves to that level of ball and what it required, and who put other things as a higher priority than ball, quit. So yes, I would say there was a large number of girls who did NOT play the whole 4 years. But, is there a way to balance school, softball, social life, and even working part-time, DEFINITELY. However, at the end of the day...a good academic school and being on a campus with a major that you like and take an interest to, is the most important thing. In my opinion, everything else can fall into place after that.
Click to expand...

What a wonderful post...TBR at its finest!!!!

Dukedog4 · Dec 9, 2009 at 9:52 AM

Thanks!

bothsportsdad said: ↑

Duke.. as you always do you have some real pearls of wisdom in your posts... especially the no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow statement and the fact that, for a large % of girls playing, their bodies change so much at 15/16 that they "grow" out of their athleticism.

These are just facts that arent easily told or explained to those with 12 +/- year old players. If you have a young player I suggest you memorize a lot of what Duke posts... not only has he experienced it but he has a gifted analytical mind.

There are so many things working against a female athelete... much more so than the male IMHO.
Click to expand...

I just wish my "pearls of wisdom" were so appreciate in my own living room!

bothsportsdad · Dec 9, 2009 at 10:41 AM

what does it say in scripture? "A prophet is not known in his hometown?"

Log in or Sign up

Question for DukeDog4 and others whose girls have completed collegiate careers

bothsportsdad Full Access Member

Braves Watauga Pioneers #6

Dukedog4 Full Access Member

bothsportsdad Full Access Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Question for DukeDog4 and others whose girls have completed collegiate careers

bothsportsdad Full Access Member

Braves Watauga Pioneers #6

Dukedog4 Full Access Member

bothsportsdad Full Access Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches