A lot of student athletes don't cope well. High-school student athletes who know what to expect when they reach college will be better prepared to seek help if and when they need it, Kays said. Parents are encouraged to attend with their students. Kays and sports consultant Chris Stankovich founded the company in 1997 to serve athletes and coaches. Responsibility increases so much in college.
Time is limited, and the athletes are always practicing or traveling to games or in study tables.
At the seminar, speakers will discuss potential pitfalls facing college athletes. A panel of former college and professional athletes will talk about their experiences. Darin Meeker and James Hall, who are academic counselors at Ohio State University, will discuss the minimum academic requirements for students to be eligible to play, and resources available on most campuses to help student athletes. Parents should investigate what campus resources are available, such as counselors, academic advisers and sports psychologists, Stankovich said. Often, students who were All-Stars in high school must adjust to having a diminished role their first couple of years in college sports, possibly as a redshirt freshman or riding the bench, Stankovich said.