I'm new here with a 2017 player who just attended his first prospect camp. I was a D1 athlete. Likewise my husband's 2 brothers were D1 and D2 baseball players. Do prospective coaches want to know that? Does it matter when sharing personal info?
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It does matter. Not just for physical reasons but also because a player who has family members that have played in college usually has a better understanding of what it takes to be a student athlete at that level (discipline, etc.). Besides the potential athletic ability, I would think parents that have been there done that would be very attractive to a coach.
Most colleges have a questionnaire on their website which has a line or two asking for other family members that have played in college. One even asked players who they've played against that is now playing college.
Lets put it this way, it does'nt hurt.
Several college coaches inquired about my sons parents to his HS or travel ball coaches, wondering what our size and athletic build was like. I have also read and heard from several sources that if the parents(especially the father) are small in stature but have a decent sized kid, it is best they stay in the background.
The idea being is to not make a coach/scout think he is close to maxed out growth wise at a particular age. However if the father is tall and/or has an athletic build, the coaches will assume the son will have more potential/projectibility.
You also hear that some scouts/coaches put a lot of stock in sons of former professional athletes. So I would assume the same is true of parents who played in college. Many a recruitment form asks about the parents former athletic prowess.
Considering how competitive things are trying to get your son noticed and being made offers, any little thing that might help is worth noting.
Of course it will still all boil down to the sons abilities regardless of whether his dad is named Nolan, and his mothers maden name is Sharapova.
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All great comments and perspectives! Thank you!
All of the pro scouting forms for MLB clubs that kids are requested to fill out senior year have a question asking if any family members play pro ball. In addition, a high number of kids that made the area code game in California had some familial connection with an ex major league ballplayer.
Just curious, does adoption change anything? Our children are not adopted, but I am. We have several family members that have played ball from D1 to MLB and also several that have been notebly successful in other sports. This gives us the family experience but only some genetic connection (some are hubby's side & some are mine)
Also, taking the advice beyond athletics & into academics, does where family went to school play any role or should we keep that info quiet?
So many questions I never even considered!
On the Perfect Game website's player profile, there is a section under both mother and father for "college", "athletic history", and even "famous relatives". If/when your player has a profile set up, wouldn't hurt to add that information there. (Profiles are free to manage once your child plays in a PG event).
As others have said, it matters. Don't hesitate to share it.
CanyonsMom - does where family went to school play any role or should we keep that info quiet?
Yes it can. First for showing there is a 'connection' to that school. That would usually help the coach to realize that there is family interest in his school.
But even moreso for a high-end academic school. The fact that both my father and I had attended Stanford (grad school for both) was likely helpful in the admission process for our son...certainly the coaches were pleased to hear it and the question was on the admission application as well. "Legacy" parents can sometimes give a little bump in admissions.
I appreciate the great comments! Many thanks!