Transparency in Recruiting

Edgar- This is a great question. It is terrifying to think about some of the things that happen behind the scenes in some programs and at some universities. As far as a mental health check, I think that's a bit much. All schools (public and private, high school and college) that I know of do drug screening, but mental health checks are something you'll never see - a bit invasive probably. As far as having a plan or a system in place to deal with potential life-altering dangers like this, I don't see that as being too much to ask.
Man, what a mess at PSU. Not good for anyone in college athletics....

Interesting thread. In another thread there is a discussion going on about the level of parental involvement appropriate in the recruiting process. For precisely the reasons identified in this thread, "the idea of in loco parentis and the custodial nature of the relationship between players - for most of us, our kids - and coaches", we were uneasy allowing visits or early conversations to occur without a parent being involved. 16/17 year old kids are not prepared to make life altering decisions on their own. Something that might not raise an eyebrow with a teenager might not smell right to an adult.

In addition - we have always scratched our heads a little bit at the recruiting rules that sometimes disallow coaches to talk with prospects in the open at events or other venues, but they can talk to recruits in their office with the door closed almost any time. While I do understand the intent of these rules - there is something a little ironic about them.

It is difficult to think about what other matters parents / players should be made aware of. There is a great deal of information available if you do the difficult and time consuming research (this website is a gold mine for those willing to spend the time reading and learning). The matters - like the Penn State allegations - that are unavailable are often unproven and as such cannot be shared.

If nothing else, parents / coaches and universities need to be willing to listen when a player indicates that something is not right. The fact that a particular coach or practice has been around for years does not mean that there is not a problem. Players have given up so much and worked so hard by the time they are playing college athletics that they feel they have much to lose by rocking the boat. I am all for tough it out - however, sometimes that mentality goes to far. The perpetrator at Penn State fooled many people for many years.