A Real Conversation About Your Child and Athletics

[The Founder]

I know on the smack board we talk a lot stuff about crap to get a laugh, to joke, etc... So let's be serious for a moment.

If you had a son who was a blue chip QB, 6'5'', 225 pounds, runs a 4.4, 3.5 GPA, 25 on the ACT, very disciplined, and you are not trying to pimp your child out for money from a school. Would you still send him to your HBCU for sake of tradition and your love for that school; or would you encourage him to attend a top university?

 

[JSUDMJ2004]

I know on the smack board we talk a lot stuff about crap to get a laugh, to joke, etc... So let's be serious for a moment.

If you had a son who was a blue chip QB, 6'5'', 225 pounds, runs a 4.4, 3.5 GPA, 25 on the ACT, very disciplined, and you are not trying to pimp your child out for money from a school. Would you still send him to your HBCU for sake of tradition and your love for that school; or would you encourage him to attend a top university?

The HBCU would be scared of doing what it takes RECRUITING WISE to bring a kid of the stature in to the program...Most HBCUs look at the left overs and scraps instead of those 5 and 4 star kids......see it too many times where kids say they would have listen to an HBCU but they didnt even make an offer...Pure Laziness....

 

[DallasCowboyGirl]

I know on the smack board we talk a lot stuff about crap to get a laugh, to joke, etc... So let's be serious for a moment.

If you had a son who was a blue chip QB, 6'5'', 225 pounds, runs a 4.4, 3.5 GPA, 25 on the ACT, very disciplined, and you are not trying to pimp your child out for money from a school. Would you still send him to your HBCU for sake of tradition and your love for that school; or would you encourage him to attend a top university?

Your question is so open ended...one question would be what is that child's future plans after college and what is the better ave. to get there!

 

[The Founder]

Your question is so open ended...one question would be what is that child's future plans after college and what is the better ave. to get there!

Yes it is, but the question to your response is, how many Blue Chip players have no interest in playing on Sunday?

 

[jsupop33]

Founder, every school in America pimps their players. It is a business. Yall can chill with that HBCU's care more about black athletes bullshat because that is exactly what it is. I and every other athlete who has played in the SWAC in the past 20 years can testify that it is a business. Tradition may be the only argument that is valid but don't for one second think that Comegy, Cole, Doug, Jones or Lefleur's homeboy cares anymore about their players than Miles, Saban, etc. It is all a business, some schools just write bigger checks than others.

I would even argue that PWC's are more accommodating for black athletes academic wise than HBCU's. At JSU, we had players who were engineering majors who literally had to choose between being at football practice or being in class because the only time many of their core classes were offered was at 3 or 4. Compare that to some schools who will ensure that every class is offered at a time when athletes are not in practice and give them priority on enrollment.

In the end, it is his choice. My parents did not select where I went to school and I will not select my son's school if I am not paying for it.

 

[The Founder]

The HBCU would be scared of doing what it takes RECRUITING WISE to bring a kid of the stature in to the program...Most HBCUs look at the left overs and scraps instead of those 5 and 4 star kids......see it too many times where kids say they would have listen to an HBCU but they didnt even make an offer...Pure Laziness....

Interesting. But as an HBCU graduate would you not push your son to go to your alma mater from a young age?

Let me give you my response. I would allow my son to be recruited and where he chooses I would be happy. Though at a very young age I would take him to GSU football games and tell him as a child I want to see him playing for Grambling, but I would have to explain to him that it is not my life but his, so if he chooses another school me and his mother will be there supporting him.

 

[The Founder]

Founder, every school in America pimps their players.

In the end, it is his choice. My parents did not select where I went to school and I will not select my son's school if I am not paying for it.

I never said that schools did not pimp....parents...but my answer is similar to yours.

 

[jsupop33]

I never said that schools did not pimp....parents...but my answer is similar to yours.

If you send your kid to a school, are you not participating in the pimping though. I am just saying. The system is designed to exploit and pimp. It is what it is. The key is to realize that and make sure your kid gets something out the deal (i.e. a degree). I recognized from jump street what the game was and made sure that I graduated in 4 years. I never once let the athletics department academic adviser do my schedule because I knew his loyalty was with the coaches.

 

[The Founder]

If you send your kid to a school, are you not participating in the pimping though. I am just saying. The system is designed to exploit and pimp. It is what it is. The key is to realize that and make sure your kid gets something out the deal (i.e. a degree). I recognized from jump street what the game was and made sure that I graduated in 4 years. I never once let the athletics department academic adviser do my schedule because I knew his loyalty was with the coaches.

One of the things I hate is a Athletics Department Academic Advisor. I remember at Arkansas when I did some policy research for the compliance department I saw players being in enrolled in classes that had no connection with their degrees. Once a professor in their major noticed that the kid was not taking course toward their degree he was infuriated. This is why I am happy about the changes with the APR system.

 

[skyvolt2000]

Yes it is, but the question to your response is, how many Blue Chip players have no interest in playing on Sunday?

A better question is how many blue chippers have a backup plan if they don't get to play on Sundays and not end up in these minor leagues where you would make more NOT playing minor league sports than playing.

The key is which college offers the most to where he won't be a former NFL player crying that he has no money and no skills to do anything else. Or he won't end up being a school monitor making less than Al Bundy.

 

[Vinita]

Our alma mater didn't reach out to our daughter in ANY capacity, and she would have chosen them over everyone.

 

[DallasCowboyGirl]

Founder, every school in America pimps their players. It is a business. Yall can chill with that HBCU's care more about black athletes bullshat because that is exactly what it is. I and every other athlete who has played in the SWAC in the past 20 years can testify that it is a business. Tradition may be the only argument that is valid but don't for one second think that Comegy, Cole, Doug, Jones or Lefleur's homeboy cares anymore about their players than Miles, Saban, etc. It is all a business, some schools just write bigger checks than others.

I would even argue that PWC's are more accommodating for black athletes academic wise than HBCU's. At JSU, we had players who were engineering majors who literally had to choose between being at football practice or being in class because the only time many of their core classes were offered was at 3 or 4. Compare that to some schools who will ensure that every class is offered at a time when athletes are not in practice and give them priority on enrollment.

In the end, it is his choice. My parents did not select where I went to school and I will not select my son's school if I am not paying for it.

I knew there had to be at least one in the bunch...:bowdown:

 

[Panther88]

I had zero control over mine. His maternal grandfather pretty much instilled his ideologies in him so that's where he is currently undergrad. :tup: When he was younger, he spoke purple/gold PV but that changed w/ his grandfather passing so I never spoke on it anymore other than to ask him what he thought was best and I don't think PV would've traveled all the way to NC to lure him anyway, so, the rest is moot.

Howsinever :emlaugh:. There's this ONE kid @ <b>The Woodlands High School</b> - freshman, strong pedigree, strong academics (for now ), who I've convinced could and WILL be the next coming of Andrew Luck. :| It's a given and quite unavoidable. His father takes him to one of those 4 24-HR fitnesses to work out <b>religeously</b>. He's expressed interest in PVAMU but I told him he stands a better chance of entering hell w/ ice skates on because PV doesn't recruit his HS but Stanford does :retard:, univ of georgia does, Berkley does, Army does, Air Force Aca does :read:, hook'em horns does, aggies does, .... but PV doesn't. Funny. :lol: Also, the 5'9" 205lb RB @ "blahhhhhhhhhhhhhh" AAAAA high school is being courted by the Louisiana schools :read: but again... I dare not ask him about PV other than what his feelings are. His grades, his desire, his academics, his choice - he and his mother - father is jailed in huntsville. :|

 

[Fiyah]

Well a few years ago my son told me that PV was on his list of schools to go to for playing sports. Since that time he went to several camps and visits to different schools. He went to football combines by Nike, Under Armour and National Underclassman. He won awards in those combines and was invited to other selected camps by them also. He made it to the Top Prospects Combine, which is one of the top exclusive camps to go to. In the end, it really came down to 2 schools. He missed out on one because the coaches that was recruiting him left the school to go somewhere else and it then became a numbers game. DCG's son and my son went to a lot of the same camps over the few years too. My son had a NCSA Profile and only 1 other Swac school took a look at him besides PV.

I am proud to say that my son will be taking his talents to a HBCU next fall and the HBCU will be Prairie View A&M University.

 

[C-LeB28]

I am proud to say that my son will be taking his talents to a HBCU next fall and the HBCU will be Prairie View A&M University.

:tup:

 

[the band fan]

I've had cousins play from Notre Dame to PV

One went to the NFL and had a great career who went to ND while his brother went to PV and has a nice career also

Had others who got caught up as a blue chipper, went big-time but got burned and had nothing to fall back on....

Bottom line is you got to know your kid at the end of the day...if he's a Top 100 kid but barely passing in high school, hit the minimum NCAA standards and forced to major at A&M, LSU, etc. in the lone athlete major they can be in, then you better sit down with them beforehand and explain to them what can that degree do if you don't go pro....

if they turn out to be a blue chip and excel in college and the league is calling...take it and run....

But if they're a marginal athlete at a major school but has the booksense...take advantage of what they have to offer

bottom line, you got to know your kid and make sure they prosper in the right situation...use the BCS schools if you can like they use you...

if you go SWAC, put your school on the map and work hard as its easier to become a "name" if you dominate this level of competition

 

[tweed24]

I know on the smack board we talk a lot stuff about crap to get a laugh, to joke, etc... So let's be serious for a moment.

If you had a son who was a blue chip QB, 6'5'', 225 pounds, runs a 4.4, 3.5 GPA, 25 on the ACT, very disciplined, and you are not trying to pimp your child out for money from a school. Would you still send him to your HBCU for sake of tradition and your love for that school; or would you encourage him to attend a top university?

If i had kid of that statue, i would tell my son to pick the schoool that paying you the most money, Focus on getting you a degree in a field that has a high job demand Computer Science,Information Technology or etc ."Just in case football dont work out.

 

[Jax]

Your question is so open ended...one question would be what is that child's future plans after college and what is the better ave. to get there!

As a parent of an athlete, I agree. What is his future AFTER college and graduation if he doesnt play professionally? That being said, I would give my input and let him decide. If he wants to to either an HBCU or PWC, I would support his decision either way.

 

[ravel74]

15-20 years ago I would have strongly encouraged it. Since I have been living in the southwest for 10+ years and seen the schools on the west coast, I have a totally different opinion in regards to this topic. I must say this......Being treated the way I was treated when going up to LSU as a teenager and taking taking classes there while at Southern, I would NEVER send my child to LSU! (thats just my person opinion about this particular school) Thats was a long time ago. I'm sure it has changed some since that time. I hope.

 

[pvdogteam]

Founder, every school in America pimps their players. It is a business. Yall can chill with that HBCU's care more about black athletes bullshat because that is exactly what it is. I and every other athlete who has played in the SWAC in the past 20 years can testify that it is a business. Tradition may be the only argument that is valid but don't for one second think that Comegy, Cole, Doug, Jones or Lefleur's homeboy cares anymore about their players than Miles, Saban, etc. It is all a business, some schools just write bigger checks than others.

I would even argue that PWC's are more accommodating for black athletes academic wise than HBCU's. At JSU, we had players who were engineering majors who literally had to choose between being at football practice or being in class because the only time many of their core classes were offered was at 3 or 4. Compare that to some schools who will ensure that every class is offered at a time when athletes are not in practice and give them priority on enrollment.

In the end, it is his choice. My parents did not select where I went to school and I will not select my son's school if I am not paying for it.

What he said! :clap:

 

[pvdogteam]

As a parent of an athlete, I agree. What is his future AFTER college and graduation if he doesnt play professionally? That being said, I would give my input and let him decide. If he wants to to either an HBCU or PWC, I would support his decision either way.

After sports is REAL important, my buddy from PV had a little brother at Rice who played basketball was 6'7" and battled Clyde the glide and Akeem, but he got his degree and the Rice alums really looked out for him because after balling having an education from their school made him one of them and he has been making serious loot ever since. However his brother that went to school with me is making nice loot too and some of it is because of his PV networking so I think with the education you can do well even if the athletics don't get you there at a PWC or HBCU. However if you don't take care of business academic wise, you will be made when the school offers you a broom and mop when you don't go pro. Both my sons are athletes, but they know school first because the motto at my house is "Brains will last longer than knees!"

 

[Jax]

After sports is REAL important, my buddy from PV had a little brother at Rice who played basketball was 6'7" and battled Clyde the glide and Akeem, but he got his degree and the Rice alums really looked out for him because after balling having an education from their school made him one of them and he has been making serious loot ever since. However his brother that went to school with me is making nice loot too and some of it is because of his PV networking so I think with the education you can do well even if the athletics don't get you there at a PWC or HBCU. However if you don't take care of business academic wise, you will be made when the school offers you a broom and mop when you don't go pro. Both my sons are athletes, but they know school first because the motto at my house is "Brains will last longer than knees!"

let the church say AMEN!!!

Matter of fact, my son who plays FB wants to be a Veterinarian. I mentioned to him about Colorado State, Cornell, Ohio State and Mich State(where my sister in law went). He asked me about places closer to home and HBCU and asked me about LSU's Vet school and if any HBCU had one.

I told him about Tuskegee and I think FAMU has one. Doesn't PV have one or in the process of building one?

 

[Jax]

15-20 years ago I would have strongly encouraged it. Since I have been living in the southwest for 10+ years and seen the schools on the west coast, I have a totally different opinion in regards to this topic. I must say this......Being treated the way I was treated when going up to LSU as a teenager and taking taking classes there while at Southern, I would NEVER send my child to LSU! (thats just my person opinion about this particular school) Thats was a long time ago. I'm sure it has changed some since that time. I hope.

Its changed some. That's all Im going to say.

 

[Psilent_rage]

As a parent, I think the responsibility is to make sure that they have the necessary foundation to make that choice on their own and ensure that they have a sound reason and path for that decision. I would give an athletic child three guidelines in choosing the college/university of attendance.

1. chose one that offers the major you want and look into life outside of sports.
2. make sure that when you graduate, you are able to come out of undergrad going into the workforce (if not sports) with your major (can't control the job market but you can put yourself in the best possible position)
3. invest in the HBCU's to see if they meet your requirements.

This way you can/will be proud b/c you would see the child taking the steps to make the right (their) choice.

 

[buckwheat]

Well a few years ago my son told me that PV was on his list of schools to go to for playing sports. Since that time he went to several camps and visits to different schools. He went to football combines by Nike, Under Armour and National Underclassman. He won awards in those combines and was invited to other selected camps by them also. He made it to the Top Prospects Combine, which is one of the top exclusive camps to go to. In the end, it really came down to 2 schools. He missed out on one because the coaches that was recruiting him left the school to go somewhere else and it then became a numbers game. DCG's son and my son went to a lot of the same camps over the few years too. My son had a NCSA Profile and only 1 other Swac school took a look at him besides PV.

I am proud to say that my son will be taking his talents to a HBCU next fall and the HBCU will be Prairie View A&M University.

Congrats! I know you and the wife are happy. You will have a chance to go to a lot of his games. A free ride to college is not bad at all.