By: Andrea Emmons
I define the "Name Game" as basing a decision solely on familiarity, rather than actual facts.
A lot of people are under the impression that most student-athletes in college play for schools like Penn State and UCLA. In fact, large D1 colleges/universities only make up about 5% of the schools in the nation. They are actually few and far between. 79% of all colleges and universities are under 5,000 enrollment.
Furthermore, only .8% of all high school student-athletes go on to receive scholarships at the D1 level. Now, if you want to put all your eggs in a .8% basket I would have to question your quantitative abilities. It's fine to narrow down your potential list of schools by higher academic level or geographic area, but not by the "Name Game." That is not the way to make an educated decision about your academic future.
You should have high goals, but it's important to be realistic. Do your research. Find out what the athletic and academic standards are at the school and make it a goal. Think about whether you could realistically fit in with the other recruits at that school. If they are all 6'3' and you are 5'8', you may want to start looking at some other schools!
There are so many great schools our there, why limit your options? Who would turn down financial assistance from a good school and the opportunity to play competitive sports? It's a no-brainer for an athlete who is committed to sports as a part of their college experience.
Here is a good exercise for those student-athletes starting to chisel out a list of schools to pursue; think about what attracts you to the school. Write it down. Is it the name, the size, the location, the athletic or academic reputation, the social scene, the fact that you might be televised? Think about how that fits in with your life after college. Is the fact that your college's basketball team is on TV going to affect your salary in 10 years? You will find that a lot more schools fit your academic, athletic, and social needs.
Almost everyone aspires to go to a big name school, but being an athlete sets you apart. It gives you more decisions and options. It gives you the opportunity to bring sports into your college experience and help you pay for college. Make the most out of your experience and be open to the opportunities out there.
