PREPARING STUDENTATHLETES FOR COLLEGE How coaches & athletic director can assist student-athletes' transition to college By Dr. Cliff McCain After seven years in student-athlete development at a Power 5 school, I've seen many students walk on to campus for the first time. A few of these were able to compete for playing time as freshmen. But even fewer were fully ready for the new world they were thrown into away from athletics. These students left high school as a star with the entire school and community helping guide them along. Once they arrive, they quickly realize everyone here is a star. They often struggle with this transition for reasons that have nothing to do with athletic ability. As a coach or athletic director, you have a responsibility to prepare these young people as students, as well as athletes - helping student-athletes in ways they don't even know to ask. Get Them a Mentor A fortunate athlete will have a large support base. Coaches, teachers, and family members can offer advice as the student prepares for college. Whether the student heeds this advice is another matter. One type of information that most will listen to comes from someone that has been where the student is headed. College or professional athletes can be role models or mentors in a way that no one else can. Try to find your student someone to talk with - possibly an alumnus or someone at a local college. Let the student ask questions and encourage the mentor to talk about his experiences. At my university, several times we would bring in alumni and older current student-athletes for a panel discussion with incoming 36 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020