The Collegiate Journey of a Student-Athlete

The process of selecting a college after graduation is one of the most life-changing and difficult decisions teenagers will make, regardless of whether they are involved in sports or other extracurriculars.

However, Tolland High School's current student-athletes will start their college journey a little more prepared after attending a panel on Wednesday night, sponsored by the library and the Tolland Public Library Foundation, which focused specifically on the obstacles and challenges athletes face when deciding to compete at the collegiate level.

Mediated by Tolland High School Athletic Director Patrick Cox, the panel was full of experts from both sides of the decision making process: Quinnipiac University men's basketball coach Tom Moore, Wesleyan University women's basketball coach Kate Mullen, Tolland High School boy's soccer coach Jim Leahy and Tolland parents to previous and current student-athletes: Donna Schatzlein and Skip Olander.

Olander stressed to parents that college sports are, to an extent, a business, which they need to keep in mind while searching for the right school.

"Be realistic," Olander cautioned parents, adding that their role should include guiding their child through the complex process, but should stop before making any major decisions, which should fall under their child's jurisdiction.

"We become consultants," Olander said. "Once they make up their mind, we get on their side." Olander has three children: Ryan, a basketball player at Fairfield University beginning his senior year, : a sophomore basketball player at the University of Connecticut, and Morgan, a high school student who is considering her options for post-graduation.

Students and their parents also received tips on how to catch the attention of college recruiters and the pros and cons of aiming for a Division I school as opposed to Division II or III.

Coaches suggested that student athletes join elite league teams or take a year after graduating to play for a prep school in order to reach their full potential and catch a recruiter's notice.

Moore also recommended that families get front row tickets to games in each division, to get a better perspective of the size and athleticism required at each level.

"Your jaw will drop," Moore said, explaining that many high schoolers and parents are surprised at how large and fit many collegiate athletes must be to compete.

He said that student-athletes must have a passion and a drive to excel at their sport. "Do you want to play basketball, or do you want to be a basketball player?" Moore asked.

Wesleyan's Kate Mullen added that, beyond the physical and mental demands of the sport, students must also be ready to keep up academically to play at the college level.

"You can't play for us if you can't get in," Mullen said. However, the panel clarified that the player's balance of athletic talent and academic strength may be valued differently at a Division I school like UConn, as opposed to the Division III program at Wesleyan.

"In Division I, the emphasis on talent and athleticism is much higher, " Moore said.

Ultimately, however, he said the decision should be focused on the student's needs.

"You want to do what's best for your child," Moore said.

The panel was part of the Tolland Public Library Foundation's Year of the Young Adult initiative. Foundation President Linda Byam said that the she hopes students and their parents gain valuable information from the lecture.

"The high school handles a lot of the admission and financial aid, but we are handling the student athlete part, which is an exciting part for a lot of kids," Byam said. "It's a very complicated process."

Student-athletes can check out several books on the subject at the Tolland Public Library: "The Making of a Student Athlete" by Ray Lauenstein and Dave Galehouse; "Get Paid to Play" by Nancy Nitardy; and two others, which will be available as resources for students and their parents.

For more information on the Tolland Public Library Foundation, visit the organization's Web site.