Before You Commit: The Critical Questions Every Student-Athlete Must Ask

For high school student-athletes, choosing a college is one of the biggest decisions they will ever make — not just for their athletic careers, but for their education, personal development, and future beyond sports. With the excitement of recruitment offers and campus visits, it can be easy to get caught up in the moment. However, it’s critical for both players and parents to remember: this decision deserves careful research and honest conversations.

Here’s why doing your homework on a college — and asking the right questions — is essential before committing.

Every Program (and School) is Different

Not all programs are created equal. A school may have a great athletic reputation, but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s the right fit for every athlete.

Key questions to consider:

• What is the coach’s style and philosophy?

• How many players are at your position?

• How many players are returning next season, how many graduated, and how many transferred or quit?

  
  

Understanding roster turnover is especially important now. With the rise of the NCAA transfer portal, entire rosters can change dramatically from year to year. If large numbers of players are leaving a program — either transferring or quitting — it can be a potential red flag about the team culture, coaching stability, or overall program health.

Before falling in love with the idea of a "big name" school, players need to research if the environment, coaching style, and academic offerings truly fit their needs and goals.

Ask the Right Questions on Visits — To Coaches and Players

Campus visits aren't just a photo opportunity — they are your best chance to gather real information. Athletes should come prepared with questions for both the coaching staff and the current team members.

Questions for Coaches:

• What is your coaching style during games and practices?

• What are your expectations for players on and off the court?

• How do you support players academically?

• What does a typical year-round schedule look like?

• How often do players graduate on time?

• How many players are currently at my position?

• How many players are returning next season?

• How many players transferred or left the program in the last year?

• What are your expectations for incoming freshmen regarding playing time and development?

  
  

Questions for Current Players:

• How would you describe your relationship with the coaching staff?

• What is the team culture like?

• How manageable is the balance between academics and athletics?

• What are practices and workouts really like?

• If you could go through recruiting again, would you still choose this school?

  
  

Players can give you an honest view of the program that you might not get from coaches alone — especially about things like team chemistry, coach-player relationships, and day-to-day life.

Parents Play an Important Role, Too

While the ultimate decision belongs to the student-athlete, parents are essential in guiding the process. Parents should encourage their child to think beyond athletics:

• Does the school offer a major your child is excited about?

• What are the academic resources and tutoring services like?

• How is the campus environment, housing, and overall safety?

• What career support or internships are available outside of athletics?

  
  

Athletic careers can change instantly — due to injuries, coaching changes, or other factors. The college education and life experience must stand strong even without the sport.

Don’t Rush the Process

It's easy to feel pressure — from peers, social media, or even coaches — to commit early. But rushing often leads to poor fits, stressful transfers, or regret.

Taking the time to research thoroughly, visit campuses, and ask the right questions helps student-athletes and families make confident, well-informed decisions.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a college as a student-athlete is about finding the right fit — athletically, academically, and personally. That only happens when players and families are proactive: researching programs carefully, asking honest questions, and thinking about the big picture beyond sports.

Take your time. Ask the hard questions.Your future — not just your athletic career — depends on it.