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We have been in the college recruiting stage with my daughter who is about ready to announce the school she plans on attending/signing. I guess I am used to the no tolerance policy of high school, because I was shocked at what I learned at the college level during visits and talking with players/recruits. I also spoke with two of the best softball players I have ever met, and they said pretty much the same things we have been hearing.
It seems that there are two different stances on drinking with college coaches. There are several coaches that allow absolutely no drinking--I believe Muskingham and Malone are two such coaches. There are other coaches that tell their girls that they know they will drink; just don't get caught drinking in a team uniform. One coach goes as far as never scheduling a practice in the morning because he knows they will be hung over.
I know of a college freshman who was upset because the very first night she was there she was asked to drink with the team. I know of an 18U summer team who had four players with a hangover the day they were eliminated. One of these players was highly recruited by a college and decided recently not to attend there because "you go to college to have fun and drink", but that coach does not allow drinking.
College coaches have told us that they will punish their players if they are caught drinking, but they are the same ones holding late practices to avoid hangovers. My daughter based her decision on the first part of the statement above--not knowing the second part until recently. She made a verbal commitment to that school.
At first I was going to try to encourage her to choose one of the other schools interested in her. However, after talking to many people, I have come to the conclusion that drinking is something she is going to have to accept as a norm.
I would love to read comments from others--especially those who may have already had college softball experience. I am not trying to be judgemental--just trying to figure out what to think about the whole thing.
It seems that there are two different stances on drinking with college coaches. There are several coaches that allow absolutely no drinking--I believe Muskingham and Malone are two such coaches. There are other coaches that tell their girls that they know they will drink; just don't get caught drinking in a team uniform. One coach goes as far as never scheduling a practice in the morning because he knows they will be hung over.
I know of a college freshman who was upset because the very first night she was there she was asked to drink with the team. I know of an 18U summer team who had four players with a hangover the day they were eliminated. One of these players was highly recruited by a college and decided recently not to attend there because "you go to college to have fun and drink", but that coach does not allow drinking.
College coaches have told us that they will punish their players if they are caught drinking, but they are the same ones holding late practices to avoid hangovers. My daughter based her decision on the first part of the statement above--not knowing the second part until recently. She made a verbal commitment to that school.
At first I was going to try to encourage her to choose one of the other schools interested in her. However, after talking to many people, I have come to the conclusion that drinking is something she is going to have to accept as a norm.
I would love to read comments from others--especially those who may have already had college softball experience. I am not trying to be judgemental--just trying to figure out what to think about the whole thing.