Gap Years, Prep Schools, and Alternative Paths to College Sports

For many young athletes, the dream of competing in college sports is an existing, tried-and-true, straight line to success. The steps are as follows: do well in high school sports, get recruited by college scouts, and commit to a program before you even get your diploma. Seems easy enough, right? Many parents seem to think so, at least.

Today, we continue our discussion about college sports prep by talking about a subject that many parents take for granted. The truth of the matter is that the straight path to college athletics is rarely as simple as most believe it to be. What many parents don’t consider is that different athletes peak at different times. At the same time not every child thrives within a traditional framework. Meaning, some kids grow later than their peers. There are also injuries to consider, along with academic struggles, or rivals who may be just that bit more talented or gregarious than they are.

The point is, contending with these impediments can be a challenge all of its own, for teens and parents, both. In cases where the standard “play in high school, get recruited, sign early” route gets stymied by circumstance, some parents might not be sure what the next steps might be. That’s where we come in! In this article, we will explore some of the less traditional routes to college-level athletics. At the same time, we will offer sound advice for parents about what they can do if plans go awry.

The Upside Of The Alternative Path

Development Timelines Vary

As much as we’d like to think that our children are savants, the truth of the matter is that not every athlete hits their stride at the tender age of 15 or 16. Sure, some teens might bloom early and find success even before they head off to college, but a good chunk of them will experience major growth and skill jumps closer to age 18 or even 19. For late bloomers like these, alternative paths might make all the difference towards getting them on the track to success.

Recruiting Windows Are Narrow

College coaches often keep to a pretty tight schedule for recruitment. That means that if they miss an encounter, arrive off-season, or if a player is injured or overlooked during that specific window, they may not get the chance to encounter your young athlete. Prep or gap programs often add opportunities to these tight timelines.

Academics Play a Role

We’ve talked about this in previous articles and it remains true here, as well. A talented student-athlete that also has good grades and test scores will have better chances at getting into a good school than one who does not. Those who need the help in this area might need to avail themselves of prep schools or gap programs that can provide added academic support to help athletes who might not otherwise meet certain NCAA eligibility requirements.

More Options, Less Pressure

Exploring alternative paths is an effective way to reduce the stress that many student-athletes feel in the years leading up to college. Teens often end up feeling a sort of “it’s now or never” sensation in regards to college sports…and parents don’t always help with that feeling; especially as they feel it themselves. By choosing these options, families gain more time to find the right fit and at their own pace.

Gap Years

A gap year—in sports terms—isn’t about backpacking in Europe or taking a semester before college to get one’s finances in order. In this instance, it is meant to be a structured year that a student-athlete takes, between high school and college, in order to focus on training, academics, or personal development. Some athletes enroll in prep programs during this time, while others train independently or with clubs while they await their college years.

Benefits

Extra Time for Growth: A year of physical development can make a world of difference in terms of physical prowess. It could translate to a faster sprint time, more muscle mass, or a more refined array of technical skills.

Recovery from Injury: If a teen was sidelined due to injury, this year-long break will allow adequate time for them to make a full recovery, while also allowing them to stay competitive before they begin college.

Improved Academics: Students that have failed certain tests or classes now have the chance to retake standardized tests or boost their GPA enough to meet standards.

Recruiting Extension: Athletes who miss out on recruitment can re-enter the recruiting cycle with stronger credentials and skills to show off.

Considerations

Eligibility Rules: It’s important to note that NCAA has specific limits on gap years before college enrollment, depending on the sport, so parents need to consider that. Always do your research before making any decision on gap years to avoid disqualifying their child.

Cost: Training programs, travel teams, and living expenses can add up even during a gap year, so keep that mind.

Discipline Needed: Without the structure of high school, keeping your teen motivated will be the key to their success. In this instance, it might pay to hover a bit and encourage their participation on the regular.

Prep Schools and Post-Graduate Programs

Prep school are like college-lite. These private institutions offer rigorous academics paired with competitive athletics for the discerning student-athlete-in training. Many Prep schools have post-graduate (PG) programs specifically designed for athletes who have finished high school but want an extra year before they head off to college. Parents can look at a post-graduate, prep school duration as essentially a fifth year of high school. Attending such institutions is especially common in basketball, football, and hockey, where physical development and visibility are crucial to success.

Why Families Choose Them

Exposure to Coaches: Prep schools have established relationships with college recruiters and often invite them in to scout their best student-athletes.

Academic Boost: Structured coursework at prep schools is designed to help raise a student-athlete’s GPA and prepare them for the rigorous requirements of the NCAA.

Character and Independence: Living away from home is a great way to teach a young person some responsibility and resilience; both qualities they will undoubtedly need when they are off at college.

Things to Watch

Tuition: Like college, prep schools can be expensive. That said, some do accept and offer financial aid depending on the circumstances.

Fit: Not every athlete is going to thrive in a boarding school environment. For instance, some teens might find themselves to be too structured or stuffy. Make sure you tour the premises and do your research with your teen beforehand.

Academic Pressure: As with any place of higher learning, prep school coursework may be more demanding than a traditional high school.

Junior Colleges (JUCO)

Junior colleges (two-year community colleges with athletic programs) offer another stepping stone for student-athletes who aren’t quite ready to start university life. Sports teams on these campuses compete in the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) and are especially common for football, baseball, and basketball players.

Advantages

Immediate Playing Time: At junior college, student-athletes often get more minutes playing the actual sport than they would sitting on a Division I bench.

Academic Reset: Students who attend these two-year programs get additional opportunities to prove and improve their academic talents. Junior college is also a lower-pressure setting than four-year universities. It isn’t easy to balance sports and school, but it will be easier than if they went right into college unprepared.

Pathway to Scholarships: Junior college athletes often transfer to four-year programs from two-year ones with stronger offers on the table.

Affordability: Tuition at two-year schools is often much lower than it is in four-year schools. Moreover, many state-run schools offer financial aid packages for students who need an economical lift.

Challenges

Limited Resources: Facilities and resources at Junior college are often less than they are at Division I schools.

Short Timeline: Athletes have a limited amount of time—two years, in fact, in order to stand out.

Stigma: Some mistakenly view Junior college as a “last chance” option but it is nothing of the sort. In fact, junior college has produced some of the top sports pros like Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Butler.

Cultured Athlete Says…

As you can see, the college sports journey is no longer one-size-fits-all that it was in times past. While some teens glide from high school straight to Division I scholarships, others take less direct routes to their eventual sports success. These days, gap years, prep schools, and junior colleges are as much an option as going straight into college-level sports. The most important thing to remember is that these paths are not detours; they are bridges meant to assist athletes who need more time, academic preparation, or exposure than they might have gotten during their high school years.

These options also represent a way for parents to reframe their thinking and keep an open mind about their child’s college career. They are ways that teens can transform their challenges into opportunities and that is something that even the most sports-addled parents can get behind.