As parents, what can you do when your athlete feels overwhelmed attending classes, performing on the field, or managing NIL opportunities? There are so many things athletes have to juggle when playing in college, and having a parent in their corner can be one of their best support systems.
But what is the right balance? How can you support your athlete with great advice, while giving them space and allowing them to be independent? Here are a few ways parents can help their athletes succeed in the classroom, on the playing field, and when it comes to earning money from their NIL.
How to Help Your Athlete Navigate Academics and NIL Deals
Get on the same page. First, you need to see if your athlete needs or wants your help and what that looks like:
- What does help look like? Does supporting them mean you’re providing them with resources, sharing materials, or something else to help them figure out their next steps?
- What specifically are you helping them with? Will you give them feedback regarding their athletic performance? Will you help them stay organized throughout the semester? Will they ask you to provide support or insight with NIL deals? Make sure both sides understand what you’re helping with.
- How long will they need your help? Will your athlete need help as they launch a business or start playing college sports? Would they like you in their corner as they continue to grow throughout their undergraduate experience? Timelines are important for both parties.
When I went to college my parents gave me the space I needed to grow, but were always on call when I had a question about time-management, team culture and other matters I wasn’t sure about.
Learn about NIL. It’s vital you understand the NIL landscape and what that means for your athlete. Having a basic understanding of rules, contracts, risks and types of partnership agreements will go a long way in helping to support your athlete.
Help them get organized. If your athlete is asking for your support, suggest different organizational tools to help them balance all of the things on their plate.
A hard copy planner can help them jot down notes, practices, NIL responsibilities, and more. If your athlete prefers digital trackers, sharing specific or programs to help them stay on top of all their obligations will go a long way.
Each year my mom helped me pick out a planner that I could use during the semester. Even though I didn’t have NIL earning opportunities, using a book to write out my assignments, practice schedule, travel schedule and more helped me organize a busy school year.
Understand it’s not your NIL… or money. Your athletes’ NIL is theirs alone- so its important not to pressure them into signing any deals they don’t want to sign. It’s also important to note that your athlete has no obligation to share their earnings with you, family members or friends.
Take note of their physical and mental health With grades, athletic commitments, NIL prospects and more on their plates, make sure your athlete is taking care of themselves which equals… eating well and getting plenty of sleep. Doing so will help fuel your athlete’s body and help their body recover. The average student needs about 7 hours of rest. To be able to focus in school and perform on the playing field, your athlete may need more hours of sleep.
Also, if your athlete is struggling with their mental health and can’t talk to you, ensure they’re receiving mental health services. Encourage them to find individuals or programs on campus to help them with any challenges they might be facing
Be suspicious. If something doesn’t feel right about an NIL deal, or you have a weird feeling about an agent, coach or advisor- make your thoughts known! It’s important that your athlete has the right people in their corner at all times.
Encourage them. As seasoned sports parents, you are probably familiar with the highs and lows that come with being an athlete. When athletes have a bad game, a poor season, a tough class, or if NIL deals fall through, it can be a very low time in their athletic career. Encouraging them and being there makes so much of a difference.
During winter break of my sophomore year in college, I had a really tough time figuring out if I was at the right school. Though it all, my parents encouraged me to keep going and to stick it out because they knew how determined I was to keep my scholarship. They also said they would support me in any decision, even if that meant transferring. This made a world of difference to me and helped me get through the season.