Being a college athlete is an exciting and challenging journey. It’s the culmination of years and years of hard work and discipline, and there’s no better feeling to know ‘you’ve made it’. However, there are some situations where you join a program and start recognizing a few red flags. Unfortunately, the research you do or an official visit won’t always paint an accurate picture of a team. Think about it: as a recruit you spend a few days with a program, typically with an organized itinerary where you’ll meet with coaches, athletes, professors and other members of the university. You eat at a few really nice places and in some cases, you might even go out with your future teammates. While an official visit is probably really informative, it will never represent what your actual day-to-day experience will be as an athlete. It’s likely that when you join a program, you might sense something feels off or not quiet right. But what signs should you be looking for?
As you navigate through your athletic journey, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and be aware of potential red flags that might signal issues within the team. These can affect your physical health, mental health, and effect your long term plans after school. Here are a few ways athletes can identify and address these warning signs.
Recognizing Red Flags: A Guide for College Athletes
Lack of Communication: coaches or staff members avoiding open communication about team expectations, playing time, or the program’s future. If the tone or thoroughness of communication changes after you join a program, there could be something off. Take note if the tone or demeanor of a coach has changed during your visit or throughout the season. If a coach is less transparent about anything related to the program, this could be a red flag for your future with the team.
Inconsistent Support for Academics: the program neglects academic support, making it challenging for student-athletes to maintain a healthy balance between sports and academics. If you were told that certain resources would be available to you as an athlete, and now see you aren’t receiving them, this could be a huge red flag. I was fortunate to have coaches at the DI level who supported our academics, without question. Between study hall expectations and checking in on our work, it was clear that all of my teammates had the support we needed to excel in class.
*Another academic red flag could include athletes not being able to take classes within their major. If you’re interested in studying biology or history, but your coaches pressure you to take communications because it’s more convenient for their practice schedule, this is something that should raise your internal alarm.
Toxic Team Culture: a negative atmosphere among teammates, coaches, or staff that may include bullying, cliques, or a lack of camaraderie. This should be pretty easy to identify. If you feel uncomfortable with the behavior that your program allows, this can affect your athletic performance, mental health and academic success.
Inadequate Athletic Facilities: a lack of investment in quality training facilities and resources, hindering your ability to perform at your best. This is pretty common when coaches show an athlete their top facilities, but fail to mention that their program doesn’t have access to them. If you’re not given the basic items you need to train and compete at your best, this is something that can prevent you from reaching your potential as an athlete.
Overemphasis on Winning: a sole focus on winning at the expense of individual athlete development, well-being, and a healthy team dynamic. I hate to lose, I truly hate the feeling of loosing at anything. However, if your coach has a fixation with wins and does not applaud your progress, neglects your health, or fails to address a toxic team culture, this can lead to serious problems for you and your team down the road.
Unrealistic Expectations: coaches setting unrealistic expectations without a clear strategy for achieving success or providing the necessary support. Over time, many athletes understand what realistic expectations look like at the collegiate level. Coaches that expect too much from their athletes or their program could be a problem.
Limited Playing Time Explanations: coaches failing to provide transparent explanations for limited playing time or neglecting to discuss your role on the team. You should always know why you’re starting, why you’re on the bench, or why you’re not getting any minutes at all. If you ask your coach a question regarding your playing time and they can’t give you an answer, something might be up.
Neglect of Injury Prevention: inadequate medical support or a lack of emphasis on injury prevention and rehabilitation, putting your well-being at risk. No practice, match, meet, game or tournament is worth risking injury, period.
Inequality Among Athletes: a lack of fairness and equal treatment among athletes, whether in terms of resources, playing time, or opportunities for growth. Politics can be a very real thing at the high school and collegiate level.
Personal Development Neglect: the program’s failure to prioritize your individual skill development and personal growth as a student-athlete. You should always be improving, always. If your coach or program can’t help you improve physically, mentally, or academically, somebody might not be doing their job.
Questionable Recruitment Practices: unethical or questionable recruitment practices that might compromise the integrity of the program. If you experience questionable recruiting practices as a recruit or as a host, this is something you should take very seriously.
Financial Concerns: mismanagement of financial resources within the program, leading to uncertainties about the team’s sustainability. Financial problems might not reach it’s way down to you as an athlete. For safe measure, it’s important to keep an ear to the ground about NIL deals within your program, school or conference. If you’re on scholarship or receiving financial aid, it’s also good practice to know the exact source of where those funds come from.
As a college athlete, your well-being and development should be a priority within your program. By staying alert to these red flags and addressing any concerns early on, you can contribute to a positive and fulfilling athletic experience. Remember that open communication is key, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance or support if you encounter any warning signs within your college athletic program.