Well, there have been some depressing threads on college recruiting the last few days - and they are important because all of them highlight the many, many pitfalls and issues and parent-blindness etc that happens way too often.
But we should also celebrate the stories of ways it goes right. These are some of the best of outstanding people that I am proud to have met since my DD started playing.
- I know at least 8 girls who graduated on time with Ivy degrees; 5 of which I suspect wouldn't have got into their school without softball. I know 5 more going next year and there is 6 there right now.
- 5 girls who are now doctors. A bunch in med school
- Engineering degrees. Science degrees. MBAs. 2 lawyers. Lots of computer science grads.
- An author. A broadway actor. One doing costume design for movies.
- 2 girls who will play in the Olympics, several who have played professionally
- I cannot count the number of girls who likely would not have gone to college that went to college and graduated and have great jobs
- 8 who are coaching college softball right now; many who coach travel or HS
- Players who are now in the various service colleges - some that have graduated and moved on to serve their country.
When it goes right, it normally seems to go REALLY right. Their softball achievements are every bit as impressive and softball did really well for them in kickstarting their education and careers. However, in the end. it is seeing these wonderful people mature and become incredible people that was awesome. And the schools these kids attending - it didn't matter whether the softball was NAIA, JUCO or NCAA - when it was the right situation, it was the right situation.
But we should also celebrate the stories of ways it goes right. These are some of the best of outstanding people that I am proud to have met since my DD started playing.
- I know at least 8 girls who graduated on time with Ivy degrees; 5 of which I suspect wouldn't have got into their school without softball. I know 5 more going next year and there is 6 there right now.
- 5 girls who are now doctors. A bunch in med school
- Engineering degrees. Science degrees. MBAs. 2 lawyers. Lots of computer science grads.
- An author. A broadway actor. One doing costume design for movies.
- 2 girls who will play in the Olympics, several who have played professionally
- I cannot count the number of girls who likely would not have gone to college that went to college and graduated and have great jobs
- 8 who are coaching college softball right now; many who coach travel or HS
- Players who are now in the various service colleges - some that have graduated and moved on to serve their country.
When it goes right, it normally seems to go REALLY right. Their softball achievements are every bit as impressive and softball did really well for them in kickstarting their education and careers. However, in the end. it is seeing these wonderful people mature and become incredible people that was awesome. And the schools these kids attending - it didn't matter whether the softball was NAIA, JUCO or NCAA - when it was the right situation, it was the right situation.
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