Off To The Gold Mine And U.S. Prep Schools

So, I am told the Exodus is well underway. They, and I means lots of kids from the Greater Toronto Area, are off to the Promised Land.

Canadian kids, teenagers for the most part, are determined to make it to the NBA and other pro leagues. The easy way, they believe, is to go through prep schools in the United States. Might work for some, but not the close to 100 who have packed up and left town.

Many of these youngsters, and I am told the numbers are continuing to swell from the GTA, are vulnerable. They would buy swamp land in Florida, if it could get them to the big money and the pros.

The problem, one of them anyway, is that people are luring these kids with huge expectations and dreams of making it to the big leagues. Telling them that doing time in a prep school is a huge foot in the door to NCAA scholarships - big schools, small schools, you name it. Not sure if there is anything in it for those doing the smooth talking.

The message that is not getting through is that dozens of Canadian kids are also returning home. Yes, fed up with the emphasis on sport, the demands and expectations. Toss in home-sick and more. Education is falling behind. Heck, no U.S. school will offer up free tuition and board unless there is something huge in it for them. Sadly, not every Canadian going down is huge.

Leaving high school before graduation for the United States? Not a smart idea, in my opinion. Apparently, lots of Canadian educators think I'm right on. So, why aren't some of these kids understanding that they may be wasting time?

Well, they believe getting through the NCAA Clearing Center (formerly the Clearinghouse) to the big universities and colleges is easier. Some also believe the education is easier too.

Look, I wish everyone well - but I`m not so sure these young people will all be successful. From the research that I have read, and the educators who I have talked too about this topic, there are many doubts and serious concerns.

One thing for certain, good young athletes will be found. U.S. schools do recruit in Canada too. The easy way is not always the best, or the right, way.

Comments

[Mike]

Some kids are naive and believe in ridiculous hype.
They will learn the hard way.

[WW]

Well spoken.
Coaches, if they were wise, would print this and make every athlete read it.

[Donny]

I don't like to admit that I agree with you, but this time I have to do just that.
You're bang on.
Far too many high school students, and some with parental backing, really do believe they will get the jump and stay a year or so before NCAA big schools will grab them like a gold mine.
Might have to one or two.
The rest are losers unless tey want to play at some rinky dinky no-name school in some nowhere land..

[Hoopsguy]

Hey man, you are just fear mongering.
I went to a prep school and the next year I went to a NCAA Division III school. I had to pay half the school fees and it wasn't in a big city but I think it still was better for me than going to an Ontario university that I couldn't get in to because of my marks.
I've been working at Walmart to make some money and hope to attend Centennial or Seneca College in January.

[Ben]

Let them go.
It gives more players who would normally ride the bench a better chance to play.

[Quinner]

So long and farewell.
Excuse me for laughing, see you all in the pros.

[J M]

There is a snake oil salesman around every corner saying that they can take you to the promised land. This is no different and unfortunately, too many kids and their parents are buying it!! For every "success" there are 99 failures! And I say failures because the expectations are next to impossible to meet, thus, it has to be deemed a failure. Nothing in life is easy and this is no different. If you are able, you will be seen and will be rewarded for your hard work and talent.

One of the few times I agree with you of late David! It must be the holiday season?

[Coach L]

Greed, money, bad dreams and stupidity.
I can say more but the majority of these kids are getting the wrong advice.

[Mitch]

This is a real sore spot.
Far too many young people think they have the answers to everything, they also believe in some people who think there is an easy way to everything, and they go for it. Sadly, many of these people don't take the time to seek advice from people like teacherss and coaches and even players who went this route before and we can offer up suggestions.
True there are some who jump, jump, jump and land somewhere - with some luck and talent.
But the vast majority come away with hopes that went sour.
You are doing a good service by raising this for discussion. I am disappointed that the Toronto Star doesn't do more on school sports like it did for many years and cut down on so many stories about professional sports.

[Memphis]

Hey Dave,
If kids can't play a 5th year here at home, then more power to them going off to US Prep Schools or CEJEPs in Quebec. People come on here uninformed and cry about 5th year players and then come back on here and complain about Prep Schools. Sorry, you can't have it both ways. PICK ONE!!! We can keep our kids here in school and offer them every opportunity they deserve or let these vultures from the US come up here and steal them away. Either way top athletes are going to find a way to play a 5th year.

[Big Al]

When was the last time a high school athlete from Toronto, went the prep school route, and made it to a professional team?
If these kids are simply going to get an education, and can get it better through the prep route, that's a different story.
But, we're not all stupid.
We do know how many kids going through the prep system are success stories. Yes, you got my point.

[Marcel]

What a shame. Too much pushing thesze kids whether it's by parents or peers or coaches. In their minds, they are all super sports stars. In reality, 99 per cent are just average. If they are making this jump , as you say, to try get the easy way.....
If they're doing this to get an education that they might not be able to afford, that's another thing all together. My gut feeling is they all think they'll go to a prep school, then to a big time U.S. school and then to the pros. Sweet dreams.

[DASH40blog]

I think the only negative issue here is if kids/parents are given false information on the chances they will get a full scholorship. I don't have any problem with kids wanting to at least make an attempt to play for a BIG NAME school down south. If they fail, then they fail. We have to allow kids to dream again, instead of telling them they have "no chance" of playing down south and that they should go to school in Canada. What will happen is they will likely end up in a "secure" career that they hate, and always wonder what might have been. Maybe the question is "Are Universities up here doing enough to keep our top athletes?"

[The Truth]

Great post Mr. Grossman,

Many of you are criticizing the kids for being naive and the teachers and coaches for pushing them to go. How is it the kid’s fault for being inexperienced and unacquainted with the prep schools in the States? The real problem lies with the parents who often push their kids to go to Prep Schools if they’re half-decent, yet are cheap with any sort of football development (camps, leagues, combines ect) even though these serve as better experiences then these prep schools. The reality is many of these kids turn back because the gap is far too large. I was a high school football star when I graduated but I’m realistic and realize I’m a dime a dozen in the States – and kudos to my parents for keeping me grounded. They did not dampen my dream but instead, made me realistic. The fact is, many of these kids don’t come from ambitious families so football is a priority even though the odds of getting a scholarship are tiny!

[drew allen]

I took my football team down to Ohio this past season. We go every year and this year played above our heads, but their Head coach was an old acquaintance and we both knew ahead of time that this would be a game they would be able to win quite easily. It was a great experience playing this top ranked Catholic Prep School on their Senior's Night. They did win, their Head Coach did an amazing job of mamgaing the score and everyone was happy. What shocked me was that despite being a top ranked team with incredible athletes and despite beating us quite easily (we won our league too), only two players on their team of 60 players were getting scholarships to play football- one at Toldeo and one at Miami of Ohio. A few had been offered preferred walk on status at other universities. The reason- the competition is unbelievable!! Players and parents that think the U.S. Prep School route is a sure thing, a 50/50 thing, a 25/75 thing, really need to wake up. The odds are just stacked so high against American kids, to say nothing of Canadian kids showing up for one or two years.

[mike edwards]

As an American U.S. middle and youth football coach and living in Maine surronded by these sports factory prep schools you are absolutley right on. I am a graduate of a Canadian prep school and Queen's, played football at both. My roomate from my Canadian prep school made the squad at N. Carolina when Lawrence Taylor played and Mike Faulds made it at Toledo but wisely came home to Western and broke all the CIS records. They will find you if you are that good. I do film for my kids coming through the level above me in our high school and some look to schools like Acadia and St. Mary's. I check your colume to keep up with my old school's standings. I now recruit American kids for my Canadian prep alma mater. Down here we are all running the spread offense system and it really a Canadian product (see SI this week)and I am selling that. At age 50 I see how great that Canadian education was. Americans can get enourmous value, balanced and superior education public or private versus the U.S. preps but especially at Canadian preps which are world class and where sports is still just part of the puzzle. Some of the U.S. parents working with me, who have the money for boarding, also see great value in going away outside the U.S. but still close because the U.S. will not be on the worlds stage alone at the top anymore. What better way to expose your kid to global reality and see a real balnaced education than nearby Canada where the lack of scholarships places more balance on the education. The smart money is going the other way... Northern preps.

[Larry]

I have problems just waving goodbye kids to go to the U.S. just to live their dream, and then fail.
Then, what?
Why aren't educators and parents doing a better job telling these kids what's right for them?

[Ron]

Let's cut the B.S.
If a player is good enough to play in the U.S., and at a Division One school, they'll be hunted down by scouts and don;t have to go to prep schools.
What bothers me are these slick-talking guys in this country, and there are a few, who weasle money out of kids saying they have connections to scholarships - then leave them high and dry.
Beware of these money-grabbers who are known to be running combines.

[Kip Washington]

how can an athlete attend a prep school before he has to go to a juco, or 4 year school?

[Jeffery]

Some prep schools are like glorified high schools. My friend went to one.