Guiding the Next Generation of Olympic Sport Athletes
At POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting, we know that Olympic dreams often begin long before the world is watching. Behind every performance at the Olympic Games are years of early mornings, school-sport balance, financial sacrifices, and unwavering family support.
Following the Paris 2024 Olympics, it’s clear that the U.S. collegiate system continues to be a major training ground for future Olympians. According to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, 75% of Team USA athletes had collegiate competition experience. Athletes from 169 schools across 45 conferences represented the country in Paris, spanning NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, junior colleges, and club programs (USOPC, 2024). Some Olympic teams were made up entirely of athletes who competed in college.
This tells us something important: college athletics is more than a stepping stone—it’s a launchpad. And with the growth of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, families of younger athletes should start thinking not only about athletic development, but also about how their child’s unique story and identity can be supported along the way.
Why This Matters for Families of Young Athletes
If your child is still in middle school or early high school and already dedicated to their sport, you're in a pivotal phase. Now is the time to lay the groundwork—academically, athletically, and personally.
With NIL now part of the college athletics experience, Olympic sport athletes have more tools to support their journey. While major endorsement deals may not be the norm in these sports, NIL gives athletes the power to shape how they’re seen, build relationships with mission-driven brands, and advocate for themselves long before they reach the podium.
What You Can Do Now as a Family
You don’t need to build a brand overnight, but you can begin helping your student athlete grow with intention. Here’s how:
Emphasize purpose, not pressure. Help your athlete stay connected to why they love their sport. Passion and authenticity are the heart of strong personal brands.
Start early with strong habits. Encourage time management, goal setting, and reflection. These skills will serve them long after high school.
Document the journey. Photos, journals, or small social media updates can capture the story they’ll one day want to tell.
Explore different college athletic pathways. Not every journey looks the same. Division III, NAIA, and club programs offer valuable experiences too.
Stay informed about NIL. Knowing the basics of NIL and how it applies to Olympic and emerging sports gives you a head start when it’s time to consider colleges.
The POLARIS Approach
Our purpose-driven support at POLARIS Student Athlete Consulting positions student athletes for success by drawing on our deep expertise in professional school counseling and college admissions. Our work is grounded in a student-centered approach. Beyond looking at transcripts and stats, we focus on the whole person, helping each student athlete connect their interests, strengths, and long-term goals to the right academic, athletic, and personal development opportunities.
Whether your child is dreaming of the Olympics, or just their next meet or match, our goal is the same: to help them grow with intention and move forward with clarity.
We guide families in building not only a strong college application, but a thoughtful trajectory—one that reflects who the student is now and who they want to become.