Perspective & Possibility in the Recruiting Process
I’ve always found that working with high school student athletes and their families during this transformative stage of life reveals pivotal moments of growth. Guiding students as they reframe setbacks into opportunities and turn challenges into new beginnings is one of the most rewarding parts of this work.
This story is one that has stayed with me, because it reflects the power of resilience, openness, and the ability to redefine success.
A Crossroads Moment
Ten years ago, I began working with this student as a sophomore in high school. Up to that point, basketball had been everything. The student had played since grade school and built an identity around the sport and the rhythm of the team. As an aspiring member of one of the nation’s most successful girls basketball programs, this student athlete was committed to the program and loved the game.
Then came a moment that changed everything. That fall, the student was cut from the JV basketball program. It was devastating at first. A loss of structure, community, and confidence.
But it was also a moment of choice.
Would this be the end of their athletic story, or the start of a new one?
Introducing a New Direction
I introduced the idea of exploring rowing. The student was hesitant. It was a completely new sport, one they had never considered before. But rowing offered something basketball could not at that moment: a fresh start.
It was a sport built on discipline, endurance, and quiet strength, all traits this student already had.
Once they got on the water, something clicked. The rhythm, the teamwork, and the challenge all connected in a new way. What started as a disappointment began to transform into discovery.
The Process of Growth
Over the next few years, the student athlete poured energy into learning and growing as a rower. Early mornings, demanding practices, and academic balance became the new normal. Each season brought improvement and a deeper sense of identity.
As we moved through the Division I recruiting process, our focus remained on what was within their control:
The consistency of their training and preparation
The way they communicated with coaches
The mindset they brought to both sport and school
The effort they invested in showing up every day
This grounded approach helped the student athlete navigate both the excitement and uncertainty of recruitment with clarity and confidence.
Finding the Right Fit
By senior year, all that effort paid off. The student committed to a Division I women’s rowing program that was the perfect fit for them academically, athletically, and personally. The environment emphasized teamwork, leadership, and balance, all values that had guided the journey from the beginning.
The moment of commitment was not defined by relief or validation. It was defined by peace. They had chosen a path that aligned with who they were becoming.
This story is a reminder that the recruiting process is not only about being discovered. It is about discovering yourself by way of your resilience, your ability to adapt, and your capacity to create opportunity from challenge.