Today's Play: Kyle Gookins shares insights on navigating the recruiting landscape to uncover meaningful opportunities, beyond prestigious school names. He acknowledges that the college recruiting process can be a minefield of parental pressure and misplaced priorities. Amy and Kyle remind parents that it's crucial for student-athletes and their families to focus on finding the right fit - a place where the student can thrive academically, develop as an athlete, and be truly happy.

Today's Coach: Kyle Gookins is a former Division I Head Men's Soccer Coach who currently is the Director of My College Soccer, a college soccer recruiting consulting agency. He has over 23 years of coaching experience at every level of youth and amateur soccer and has also been a US Soccer Scout for the USSF Youth national teams.

To note: The NCAA's partial scholarship limits discussed in this episode will no longer exist as of April 2025 should the House vs. NCAA settlement take effect.  Instead, the new NCAA roster limits will dictate how many players can be on each Division I team, each of whom will be allowed to receive up to a full scholarship + revenue sharing (most sports will continue to divvy out partial scholarships and some institutions will opt out of revenue sharing).  

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Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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Today's Play: Karl Hedley impresses the importance of allowing children to organically develop a passion for their sport, rather than forcing it upon them. Karl also emphasizes the need to make sport accessible and available, but then let the child's own interest and love for the game grow naturally. He cautioned against overly enthusiastic parenting that can dampen a child's passion, sharing examples of parents pushing their children too hard and leading to burnout. Ultimately, a parent should be focused on developing not only successful athletes, but well-rounded individuals who demonstrate maturity, sportsmanship and the ability to handle adversity - qualities that are cultivated through sport, and extend far beyond just winning games.


Today's Coach: Karl Hedley is the Boys Soccer Director at Gwinnett Soccer Association. He's coached youth soccer for 20 years and specializes in coaching middle-school-aged players.  

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Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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Today's Play: Kevin Ye discusses the rapid growth of padel internationally, including his company's (PATL) plans for expansion, and shares his extensive coaching experience working with youth, college, and adult athletes. He emphasizes the importance of creating a positive sports environment for young players and avoiding overbearing "crazy parent" behavior that can lead to burnout. The conversation highlights strategies for parents to provide supportive encouragement while maintaining perspective and balance in their child's sports participation.

Today's Coach: Kevin Ye is the co-owner of PATL, a padel company with locations in Atlanta and Louisville that offers coaching, community play, and instructions to all ages.  Previously, Kevin Ye coached college tennis at Emory University and helped the team win the NCAA Championship in 2021, two UAA titles as well as the 2018 National Indoor Team Championship. He was named the NCAA Division III Regional and National Assistant Coach of the Year as well as part of the 2023-2024 UAA Coaching Staff of the Year. He also coached competitive juniors at ACE Academy in Norcross, GA as the Head Professional of Junior Development.  In college, Ye played for Kenyon College, a NCAA Division III program in Gambier, OH. He helped lead the team to four NCAC Conference championships and reach the finals of the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2012, while the following year in 2013, helped lead the team to the NCAA Division III National Indoor Championship. 

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Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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Today's Play: David Harbin discusses the importance of character over talent in college recruiting. He shares a story of one of his athletes who became all-conference in college despite setbacks. Harbin emphasizes the value of intangibles like body language and effort. He recalls a poignant moment from the 2018 Final Four, highlighting the emotional impact of team unity. He also stresses the need for coaches and parents to work together, viewing sports as a learning experience rather than just wins and losses. He advocates for a growth mindset and the transformational role of coaches in students' lives.

Today's Coach: David Harbin is the Assistant Director of Activities and Athletics at Decatur High School in Decatur, GA.  He is a Certified Athletic Administrator, recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, and serves on the Board of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA).  He has taught various classes with the GADA on Middle School Athletics and has served as the Middle School Liaison, as well as the Chair of the Technology Committee.  Prior to becoming a full-time Athletic Director, David taught Middle School Social Studies and coached high school and middle school soccer and basketball, working primarily as the Boys' Varsity Soccer Coach for eight years.  His team competed in multiple Final Fours and won the 2016 state championship.  He was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as the Small School State Coach of the Year, as well as the Small School Coach of the Year for the Southern Region of the US. In college, David played soccer for Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.   



Check out the book referenced by David: InSideOut Coaching by Joe Ehrmann

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To learn more about Bryant College Coaching, and download our new e-book, click here or go to www.bryantcollegecoaching.com

Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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Today's Play: Jason Zimmerman, head men's basketball coach at Emory University, sits down with Amy Bryant of Bryant College Coaching to discuss the importance of receiving genuine interest from recruits. He emphasizes the value of authenticity over perfection in communication and highlights the challenges posed by COVID-19, which hindered his ability to coach and interact with his team. Jason also addresses the frustration of dealing with generational differences and the necessity of adapting to new coaching methods. He advises parents to support their children without overstepping and to focus on the process rather than the outcome in sports and recruiting.

Today's Coach: Coach Jason Zimmerman. Jason is a current Division III Head Men's Basketball Coach and Director of Coach Z's Basketball Camps. He has over 28 years of college coaching experience including stints at the University of Evansville, his alma mater Davidson College, and now Emory University where he's been since 2007.

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To learn more about Bryant College Coaching, and download our new e-book, click here or go to www.bryantcollegecoaching.com

Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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Today's Play:  Our guest today underscores the value in youth athletes experiencing struggles and challenges to prepare them for the demands of college sports. Coaches also face challenges, especially during the preseason, including the unpredictability of player performance and the differences between recruiting and coaching. Overall, today's play underscores the importance of fostering autonomy and problem-solving skills in young athletes to support their long-term development and success.

Today's Coach: Kyle Gookins is a former Division I Head Men's Soccer Coach who currently is the Director of My College Soccer, a college soccer recruiting consulting agency. He has over 23 years of coaching experience at every level of youth and amateur soccer and has also been a US Soccer Scout for the USSF Youth national teams.

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To learn more about Bryant College Coaching, and download our new e-book, click here or go to www.bryantcollegecoaching.com

Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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Today's Play: David Harbin shares his path from playing soccer at Winthrop University to coaching high school and middle school soccer and basketball. He emphasizes the importance of creating a positive team culture, highlighting practices like ending practices with a "joke of the day" and introducing the "warrior belt" to recognize players for their contributions beyond on-field performance. David also discusses the emotional challenges of the college recruitment process and the importance of finding joy in every aspect of being part of a team. 

Today's Coach: David Harbin is the Assistant Director of Activities and Athletics at Decatur High School in Decatur, GA.  He is a Certified Athletic Administrator, recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, and serves on the Board of the Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA).  He has taught various classes with the GADA on Middle School Athletics and has served as the Middle School Liaison, as well as the Chair of the Technology Committee.  Prior to becoming a full-time Athletic Director, David taught Middle School Social Studies and coached high school and middle school soccer and basketball, working primarily as the Boys' Varsity Soccer Coach for eight years.  His team competed in multiple Final Fours and won the 2016 state championship.  He was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as the Small School State Coach of the Year, as well as the Small School Coach of the Year for the Southern Region of the US. In college, David played soccer for Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  

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To learn more about Bryant College Coaching, and download our new e-book, click here or go to www.bryantcollegecoaching.com

Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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Today's Play: Our guest reflects on his experience speaking to MLS Academy 8th and 9th graders about the slim chances of making it to the professional ranks and the importance of prioritizing academics for college recruitment. The discussion delves into the role of social media in recruiting, advising players to be mindful of their online presence. They explore alternative divisions and governing bodies like NAIA, NJCAA, and community colleges, highlighting the financial advantages and competitive opportunities they offer. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the importance of finding a balanced college experience that fosters academic, athletic, and personal growth, rather than just chasing a Division 1 dream.

Today's Coach: Kyle Gookins is a former Division I Head Men's Soccer Coach who currently is the Director of My College Soccer, a college soccer recruiting consulting agency. He has over 23 years of coaching experience at every level of youth and amateur soccer and has also been a US Soccer Scout for the USSF Youth national teams.

To note: The "head count" and "equivalency" scholarship models discussed in this episode are currently in flux as the NCAA determines roster limits in the aftermath of the House v. NCAA settlement.  

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To learn more about Bryant College Coaching, and download our new e-book, click here or go to www.bryantcollegecoaching.com

Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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Today's Play: Our guest discusses the differences between coaching young athletes and college players, emphasizing resilience, teamwork, and the mental side of softball. She also provides valuable insights into the recruiting process, including what coaches look for in players beyond athletic ability, and offers advice for parents on how to best support their children’s sports journey.

Today's Coach:  CJ is the owner of CJ's perfect practice, a baseball and softball hitting instruction company. In college, CJ was the starting catcher for Western Washington's NAIA national championship team. After college, she was the assistant coach and head hitting instructor at University of Virginia for five seasons. During her time there, UVA hitters were ranked 15th in the nation among all NCAA division one schools. CJ was inducted into Western Washington's Hall of Fame in 2011. 

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To learn more about Bryant College Coaching, and download our new e-book, click here or go to www.bryantcollegecoaching.com

Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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Today's Play:
Our guest shares valuable insights from her extensive career in basketball. Together we dive into the changing landscape of college recruiting, considering things like the impact of the new scholastic period in women’s basketball. We also explore the growing influence of club coaches, the role of parents in their children’s sports journeys, and the importance of self-awareness and communication skills for young athletes.

Today's Coach:
Christy Thomaskutty is a former standout basketball player at Tulane University, former college coach, and current ESPN analyst. In college, Christy ranked fifth all-time in Division I history for career three-point field goals and was honored as the National Female Winner of the Arthur Ashe Junior Sports Scholar Award. 

Send us your feedback!

To learn more about Bryant College Coaching, and download our new e-book, click here or go to www.bryantcollegecoaching.com

Picking Teams: A Playbook for Parents is produced by: Amy Bryant and Sasha Melamud

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