College Recruiting 101: Letting Athletes Lead, Taking Feedback, and Avoiding Burnout

In this episode of Confident Calm Clutch Car Ride Conversations, host Valerie Alston chats with recruiting expert and former college coach Quincy Lewis-Buggs about the college recruiting process. They cover key topics including when to start the recruiting process, the importance of letting athletes lead their journey, avoiding burnout, and understanding coachability. They also discuss how to practice the process, the importance of receiving feedback, and making informed decisions about college plans. Perfect for sports parents and young athletes looking to navigate the recruiting landscape effectively and confidently.00:00 Introduction to College Recruiting01:18 Meet Quincy Lewis-Buggs: Recruiting Expert01:40 Key Considerations for Starting the Recruiting Process02:37 Letting Athletes Lead the Process03:23 The Role of Parents in the Recruiting Journey04:39 Practicing the Process: Early Steps for Young Athletes05:40 Understanding Different College Levels and Experiences09:41 Taking Feedback and Showing Coachability12:10 Evaluating Advice and Building a Support System16:49 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom18:43 Discussion Questions and Wrap-UpFind the Future First, Softball Second Podcast here: https://www.diamonddynamics.org/podcast.html Discussion questions: “Do you really want to play in college — or does it feel like someone else wants it more than you do?” -Opens up honest dialogue about motivation and ownership of the journey.“If a college coach gave you feedback today — would you be able to take it and grow, or would it shut you down?”- Helps athletes evaluate their coachability and mindset around constructive criticism.“Who’s in your support system vs. your inner circle when it comes to making big decisions?” -  Encourages thoughtful separation of emotional support from expert guidance.“What does your ideal college experience look like — not just softball, but your life outside the game?” - Shifts focus from just chasing a label (D1, D2, etc.) to defining personal success.Thanks for joining me on Confident, Calm, and Clutch Car Ride Conversations! If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a moment. Share it with other parents or coaches who could use a little extra inspiration on the go.For exclusive tips, tools, and updates join my newsletter at www.confidentcalmclutch.com/newsletter For more specific tips on building mental toughness, buy my book Confident, Calm and Clutch: How to build confidence and mental toughness for young athletes using sports psychologyParents join my Facebook group to Help Your Athlete Gain Mental Toughness for ParentsHave an idea for a topic? Submit your idea here.Questions? Comments? Ideas? Email me: [email protected] Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666