Hi Coach! I know it's possible, and everyone is different, etc., etc., but how many college players do you actually know who (whether they were on your team or another team) were able to play and also succeed in an academically rigorous major (i.e. hard sciences, math, engineering, comp science)?
Thanks for doing this!
That's a great question! Honestly that answer can be different for different people. Before I answer, can you define "succeed".
Success in college from my viewpoint was seen and understood differently than some. As a coach I was someone who strives to help my athletes holistically.
1) Help them succeed with their inter-personal relationships with their teammates, other athletes, peers, etc.
2) Be a mentor and understand what they are experiencing. Help them with life skills for the future in sporting and their professional careers. Help them with leadership roles on the team.
3) Share with them knowledge about the sport, fitness, goal-orientation, etc.
4) Help them manage course work and tennis in a healthy balance.
For each athlete, it was up to them what categories were improtant to them and by how much. I had athletes who put majority of emphasis on school and very little on tennis/development. Others did the exact opposite and then there were a handful who managed to do it all very well and create a very balanced and prosperous atmosphere for themselves to succeed as well their teammates.
I can talk on and on about this balance and what it means to truly be successful but honestly that is something that each of us defines for ourselves.
I know this may not completely answer your question but I hope it helps to frame the thought behind what your specific goals may be and what you may want to achieve and succeed with. If I had to put a number on it (with my defenition of success being balancing all 4 of these items) I'd say 1-2 Men's and 1-2 Women's players did this with very good balance each season.
