Parent Scorecard for Evaluating University Support for Student-Athletes (Including NIL Support)
Instructions:
As parents of student-athletes, it’s essential to ensure your child has the support and resources they need both during college and after graduation. Print this scorecard and bring it with you on your college visits with your student-athlete. During your meetings with coaches, academic services, and support staff, fill out the scorecard by asking the following questions, noting their answers, and scoring each area from 1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent). This tool will help you assess how well the university is equipped to support your student-athlete, including their needs regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.
1. Support During College Years
Coaches:
How does the coaching staff help student-athletes balance their academic, athletic, and NIL responsibilities?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are student-athletes encouraged to develop their personal brand, and does the coaching staff offer any guidance on this?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the coaching staff provide resources or mentors who can help student-athletes navigate NIL opportunities?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the coaching staff facilitate connections between student-athletes and potential NIL sponsors or partners?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the coaching staff educate student-athletes on the potential risks and benefits of NIL deals?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Academic Services:
Does the university offer any courses or workshops that teach student-athletes about branding, entrepreneurship, and business management?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How flexible are the academic programs to accommodate student-athletes who may need to manage their NIL commitments alongside coursework?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the university offer any financial literacy courses specifically designed for student-athletes to understand money management, including income from NIL?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the academic services team help student-athletes manage their academic workload and their involvement in NIL activities?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are there advisors or staff available to help student-athletes balance their academic goals with NIL opportunities?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Support Staff (Athletic Trainers, Nutritionists, etc.):
Does the university provide specialized training or workshops to help student-athletes understand how NIL may impact their public image and physical well-being?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the university ensure that student-athletes have the right guidance to protect their personal health while also managing NIL-related demands?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are there mentorship opportunities with former athletes or professionals in branding, business, or other NIL-related industries?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the university offer physical, mental, or emotional support for student-athletes navigating the pressures of NIL?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are there any personal branding workshops available to help student-athletes understand social media, marketing, and building a reputation outside of athletics?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
2. Support During the Summer (Off-School Periods)
Coaches:
Are there summer opportunities for student-athletes to enhance their brand or NIL prospects, such as sponsored training events or camps?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the coaching staff provide guidance on how to stay engaged with NIL activities during the summer when sports are not in season?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the coaching staff assist student-athletes in maintaining visibility and relevance for potential NIL deals during off-seasons?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are student-athletes encouraged to use the summer break to work on personal branding or gain experience in business ventures related to their NIL?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the coaching staff keep student-athletes engaged with their development, both athletically and personally, during the summer?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Academic Services:
Are there summer courses or workshops available to help student-athletes develop business skills or manage their NIL endeavors?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the university provide continued academic support for student-athletes over the summer, especially for those balancing NIL commitments?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are there summer internship opportunities with companies or organizations that align with student-athletes’ brand or sport?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the academic services team offer assistance in helping student-athletes balance their education, NIL activities, and personal goals during the summer?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the university host summer networking events or career fairs that connect student-athletes with NIL sponsors or businesses?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Support Staff:
Does the university provide specific programs or initiatives to help student-athletes protect their NIL income, such as legal or financial consulting services?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are there summer workshops or seminars on personal finance, marketing, or other topics relevant to NIL income for student-athletes?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the university have a dedicated team to help student-athletes create and manage their social media presence for NIL purposes?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the university ensure that student-athletes are educated about legal considerations regarding their NIL deals, especially during off-seasons?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are there mentorship or partnership programs with alumni in business or NIL-related fields available to student-athletes during the summer?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
3. Post-Graduation and Career Preparation
Coaches:
Does the coaching staff continue to offer support for student-athletes in managing their NIL ventures after graduation?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the coaching staff maintain connections with alumni who can help student-athletes navigate business opportunities or career paths post-graduation?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the coaching staff offer ongoing career mentorship for student-athletes pursuing professional sports careers or transitioning into other fields?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the university facilitate networking between student-athletes and industry professionals or potential NIL partners after graduation?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are alumni involved in helping graduating student-athletes understand the transition from college athletics to post-college life, including their NIL branding?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Academic Services:
Does the university offer career services for student-athletes that focus on managing their post-graduation branding, NIL, and business ventures?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the academic services team help student-athletes transfer the skills they gained from sports into post-college business opportunities or careers?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the university offer networking events or job fairs that include companies interested in student-athletes with personal brands and NIL experience?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the university provide resources for financial literacy and long-term wealth management for student-athletes after they graduate?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the academic team help student-athletes plan for potential post-graduation opportunities, including internships or professional opportunities that align with their personal brand and NIL goals?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Support Staff:
Does the university offer ongoing support in managing NIL contracts and relationships after graduation?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Are there financial advisors available to help student-athletes manage the wealth generated through NIL post-graduation?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the university provide post-gr
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aduation networking opportunities with NIL sponsors or companies that could help continue a student-athlete’s brand development?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Does the university offer alumni networks specifically for student-athletes to help them with career transitions, branding, and business development?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
How does the university provide guidance on using NIL earnings post-graduation for long-term financial growth, including investments and tax planning?
- Score (1-5): _______
- Notes: _______________________________________________________
Conclusion:
By using this scorecard during your visit, you can gather valuable information to help ensure your student-athlete receives the support and resources necessary for success, both during their time at college and beyond. This tool will guide you in assessing the strength of the programs offered, especially when it comes to preparing your child for life after sports—whether in professional athletics or in a career beyond the game.
Be sure to print off this scorecard and use it during meetings with coaches, academic services, and support staff to ensure you’re getting the full picture of the university’s commitment to your student-athlete’s future success.