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All tournament logistics — hotel blocks, departure times, field locations, and schedule changes — are communicated through the team group chat. Make sure both parents and athletes are added before any travel weekend.

Every athlete should bring: both home and away jerseys, cleats, turf shoes, gloves, a mouthguard, water bottle, compression gear, and any personal protective equipment. Bring enough food and snacks for full tournament days — games can run back to back with limited break time.

WTGS coordinates hotel blocks when available to keep the team together. Families are responsible for their own transportation unless otherwise communicated. Carpooling within the team is encouraged and often coordinated through the group chat.

Athletes should arrive at least 45 minutes before their first game. Warm-up, hydration, and mental prep are part of the WTGS standard. Parents are encouraged to cheer loudly — and let Coach Chris handle the coaching.

Tournament weekends typically involve entry fees (included in registration), travel, lodging, and meals. WTGS will communicate all known costs as early as possible so families can plan. Payment plans for larger events can be discussed with Coach Chris directly.

Research consistently shows that the words athletes most want to hear after a game are simple: "I love watching you play." Before analysis, before corrections, before anything else — affirm your athlete. The car ride home sets the tone for how they process competition.

It can be difficult to watch your athlete struggle or not get the playing time you think they deserve. The best thing you can do is reinforce what Coach Chris is teaching — not introduce conflicting instruction at home. Consistency between the coach and parent is one of the biggest advantages an athlete can have.

Athletes who feel ownership over their development are more motivated, more coachable, and more resilient. Let your athlete set goals. Let them make decisions about their recruiting process. Your role is to provide support and resources — not to run the process for them.

Bad games, missed reps, tough losses — these are not setbacks. They are the training ground. How you respond to failure at home directly shapes how your athlete responds to adversity on the field. Model resilience. Celebrate effort over outcome.

Year-round high-intensity training without rest is a leading cause of athlete dropout. Make sure your athlete has downtime, enjoys other activities, and is playing because they love it — not just to meet your expectations. If motivation drops significantly, have an honest conversation before pushing harder.

All student-athletes planning to compete at the Division I or Division II level must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (eligibilitycenter.org). We recommend registering at the start of 9th grade. There is a fee, but fee waivers are available for families who qualify.

The NCAA requires a minimum number of "core courses" in English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language. Not all high school classes qualify — your athlete's school counselor can provide a list of NCAA-approved courses. Athletes must complete 16 core courses for D1 and D2 eligibility.

For Division I, athletes need a minimum 2.3 GPA in core courses and a corresponding SAT/ACT score on the NCAA sliding scale. Division II requires a 2.2 GPA. Division III does not use the Eligibility Center but sets its own academic standards. Start SAT/ACT prep no later than 10th grade.

NCAA amateurism rules govern what athletes can accept before they enroll in college. NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rules have changed significantly — athletes can now profit from their brand in high school. However, accepting pay-for-play compensation from agents or boosters still affects eligibility. When in doubt, ask Coach Chris before accepting anything.

D1 is the highest level of competition with the most scholarships and exposure. D2 offers strong academics and athletic scholarships at a competitive level. D3 offers no athletic scholarships but often has strong academic aid. NAIA and JUCO are also strong pathways. The right division is the one where your athlete will thrive — not just the highest one available.