Alex SwensonRecruiting Advisor| This is a digital version of Alex

“Let the athlete own the process.”

1 Sept 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:40

In this solo talk, Alex Swenson challenges the common mantra that teenage athletes should "own" the college recruiting process on their own. He argues that while athletes must be central decision‑makers, they lack the experience to manage a complex, multi‑step project. Swenson outlines a clear division of labor: parents handle organization, travel logistics, research, guidance, and accountability, while athletes define their ideal school environment, express genuine interest, and communicate directly with coaches (with parental help drafting messages). He frames recruiting as a team effort, likening parents to coaches who run the operation. Swenson then promotes his upcoming Recruiting Ready Challenge, a playbook that details the exact responsibilities for each team member, and invites viewers to comment “recruit” to join the waitlist.

Chapters

So parents are told to stay out of recruiting, let the athlete own the process, but then if it doesn't work out, guess who gets blamed? No, that's not how it should be done. You've heard it a thousand times, the athlete has to own the process. Okay, but what does that actually mean? Yes, they should be involved, it's their future, but they're teenagers, not professional managers. They've never run something like this before, and recruiting is a major project. They need help. And parents just like you, you've always been there to help them. You've been there for school, every practice you've driven them to, every meal you've packed, every year you've showed up. This isn't different. This is a team effort, and everyone on the team has a role. Here's your role as a parent: organization, travel logistics, research and guidance, and accountability. Keeping the whole thing moving when, when Life gets busy. And here's theirs: what kind of school environment they actually want, where they want to be, the location that fits them performing and developing on the field where only they can do the work. Also, they should demonstrate real interest. The coach communication has to come from them. Again, you can help draft and edit all those things. You're not overstepping by helping. You're not in your kid's business. You're on their team, and every team needs a coach. needs someone running the operation. If you're looking for a real plan and playbook that lays out exactly who does what, my Recruiting Ready Challenge opens soon, and it's built around this exact team approach. Comment recruit, and I'll send you the waitlist link. See you soon.