4 Tips for Raising Scholars and Athletes

Help your kids find success in both school and sports with these tips from some of the area’s top athletes.

Encourage Diverse Interests

Former MLB player and University of Pennsylvania alum, Doug Glanville credits his success to his upbringing. Glanville’s parents fostered a love of learning while encouraging him to pursue a variety of interests and goals.

Nowadays, the Chicago resident and father of two shines in a multitude of roles which include appearing on ESPN, co-founding a green-friendly real estate development company and writing the highly acclaimed book, “The Game From Where I Stand.”

Put Academics First

Former NHL player and U.S. Olympian, Ted Drury and his wife Liz were both standout athletes at Harvard. While Ted played hockey, Liz excelled at both basketball and lacrosse. Although playing sports has enriched both their lives, they have never lost sight on the importance of education.

“Ted turned pro after his junior year in college,” says Liz. “But while other teammates spent their off-seasons hitting the links or the beach, Ted returned to Harvard to finish his degree.” The Drurys know firsthand that playing team sports can yield many benefits, but a good education will lay the groundwork for a lifetime of success.

Play a Variety of Sports

Although it might be difficult, it’s a good idea to resist the temptation of having your child specialize in one sport too soon. Both Glanville and Drury believe their successes can be attributed to the fact that they were playing several sports at the same time. Each sport emphasizes a different range of motion, which translates into helping you get stronger, faster and more confident.

Highland Park native Hillary Loretta and her husband, former MLB player, Mark Loretta agree.  As parents to two young children, the Lorettas expose their kids to a variety of sports throughout the year knowing that they need time to mature both mentally and physically before they are ready to focus on just one.

Set Realistic Expectations

As parents, we need to have high expectations for our kids and empower them to achieve their goals. However, we also need to set them up for success, which means keeping our expectations in check and helping them cultivate a love of the game. Athletes who find the joy in playing are more likely to play, practice and ultimately thrive.

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