Antithesis: Should college coaches scout home-schooled athletes?

Yes

By TERRANCE TURNER

College coaches should scout home-schooled athletes because those students may be as talented as their peers, and skilled home-schooled athletes benefit their respective universities.

The common phrase “athletes are born, not made,” can be proven true in the case of home-schoolers. Although schooled at home, these students can possess just as much natural athletic talent as their public- or private-schooled peers.

Home-schoolers, like other high school athletes, have the ability to sharpen their athletic skills. Home-schoolers must use different  yet effective means, such as private coaching, drills conducted in a backyard or coaching DVDs.

Former talented home-schoolers can also attract attention to their colleges. Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow was home-schooled until he was scouted in high school. Tebow then played for the University of Florida, becoming the first sophomore Heisman Trophy winner and leading the Florida Gators to their winning 13-1 record in 2008. His achievements prove that former home-schoolers can help make their universities famous.

Scouting home-schooled athletes not only benefits the athletes but the college team as well.

No

By JESSICA QUACH

College coaches should not scout home-schooled athletes because it is an inefficient use of the school’s time and resources. Also, home-schoolers often have less athletic experience and may lack social skills vital for athletic success.

Recruiting from high schools is less costly than searching out home-schooled athletes. The University currently has no means for scouting home-schoolers, which is reasonable considering the lack of arenas in which home-schooled athletes can showcase their talent.

Home-schooled athletes are generally less capable in sports, since they have not played on public school sports teams. These students often have less athletic experience compared to their public school counterparts, who may have played on sports teams for most or all of their education.

Building vital camaraderie among teammates would be more difficult for home-schoolers who might not have developed social skills from constant interaction with others their own age.

College recruiters should not seek out home-schooled athletes since the coaches’ resources should be allocated to players with the skills essential to success in collegiate sports.