Terry Foster: The Adventures Of College Recruiting

By Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971

St. Louis – We were outside enjoying coffee and smoothies at a café across the street from Washington University in St. Louis when a professor stopped by the table.
"Are you Terry Foster," he asked.

Guilty as charged. He was from Detroit and was enjoying the outdoors with his fiancée'. My wife Abs munched on fruit while Celine and Brandon enjoyed the sweet drink of the day. I told them Celine was visiting Washington University as a potential student and soccer player. We met with the coach and some team members the previous day and watched practice.

Back at the café the prof and his lady spoke highly of Washington University with us for about a half an hour. Two other people that worked there reached out to us later as did two former students.

They talked up their school and wished Celine the best in her decision. We of course still have time because Celine is a junior at West Bloomfield High School. But the clock is ticking faster than you think.

The entire experience got to Celine and I can tell it is the type school she wants to attend. The school grabbed her, now if her grades and soccer skills are up to par I am betting this is where she goes although there are more schools to visit.

They talked a lot about family here; from the soccer team to the people we met. That means a lot to my daughter who would need all the help outside the classroom she can get if we were seven hours away by car.

I do not worry about soccer or academics. I worry what happens if there is a mini crisis and can somebody help her?

I do not want her to go far away to school. This is my girl. I'd rather see her go to Michigan or Michigan State. I can hop in the car and solve any crisis. But college is not just about books. It is about growing into an adult and maybe going away can help her grow there.

She can develop her own support group and lean on new friends just as they lean on her.

We as parents must let go. I know she will be home sick, just as I was home sick for my first week at Central Michigan University. The difference is I could get back home easily. St. Louis is a haul. She will be on her own.

And maybe this is what she needs. Maybe this is what I need.

I view Celine as a girl growing into a woman. However, I look at her and still see the young toddler blowing snot bubbles out of her nose and the infant with the bad stomach pains. She is the girl that did a back flip after scoring a goal in rec league. She is my girl.

I just wonder how long it will take me to stop watching my cell phone every second in case she needs me.

(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)