A Father's Love - Charles West

Charles West is the father of Henry County Junior Quarterback Jaylon West. Jaylon will be the starting quarterback for Henry County season. Get on the Background spoke with Charles West about the process of raising a high school athlete.

Q: What is your sports background? A: My approach has been more of a proactive approach. Being that he got started late in sports, there comes a time when potential plays out! I didn't have the resources to do the things that the kids have available to them today. I figured I would be proactive and be their support system and advise them and put them in the best situation as possible.

The key is education; my kids know that education is priority and if you show me you are taking care of business in the classroom and being a great student, then you are going to be a great student in the sport that you want to pursue! If everything falls in line, then I am going to support you 110%.

Q: How did he decided between football and basketball? What was your role in that?

A: There were things I noticed when I was a basketball coach, and even from playing myself and watching others. When we moved from Statesboro, he was in his 8th grade year. They had just won the middle school championship at WJMS. Something happened. I realized that I loved basketball more than he did and in my mind I was telling myself, "I am hurting him, and it's going to come back and bite me in the butt." So I made a comment to him and said, "Jaylon, the next 4 years of your life are the most important years of your life, so, don't play basketball of you don't like it, or you think I am going to be mad! Just because I like it, don't mean you have to play. Do what Jaylon wants to do, not what Dad wants you to do! Whatever you decide, I will support you the fullest and if you are going to pay whatever sport, make sure God is first, Grades are good, and enjoy what you are doing. He said, "Dad, I think I want to concentrate on football." I said ok Son, I support You! Sky has been the limit for him....

Q: Do you think that is hard for most parents to do? Why? A: I do think it is hard for parents to get out of the way because they want to live their dream through their child,  because either they didn't make it, or they messed up somewhere along the way. If parents just really took a step back and analyzed how either they are hurting or helping their child, they would come to terms as what it is their child wants to do, they are not giving them an ultimatum.

Actually, parents know what their child is capable of doing, and what they are not capable of doing, they just have to accept it! Bottom line!

Q: How do the camps work? Is it expensive or are you invited? How do you get into them and have you seen the benefits of it?

A: Some camps you are invited to, some camps you have to Google and sign up for. I must say it helps to go to camps where there is exposure, meaning different recruiters are there and it is competitive, or go to schools your child is interested in maybe attending having his or her program that they have interest in.

Camps can be very expensive, but regardless of the price (to a certain degree) it's best to go to position oriented camps and exposure camps. That's where you get the best out of your child and they earn more. It is a waste of money to go to University of Clito when they are not planning to go there and the don't have their field of study . There are 200 athletes there and it's not an exposure camp....money making Camps! Yes, I see the benefits in them. Sad thing is, coming from a small town you don't know all things going on..... definitely blinded by the opportunities.

Q: How helpful were the coaches at the school in the process?

A: I think for the most part they are very helpful. They tell you the NCAA requirements, basically what classes you should be taking, eligibility process, and test scores/GPA, but they are not going to hold your hand. You as a parent must be involved in your kids grades and interact with the teachers. You can be the best athlete in the world, but if you don't have God, the grades, good attitude, and a good support system, it will be hard, but those factors make it that much easier.

The coaches can only do so much, and they are expected to give them everything they need to succeed, but there are other factors like coachability, whether they are progressing or staying stagnant, potential, and how much work they are doing off the court or field!

Q: Tell us about the Manning Passing Academy

A: Wow, best experience I have witnessed in sports as an adult. It was QB specific, located in Thibideux, LA. They had college and pro quarterbacks assisting in the development of the future QB's. The atmosphere was ecstatic to see Peyton, Eli, and Archie waking around teaching fundamentals and being humble. It was fun being able to see them and college QB's like Lamar Jackson, Halen Hurts, Jacob Eason, and numerous other QB'S from other schools. Jameison Winston and Deshaun Watson both were alumni at this camp. Sometimes you have to surround yourself around success and people that are successful to hopefully one day become successful.

Q: What schools are interested in Jaylon? What is your role in the recruiting process? A: Can't really comment at this moment, he is not officially in his Junior year. Most schools won't talk with him right now. He's getting prepared to take the SAT and ACT. He will be the starter this year on Varsity, so he has no real varsity stats as a starter, even though he did play in a few games as a sophomore. His JV team won 5 or 6 games last year, 1 the previous year, and none in the past 5 years prior to that, so there is a trend going on here....he likes 2 schools from GA....some unofficial mailings from schools in the ACC, Pac 10, even DII, DIII, but I will let him decide...

Wherever he goes, it will be based off academics and him wanting to be an Engineer!

Q: Do you have anything else that you would like to add?

A: I just want to tell kids to dream big, but know that it comes with rewards and disappointments. Prepare for both because in the end, after sports, there is still a life to live. Trust in God, develop a work ethic, work hard in the classroom, be obedient to your coaches and parents, and teachers. Never live life with any regrets, do what you love to do and be the best at it!