Summary: A Parent’s Perspective on Collegiate Athletics– This week’s special guest is Jim Smucker, a businessman from Pennsylvania who is spending this semester at EMU teaching and doing research for the business department. Jim has three children who are, or planning to play collegiate sports. His son Jordy is a Division I baseball player and Jim shares about his experiences in the recruiting process and making a college choice. As a former coach at a variety of levels, Jim reflects on the differences between the perspective of a coach and that of a parent. He also talks about the value of the athletic experience in preparing students for the workplace and the qualities he looks for in hiring employees. Jim provides a very balanced approach to athletics based on his personal experiences. Inside Athletics is a weekly podcast hosted by Director of Athletics, Dave King. The podcast offers a synopsis of what is happening in EMU athletics, but also delves deeper into how athletics at EMU shapes lives and enhances college educations by positively impacting an athlete’s understanding of self, others, and God. Sports Information Director James De Boer is a regular guest with EMU coaches and athletes making appearances as well.
