I have a high school kid who will likely play her sport in college and would love to go to BYU if they want her and I think they may may want her as they have already shown substantial interest.

But, I see the roster is way bigger than necessary and its clear that many players will spend their time at BYU on the bench. I hear from others in the program that the bench players feel invisible to the coach so there is very little relationship.

Even during blowouts most of bench still doesn't play, which seems crazy to me. Why not? Why risk injury to the best players during garbage time?

I wonder does the coach dislike the player so much (for whatever reason) that he/she won't give time to a bench player? Seems far-fetched but I see it all the itme and I can't come up with a reasonable basis for the coaches decisions.

These kids are giving their lives for their sports and the coaches are content to let them rot there night after night. I fail to see the sense in it and I would like to knew what is going on in the coaches head with regards to giving bench players playing time.

When my daughter get recruited by various schools, my first question to the coaches will be how does the program keep the bench players engaged and excited to come practice? And, what is the nature of the conversations between the head coach and the bench players.

As much as I think my kid will have success in her sport in college, I know there is very real possibility that she will spend signficant time on the bench and how the program and coach manage that situation/relationship is huge. Fair or not, I have higher expectations of BYU coaches in terms of how they manage those situations and relationships than I would at securlar schools.

I would love to hear input/reaction from former players and their parents on this topic.