Recruitment isn’t a straight path—it’s full of pivots, pressure, and personal growth.

Welcome to Oak Performance Radio, where we’re passionate about optimizing performance and minimizing injury. This show is built for athletes, parents, and coaches navigating the world of sports and performance.

Episode Highlights

In this episode, Dan Lichthardt joins Adam Lane to share a parent’s perspective on the realities of college recruitment. From his daughter Grace’s initial commitment to her transfer to Augustana College, Dan opens up about the emotional side of the journey, the challenges of balancing expectations, and what it really means to support your athlete through it all.

Key Insights

• Differences between Division I and Division III volleyball recruitment.

• How roster size and playing time shape an athlete’s college experience.

• The value of transferring and finding a better fit.

• Why multi-sport participation helps long-term development.

• How parents can best support their athletes—mentally and emotionally.

• The pressure of social media on athletes and families.

• The importance of resilience and open communication throughout the process

Episode Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:05 Discussion on Recruitment Journey

02:27 Challenges and Realities of College Recruitment

36:24 Grace's Transfer to Augustana College

43:19 Advice for Parents and Athletes

43:34 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Call to Action

If this episode resonates, consider sharing it with another parent, coach, or athlete. Conversations like these help build a stronger and more informed sports community.

Supporting Information

Follow Dan Lichthardt on Instagram: @danlichthardt

Connect with Dan on Facebook: Dan Lichthardt

Explore more episodes and training content at Oak Strength

Follow us on Instagram: @oakstrength

Friendly Closing

Thanks for tuning in to Oak Performance Radio. We appreciate you being part of this community and hope you’ll join us again as we continue to support athletes and families on and off the field.