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Sun Devil Family Association keeps out-of-state parents in the loop


August 23, 2013

Although Beth and Scott Keeve are from Illinois, their daughter E.B. had no interest in attending a college in the Midwest. As a water polo player, she was tired of playing at indoor pools. She was searching for sunshine and discovered the water polo team at Arizona State University.

Since the Keeves live far away, Beth was thrilled to experience parent outreach when she attended her daughter’s student-athlete orientation. She approached the Sun Devil Family Association table and immediately became a member.

“When a child is enrolled in the school, the parents are too. They want to know all the things that school provides,” says Beth. “My son is at a school in the Midwest, which is very focused on student academics, but there is not much outreach to the parents. What’s different with ASU is the incredible outreach, whether it is communications, events or helpful staff.”

Beth’s daughter quickly became an essential part of the water polo team her redshirt freshman year, after breaking the ASU single-season record for saves. Beth soon took on the job of making the water polo team more family-oriented. She says that after home games parents often host meals where everyone can hang out with their student-athlete. She has volunteered to coordinate these meals next year.

“Parents really realize how important their presence is in their student-athlete’s life,” says Beth. “I want to be the communicator to the parents of the team. Parents will have me to contact, so if they make a trip to see their child play they won’t feel awkward about not knowing anyone. We will include them in the group.”

She also hosted the Sun Devil Family Association Nationwide Sun Devil Coffee Days in Illinois and Arizona, with groups consisting of five to 15 attendees. Beth emphasized the importance for out-of-state parents to stay connected and informed. The association's coffee days achieve that exact purpose, serving as a way to connect parents in the Midwest.

“I love that every time I call ASU, 99 percent of the time I talk to a person on the first call. It’s nice not talking to one machine after another,” says Beth. “Also, if they don’t have the answer to your question, they take the time to find it. It’s so nice to have that kind of responsiveness when you are far away.”