[milliga9]

I've been involved with a couple of teams where this issue has come up. To be brutally honest, my personal opinion is that is depends on the student. I've had the opportunity for phenomenal students come back to help the team as college freshman and I've had to tell other college students to stay away for two years to establish themselves outside the team. I've also been witness to how a former student who did not have an identity outside of the team and was close friends with too many high school students caused a major team breakdown.

In seeing both sides of the coin, my best suggestion is to have student mentors wait at least a year to come back to their high school team. Otherwise, they may have an easier time becoming a part of another local team they were not a part of in high school (this can ease the issue of college students with high school friends on the team). There are lots of teams out there looking for mentors.

In the end, whatever decisions the team makes in terms of their mentors - stick to it. Don't make exceptions or pick favorites because you think they can handle it.