Academic Question / Recruiting

Without fail every coach was happy to see my son's GPA and SAT scores for a number of reasons:

1- They felt that with a history of strong academics it would be one less concern. Less likely not to stay eligible, and one less headache for coaching staff.

2- The NCAA's new graduation rate policy will potentially cause schools to lose scholarships based on graduation rates.

3- No need to use one of his exemptions for admission to school.

4- Flexibility with academic and athletic scholarship dollars

5- More than 1 coach said ...2 players similar ability one has a 2.4 GPA and 900 SAT score the other a 3.4 and 1250....who are you going to take.

In South Carolina a number of academic scholarships available based on GPA and SAT score

There are many players out there that can play baseball. The ones that take care of their grades can have an advantage over those that don't. First, you can greatly expand the list of colleges that might be interested in you. Colleges can offer more than just sport money if a boy has the right grades. Plus, they would rather not have to worry about if a boy can make the grades and stay eligible to play. I think it also tell a coach a lot about a boy's character when he take care of his school work.

Once my son's school saw him play, the next thing they wanted to see was all his academic records. The recruiting process did not really begin until they were satisfy that he was admissable and likely to be able to handle the course load.

Mom...Have experience sending a son to an SEC school; and, another to an Ivy League school.

Happy to chat with you...815-469-4520.

Academics matter with everyone. Gives a coach more "options" for scholarship blending programs; or, as in the case of Georgia and Louisiana now, a kid with a B average can get a nice scholarship on his own.

The first question most coaches asked when they first met my son: "How are your grades?"

Needless to say, it spoke VOLUMES.

Grades are the key today-- you dont have them they will offer the scholarship to another who does

The lower your grades - the less options you will have. And vice versa.

If they are really low - you may have no options.

His grades will be one of the determining factors in how many schools can can recruit him as long as he can play. With talent not being an issue for a moment, If your a 2.5 student or a 3.5 student can make a huge difference in which schools can and can't recruit. The 2.5 will definetly close some doors while the 3.5 will open more.

Thanks guys for all feedback,this will be just the "ammo" I need to enlighten junior.Grades not bad just a little less than he should be doing.Know coaches look at closely.Maybe that light bulb will turn on soon

PS physically gifted 6'0 185 HS soph catcher

highlandmom....

Your email went through Julie and I can't send a return email to you.

My email address: havecash@aol.com

john petrulis 815-469-4520

I was in the same boat with my son....his idea of success in academics was a "C". As long as he passed he was satisfied.

After years of arguing with him I had an idea: I announced that driving and his pickup were a priviledge and that from now on the priviledge of driving would only be extended for grades of A or B. A "C" grade meant no driving.

So far after one semester down we have yet to see a "C". I have not changed his mind about the imporance of grades (he still would be satisfied with a C) but at least he is bringing home better grades and improving his class rank and GPA.

The 1st question coaches ask were what are your GPA and SAT scores, are you eligible and lastly can you play ball.
Why would a coach waste time energy and money on a ball player that is likely to fail with the pressure of a monster work load of baseball and academics.
Your choices are definitly limited and a lot of JUCOs have tough entrance requirements. I remenmer one top JUCO bragging that their ball players had an average SAT of 1200.Some coaches make the leap between grades, work ethic, disciplin and baseball smarts.

The concept that I have used with both my son and daughter is "FREEDOM". Do you want to make the choice of what school to attend and choose your course of study? Or, do you want to leave it chance?

Baseball will help, but academics opens up doors and many more opportunities. This concept has been a 12 year work in progress and did not make full sense until this year when he was talking to coaches and filling out applications.

Yesterday my son received his 2nd acceptence letter into an engineering program with the opportunity to play baseball.

Probably the best example I can give is the real life experience of my two sons.

My '05 son sounds much like yours. He was smart, just didn't care about his grades as long as he got by. He refused to retake the ACT & SAT because his score was okay by his standards. He has subsequently learned that his standards were way too low!(For the record, he had a 2.6 gpa and 1000 on SATs). He is currently a freshman at a JUCO. He wants to transfer to a 4 year school but cannot transfer yet because he would have to try to be admitted as an entering freshman, gpa & SAT scores, and they are not good enough. So he will have to complete the year, apply as a transfer after the end of the spring semester, and hope that there is still room for him at the school.

In contrast, his '07 brother has a 4.0 gpa, class rank of 1/600, and has multiple DI schools that are recruiting him. I think it is interesting that his older brother is his strongest advocate for maintaining his high gpa, and doing everything possible to keep it.

BTW, the older son did have a 3.8 gpa his first semester in college. Although he didn't think grades were that important in HS, he now knows that they are important. I'm proud of both of my sons.

Everyone telling you good stuff here.

Another very valid point: TREND!!!

If they see grads dropping from soph to jr year, they don't liek it. My oldest was wait listed at a school her friend got into, even though my girl had better grades. REASON: TREND - daughter had slippe as ajr.

Son was the opposite - 2.2 as a frosh, 3.8 as a junior - coaches remarked about that when they viewed his transcript.

SO even though it mught be late for a kid to have real impact on his GPA, it's never too late to show improvement

Great advise.....think the posts about choices is so important.....without a doubt.....the higher the GPA and SAT's....the more schools your son will have to pick from.....and we are speaking from personal experience.....

....also.....doesn't end at high school....son just finished his first semester of college...and when he spoke to his baseball coach over winter break...Coach brought up the subject of son's GPA.....so good study habits in high school....will help in college too....

Averner3.....good luck!

Great posts!

Jazzman,
Congratulations to your son!

Avener3,
Print this page and show to son!

averner3, I sent you a PM.

I'm new to this, folks, so please bear with me while I figure out the whole message board "thing". Learned yesterday that my sophomore RHP failed one of his classes and will be academically ineligible to try-out for baseball. He can bring up his grades and apply for a waiver through the athletic director but the varsity coach already forewarned everyone going out for the team that if they needed a waiver they shouldn't bother showing up.

Hubby and I have decided not to get involved - its our son's responsibility to bring up the grades, apply for the waiver, and deal with the possibility that he will be denied. Its also his responsibility, if he really wants to play college ball, to continue to train and try-out for Legion and/or Sr Babe Ruth teams so that the year isn't completely wasted.

My question is this: do any of you know of players who've lost a high school season and recovered to earn a D1 college slot?

KmomNH -
Welcome to the site! You have a tough situation and I admire you for the tough love approach which is so very hard to do. You know your son the best and what steps are needed for him to accept responsibility and pull up those all important academics. I'm hoping responses don't get into your decision but focus on your question:

quote:

do any of you know of players who've lost a high school season and recovered to earn a D1 college slot?

Yes. Players have lost seasons for many reasons, both academic and injury, and still had recruiting opportunities their senior year. It's what he does in between that will make the difference. When he talks with the coach about the waiver he should also ask if he can work out with the team regardless of the response. If the coach is willing it will give him an easier way to stay in shape (though being with the team and not playing games will be tough). If he isn't already, try to find a summer team that plays in the most competitive arena possible and gives him the most playtime. With dedication, he will be ready for that important junior season. I hope he has luck with the waiver request!