Announcing offers

It's not new for football, but when I see it in baseball, I cringe. My favorite, though, is the "After much thought and prayer, I've decided to de-commit from State U. and commit to Tech." As if God personally told the kid, "You don't want to go to State, kid. Go Tech!" Must make the State coach feel like God is against him.

I see it and I think it's horrible. My son was allowed to say "I'm very excited to announce that I've committed to . . .  to continue my baseball and academic careers." I think he thanked everyone including the ground squirrel that once nested in his room, but I can live with that. Announcing offers just seems like bragging, while announcing commitments seems like news (says the reporter in me).

I laugh every time I see it.  My son didn't have that problem....he got his first offer and committed during the same phone call....and yes, it hit Twitter about 45 seconds later.  I'm fine with announcing a committment, offers...I think it's kind of strange, but if my son was a football kid getting offers from big schools all across the country, then who knows what I would think.

The ones that really make me cringe are when the kid doesn't know the name of the school.   I can't think of them all right now, but I've seen kids "blessed to get offers from"

Iowa University and the best of all.....The University of Ohio State   A school is offering you $100,000+ in scholarship money, do you really want to go into it with them knowing you're not smart enough to know the name of the school?

I know everyone has seen one.....what other name "mixups" have you seen??

I don't mind it with football until they start counting...Blessed to receive my 24th offer from...

baseballhs posted:

I don't mind it with football until they start counting...Blessed to receive my 24th offer from...

I've seen a lot those.  Does not reflect well at all on the athlete in question.

Iowamom23 posted:

I see it and I think it's horrible. My son was allowed to say "I'm very excited to announce that I've committed to . . .  to continue my baseball and academic careers." I think he thanked everyone including the ground squirrel that once nested in his room, but I can live with that. Announcing offers just seems like bragging, while announcing commitments seems like news (says the reporter in me).

100% agree.   

I think it's awesome. It's a moment for the player and free advertising for the school regarding the kind of players they want in their program.

It is tacky & looks foolish, like a kid doesn't have half a clue.  If my Kid did that I'd take away his phone, his car keys & put the PlayStation in the attic.  Then (worst of all according to him) I'd rant & rave at him for an hour.

Announcing commitments:  awesome!

Announcing offers:  go join the math team or play field hockey or something....

Buckeye 2015 posted:

... what other name "mixups" have you seen??

University of Texas A&M...

Gig ‘em Horns?

What about announcements made from the travel team coaches/programs? I've seen more of those tweets around here. 'Congrats on Jimmy's offer from Big State U' and 'Johnny and Sam had a great talk with Coach W while taking a UV at Local Good School.' Are those seen in the same light as offer announcements directly from the student?

uncoach posted:

 It's  free advertising for the school regarding the kind of players they want in their program.

And that's not always a good thing.

I just saw a kid on Twitter announce that he was blessed on his upcoming official visit !! No joke !!

 Football is a different animal and where ALL of the program's money originates. Part of me thinks its corny and part of me thinks its way to let all the other coaches/programs know they have to stay hungry if they want the signature from the kid. I rarely follow football so i never have to see it.

Baseball has it's own rules, and...much like the ones within the game..talking, staring while going down the line, showing guys up......some of those are corny as s^&* IMHO...but purists will fight you to the death about them being a crucial part of the game since it's existence.

Jesus seems to be pimpin' more college bound athletes than Sonny Vaccaro. I would love to see the NCAA investigate that.

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

According to my son, Twitter is for "family and serious stuff".  Instagram is for flexing.

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

Nobody is making you read these posts! Just leave if you don't like it.....

Now get off my property as this thing is loaded with rock salt!

seems like most against this practice and one (with a sense of humor, thankfully) for it.  I'm wondering if our opinions on this fall along generational lines?  I'll go first!  I'm 61 and I'm mildly amused by the whole thing, both commitments and offers.  Full disclosure: My kids are D3 guys. Not sure there's a lot to brag about.  I do get annoyed at the "blessed" talk, but I too might be hammering a sign into my lawn.

smokeminside posted:

seems like most against this practice and one (with a sense of humor, thankfully) for it.  I'm wondering if our opinions on this fall along generational lines?  I'll go first!  I'm 61 and I'm mildly amused by the whole thing, both commitments and offers.  Full disclosure: My kids are D3 guys. Not sure there's a lot to brag about.  I do get annoyed at the "blessed" talk, but I too might be hammering a sign into my lawn.

Probably the case.  I'm 55 going on 35.  My oldest son (former college player)  is 25 going on 65.   I don't like the idea of recruits or recruiting services tweeting verbal commitments in any sport.  I do like the idea of recruits informing and thanking the people that helped get them there.   There is a time and place for publically announcing that commitment and that is after signing an NLI or receiving your admission letter.  BTW...keep it simple.  Give the school the special respect it deserves by just naming it and no others when announcing that committment.   For those of us lucky enough to be married, did you name all the people you dated or were engaged to on the alter?  My guess is no.  Same deal.  Again, keep it simple and keep it special for those close to you.  

As always, JMO 

I'm 51 and it annoys me. I'm not fond of egos as a general rule. Except my own, of course. 

I'm 52 and, yeah, like I said, I cringe. I believe this is, in fact a generational thing. We (and our parents) come from a generation where talking about $$ is taboo. We have always been culturally encouraged, for example, not to reveal our salaries to peers. In fact, there have been studies that show in environments where sharing income is NOT frowned upon, salaries increase dramatically because employees know when they are underpaid and know what to ask for when negotiating income. Once I analyzed it, I think I probably shouldn't be upset when kids tweet out offers because it really is a negotiation and why shouldn't a kid have at least some leverage in the process. 

The interesting part, though, is that a school isn't allowed to comment on these things, so you can claim offers from 20 schools you've never spoken to and, publicly, they can't even deny it. Now, they can talk between themselves, but you could impress your friends who wonder why the scrub on the end of the bench has offers from LSU, Oregon State, and Vanderbilt.

Although we old timers don't really approve, using social media to announce anything and everything is how many of this current generation communicates. Parents can only communicate to their players why they would approve or disaprove of these announcements.  

I don't think coaches really care one way or the other. 

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

We are all entitled to opinions. It's ok to disagree but not sure I understand your comment.

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

We are all entitled to opinions. It's ok to disagree but not sure I understand your comment.

You don't understand my comment, but you just posted "Although we old timers don't really approve, using social media to announce anything and everything is how many of this current generation communicates"?

roothog66 posted:

The interesting part, though, is that a school isn't allowed to comment on these things, so you can claim offers from 20 schools you've never spoken to and, publicly, they can't even deny it. Now, they can talk between themselves, but you could impress your friends who wonder why the scrub on the end of the bench has offers from LSU, Oregon State, and Vanderbilt.

Interesting point.  One coach told my son that every now and then a kid will post a commitment to this school on PG even though the kid never got an offer.  The kid's position was "I'm going there no matter what" (i.e., baseball or no baseball).  The coach seemed cool with it.

Slight deviation here, but similar issue:

I've noticed on occasion in a college player's official team roster bio that in the "High School" portion of the bio, the schools the player turned offers down from are often listed.  Kid's bio might read:  "High school coach was Tom Jones.  Chose to attend Big State over: Neighboring State U, Big Blue Private, Big Red Private, and Big State Tech."   

I've always found it odd, when kids do it over social media, as has been discussed on this thread, but for the school's media communications person to put it out there officially, I don't get.  I mean, yeah it's very interesting and yes, noteworthy data, but I've never felt it appropriate in that forum.  I mean, it just seems like an unnecessary victory lap for the kid, and the RC, and the school he's playing for, and similarly an unnecessary "shot" at the schools he turned down to attend Big State.

Another "get off my lawn" issue?  

uncoach posted:

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

We are all entitled to opinions. It's ok to disagree but not sure I understand your comment.

You don't understand my comment, but you just posted "Although we old timers don't really approve, using social media to announce anything and everything is how many of this current generation communicates"?

Sorry, I dont understand why you would make the comment in the way you did. I see it one way others may not but that doesnt mean that makes someone an old man.

And for what its worth I am probably older than many and I am not an old man!

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

We are all entitled to opinions. It's ok to disagree but not sure I understand your comment.

You don't understand my comment, but you just posted "Although we old timers don't really approve, using social media to announce anything and everything is how many of this current generation communicates"?

I am not an old man!

We don't know that - it's the internet. For all we know you could be Trump's "guy sitting on their bed who weighs 400 pounds." 

roothog66 posted:

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

We are all entitled to opinions. It's ok to disagree but not sure I understand your comment.

You don't understand my comment, but you just posted "Although we old timers don't really approve, using social media to announce anything and everything is how many of this current generation communicates"?

I am not an old man!

We don't know that - it's the internet. For all we know you could be Trump's "guy sitting on their bed who weighs 400 pounds." 

Thats why I filled out info on my bio!!! <wink wink> back at ya!!

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

We are all entitled to opinions. It's ok to disagree but not sure I understand your comment.

People keep talking about the old man part of this comment. I don't understand the get off my lawn part of it. But maybe i'm not old enough??

#1 Assistant Coach posted:

Slight deviation here, but similar issue:

I've noticed on occasion in a college player's official team roster bio that in the "High School" portion of the bio, the schools the player turned offers down from are often listed.  Kid's bio might read:  "High school coach was Tom Jones.  Chose to attend Big State over: Neighboring State U, Big Blue Private, Big Red Private, and Big State Tech."   

I've always found it odd, when kids do it over social media, as has been discussed on this thread, but for the school's media communications person to put it out there officially, I don't get.  I mean, yeah it's very interesting and yes, noteworthy data, but I've never felt it appropriate in that forum.  I mean, it just seems like an unnecessary victory lap for the kid, and the RC, and the school he's playing for, and similarly an unnecessary "shot" at the schools he turned down to attend Big State.

Another "get off my lawn" issue?  

Pardon me for bumping my own post, but anyone notice this angle on divulging of who offered you?   Thoughts?

#1 Assistant Coach posted:

#1 Assistant Coach posted:

Slight deviation here, but similar issue:

I've noticed on occasion in a college player's official team roster bio that in the "High School" portion of the bio, the schools the player turned offers down from are often listed.  Kid's bio might read:  "High school coach was Tom Jones.  Chose to attend Big State over: Neighboring State U, Big Blue Private, Big Red Private, and Big State Tech."   

I've always found it odd, when kids do it over social media, as has been discussed on this thread, but for the school's media communications person to put it out there officially, I don't get.  I mean, yeah it's very interesting and yes, noteworthy data, but I've never felt it appropriate in that forum.  I mean, it just seems like an unnecessary victory lap for the kid, and the RC, and the school he's playing for, and similarly an unnecessary "shot" at the schools he turned down to attend Big State.

Another "get off my lawn" issue?  

Pardon me for bumping my own post, but anyone notice this angle on divulging of who offered you?   Thoughts?

I've seen it a number of times for different sports (including baseball).  To me it is completely superfluous information, and including it in the SA's bio comes off as tacky.  JMO

Iowamom23 posted:

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

We are all entitled to opinions. It's ok to disagree but not sure I understand your comment.

People keep talking about the old man part of this comment. I don't understand the get off my lawn part of it. But maybe i'm not old enough??

I live in a condo so the lawn is not my issue. 

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

We are all entitled to opinions. It's ok to disagree but not sure I understand your comment.

You don't understand my comment, but you just posted "Although we old timers don't really approve, using social media to announce anything and everything is how many of this current generation communicates"?

Sorry, I dont understand why you would make the comment in the way you did. I see it one way others may not but that doesnt mean that makes someone an old man.

And for what its worth I am probably older than many and I am not an old man!

As one poster pointed out "seems like most against this practice and one (with a sense of humor, thankfully) for it. " Quite a few people understood the post as light-hearted. It's a generational issue/social media issue specific to Twitter. It appears to me you're trying to be offended and start an argument. 

I'm not in favor of tweeting every offer but it seems to be the standard for football. I did talk to a high school coach who advised a player not to post offers unless they were the kind of school he was looking for- like if you're looking for a D1 offer but tweet about how blessed you were to get a JUCO offer then you could be tagged as a JUCO player.

Blessed to go on a visit? what's next? "Blessed to have received  a "personalized" invitation to a prospect camp, and a 20% off coupon"

uncoach posted:

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

TPM posted:

uncoach posted:

I see a lot of old man "Get off my lawn!" types of posts here. 

We are all entitled to opinions. It's ok to disagree but not sure I understand your comment.

You don't understand my comment, but you just posted "Although we old timers don't really approve, using social media to announce anything and everything is how many of this current generation communicates"?

Sorry, I dont understand why you would make the comment in the way you did. I see it one way others may not but that doesnt mean that makes someone an old man.

And for what its worth I am probably older than many and I am not an old man!

As one poster pointed out "seems like most against this practice and one (with a sense of humor, thankfully) for it. " Quite a few people understood the post as light-hearted. It's a generational issue/social media issue specific to Twitter. It appears to me you're trying to be offended and start an argument. 

Nope, all I did was ask you a question.

Late to the convo here but it's one I've thought about a little. I don't mind the commit mentions but offers I'm not too keen on. That said, I have heard mention that it's not always a bad thing for schools that compete against one another to also compete for recruits. Maybe that's the intention with some of these.

What really annoys me though is when these travel/summer organizations comment relentlessly on the current performance of the kids of theirs who have already committed e.g. "<insert org name>, and Big State U commit Johnny Doe goes 3 for 4 with two doubles and a grand slam in a 74-0 victory against <high school in much lower class/conference>." I mean really? Who cares? Why not promote your kids who are still looking for attention? I realize it increases the bottom line of the org to have x number of successful players but there are a whole bunch of others (doing good things I might add) who have spent equal (or more) dollars depending upon whether you believe that the majority funds the minority in the organization, i.e. "elite" teams. Anyone guess which group my son is in -  but I'm not a little bitter.

I'm 43 and it doesn't bother me at all.  If a kid gets an offer and wants to tweet about it, more power to him.  They have put in a lot of work and it is a big accomplishment to get that offer.  

tequila posted:

Late to the convo here but it's one I've thought about a little. I don't mind the commit mentions but offers I'm not too keen on. That said, I have heard mention that it's not always a bad thing for schools that compete against one another to also compete for recruits. Maybe that's the intention with some of these.

What really annoys me though is when these travel/summer organizations comment relentlessly on the current performance of the kids of theirs who have already committed e.g. "<insert org name>, and Big State U commit Johnny Doe goes 3 for 4 with two doubles and a grand slam in a 74-0 victory against <high school in much lower class/conference>." I mean really? Who cares? Why not promote your kids who are still looking for attention? I realize it increases the bottom line of the org to have x number of successful players but there are a whole bunch of others (doing good things I might add) who have spent equal (or more) dollars depending upon whether you believe that the majority funds the minority in the organization, i.e. "elite" teams. Anyone guess which group my son is in -  but I'm not a little bitter.

Some of those kids are still being promoted for the purpose of increasing their draft profile.