Are scholarships re-done each year?

Dave,
As I have read, but never heard, anything is possible.
Some say coaches lie, never trust them. I don't think that I would send my son to play somewhere where I thought the coach had a reputation for lessening scholarships. There has to be trust between player and coach, on and off the field. My son's amount is good for as long as he remains at school and remains eligible. Yes he has to earn a starting spot, but that has nothing to do with his scholarship. And yes it is renewable, only because that is what has to be done. I don't know of anyone who has had a reduction in scholarship. Sometimes we hear, "oh I know of someone this happened to", but really you have not heard the whole story.
On the other hand, if the amount is low, I would think that a question should be raised if the player has proven himself invaluable. I certainly would consider it and would tell my son to discuss it with the coach.
Coaches have a knack of finding money if they really need to.
Then there is always the option to transfer for a better offer or more playing time. Happens all of the time.

Dave17 -
You are correct. The scholarship NLI agreement you sign is for 1 year only. At the end of each season the coach will basically make you another "offer". That is why you need to make sure the academics, baseball program, AND college expenses are all a "fit" as financial arrangements could change. It's not all gloom. Many programs rarely reduce their $'s but there are many more out there where the trend is like a revolving door. This is part of the homework. Talk with current players, parents and coaches to try and get a sense of how stable their scholarship offers may be. No guarantees with any program.

One point I forgot to add, coach might just pull your scholarship faster for not attending required classes, late for practice, having an attitude, etc. before he thinks someone is better than you.
I may wear rose colored glasses, do as RHP sugggests, do your homework.

Is football and basketball the same - one year "deals".

All NCAA scholarships are "1-year deals." Thats the NCAA rule.

If a kid gets a real decrease in assistance, to the point it hurts and decides to transfer to another school - does it impact his eligibility at the new school?

Dave17,
It would be difficult for one parent to tell you how this works at every college and I can only tell you how it APPEARS to be at my son's college. Not sure who pulls the strings in determining the $ amount but it appears to be the head coach. I would assume the athletic director gives instructions or approves all scholarships. I know they have an NCAA compliance office that ensures the program follows NCAA guidelines. We were told during recruitment that no scholarships had ever been reduced or would be reduced if the player followed a few basic guidelines. The only one I remember was academic eligibility. I know athletic accomplishment was not one of them. There have not been any re-negotiations of scholarship amounts. Over the past two years we have gotten renewal notices in the mail that simply says, "Your scholarship in the amount of: (description of scholarship) has been renewed for (YEAR). It has been the same for 3 years. As college players become draft eligible there are some negotiations because college coaches are trying to determine what players are going to be drafted and what scholarship money this is going to free up for "new" players. Returning seniors could find their scholarships in jeopardy if they indicated they would turn pro. This very scenario happened at a college that was recruiting my son and they withdrew their offer because a player was drafted but failed to sign and decided to return for his senior year.. Bottom line is athletic scholarships are for one year...period...AND...It is my understanding that having a scholarship pulled does not automatically give a player any freedom from NCAA transfer rules.
Fungo

Fungo

There are times that the $$$ will increase---you know the old "don't use it, you lose it" thing--my owns sons scholarship was increased at mid year because a player or two failed out/transferred etc--he and a few others got increase so that the money was used and not lost.

You all know how budgets work---if you dont use all of your budget money the boss figures that you do not need that much and the budget gets lowered--keep in mind that it is the specific college that decides whether to fully fund the program (11.7) or not.


Academic problems and behavior problems are the quickest way to get your scholarship cut or taken away

TRHit, very true and I think most coaches apply the “don’t use it, you lose it” concept. This happened to my son too. Not all of the 11.7 was allocated to players so the coach divided it up amongst the players with scholarships. My son's scholarship did increase by a smidgen the first year because a player didn't sign. It did revert back to the original amount the second year and third year.
Fungo

Fungo

The increase my guy got remained--it was not taken away--but again I think it all depends on the schools situation interms of players leaving at certain times etc

One more thing to add. When offered a scholarship that sounds too good to be true, ask where all the money is coming from, you know it can't all be from baseball money. And I suggest asking the opposite, if you feel not enough was given ask if there are other ways to fund the scholarship besides baseball money.
Once you know and understand where it is coming from, it might ease wondering each year if it may be cut or increased.

A few good rules to know:

1. Most, but not all, people that say that their son was given a "full-ride" are stretching the truth.
2. What a player receives from year to year is NOT GUARANTEED!
3. Universities really appreciate the opportunity to recruit a real student in the student-athlete. It provides for them so much more opportunities to get a player while reserving some of their money for other players.
4. Coaches at the Collegiate level do thier best to "tell the truth." However, in Collegiate sports in general, there is no real "truth."
5. Scholarship offers from one institution to another are not the same. This is due to the nature of additional supporting scholarships and the requirements to keep those scholarship. (Did I ever learn about this the hard way.) It can happen where the scholarship's requirements change without the Head Coach knowing.

My son was told the amount of his scholarship, although technically only good for one year, would be honored for four years provided he stayed academically eligible. It was further stated that it would also be honored for four years if he were unable to continue playing due to a "baseball" related injury. We have gotten a letter every summer stating the amount of his scholarship for the following year and in his case it has gone up every year.

Does your scholarship have to include the car to call it a "full-ride"?

We were told we were getting a full ride, but said we wouldn't get the car until they see how he performs the first year.

So, it seems to me that's not a full ride for the first year.

We still have to buy the gas, though.

FO

If you are getting a car in the second I would not publicize it--it is illegal !!!

TR - FormerOb must be talking basketball - I think Baseball players get a copy of Car and Driver Magazine

FO - I think in some of the Texas state schools the full ride is associated with a horse or one of its relatives.

FO,

Toooooo funny!

Maybe this is stating the obvious but whether a scholarship goes up, down or is pulled (in years following the freshman season) is totally on the program you're in. I know for a fact that there are at least several big D1 programs that overcommit scholarship money (go over their 11.7 allotment). Obviously, when this happens any player currently in the program is "at risk" for having his scholarship reduced or removed. Additionally, some players are encouraged (tongue in cheek) to leave the program. This has nothing to do with ability...it has to do with money (it's all about the Benjamin's).

On the other hand...I know of at least one D1 program where the school administration does not permit overspending their 11.7. When I refer to overspending the 11.7 here's what I mean...for example: Team finishes the 2004 season and the coach knows that he will have 7.0 sholarships (divided amongst many players)returning in 2005. He has already committed 7.0 additional scholarships for new players coming in 2005. He now has 14.0 scholarships committed. Based on these numbers he needs to get 2.3 scholarships back from his current team (hence reductions or getting rid of players).

My advise...be very careful committing to a program that allows coaches to overcommit on scholarship money (it potentially puts you in a situation that you have no control over).

Buckeyefan,
I agree....somewhat. I saw the same thing happen. One large D-1 coach stated he had 17 scholarships committed (promised) but the university would come into compliance with the 11.7 by the NCAA compliance deadline. It was my understanding the recruited (not signed) players would feel the adjustment, not the current roster. Correct me if I’m wrong but once a player is awarded a scholarship and the NLI is signed, that scholarship is guaranteed for one year and cannot be adjusted until the following year.
Fungo

Fungo,

Yep, you are correct...once the NLI is signed that player will have the scholly for his freshman year. If the coach has overcommitted now only the returning players (and their scholarship money) are in jeopardy. Some coaches will actually delay signing scholarships for a select group of returning players until they have decisions from their incoming recruits.

I hope I'm not being too negative but I hate this practice and think the NCAA should make it illegal. More than anything I just want parents to ask tough questions of the university their son is considering.