Comit w/o NLI?

44

It depends on the situation

Players commit to D-III schools where there is no NLI

Players commit to D-I and D-II verbally and then sign the papers at the proper signing time period

Some also commit with no scholarship deal because they may have been promised a spot without being given a scholarship

Let me explain my son's situation. He is being recuited by a D2 school who is just in transition from D3. He has been offered (guanteed) a spot on team with a chance to be a key player and offered academic scholarship funds. At this point in program, school only has 1 Atheltic scholarship, which is being used on to recruit pitchers. Coach is looking for a verbal commitment. We have discussed with Coach about the possibilities of getting some athletic money down the road as they become avail (next year 3.5 scholarships avail, following year 7). Therfore my son would have to verbally commit, vice sign a NLI, to lock in that spot on the team. Once he commits, they will not recruit furthur to fill that spot.
He is also being recruited by a NAIA school. Offered some athletic money. They have something similar to NLI. They make a final offer, its put in writing, my son signs it.
Is one better than the other, couldn't tell you. In our case the verbal commitmant is a verbal agreement between him and the Coach. If the Coach is true to his word, it will all work out. Is a signed NLI better, who knows, I seen a few players sign NLI's at D1 schools and not even make the team. So in those cases it was a situation in which the school paid a portion of their first year tuition to tryout for the team (paid walk-on). In our case, both Coaches have promised spots on the team for 4 years (if son follows rules, keeps up grades, etc) with good chances of actually playing early on in his college career.
So in either case, we have to put our faith into the Coaches intregrity and hope it all works out. Neither school appears to be over recruiting (bringing in more players than they have spots for).
These 4 players you mention may have had some simular offers/promises or some academic money given out. Its not alway about getting paid to play, its about playing, getting that oppertunity you have worked for most of you whole life. If you continue to work hard at it, and continue to prove yourself on (and off) the field, good things will happen, even if you do not have a NLI.
And maybe you can get a good education along the way, 1st prioity.

BB96..

Nice post good luck. Looks like you have about as much assurance as you can get given the nature of what you are dealing with. Totally agree that the bigger picture is about playing which is more than the money or the Ego of getting announced.


TRH..Thanks for responding...I understand the situation with the DII's, and with limited funds the DII', and the whole verbal signing period set up.... but these are at a HIGH end DI(NCAA Regional)level. After the early signing period. I have never seen this before.

Which is my continuing question...Is this simply an ego move for a recruited walk on? Is there some real benefit to have a "comittment without an NLI"? Over a recruited walk on? I have to assume that there is no paperwork. Again is there something I am missing? Is this in actuality more than a recruited walk on?

quote:

Originally posted by observer44:
Which is my continuing question...Is this simply an ego move for a recruited walk on? Is there some real benefit to have a "comittment without an NLI"? Over a recruited walk on? I have to assume that there is no paperwork. Again is there something I am missing? Is this in actuality more than a recruited walk on?

Sounds to me like a recruited walk-on. I wouldn't want my son to "commit" without scholarship dollars. I'd let him "intend to attend," but thats it until its time to pack for college.

quote:

Sounds to me like a recruited walk-on. I wouldn't want my son to "commit" without scholarship dollars. I'd let him "intend to attend," but thats it until its time to pack for college.

Agree with JBB ... but also wondering if perhaps the school(s) in question are the players' dream school(s) and they want to follow that dream.

Some of our local So Cal schools that are highly desireable spread their scholarship money very very thin because so many players want to get into the programs that they will do it for little if any money just to play there.

And perhaps the recruits and school(s) also hope that some scholarship $$ will open up after the draft ... for instance, if it is a college that has a great baseball program (e.g., Fullerton) but does not have the prestige of a Stanford or the like, where the college degree is so valuable, the premiere recruits may be more signable and thus open up some funds.

Just some thoughts on their (possible) thoughts ...

OB 44,
Ego or pride, or really just want the chance to play at that school. May or may not be an advantage to be a recuited walk-on, just depends on what those coaches told those players.
At least you know, that you have been recruited, you not walking out onto the field as a complete unknown. At least they know your name and have seen you play before. Thats all that any player can ask for, the chance to tryout for a school that you really wanted to attend.
Once again there may be academic money involed which does not require a NLI.

My son has committed to a school without an NLI-it is an NAIA school and he was offered a baseball scholarship that he verbally accepted- we trust that the money will be there whether or not it is in writing. I think only NCAA schools have NLI's

In my sons experience he recently “Verbally Committed” to a school that is also thin on scholarship money. However, with the “other things” such as books, food, housing, ect… it comes **** near a full ride when you calculate the money. The fact that he also was told he would play immediately and it was one of top schools of choice anyway…….does an NLI really matter? Hell no.

The funny thing is we were told by several people that once you give a “Verbal” other schools will contact you as well and they would know it will more than what you got if they want you bad enough. It has already happened to my son by a few different schools since he committed.

We keep asking ourselves is it a “perfect fit” the answer always comes back, yes!

So would it be any different with and NLI? I don’t think it would be.