Commitment Letter vs Verbal Commit

So, I'll take a stab at this, although my son only committed verbally.  His situation was a quid pro quo where he verbally committed and the coach agreed to help him with a very competitive admissions process.  He did look at other schools that provided NLI after his verbal commitment.

The verbal and written commitment are worth the same...they are both a non-binding commitment.   The NLI is a legal document and binding around financial terms.  A few years ago I read the NLI terms and it was different from what I thought it would be... I highly encourage you to read it when you get a chance.  Depending on the reputation of the coach and program, I think the written committment can be an extremely good thing or a bad thing with a false sense of security for the recruit.   Personally, I like the idea of the written commitment so everything (terms, years, expectations) is put on a piece of paper and shared between the program and the player.   College baseball recruiting is a complex marketplace with different processes and requirements across the different Divisions.  I'd be curious why this specific program does this.

Good luck!

Son was explained that letter of commitment was so he had something to sign on signing day and at school ceremony. Doubt it would have mattered if we hadn't sent it in.  Nothing binding on either party. 

Good luck to your son. My son in your son's situation has had a great experience so far. Coaching staff has always down what they said and promised

With the comment about a subsequent NLI, my understanding was that for many (all?) NCAA divisions that utilize the NLI, there cannot be any written agreement in advance of the NLI/Athletic Aid agreement.  In other words, the school cannot, in writing, outline the scholarship details.  Does the Letter of Commitment serve some other purpose that does not conflict with NCAA regulations?

Key piece of missing info.....what division is the school?

2017LHPscrewball posted:

With the comment about a subsequent NLI, my understanding was that for many (all?) NCAA divisions that utilize the NLI, there cannot be any written agreement in advance of the NLI/Athletic Aid agreement.  In other words, the school cannot, in writing, outline the scholarship details.  Does the Letter of Commitment serve some other purpose that does not conflict with NCAA regulations?

Unless something has changed, it was my understanding that nothing could be put in writing until NLI/Financial Letter. 

Picked Off posted:

2017LHPscrewball posted:

With the comment about a subsequent NLI, my understanding was that for many (all?) NCAA divisions that utilize the NLI, there cannot be any written agreement in advance of the NLI/Athletic Aid agreement.  In other words, the school cannot, in writing, outline the scholarship details.  Does the Letter of Commitment serve some other purpose that does not conflict with NCAA regulations?

Unless something has changed, it was my understanding that nothing could be put in writing until NLI/Financial Letter. 

My point exactly.  If there is an NLI to be signed (DI/DII), then I thought any written agreement - or even a written description - in advance of the signed NLI was prohibited.  If no NLI (DIII, JUCO?) then I assume there could be some type of agreement.  OP's post seems to indicate both which would seem a violation.

DIII can put together a letter that is only symbolic after the first person from the recruits graduating class has officially graduated and they have been admitted on early decision.. The rest comes from financial aid only after the student's admission

DrUGA Dawg posted:

Key piece of missing info.....what division is the school?

 

I agree what division?   As far as I know, no commitment letter is allowed in D I,2?