Dream School - with caveats

Doesn't matter what conference the dream school is in, or the scholarship commitment, if it doesn't feel right, don't commit. Follow your gut instinct.

Not understanding why the need to pressure a 2012. The 25% is what is required, along with academic for 70-80% is great. I get a sense that you feel that they were stingy with bb money, not sure what you were expecting, the reality of it is, most don't give much bb money. That really hasn't changed, in fact, could be that 25% could have been less many years ago.


I think they do it because the players and the parents allow them to (pressure). If they really want you, they will wait, if not, tell them to move on and have your son do the same.

JMO.

I don't understand your question or your dilemna frankly.

Your son was offered 80% at his "dream" PAC-10 school and you can't figure out what exactly? Your post reads like you were offended at the offer.

Some people (me for example) would consider 25% baseball plus 55% academic bending over backwards.

JMoff,

I very confused with your term "Dream school". Typically other posters here would describe a "dream school" as a school that would best fit your son academically, family situation, and baseball situation. IMO "dream school" would also imply that you know everything about this school and its programs. I'm getting the sense that is not the case, and you have many questions about the school and baseball program.....and that is a good thing.

So, what you are describing as a "dream school" is actually just a school that in very interested in your son. It is a "dream school" from the outside, and he needs more information to be comfortable in understanding their offer. I think I would go there on an unofficial visit ASAP to see the facilities (possibly again) and talk to the head coach about his program and situation.

Your son may go there and realize it is his "dream school". He may also have some reservations and doubts that he needs to talkover with you. This is the biggest decision of his life (so far). He needs your help to get more information, and to guide him through this. Nobody said it would be easy. Once you have the "is it dream school" or "not dream school" question resolved then you can try to figure out why they are putting the full court press on your 2012 son.

If it turns out this really is "the dream school", then I think you have more than a good offer on the table with athletic and academic $$. Good luck!

I may be reading too much into this, but it sounds like it is HIS dream school but you are wondering if he can cut it there as a player. Does he have the same concern?

athletic money is a one year commitment. academic money is for 4 years.

Sounds like a dream for a parent.

Folks, IMHO I think several of you are coming down too hard on JMoff. The turn off to me seems to be the way the coaches have behaved and is quite understandable. My son had this same thing happen to him, at the time considered his "dream school." A coach behaving in what you feel is unacceptable is not going to change. It is only going to get worse once your son gets to school. Also, dream school can mean different things to different people. It sometimes means "stretch" or where the ability to play right away is a bit of a reach.

I can perfectly understand feeling you must wait to see what else is out there. Go with your gut instincts -- they are usually right!

If you have doubts and uncertainty about the coaches than it is far from a dream school.

It should be an objective process and dreams can get in the way of what needs to be evaluated.

My son had a dream school, his whole life he never talked about any other place but that school, that was always my impression of the term dream school but I can see how signing at the right fit can be one as well.

A private school, he was offered less than most programs were willing to give, back in those days when they handed out pitchers large bb scholarships, he took it personally, so I understand. Looking back, I really think that it was just his excuse for realizing that things change as you become realistic in the recruiting process. He just really didn't like where it was, the HC attitude, a a few other things.

It's a great offer, but again, if there is something that is bothering him about the school he has always dreamed of attending and playing for (which often times doesn't work out), then don't commit.

Good post by birdman, if you think it's difficult dealing with them now, just wait, things do not change. Think about this, this should be the time when their best side shows up. He's a 2012, if they really want him for him (not just another player), then they will allow him the time he needs for consideration.

In the end, the school my son eventually signed with, had the most patience with allowing him the time he wanted in the recruiting process, which was one year from the time they asked him to commit to when he did. To me, this is where the difference lies, in a program really wanting YOU or just needing a player to fill in the uniform, those type of programs usually have revolving door rosters, regardless of conference. Changing of the rules was supposed to eliminate making wrong decisions (both sides) but I don't think it really has. I understand and appreciate your son wanting to make a decision about not having to make a change ( think 4 years not 3), that's how we asked son to approach it, not, if things don't work I will transfer.

Bottom line is that the coach will remain, the player will have to transfer

If it's the "Dream School" then I would presume you've done your Homework and know as much about them as they know about your son? That would certainly include some knowledge of the integrity of the coaching staff and the baseball program.

Assuming that info left your son still interested, then you had, in baseball scholarship terms, a fantastic offer. All decisions have consequences. It's not unusual for Coaches to "ask for a decision." It is also appropriate for them to tell you that Jr., as a Freshman pitcher, won't see many, if any, meaningful innings. That is likely to be the case wherever he goes.

I wouldn't be comfortable with apparent sudden pressure on a 2012 player. But, I don't know what you should know about the Staff and their program.

If the dream is still alive after all the considerations then remember " a bird in hand is better than two in the bush."

quote:

Originally posted by Prime9:
" a bird in hand is better than two in the bush."

Prime9 - I think I take offense to that comment.

quote:

Originally posted by birdman14:

quote:

Originally posted by Prime9:
" a bird in hand is better than two in the bush."

Prime9 - I think I take offense to that comment.

birdman14 - please accept my apology! I'm truly embarrassed by my lack of sensitivity. May the "flock" be with you!!

Knowing what an important and personal decision this should or can be for our son's, I wonder and question about posting this, at all.
To me, this is about our son's and it is very personal and family involved, with probably input from a very few close and knowledgeable friends and the HS coaching staff.
Just my reading, but I don't think the Pac10 staff might be all that thrilled to read the "light" in which their efforts and offer and discussions are cast. They may have worked their resources to the bone and been thrilled to come up with what they viewed as a great 75 to 80% combined offer.
I could clearly be wrong on that and wrong on questioning whether posting information and choices of this type is in the best interests of our sons. Do we best serve our son's best interests or do our son's interests potentially get impacted when we provide specific recruiting information open for public discussion on the most prominent HS/college message board in the Country?

JMoff:

You may have heard enough here to realize the offer was a very good one. Also, at least one PAC-10 school thinks your son is capable of being a PAC-10 pitcher. Those are great things. The "three years" comment from your son indicates he wants to play pro ball. keep asking questions, talking to coaches and scouts until your son is convinced he's found his Dream School.

Good luck dad.

quote:

Originally posted by gamefan:
athletic money is a one year commitment. academic money is for 4 years.

Sounds like a dream for a parent.

The student usually has to maintain a 3.0 gpa. With most majors a kid can manage that just by showing up for class and getting the homework done. I would grab 55% academic money. Oh yeah, I already did with my daughter. I only had to pay 25% of the college costs.

quote:

Originally posted by birdman14:

quote:

Originally posted by Prime9:
" a bird in hand is better than two in the bush."

Prime9 - I think I take offense to that comment.

The "GEICO" Antiques Road Show said a bird in the hand is worth at least two in the bush.

value

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:
Knowing what an important and personal decision this should or can be for our son's, I wonder and question about posting this, at all.
To me, this is about our son's and it is very personal and family involved, with probably input from a very few close and knowledgeable friends and the HS coaching staff.
Just my reading, but I don't think the Pac10 staff might be all that thrilled to read the "light" in which their efforts and offer and discussions are cast. They may have worked their resources to the bone and been thrilled to come up with what they viewed as a great 75 to 80% combined offer.
I could clearly be wrong on that and wrong on questioning whether posting information and choices of this type is in the best interests of our sons. Do we best serve our son's best interests or do our son's interests potentially get impacted when we provide specific recruiting information open for public discussion on the most prominent HS/college message board in the Country?

Good post.

If I were the OP, with questions,perhaps I would have left out conference and specific amounts. I agree with what you have said, and I often wonder why some people give out TMI. I think for some folks it is very important to let us know who is recruiting their players.

I find lately lots of parents just generally not happy with the results either, and I often wonder what the expectations really are in the process.
A good example would be, here, 70-80% (regardless of blend) doesn't seem to be enough, while there are others who would be thrilled with 25% from a pac10 program.

I guess that everyone has their own point of view.

RJM - I think you may be misleading posters by stating how easy it is to maintain their academic scholarship by getting a 3.0 GPA. Yes it may depend on the major and yhe college but a 3.0 and above (especially for an athlete) can be very difficult in college. Recent NCAA poll said athletes work over 70 or so hours a week between practice, conditioning, and class hours. It is very difficult to be a student-athlete in college. Added to the fact that kids are away from home and learning to budget their time it can be a tough transition.

That said, that's a pretty good package for a player that the coaches don't see contributing as a freshman.

Good luck with your decision. Do your homework about the coaches and their track record with players.

I agree about the 3.0. For many players, depending upon program as well, a 3.0 is NOT so easy to achieve, even if you show up and get your homework done.

In my son's conference a 3.0 GPA gets you on the Presidential award list. Since there are usually only 10 or less each year on each team who make that list, it seems unlikely that a 3.0 is required to keep BB money.
At my son's University it was a 2.0.
A 3.0 would sure cut down on BB money ! Many still lost the BB scholarship !