Eye Opener

Was his son one of the 9 released, or is he just wanting to change programs because of the starters getting the boot?

Just curious!

His son was released. He pitched well in the Regional.

Sounds like the coach needs to grow up. He let his frustrations get the best of him. Hard to believe six starters were so bad if the team made it that deep.

ARF, would you mind sending me a PM with the name of the coach & school? Want to strike that one off Texan Son's list. Thanks

Scholly's are renewable on an annual basis -- always good to know a coach's motis-operandi. College baseball is a 2-way commitment. Sad to see a situation where it appears that the coach was acting more on emotion than good sense.

Not to say anyone did anything wrong here, but that is why I personally will be making a decision based on mostly academics (many other reasons for that basis)... It's never an easy decision where to go play, and this fact makes it all the more difficult. I've known a couple of these situations occurring with people I'm in contact with. It stinks.

I'd really want more information here.

I'd bet there were discplinary issues, grades, or some other factor besides performance that would impact a coaches decision to cut 6 of his starting 9.

That sounds ridiculous, but, I can tell you that when my oldest son was being recruited by DI schools we researched the reputation of the coach as far as scholorships are concerned. Believe it or not, some of these guys will cut a Senior's scholorship to use it for younger prospects knowing or assuming the young man will not leave during his Senior year so he can graduate from a school he has put his heart and soul into for 4 years. Yes, scholorships are one year deals which I don't think a lot of parents understand (probably because they are not fully informed). Also, it is a crime that the NCAA allots so few scholorships to baseball. This has happened to 3 of my good friends whose sons were tops in the country and, sadly, it happened at schools that we all know and love. I too would like a PM to know which school this was. FYI-be very wary about recruiting and what you are told.

This is not an new practice. Lots of coaches/schools do it. I used to work summer camps at LSU and it was always done there. The seniors looked at it as a way to help the program. It was more "tradition" there so everyone was fine with it. Plus when you win 4 National Championships in 10 years, that does not hurt. Of course, the TOPS program in Louisiana helped as well.

Not to be a smart aleck but were the parents who then had to foot the bill for their education (which is ok as long as they are expecting and planning for it) part of the tradition bandwagon? If you say everyone does it, then, at a minimum the parents should know about it etc...In the circumstances I was referring to, it was a complete surprise and a very disappointing situation. I would like to hear more on this, especially from people like you, who have had experience with it. thanks for the info-that's why this site is so good.

tc,

If the parents are out of the loop, and there is poor communication, then yes, that is a bad deal. Does not matter what level you coach at, if you don't have a good line of communication with the parents you are asking for trouble.

At LSU, for the in-state kids, it was not a big deal because of the TOPS program. In fact, I think most of the states that have SEC schools have this program. I don't remember all the details, but I think if you graduated from a public school in Louisiana with a certain GPA, you could go to any state university at a "very" discounted rate. From what I remember, Coach Bertman and his assistants said that in-state kids only cost them .10 of a scholarship. Those kids really had a "full ride." Then they would get the best kids in the state, then use the rest of their money to go get kids in Florida, California, Texas or where ever.

Very interesting--like I said before--it is a crime what the NCAA allows for baseball scholorships (I remember a coach going off on TV at the CWS on this issue a couple of years ago). I am not familiar with TOPS but it sounds like a good setup. My only point is that there are not a lot of families who can turn their financial situations on a dime. Also, like I said, the circumstances I referred to were really sad. While I make my living drafting and negotiating contracts, the only really solid contract is a handshake and it helps those of us going through this to get information from people who know the drill. thanks

tc, could not agree more about the crime....thanks title IX. Two things to keep in mind as you go down this road:

1. There are no guarantees
2. What have you done for me lately

There is a remedy for this situation, but it will take a cultural shift to implement it. I am now starting my 4th year of observing college athletics with a personal interest. I have come to believe that the Patriot League, Ivy League, and D3 schools have the healthiest perspective on the emphasis that athletics deserve in college.

Athletics is EXTRAcurricular. The charter for colleges and universities is EDUCATION. Return to an emphasis on academics for scholarship consideration while maintaining need based financial aid for students from families of modest income. Eliminate athletic scholarship altogether. Return the athletic department to a mission that rounds out or enhances the educational experience of students.