Guaranteed 4-yr scholarships

Did they put it in writing? Not sure they can.

We had some coaches verbally state it was their 'full intention' to stick with it for 4 years. But keep in mind that coaching changes and other issues can change that quickly...and sometimes do.

oops, sorry.

(it's just I've been on this site for 9 years+ and never known that to be true..that I can remember..which is my caveat)

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Originally posted by justbaseball:
Did they put it in writing? Not sure they can.

We were told by a D1 HC that it's a new option.

I attended a recruiting seminar last fall and this was one of the topics. The Big Ten is the only conference that guarantee four years...Other schools over recruit and may cut players scholarship after the fall season so that they can offer money to another player. I'm not sure if the player is released...they may remain on the team, they just won't see any time.. Could me many reasons. This explanation is very vague. I'm sure someone could get much deeper in to the details.

JustBB - nothing in writing, but the program is extremely stable (coaches > 10 years each), with very, very low player turnover, and a strong reputation for honesty and integrity (based on conversations with parents of former and current players). My question is not oriented toward figuring out if this particular statement is legitimate, but how many D1 programs actually say it and then follow through?

At one of the schools my son visited they said if they offered a player a scholarship it would be for four years.

Coach said he considered it his fault, if it did not work out because of talent. He gave names of several players and they confirmed it.

My son was never invited to walk on or go further in the process with this school.

I'm told that it is new this year. 2013 Son NLI stated 4 years at D1 school.

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The Big Ten is the only conference that guarantee four years...

Interesting... Does anyone have specific experience with an NLI at Big Ten stating a 4 year commitment? I know that you can look at recruiting tendancies and talk to those who have experienced, but this might be nice. Coaches do move often! I wonder if Maryland and Rutgers will be adopting it?

I've known coaches who "guarantee" it, an then when the kid doesn't perform they simply tell them "you can stay here on scholarship, but you won't play."

I have yet to see a kid hear that and stick around.

Starting Aug 2012, D1 schools may offer scholarships for up to 5 years. (15.3.3.1) It cannot run past the time of the player's eligibility, so e.g. a JC transfer can't get a 5 year commitment, but could get up to the expiration of his 5 year clock.

My expectation is that these multiyear awards will be rare in baseball, but we'll see. Do bear in mind that if a coach wants to make a player unhappy, he can easily do so.

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...Do bear in mind that if a coach wants to make a player unhappy, he can easily do so.

Very true.

As I skimmed this thread, it seems that there might be two slightly different questions here.

1. As 3FG stated, there is a new rule in Div. I this year that allows coaches to officially offer multi-year scholarships in writing. It's only at NCAA Div. I, not at Div. II or NAIA. I agree with 3FG that I don't think you will see those very often, at least not until a few schools have tried that. If they feel it's a positive, other coaches will follow suit. And I think you will see it more in sports that give full scholarships like football and basketball, than you will in equivalency sports.

2. Regarding the Big Ten, I won't question what was said at the recruiting seminar, but I doubt that is true. Since the new rule is available to all Div. I schools, I can't see only one conference utilizing it or all coaches in a conference agreeing to do that.

3. I think there are many coaches who have said "You'll have your aid for all four years." or "Your aid package will never decrease.", but I think that is getting less over the last few years, especially at the Div. I level where coaches are getting higher salaries along with more pressure, as AD's are expecting better results from them.

I believe that the Big 10 has had for years a policy regarding over-recruiting in football which, IIRC, limits the number of scholarships for incoming players to 3 plus the number of players who completed their eligibility in the previous academic year. This tends to minimize the incidence of players losing their scholarships, but in no way guarantees it.

I don't know if the policy applied to baseball.

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3. I think there are many coaches who have said "You'll have your aid for all four years." or "Your aid package will never decrease.", but I think that is getting less over the last few years, especially at the Div. I level where coaches are getting higher salaries along with more pressure, as AD's are expecting better results from them.

I am armed only with anecdotal stories, but I believe this to be accurate.