Is there a nice way to ask if the program is funded?

I don't know any D1's that have no funding....though like you, I've never been able to find a list.  I haven't heard any that are less than 3 or 4 and most are 7-8 if not fully funded.  I'm not sure how you would go about asking....maybe someone else here can help.  At this point, I'm not sure why it matters....again, I'm sure they have something....likely enough to get any recruited kid to 25%, which unless you're a big time recruit, that's likely what you're gonna see. 

It's a perfectly legitimate question and will be considered so by the coaches; especially if the level of athletic aid is likely going to be an important factor in your family's choice of schools. If they consider him a recruitable prospect, they'll make a point of engaging him in conversation at camp about his recruitment. That's an opportunity for him to give them a feel for the extent to which financial support will affect your family's decision and present an opening for him to inquire about their program's funding level.

Cherokeeplayer posted:

 

I have no idea if they are funded at all.  I have googled my heart out but I can't tell.  Should he ask during the January camp? Is that rude?

Are you just wanting to know if your son could be offered a baseball scholarship? If so, son could ask how many players are currently on athletic scholarship. He could also ask how many are on the HOPE scholarship. I don't think many sophomores are committed to low D1s yet. I would try not to discourage you son's excitement about this program, but at the same time encourage him to take it slow with regards to a commitment. If his velo take a jump next summer, he may find himself with other attractive options.

The extent of athletic scholarship funding for lower D1 programs seems to be a well kept trade secret by Coaches.  I suppose it does them no good to make it public knowledge - but it certainly would be good information for prospects and their parents for the recruiting and college search process!  I believe the ESPN commentators during the CWS mentioned that Davidson had only 3 athletic schollys at the time -  since then it may have been increased to 5 (I think that was mentioned in a different thread here).  Patriot League schools also are not fully funded - with some programs having only a couple athletics scholarships available.  Many of the HSBBWB members have some inside scoop on this -- up to you, but if you are comfortable naming the school, another member may reply and/or invite you to PM him/her for the information on a private basis.  That is not your exact question, but nonetheless a possible way of learning the desired information.  Good luck!

Your right. 

Don't be focused on one program.

ESPECIALLY when they have not indicated interest in your son. (other than taking your money)

This question is one, of the many others, that are very appropriate AFTER interest has been shown in your son.

Once a program has shown interest and has said they would like your son to join their program THEN you can have questions like this, as well as academic, hope, needs, etc. 

Read the thread on "Real Interest ?" to give you some ideas on how to proceed. 

Good luck!

Good points made by many here.  Regarding the # of scholly's not being public knowledge, that only makes sense.  It is generally public knowledge that the allowable # at D1 is 11.7.  It is less known that many schools are not fully funded.  In most instances, it would come across as a negative for a coach to state publicly that his school has less than 11.7.  It could be used against him by competing schools and viewed as a negative by prospective recruits.

To the OP's primary question, you said he liked the school, coaches and current players who were helping.  If you can get in touch with one of those players, this can be a great source for those types of questions.  Just be careful... any dialog is likely to get back to the coach.  I don't think asking that question to current players is a problem at all, though.  It shows you have genuine interest in the program.

Why does it matter if the program is fully funded as long as your son gets the support that would make that school affordable for him?

I go to a company funded trade show. (I.E. my company or myself is paying to attend)

I walk up to the CEO of the company running the show and ask him "how much are you paying your Vice Presidents?" 

He is going to look at me like I am crazy...

I go to the same trade show and the CEO walks up to me "Hey BOF, we would like you to join our team". I can then ask a whole bunch of questions including "what have you budgeted for this position" and it is a completely expected/normal question.

As TPM always says "Programs recruit players, Players show interest in programs". 

Focus on getting programs interested in your son, once that happens have your questions ready. 

I would also say this.....if your son starts getting recruited by a school, there's likely going to be some money involved....especially if it's now or this summer for a 2020.  Coaches don't actively recruit kids to be walk-ons this early....they know kids that can play will get offers and make the possibility of them showing up as a walk on highly unlikely.  If your son is a 6'3, 200+ lb pitcher throwing 90+ or a SS with 6.4 speed in the 60 you don't have to worry about the money.  If he's not, at this point, I'd concentrate on finding schools that want him...then worry about the $$$.  Also, keep in mind that his grades/ACT can affect scholarship money.  If he's a good student and can get a bunch of academic money a baseball coach likely will take that into consideration when coming up with an "overall" offer.  You can find academic money on the school's website and see what/if your son would qualify for. 

For the record, I don't care if they are fully funded, just wondered if there was a way to know if they were funded.

I like to know details, if you don't know details how do you know if you are getting a good offer, or if there is anything to offer?  "Well Johnny we would like to offer you a walk-on spot because we only have 1 scholarship funded" is a bit different than "Johnny we would like to offer you a walk-on spot because we have used our 11.7 already and we only sort of like you."

With the late time frame of low D1 recruiting I don't think there will be much time to ponder choices, being forewarned is forearmed type of thing. Just thought I'd throw the question out there.  I do like the idea of getting a current team members number though, interesting thought. He can ask the horse's mouth, so to speak.

Cherokeeplayer posted:

For the record, I don't care if they are fully funded, just wondered if there was a way to know if they were funded.

I like to know details, if you don't know details how do you know if you are getting a good offer, or if there is anything to offer?  "Well Johnny we would like to offer you a walk-on spot because we only have 1 scholarship funded" is a bit different than "Johnny we would like to offer you a walk-on spot because we have used our 11.7 already and we only sort of like you."

With the late time frame of low D1 recruiting I don't think there will be much time to ponder choices, being forewarned is forearmed type of thing. Just thought I'd throw the question out there.  I do like the idea of getting a current team members number though, interesting thought. He can ask the horse's mouth, so to speak.

My son is at a mid-major D1.  We have had this conversation a couple times.  He really no idea if his program is fully funded or not.  We never asked....they offered us a number that was workable for us along with his academic money and we took it.    A friend who had a son being recruited by them a year after my son told us they were not...but were adding 1 more last year (still below 11.7), but we don't know for sure.  My son is a junior now.  He has a pretty good idea which kids getting money and which aren't but doesn't know exactly how much....it seems to be something that's not talked about unless it happens to slip out in a conversation lol.

Cherokeeplayer posted:

My 2020 son went to a camp in mid October.  This low D1 camp had less than 30 kids attend so it was a rather personal experience.  My son liked the school, the coaches, and the current players that were helping out. HC made it a point to tell my son that he really liked him and his skills and would be following up with him again soon.

Fast forward to now, he received an email from the HC (along with 15 other email addresses) to attend another camp in January at the School.  He's really beginning to fall in love with the school, but I've read on here so many times not to put all your eggs in one basket that this narrowed focus is beginning to concern me.

I have no idea if they are funded at all.  I have googled my heart out but I can't tell.  Should he ask during the January camp? Is that rude?

If you will post what State the school is in, you will probably get some PM's from people that are knowledgeable about the programs in that state. 

Good feedback.   If the discussions get serious you shouldn't be afraid to ask any question.   Ask away and don't worry about their reaction.  They've probably already answered it dozens of times 

Someone earlier asked, why does it matter?  I think it matters for a few reasons:

• How committed is the university's management to the baseball team?
• What are the overall resources of the baseball team?
• If your son is offered 25%, and the team only has 3 total scholarships, he is important.

rynoattack posted:

Someone earlier asked, why does it matter?  I think it matters for a few reasons:

• How committed is the university's management to the baseball team?
• What are the overall resources of the baseball team?
• If your son is offered 25%, and the team only has 3 total scholarships, he is important.

 

This. I want to know what kind of commitment the school has made to the program.

"Is your program fully funded?"

You can just use your eyes to see a schools level of commitment.

A.) Staff and facilities

B.) You may not be getting $ directly but are being provided support to be a successful student athlete. That is very important!