It's not geting the scholarship but keeping it

allaboutbaseball - I've really known very few players to loose their scholarships. Most of the kids that I have known that have quit have done so because they were either disenchanted with how things progressed for them or they simply made the decision they wanted to focus on other things in their lives.

The couple that I've heard to have scholarships pulled did illegal things and got kicked off the team, therefore loosing their schollys.

I think most coaches are reluctant to pull a scholarship. They may not increase the amount and they may do things that don't send a message of love to the kid, but I think few pull the scholly directly.

Excellent point.

There is much for our sons to learn at college (some of it even in the classroom ). At that age, we're thrilled that they have goals; now we expect them to actually plan the route and achieve them. Thankfully, they have help -- from us, this site, and (depending on the program) the athletic department of their school.

Baseball is a series of goals, on the field and off. While they're in hs, the goal is finding a college that suits their needs and obtaining a scholly. It's very tempting at that point to say "Mission Accomplished" (but we know where that can get you )

As your freshman crowd found out, then the pressure starts.

Away from home, they're suddenly responsible for their conditioning work, schedule, classes, research & studying, laundry, getting themselves fed, dealing with the school bureaucracy, practice, interaction with students and teammates who are all new to them, and dozens of other details which (if they have dealt with before) have been handled with the Safety Net of the family.

They're up at a time when they'd rather just be going to bed to work out before class, then there's class, then practice, then study.

My son says he has around a dozen bosses: me (of course ), the Head Coach, the rest of the coaching staff, the conditioning instructor, his AD mentor, tutors, and five professors. Each of these people have expectations of him, will grade him on performance in one way or another, and impact his future.

They need to progress (not simply maintain) in class and on the field. Not achieving grades can mean academic ineligibilty; not progressing on the field can mean another player will help the team more. Nobody keeps a scholly by not fulfilling expectations at their position.

It's a harsh reality that, although the players expect to attend that school through graduation, the scholarship contract is one year at a time. And if the grades aren't there, it's one semester at a time.

Add to this that every year, a new crop of players enters the school hoping to earn your player's position. That system's exciting when your player is a freshman and working for a shot; the pressure is different when they're an upperclassman and defending a slot.

But every one of our sons wouldn't have it any other way. As challenging as the expereince is, it's giving them a wealth of strength, experience, and lessons that will hold them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

laf, I've known several players at both JuCo's and 4 years who have had scholarships cut --- not eliminated, but decreased --- for poor performance in the classroom or on the field.

Grades are probably the biggest reason for scholarship loss.

Outstanding post Orlando.........

Orlando,

Very good post Orlando....and expresses the reasons so well why I'm trying to give my son some slack....picking my battles carefully...because he has so many more responsibilities and concerns as a college player...than he did as a high school player...

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Orlando...



Or, as it has been said "weclome to the real world Kid!"

The majority of college students have a boss or two..school, grades, social, Parents (maybe!), the rest...sleep, diet, health are all somehat negotiable.

As College athletes players get to taste some of the real world where there are MANY task masters and a player must learn to prioritize, balance, negotiate and make hard choices.

Being able to successfully negotiate...Priority, balance, choice, and negotiation are indeed some of the big keys to success beyond. Players have a real step up on most college students IMO, by having to learn this early.

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Orlando,

Great post. You write what I have been trying to express to my son--that he needs to IMPROVE in the classroom, not just maintain. He is at a school that does not have the staff and safety measures that you mention, and he complains that college life is HARD. I tell him that's why college costs so darned much! Nobody would pay the costs if it was easy!

I will send this message to him--perhaps if he hears from someone other than me, it will sink in a little more.

So true Orlando. We never hear when or why the schollys are cut/decreased. From a coaches perspective I think there is the thought that a reduction might drive a competitive player away because he can read the writing on the wall. That may be why many coaches tell recruits "I've never removed a scholarship".

quote:

Originally posted by LadyNmom:
....picking my battles carefully...because he has so many more responsibilities and concerns as a college player...than he did as a high school player...

There's nothing worse than losing the war because of a battle. We created these little monsters , and we can't stop them, we can only hope to contain them. They are now adults, and if you enjoy the ride, you never ask to get off. The best part of a parents college experience is watching the growth on and off the field and experiencing the ups and downs.

quote:

not eliminated, but decreased --- for poor performance in the classroom or on the field.

Orlando - I have known players who have lost money as well because of grades, but didn't think many did for lackluster performance on the field. Many of those kids that haven't performed well have eliminated themselves by giving up in my experience. It would sure be a tough pill to swallow to have baseball scholly cut! I guess it would motivate some, but others I would think might see some writing on the wall. Interesting... I guess it happens more than I realized.

LadyNMom - Good post, I agree that it's a totally different ballgame! Should never take their success for granted!!

At the point where my son was ready to make a verbal commitment to his chosen school, I called the coach to ask one last question: "Knowing that NCAA scholarships are awarded one year at a time, renewable at the option of the school, what's your policy on renewal?" His response: that in almost 20 years as head coach at that school, only 4 scholarships were pulled or not renewed...each due to what he characterized as "SIGNIIFICANT precipitating events" (his exact words and emphasis, but he didn't elaborate). He also said that in 2 other cases, although the individuals involved were no longer "contributors to the program" (or members of the team), their scholarships were "honored" until both graduated (again, he didn't describe their exact situations, or the stages of their respective college careers).

His bottom line SEEMED to be that if a player fulfills his obligations to the school and program by making grades, staying out of trouble, remaining cooperative, showing consistent effort, etc., the school will renew. Conversely, failure to meet such minimal performance and behavior criteria would make renewal unlikely. He never suggested that "on field" results were part of his equation.