Overthehill,
So sorry to hear the news. Sending you a PM.
As others have stated walking on can be a precarious situation. The problem is even if the player names the team has #35 on a team that will probably utilize about twenty players.
A friend of mine's son was told by a coach he had a very good chance of walking on at a mid major. The head coach didn't show up for walk on tryouts. The assistants were barely paying attention. After thirty minutes everyone was called off the field and told there weren't any roster openings. Tryouts are over. Even though 99.9% of players are recruited the NCAA requires the charade of tryouts.
justbaseball,
I don't know this for a fact, but I think every recruited walk on in football ends up on the roster. The U of Iowa football team has about 120 players on their roster. Actually they have several players that share a number. I'm not sure there even is a roster limit in football, but they don't all travel to away games.
overthehill,
Sorry this happened. It disappoints me that the coach led your son to believe something that was not true. A more transparent coach would have handled this differently. Almost all coaches that I've dealt with over the years are very careful with their words because they know their words are powerful.
Your son has some options. Whether or not he want so puruse those options is another matter. I'd give him some time to think about it especially since he is at a school that he really likes. If it was my son, I'd make sure his head is clear before considering his next move. JMO.
Good luck!
Originally Posted by ClevelandDad:
My son did not find out his status until opening day in 2006. He was led to believe he had made the team and then on opening day, they told him he had been redshirted. He called me in tears and I refused to let him feel sorry for himself. I told him to go out and be the best redshirt player in the country. Told him to be the hardest worker on the team and to be the best teammate. Inside however, I was honestly miffed at the coaches for how they handled things but I didn't tell him that.
Fast forward about one month and another kid who was not getting playing time asked to be redshirted and that opened a spot for my son. In other words, my son was the 36th kid on the roster. That was the biggest break of my son's career up and until that point. When he called me with that news that day, it was tears of joy on both ends.
At first he started getting in as a late inning defensive replacement. If his turn ever came up in the order, they would pinch hit for him. Fast forward a few weeks later and his turn came up with two outs and a runner in scoring position. This time they did not pinch hit for him. He lined the first pitch he saw for a walk-off game winner. That one at-bat changed his entire career.
You cannot control coaches decisions. All you can control is your attitude and effort. Encourage your kids to be ready for that one opportunity and to let every other thing go.
Your son exhibited something that is not as common today and that is patience. You can not control coaches conditions but in a way you can if you work hard etc etc. My advice to a player is control the things you can if you worry about things you can not you are not taking care of what you can.
Originally Posted by Overthehill:
Thanks for all the posts. I didn't want to put too much info out there because of the situation that was going on. Needless to say my son was crushed. I feel like I have led my son done the wrong path because of faith in two coaches that I have called my friends for a long time. I have had kids I coached play for them. My son was an all state baseball and football player last year. He clearly had other D1 offers including full rides to play QB. I assure you he is farrrrr from being done. The pipeline started last night and the feelers are out there. He is still playing summer ball in the TCL.
Sorry for the crap news.
He must really love baseball if he passed up a full ride at a D1 football school to play qb.
19, he definitely loves the game. The full rides for football were not div 1. Baseball offers were.
If I had known the coach for that long, I would have believed him too. Sounda like your son has a lot of talent. Did they give him a reason? was it his play, heavy at his position?
My son was in a similiar situation last year.... and we took the JUCO route. ( but I did not know the D1 coach that well)
Overthehill - Very sorry about your son's situation. What I find particularly disturbing is the premise that you have a long standing relationship with this coach and it turned out this way. For those of us that don't enjoy a relationship with a prospective coach that is deeper than the recruiting process, it makes it so much more stressful and scary.
Tough times right now but he will work through it. Told me that God has a plan even though he doesn't understand it right now. When I texted him yesterday evening, he was in the weight room on campus working his tail off as usual.
Originally Posted by RJM:
Even though 99.9% of players are recruited the NCAA requires the charade of tryouts.
Hi RJM,
Do you think you can find the NCAA rule that says teams have to do tryouts? I recall reading that in one of the manuals (at some time in the past), but I can't find the rule now, and I wonder if it really is a NCAA rule, or perhaps a rule in some conferences.
I can't remember the last time I saw it and where. But at the time it was NCAA.
I'm sorry to hear this Overthehill... I'll be rooting for your son to find a new and better home...
That is tough. It is generous of you to share the situation so that others can take note.
No doubt there's a better situation on his horizon.
Over the hill,
I am sorry to hear this! I continue to be amazed at how brutal the recruiting process is! Please keep us posted when your family figures out what the next steps will be.
I'm very sorry to hear the news, Overthehill...but it sounds like he'll have some opportunities to find a home next season. Best of luck to your son.
Update, son has committed to a very good D2 school and will receive about 80% scholarship for next year with academic and athletic money. God is good.
That's great news Overthehill! Best of luck to him! That which doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.
Fantastic Overthehill! Congratulations to your son!
Alright, alright, alright ~ Good things come to those who deserve 'em!
That is great news! His example of determination and character will reward him in life long after his playing days. You should be very proud!
Congrats to your son ! One door closes and another one opens 
Awesome News! Congratulations!
Thanks fellas. All is well. Kid is excited about summer ball and starting new next semester.