Options for Student-Athlete who fails out of D3

Bobby:

The good news is its not the end of the world. In that he has not played in the spring; I doubt that he has used any of his elgibility. However, his 5 year clock has begun to run.

There is one exception to the 12 unit 2.0 academic progress requirement and that is after his first semester. The requirement is 9 units and 1.8. That said; it still should be a wake up call.

If he likes the school he can likely go back and work on improving his grades. He can also move to a community college. Either way; he will need to learn what it means to be a student.

Good Luck!

I would suggest moving on to a community college. Many have very good baseball programs and he can work on getting his grades in order. This does not have to be the end of the road but only a setback. This happens to alot of kids. If he can understand that he has the opportunity to come back from this and is willing to do what it takes he will be fine.

Bobby, I can help you on this if you'd like to send me a PM. Just click on my name and invite to private message.

But fyi, this CAN be a springboard for him to move forward.

YGD

Thanks for the words of wisdom and advice. This situation is not one that I have helped players with before and I am hopeful that it will help with the young man's development with baseball and beyond.

With the community college route becoming a consistent idea so far, does anybody know of community colleges in the northeast that do well with placing players at 4-year schools? The kid is a really good athlete (6'2", can run, strong, solid arm), father played minor league ball and would have had opportunities if not for the grades.

I don't know what the academic rigor at the player's first DIII might have been, but the NE is so full of D3 programs, could he perhaps look at a mid-year transfer to another DIII, maybe one he's more likely to be successful at (a better 'fit' as if were)? I don't know how that all works, but just know there would seem to be so many options up that way.

There is definitely hope! Mine came perilously close to bombing out his FY - he struggled in every way - but hung in there and came out first sem Soph year with a 3.25gpa, and is a much happier kid. Time does work its magic!

No matter what level, D1 - D3 or JC, some students are not mature enough to live away from home and get the academic and athletic work done without having major difficulty.

Totally understandable, but needs to addressed before deciding what the next step is. Staying at the current D3 school is a option if he decides to get the academic portion under control and try it again next year.

D1 most likely require him to sit out a year.

Going to another D2-D3, NAIA, or JC will permit him not to have to sit out a year. D2-D3 will require the use of the one time waiver. If he goes local JUCO, that would permit him to possibly stay home and get it under control and try again after he gets his AA. NAIA is prety much the wild wild west in terms of transfer and play liberal rules.

Your original comment about going to D3 due to grades is a interesting point, many D3 schools are pretty strong academically, though not always the case.

Bottom line, unless the student athlete chooses to get his academic portion under control, going to a JC and getting drafted could be his best option to stay in the game unless he finds a school with his subject interest that sparks his interest to perform in the class room.

There are some specialized types of schools which has a athletic program such as:

Academy of Art University

quote:

Originally posted by BobbyTewks:
Looking for some advice/help with a player who failed out of school after first semester. Talented player, good size and tools. Had trouble adjusting to college life, didn't manage some personal issues well and is looking to get his act together.

How does eligibility work in this scenario? Was going to a D3 school due to grades already and is scrambling for another chance.

Going off of this info, it might be easy to write this kid off. He's a good kid and definitely has some maturing to do. Any thoughts on direction moving forward?

My immediate thoughts are to take courses online to get grades up and look into JUCOs.

I don't understand your comment "going to a D3 school already due to grades"???
Some D3 schools are VERY hard to get into, it's not a given you will be accepted to a D3. I could name off tons that have very stringent academic standards. D3's are more expensive but to say he was going there due to grades is to sterotype D3's into some sort of lesser category,,,,,far from the case.

Fact of the matter is that many if not the majority of D-1 schools are more difficult to gain admission to than most D-1 Schools

It amazes me that how people look at schools other than D-1 as easy academic entries---the D1 thru 3 classification has nothing to do with academics folks. It pertains to athletics

Division I and II schools have different standards for academics in order to qualify. While some DIII schools are very difficult to get into, others have much lower standards for admissions.

This player didn't qualify with the NCAA or gain admission to the DI and DII schools where he was recruited.

Sounds like a JC situation. I suggest finding a JC where the coach is interested or at least knows who the player is. This isn't much different then any other college situation, you don't want to be an unkonwn showing up at the first fall practice.

Might look good in a uniform!

The Armed Services kind.

there are a few good CC in the northeast. D2 ccri,uconn avery point, standout. most are d3 and don't offer housing. but decent baseball.

.
True story...

HSBBW poster's son...goes to CA JC, has a great career...gets a scholarship to a high end DI...struggles with academics...despite clear high end DI talent...and his best academic efforts and the support of the school who really wants him he ultimately cannot stay eligible..no longer DI eligible...out of baseball...stuggles to find his way...returns at NAIA...has a great career there, graduates and gets drafted and is now doing well in the minors...

Don't overlook NAIA, for those with academic challenges who want to play ball it can be a great option..

44
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I can't speak for the actual institution that Bobby Tewks player was at, but here in the Northeast several of the smaller schools in the State University systems are DIII. These schools usually are easier to get into then the private DIII's and DII's and the few DI's. I'm guessing that he was attending one of these types of schools like Plymouth State University here in NH. It is an easier school to get into grades wise and is DIII athletically. I don't think he was knocking DIII's with his statement.

quote:

Originally posted by redsox8191:
I can't speak for the actual institution that Baooby Tewks player was at, but here in the Northeast several of the smaller schools in the State University systems are DIII. These schools usually are easier to get into then the private DIII's and DII's and the few DI's. I'm guessing that he was attending one of these types of schools like Plymouth State University here in NH. It is an easier school to get into grades wise and is DIII athletically. I don't think he was knocking DIII's with his statement.

Exactly. There are certainly some OUTSTANDING DIII schools up here in the "Little Ivies" (NESCAC Conference) but there are also schools that have lower standards admissions and don't have to stand up to to DI and DII NCAA eligibility standards.

The player has begun hitting and strength training with us 3 days a week. The situation described by observer could be the scenario for this player. MLB caliber tools. Just needs to mature and be in the right situation. Another twist - he graduated at 17 and turned 18 in December. Was a very, very younger senior last year.

community college is the answer. it's an open enrollment situation at JUCO's and Community College. there are tremendous CC's in Illinois. That's the place to go. Try John Logan, Lincoln Trail (where you could play for the best coach around - Mitch Hannahs, former D1 All-American)

I wouldn't discount the suggestion of staying put, if that is an option for him, and concentrating on academics for a semester without baseball. If the player and his support group put the same amount of time and energy into his student skills maybe he can turn it around and be eligible to play the next season. That is sometimes the value of a red-shirt freshman year for players where they have a chance to get the academics at the right level before they start adding the challenges of baseball travel etc. to their schedules. For some players being away from home and trying to combine full-time student & full-time athlete jobs takes as much hard work as any baseball skill.