Preferred Walk-On

Many preferred walk on's receive no scholarship monies at all. Sounds like a sincere offer to me if the program is a good fit for your son. Congratulations!

Sounds peculiar.

Since the coach called, may we assume your son will graduate in 2012?

It is possible for a D1 school with a less than fully funded program to know this early that he's out of scholarship money.

However, if he has known all about your son for two years and still let himself run out of money without saving any for your son, you are entitled to be skeptical of the depth of his interest.

It's unusual for an offer of academic aid to come from the coach instead of the financial aid office, and it's also unusual for academic aid to be offered before the student has applied or been accepted.

However, it's theoretically possible that a coach at a school with a less than fully funded program would be thoroughly versed in how his school dispenses academic money and could give an informed estimate of what the school is likely to offer a student with your son's record. Was it an offer or merely an informal projection?

It's unusual for a non-scholarship pitcher to be promised playing time as a freshman. Are you sure he didn't say your son would be given the chance to compete for playing time?

I would proceed warily and ask a lot of questions on your visit.

Welcome to hsbbweb and best wishes.

Curious, did they included "Life" scholarship as part of the academic package...just as Swampboy said, just tread lightly and make sure you're comfortable with everything. And as I told my 2012 as we went through the recruiting process, "ignor any promises of playing time."

Good luck with it! Take care.

Welcome to the HSBBW.

scdigger brings up a good point, if the school is in south carolina and achieved certain academic standards, that would include his state earned money, he's not really helping your son with anything, is he?

Preffered walk on means they maybe are going to give your son some consideration to fill a roster spot.

I actually would find it very insulting if my player, I don't care what his talent level, if they had been "watching" for 2 years and not offered anything.

If this is for 2011, then you have no choice, if for 2012, you have no obligation to them for a commitment, say will consider it and start looking harder for a program that really wants your son.

I'm with swampboy, sounds peculiar.

If that coach leaves or is fired, there is nothing to protect your son for a spot (there is nothing anyway), that's why the NLI is as significant as it is, even for just a year.

BTW,what school offers walk ons a year in advance?

quote:

Originally posted by mpbcab:
So - my question is - can we tell if they are earnest about wanting my son due to this academic money - is that a good sign or is this a normal part of the process with preferred walk-ons?

IF this University is a good athletic, academic and social fit for your son, then 60% no matter where it comes from is a deal and worth checking out. If it is not a good fit, no amount of money is a good sign.

Congrats! GED10DaD

I would add that this for consideration. In all cases, a walk-on athlete accepting is making a verbal commitment to a program and the coach is making a verbal commitment to the player. There are NO binding, written agreements involved, no guaranteed roster spots and no guaranteed position on the team. Any promise, agreement or discussion between the player and the coach is non-binding and purely speculative, at best. No doubt, a walk-on invitation significantly favors the college coach, not the player.

Still worth checking out if this program is one of his top choices. GED10DaD

mpbcab - My view on these types of things is to openly ask the coaches all of the questions that are on your mind. You are more in control of this situation than you imagine...and for now, more in control than the college coach.

You have nothing to lose by asking...a lot to risk by not asking.

Its your son and you love him like no one else can...it is not only your right, but your responsibility to get every piece of information that you can. Your son will also learn a lot from you by watching you approach this in a sincere and upfront way.

Good luck!

THe financial arrangement sounds worthwhile if this is his top choice. Academic money is for 4 years generally, and athletic money is year to year. So, I wouldn't have issues with that on the surface, but I would want to know details.

The baseball situation sounds squirrely, and it looks like the coach has managed himself into a corner. As others have said, if a coaching staff has seen your son for 2 years and this is the end result....that is a HUGE red flag. The timing of this (the night before) phone call also is a red flag for me. From the outside looking in, it looks to be either mismanagement or deception. I'm not a fan of either.

Absolutely go to the meeting (with an open mind), but I would ask some very blunt and detailed questions. If this remains your son's first choice, then I would not leave the coaches office until I understood 100% what is to be expected from a financial and baseball perspective.

Best of luck!