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Sifting through the scholarship offers is a good problem to have, but....

ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
Some background first...my oldest son is 17 and a senior in HS that had a great junior year as a starting pitcher. He kept his team in the game in every start going at least 5 innings for a competitive AAAA HS team in GA in a tough baseball region.

Our school has had at least 5 seniors every year sign on to the next level with a few of them drafted in June draft for MLB the last several years. We are accustomed to radar guns in the stands. As a junior he threw 85-87 consistently with a great curve and a solid change-up and spotted his pitches good enough to never have to 'give in' to hitters.

He has a great academic record ranked 23rd in a class of 450 with a 95 average through high school. He has taken honors and AP classes, and has taken SAT once with a math and verbal score of 1100. He is taking the test again next month to try and improve that score even though it meets requirements for all schools interested in him.

After some tweaks in his mechanics this summer, he has suddenly experienced an increase in velocity lately where he has bumped 90 on many occasions on the stalker gun for college coaches watching him pitch a bullpen for recruiting purposes. His fastball has been consistently at 87-89 in his games this fall in front of college recruiters. He is 6'0", 185lbs built on chicken fingers and pizza with a lot of growing to do. He has never taken a vitamin or protein shake in his life and has a lot of potential to grow and develop. He has fielded calls from a dozen schools interested in him begging him to come and make a campus visit.

This is where it gets interesting. Most of the schools are reputable JUCO programs. His first official offer came from a NAIA specialty private school with sparkling academic and athletic credentials. They claim 86% of graduates in his degree get jobs within 6 months of graduation and they have been very competitive on the field with 3 RHP getting drafted in the last 4 years under the current pitching coach.

They offered full tuition on athletic grant in aid ($30,000/year) but he is responsible for books, room and board which could put him $11K per year in student loan debt for a 5 year Masters degree in Architecture, of which the school has offered to pay 5 years of tuition toward the degree which he seeks even though he is only athletically eligible for 4 years.

The head coach has indicated to me he will start as a freshman because he "could use him this year" (his senior year of HS) since they don't make that kind of financial committment to a player they plan to develop for a couple of years before he can make an impact. They are a 4 year school that doesn't recruit from JUCO schools because so little credits transfers to their specialty degrees.

The downside is, he is concerned about incurring student loan debt when some of these JUCO'S are offering full ride with some money in his pocket due to his academics and HOPE and Pell grants. Thing is, monetarily, they will pale in comparison to the best offer already received. These other schools typically cost about $6500- $10K/year to attend and HOPE (lottery funded grants for students with B average)can cover about $4K of that without playing baseball.

Since I am not in a economic position to put my kid through college, how do I convince him it is worth going in debt ($50K) over a 5 year Masters degree toward an eventual $100K job vs. a Community College that has no guarantee to a 4 year institution of playing baseball just because they can put some eat/gas money in his pocket for 2 years? Draft considerations notwithstanding, how would you counsel your son comparing a total education worth about $205K with $150K covered in scholarship and grants vs. the JUCO route attaining a $20K associates degree paid for by someone else?
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ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
I understand that it is year to year, but I have been assured that as long as he puts in his work in the classroom and on the field they will pony up every year because they are concerned about their reputation on promises to recruits. I've checked the rosters for the last few years, chock full of players returning every year, the main reason kids don't return is more academic than athletic as they require a 3.0 GPA to get a degree.
R RRF8100+ posts
Many schools go on record as saying that they do not pull scholarships from players, but that does not mean they have to play them or even coach them. The player ends up leaving on his own to find a place that will treat him better. Even though they somewhat forced the decision, the school can then still say that they do not pull scholarships.
Personally, I would save the money for the first two years and explain to the school that it was for financial reasons only, and it was. Who knows? Your son's stock may rise even more. Then, they may offer him a bigger scholarship in two years because it will be less of a risk as he will be a proven college pitcher.
ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
The day he worked out with the team he spent time in the dugout with a Jr. in the same degree asking questions. It is primarily an Art school and Architecture/Design is the only one offered that meets his skills as he was primarily focusing on Engineering in HS. So he basically had to agree to shift his focus to meet the degrees offered since he has no skills in drawing, sculpting, film-making...but after 3 years of technical drafting in HS he would love to get a MA in Architecture with a minor in Historic Preservation to secure his future. He knows it's tough but has been assured by other students in the same degree that he can do it if he makes his mind to accomplish it. He is very goal oriented and has gone to great lengths to prepare himself for college. He is not into partying, cars, or girls focusing on his baseball and his studies. I believe he can do it but it's his decision and his life and I will support him no matter what he decides is the best fit. Many have mentioned draft possibilities for him this year but we are trying to counsel him to make the best academic choice and adjust to the draft if it happens.
ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
RRF8, thanks for your input. That discussion has surfaced but the problem is many credits from a 2 yr. institution won't transfer to this degree as it is a 5 year Masters degree geared specifically to Architecture and design from the beginning. They do take core classes such as English, History, and Math the first year but are also required to take such classes as basic drawing/sketching and color wheel theories and such, designed specifically for Arch/Design fundamentals. I really am not worried about the academics as they have a solid study hall/tutoring programs for student athletes. The coach told me that even though they have been quite successful in terms of wins/losses, he is graded by the board of directors by his graduation rate and academic successes.
cheapseatscheapseats1,000+ posts
The school you have mentioned is a highly regarded arts school but what happens if your son decides down the road that Architecture or art no longer interests him? I would be concerned about the limited types of majors offered by this NAIA college. This is one of those schools where the academics and course of study would need to be an absolute match and the baseball decision should be secondary.

Deciding on a school like this is kind of like deciding to attend a military academy. You shouldn't go there because you want to play baseball there, you go there because you want to be in the military. I know that isn't the worlds best analogy but I am trying to say that this is the type of institution where the course of study should be put in front of the baseball decision since there is a set course of study that is not as broad as most universities.

With all that said, if he is absolutely 100% sure that architecture is the best fit for him then it might be a great fit.
Last edited by cheapseats
fenwaysouthfenwaysouth10,000+ posts
Everybody throws 90+,

My two cents......

I realize I do not know everything there is to know about your son and situation. But these two points (below) were in the "critical path" for us (last year) as we looked through our options as well. I understand you are doing your due diligence, and seeking the input of others. I applaud you for your efforts to seek other opinions and viewpoints. Good luck to you and your son.

Cheapseats brings up an excellent point about a very narrow academic focus. Many athletes change majors, as do many students. The last number I heard was like 50% change their majors. My son also studied engineering in a specialty (magnet) high school in our area. He is an excellent & very focused student. He is now at a large university and he can't believe the engineering options that are available to him. He is like a kid in a candy store trying to figure out what engineering discipline to pursue. I would ask your son to give this a lot of thought, because engineering is extremely broad in nature, but very specific in practice.

Your son is very similiar to my son in terms of build and velocity in high school. Last year, my son was throwing 86-88 consistently, and touched low 90s a few times during a game. Is it possible that he may be selling himself short by not pursuing a higher competitive level? Our experience last year was that if you pitch at the stated velocities, and throw 3-4 pitches very well you can be mid to lower end D1 prospect (or a very high level D3 prospect). Overall, I think that mid to low D1 baseball level is going to be more challenging than NAIA overall.

Again, best of luck in this process. It sounds like you have done an excellent job raising your son to value education and appreciate athletics.
Last edited by fenwaysouth
TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
A few things here:

Playing baseball timewise is easier at a school where they concentrate on a specific major rather than where architecture is just another major

Does the boy turly like the school environment at this specific school?

This is the first MAJOR DECISION this young man will have to make---let him make it--
ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
Thanks for the academic input, very good advice by all. Allow me to expand the conversation on the baseball aspect of it.

As I understand the scholarship rules and my experience with kids from our area with the different levels of collegiate play, DI can offer 11.7 full scholarships and NAIA gets 12. With a roster of 30 kids there aren't many full rides with the athletic money spread out. This offer my son received is about 80% leaving 11.2 scholarships to divide out among the other 29 players, of which 22 are returning with 7 recruits of which only one is another pitcher. The offer represents how much they want him on their staff. I have been told by several knowledgeable people the offer is so high because they project him as a low round draft out of high school and hope the academic offer is enough to turn down the draft and go pitch 3 years of NAIA and get a higher draft position. At which point the school can then put him on their banner of drafted kids in order to increase their exposure to future recruits. I think they are banking on not having to pay for 5 years of tuition because they expect him to leave for the draft after 3 years. The coaching staff and facilities are the best we've seen. They spend a lot of money on gear/equipment for the players and travel in chartered buses and stay in very nice hotels on the road with $24/day meal money per player. The pitching coach that is recruiting him has sparkling credentials/experience as a player and a coach. He comes highly regarded from all who know him. The baseball side of this organization rivals any DI on these amenities. The JUCO schools that are offering full ride are a different story however. A lot of turnover in the coaching staff, facilities that resemble most high schools, seedy hotels on the road, $16 meal per diem, small campuses with an admission policy of taking everyone that can pay $3500 tuition to take Community College courses in a crowded classroom. I know I sound biased because I am. To me, it's a no-brainer. It's a great academic opportunity at a prestigious private school with a great baseball program...and it's an hour away. I'm certain he is leaning that way, but the debt load concerns him. It is my opinion some things are worth taking on debt for....that's why we have mortgages, car payments, and student loans.
R RRF8100+ posts
Sorry Everbody throws 90+ now. I look at it differently. It is because he is going to have a mortgage and a car payment, I would encourage him to try to avoid any other debt starting out in his young life. Please do not take this the wrong way but I am having trouble understanding how a father who is not in the economic position to assist with college would encourage his son to start out in life with a large financial burden.
cheapseatscheapseats1,000+ posts
On the baseball side....it is great that they want him enough to make him an outstanding offer, showing their commitment by being willing to invest in him financially, however, it is kind of like a marriage, it has to be the best choice for both parties or the relationship is doomed from the start.

Perhaps their is another institution out there (could be DI, DII, DIII, NAIA) that is a better academic and baseball fit for him than than the NAII and the JUCO's that you have mentioned. Maybe the answer is that he needs to leave these options on the table as possibilities and keep looking at other options. It is hard when you are going through the recruiting process because the decisions can feel overwhelming but after going through the process and looking back I can say that my son had several nice options that I would have taken in the fall of his senior year but he wasn't satisfied with his options so he waited, waited and waited until he found a fit he was happy with. His first offer came in late August of his senior year but he did not sign his NLI with the school he selected until April. Some of the coaches moved on while waiting for him and that was okay with him (his theory was if they wanted him bad enough they would be willing to wait), others waited for his decision, he was not going to accept an offer that was a compromise, he waited till he found what he felt was the best fit.
Last edited by cheapseats
Dad04Dad045,000+ posts
The cream usually rises...on the field and off. Plenty of kids went juco for a year or two, starred and ended up at top D1 schools in academic programs they wanted. If he really is a low round talent, he'll get picked lower at a BCS D1. Here is is one that comes to mind, a 6-foot RHP. Farina 1 Farina 3 years later

I've seen kids pushed into situations and fall flat on their face.

I remember getting exited about recruiting mail from Navy, Columbia and others, but I was the only one. The decision is the player's. He has to live it.
Last edited by Dad04
R RRF8100+ posts
One more point. You said that they offered him an athletic grant. Have you worked with the financial aid office in determining your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution)? Maybe it is possible that he will be given additional financial aid based on your economic situation. It might not be as big of a debt as you are anticipating. It is certainly worth investigating.
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
Originally posted by Dad04:
The cream usually rises...on the field and off. Plenty of kids went juco for a year or two, starred and ended up at top D1 schools in academic programs they wanted. If he really is a low round talent, he'll get picked lower at a BCS D1. Here is is one that comes to mind, a 6-foot RHP. Farina 1 Farina 3 years later

I've seen kids pushed into situations and fall flat on their face.

I remember getting exited about recruiting mail from Navy, Columbia and others, but I was the only one. The decision is the player's. He has to live it.

Dad04 - I've got a small story to tell regarding Farina. In the 2007 Myrtle Beach regionals, my son faced him in the the top of the 9th as Farina was Clemson's closer. He left a ball up, and according to this father's "biased" eyes, my son walloped one over the left-field foul pole for a two run homer. Unfortunately, the umpire did not see it that way and called it foul cry Big Grin Next pitch, my son flew out to center and ended the game. Met TPM at the same game and my son went 0-2 against her son who started the game. Very small world out there.

This thread has pleasantly surprised me. I opened expecting to find that someone was having such a difficult time choosing between schools like LSU, Florida State, Clemson, and South Carolina, et. al. The topic is a legit one and the only thing I would add is remember that baseball is essentially one bite at the apple. If you let money totally determine things, you might make a bad baseball decision and that you might regret. I would also add that with the talent your son has, I don't see the need to rush this decision.
Dad04Dad045,000+ posts
Small world indeed! I never knew Farina till he got to Clemson, tho he played ball his whole life 20 miles away. Now he is roomies with son's BFF (from Ft. Lauderdale via ULL) in Blue Jay's fall instrux.....

quote:
I would also add that with the talent your son has, I don't see the need to rush this decision.


So true. Most don't know the 2009 SEC player of the year didn't decide where to go to college until July....after he graduated.
Last edited by Dad04
CADadCADad5,000+ posts
I tend to agree with Fenwaysouth on this one. When you say he's 87-89 do you mean he's actually working that in games with very few, if any fastballs under 87? Given some pitchability that would seem to be something that might generate significant D1 interest although perhaps not as good of a financial offer as he's getting.
ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
I have said all along it's his decision, and I will support him no matter what he decides. I don't know why some of you are alluding to the fact that I am trying to put my kid in debt...read the posts. I have counseled him on the pros and cons, the ups and downs, the ins and outs and constantly reinforce to him that it's his life and his decision. But, I do have an opinion on the matter, and as his father that has directed and raised him on the field and off to this point, it is my obligation and his desire to hear that opinion. $205,000 worth of education for $50K, some of that may be offset by Pell grant and outside scholarship contests he plans to enter. This institution does no "stack" academic money on top of athletic money. Their offer is $30K firm, the cost of a year's tuition. The one thing that has gone unmentioned that is frustrating to me is a condition. He has 2 weeks to decide. They said they need to complete their roster and go after another pitcher if he declines. They indicated to me the offer would be off the table after 2 weeks. I don't like pressure tactics and raise an eyebrow to this one. Although I understand their need to move on and solidify this recruiting class, it is his first official offer and he still has 3 more campus visits scheduled to receive their offers. I know the early signing period has a little more money to offer than late signees, but I just can't imagine getting a better offer academically and athletically. Even though the smaller schools are offering full ride, ya'll are not aware of the quality of these schools. Would it help if I name the schools in question so you could get a better idea of what choice to make. I'm new here and don't know the etiquette or what is taboo or forbidden. All I know is when we visited this NAIA school, I was blown away by the academic resources. Top of the line equipment and small class sizes. This school is spread out in downtown area with no real campus per se, but they own 80 historic buildings they have preserved the integrity of the original design in refurbishing these buildings for their 'campus'. Buses constantly running to ferry kids from one building to another, most students ride bikes. The most cultural diverse atmosphere of any school in the nation with all 50 states and 99 countries represented in the enrollment. They opened a satellite campus in Atlanta a few years ago, another one in LaCoste France and most recently another one in Hong Kong. Most fields of study have around 15 kids enrolled in the class specific to their major. The classes are capped at 30 and only the first year core courses have lecture classes with that many students. Amazing professors with strict requirements regarding employment. It is an amazing school and very expensive as well. A fine athletic department that is well funded and the best coaches available. And they want my boy, and a lot of you think he should go to Dipstick Community College just because his dad thinks he should take advantage of a great offer. And, by the way, the debt load mentioned, is worst case scenario. I will help him every way I can. I will buy him a car, give him a gas card, put a hundred in his hand when he comes home weekends, whatever I can do. I'm not leaving him out there to fend for himself entirely, it's just he is the first of 4 sons and I have a precedent to set and with this economic climate I wonder how to make the bills every month now as it is.
If ya'll haven't figured out the school in question and really want to know i can post the links to the schools he has narrowed down to a short list. Thanks for the input and trust the fact that he has heard all your opinions in this matter as it has been solid advise.
cheapseatscheapseats1,000+ posts
Probably best not to post the name of the school here - you never know who might be reading and the coaches may not want the specifics of the offer disclosed - based upon the information you provided I identified the school in your first few posts. I agree it is a great institution with an excellent reputation - my only caution relates to the narrow field of majors that are offered.

Sounds like you have a strong feeling which way to go. It also sounds like your son has a good head on his shoulders so I would think he will make whatever choice is best for his future.

Best of luck.
Last edited by cheapseats
fanofgamefanofgame5,000+ posts
quote:
Dipstick Community College



Just be careful when referring to Junior colleges.That could be offensive to some on here whos boys did go to Junior colleges.

Nobody can make this decision but your family.These types ofthings are really tough. There is no one size fits all.If its this good as you describe it and your son goes then I hope he has a great college experience.
ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
I meant no offense, I only meant to say the JUCO's that are offering happen to be the cheapest to attend in our state. He could basically go to these schools with minimal out of pocket expense without baseball with academic money and HOPE money offered in our state. Although there are a few other 4 yr. DII schools and one DI that are expressing interest, the only full rides are coming from the 'cheap' institutions that have no stringent admission policy academically and a pretty good baseball team.
ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
Son threw me for a loop tonight saying he is more excited about an architectual degree than an engineering degree since he was so confused about whether to pursue electrical, mechanical, civil, computer, chemical engineering...at least this way he can focus on one aspect of problem solving and designing that he's comfortable with. So the narrow field of majors is now the least of our worries, the biggest being, can he cut the mustard of being a student/athlete with stringent academic policies??? The good news is, he is only visiting these other campuses because he enjoys the courting and his HS coach has gone to so much trouble to get him these visits and offers. Decision time is near. One thing that is definite....He will not hold a press conference/1 hr. TV special to announce it.
ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
The newest development is a flurry of phone calls last night and today from several schools we thought had lost interest. Turns out they were just laying low. 3 more very attractive offers that would avoid student loan debt came over the phone in the last 24 hours. One was a front runner in his mind as they have a great baseball program and a fine academic opportunity for him. He has some good friends already attending there he would get to play with again next year. I don't envy him as it is a much tougher decision now. I thought I had clear preference of who I thought was best fit for him but now he has some options. Thanks for everyone's advice for a newbie just learning the ropes about these things. I will keep you posted and let you know how it goes.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
I too find this post very refreshing, instead of the usual, "my son is very good and no one is paying attention to him".

Just a quick note about Farina, I am pretty sure with speaking with his dad many times that he went to JUCO first because he needed to start at a JUCO first (if you get what I am saying). He worked his butt off to get into FSU after 2 years, his dream school, but they wouldn't take a sniff at him, until he beat their butts off real bad in an important game, then they noticed. Payback is soooo sweet. He was better off with KO anyway, third round draft pick after he worked with him for a year.

But I think this is totally different situation that the OP has presented here. Many of us, see the college baseball experience as the gateway to the next level, there are many, many who see it as a way to help pay for their education so they can pursue other interests when baseball ends. I really don't know too many kids entering college who really know what they want to do besides play baseball, I find it pretty neat that your son has career goals (besides baseball). Yeah, sometimes things happen, they change their minds, but ususally IMO it's teh other way around, the guys with baseball futures on their minds realize they need to set other goals. As long as the coaches and the academic department feel he can handle it, where my son attended they told him that baseball and engineering just wasn't going to work out.


If they are giving your son that much money then they want him and they want him to stay away from the draft. Coaches did the same with my son and even if he gets drafted later on, he's got 3 good years of school paid for. And yes, they are going to put on the pressure, this is something that your son has to decide, most of all, if it is a good "fit" for him, in all aspects, go for it.

Could you explain the paying for 5 years of tuition means, I don't get that. Would that be in academic only grant in aid the fifth year?

Best of luck.

FOOTNOTE after reading the above, perhaps that first school was NOT the best fit, now that others have come along. Roll Eyes Make sure that he makes the right choices for the right reasons, and it shouldn't be WHO pays the most $$.
Last edited by TPM
ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
Once again I apologize if my remarks were offensive to anyone, there was no disrespect intended. I merely tried to coin a term that represented the size of the enrollment and facilities of one of the offers my son received. They play on the local high school field because they have no field of their own, there are no dorms on campus because everybody that attends either lives there or short driving distance. One elevator on campus in the library, the dean knows most of the students by name and the baseball team has a coaching staff of....one. A true community college. I'm sure the education received is as good as any and it's a quaint little campus and everybody was real nice. But the baseball opportunity is limited. Maybe I should have said Mayberry RFD instead of a term that could be perceived as demeaning. I'm very aware of some very fine JUCO institutions and would be proud to watch my son play and graduate at many of them.
M mikamom100+ posts
Yep- TPM - you are right. Maybe I make three parents of former JUCO players!

But to keep to the subject - I see 90+ 's son has friends at one of the schools. Eek I would use extreme caution - in fact I wouldn't count that in at all as a reason to go to any school. Go back to the basics that have been written time and time again on this board - academics, baseball, finances, fit. Growing as a person involves meeting new people and learning to get along and providing leadership and enlarging your world.
It is a very important part of the college experience! Even if my children didn't play a sport, I would encourage them to go somewhere where they knew few if anyone else! Give them the tools and the social skills to meet new people and learn to adjust, then set the on thier way. Hard to do, but so well worth it.
My son (a former JUCO player) is learning to handle all this stuff half way across the country, like many webster's kids have. (Or at least they have moved a few hours away). When all is said and done and they are 45 years old they will barely remember the ball games, but they will remember learning when to be friendly, when to keep their mouth shut, that paying bills on time is important, as well as taking the garbage out on the right day. Lots of great life lessons to be learned!
My daughter is almost done with school and has learned all these things too, but she has been involved in her sorority and campus and professional clubs. The thing is they both had strong interests already and they continued those, met new friends and still have kept the old ones too!
Neither one knew a soul the day they set foot on campus.My daughter insisted on flying herself back to the midwest all by herself. I will see her on her campus for the first time in her four years there this fall, when we go visit our ball player.
Please don't let him choose a school based on his friends. He needs to allow himself the freedom to go somewhere with no pretense.
And if he's not ready for that, maybe he needs to go to a JUCO.... Wink
Last edited by mikamom
Dad04Dad045,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Everybody throws 90+ now...:
But the baseball opportunity is limited. Maybe I should have said Mayberry RFD instead of a term that could be perceived as demeaning. I'm very aware of some very fine JUCO institutions and would be proud to watch my son play and graduate at many of them.


The baseball opportunity is limited, only by the player, trust me. The quality of the program has more to do with the quality of the players. Roy Oswalt's dad started his high school baseball team...Roy's freshman year. He then spent two years at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi signing for $500,000 as a 23rd rounder DFA. The cream rises...on and off the field.

Baseball is baaseball. It's not an excuse. Stick to slamming the academics. Wink
Last edited by Dad04
C c3parent10+ posts
As an architect who went to a highly rated BArch school I would think that it is very difficult to play a varsity sport and the curriculum. It was a very time consuming major. Not one in my class was able to do anything other than club sports. We had design studio from 2-6 pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I was able to get jobs with the foremost firms in the world but the pay was not great. It is something you have to love. Entry architectural jobs may pay 40k at best and it may be 20 years before you reach 100k, if ever. It can be an extremely fulfilling career but you have to have a passion for it.
Send me a pm if you would like more info.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
There ya go again Dad04, the same thing that comes up in almost every topic, the player that makes the best of his opportunity (regardless of where he attends) usually rises to the top. Wink

I kind of not sure about this topic anymore, did you come here with a dliemma about the course of study or just for us to know about all the endless possibilities?
fanofgamefanofgame5,000+ posts
quote:
Growing as a person involves meeting new people and learning to get along and providing leadership and enlarging your world.




I am so glad my son didnt go to a school where his friends went.He has made new friends, great friends, got out of his comfort zone.There is soooo much more to college than academics and baseball.
Last edited by fanofgame
ET Everybody throws 90+ now...10+ posts
I came here because this is my first time dealing with college recruiting and weighing options and I hoped to glean some wisdom from those that have preceded me on how to best advise my son. The "endless possibilities" have evolved along with this thread. You seem to suggest my reason for posting is to boast about my son. I had only hoped to share what we are going through in the hopes that the people that visit the "recruiting questions" forum are peers that have shared similar experiences. I may be tempted to boast to a room full of strangers if my boy was being courted by Stanford, GA Tech, LSU, etc....but none of those schools even know he exists. Every school showing interest is within 4 hours of our house. But the decision is monumental for him nonetheless. I have received some great input for which I am grateful. I have also had to sift through some condescending horse chit which is normal. If you wish to be helpful, please contribute. If you are trying to be judgmental, just know that this board is one of many inputs we seek. We are talking to God, coaches, counselors, athletes, students, and most of all each other in order to prepare our son to make the biggest decision of his young life so far. I'm confident he will make the right decision for him whether I think it is or not. In fact, as I type this my wife and son are on the road visiting another campus where he received another offer from the coach that won't cost him a penny for two years. He is overwhelmed by it all and so are we...but, it is certainly better than sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring, hence, the title of the thread. If some of you consider that boastful, I didn't intend it as such. It is simply a method of reaching out to learn what the process entails. So far it seems to be a cross between a poker game and a race to get the best date for the prom. Some schools seem to poor-mouth out loud because they think they can get a player cheaper due to their program's history while yet other schools come right out and pony up a nice offer in order to make their best play for a player they want/need. Everybody recruits pitching. I'm glad he's not an outfielder. So far my criteria has been academic opportunity, current coaching staff, money offered, program history of sending players to the 'next level', and facilities/amenities....in that order. My son has a little bit different order of priorities it seems and that is the main reason I seek advice. Is my priority order in sound order or is it different for everybody?
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