One of the best parts of my son's official visit was a Q & A session with a number of players.
The coaches left the room and the current players gave a general overview on what to expect as a student athlete and then fielded questions from the players and parent. They were vary candid about the the commitment it takes to carry a full load and play baseball. One of the players went so far as to talk about how he struggled at first until he figured out that he had to be more disciplined with his time management.
My son was already sold on the coaches and school however it was both eye opening and reassuring to get the players POV as well. If you have the opportunity to speak with the players I strongly suggest you take advantage of it.
obrady just curious how did it go, were you able to get in contact with the schools?
I would highly recommend that you talk to coaches, current and past players (not just the ones the coaches want you to), and general current and past students if you can.
We talked to everyone we could, this is an investment in 3-4 years of our son's future and if they do not like the program, coaches, players, winning vs loosing, school, teachers, size of school, size of classes, living environment, etc. it will be a long three or five years...
Besides talking with the coaches, we talked to as many of current players we could, we also talked to as many players who were in the program before, that we could.
When we talked to them we found out that the coaches had talked to some of the summer coaches, high school coaches, other college coaches who had recruited him, parents of players, and players who knew our son, so they are also doing their homework on what type of player they are on the field, how do they handle pressure, how they are in the class room, and with their friends.
They also asked about what type of parents we were and how much of a pain in the *** we were....the nerve.
Bottom line, if the school is doing their homework on their top prospects, you should do your homework on your top prospects, my position is if you think you are having a problem with the fit as you are in the dating stage, what do you think it is going to be like once the honeymoon is over and the coaches have your kid in the dugout?
I would highly recommend that you talk to coaches, current and past players (not just the ones the coaches want you to), and general current and past students if you can.
We talked to everyone we could, this is an investment in 3-4 years of our son's future and if they do not like the program, coaches, players, winning vs loosing, school, teachers, size of school, size of classes, living environment, etc. it will be a long three or five years...
Besides talking with the coaches, we talked to as many of current players we could, we also talked to as many players who were in the program before, that we could.
When we talked to them we found out that the coaches had talked to some of the summer coaches, high school coaches, other college coaches who had recruited him, parents of players, and players who knew our son, so they are also doing their homework on what type of player they are on the field, how do they handle pressure, how they are in the class room, and with their friends.
They also asked about what type of parents we were and how much of a pain in the *** we were....the nerve.
Bottom line, if the school is doing their homework on their top prospects, you should do your homework on your top prospects, my position is if you think you are having a problem with the fit as you are in the dating stage, what do you think it is going to be like once the honeymoon is over and the coaches have your kid in the dugout?
I can't remember who said it above, but being able to see the campus while kids were attending classes was HUGE to my son recently. He was able to see what it would be like if he were there attending. As a parent I have to admit that I was kinda dreading walking around and seeing campuses but hindsight now I wouldn't trade it for n-o-t-h-i-n-g. It allowed me to see how my son reacted to the different buildings, classrooms, close vs. spreadout campus, new vs. older buildings, facilities, field, etc.
The night before he spent the night in the dorm with the baseball players playing X-box after going to Hooters (why weren't these around when I went to school?!) During that time the players were able to tell my son about the team, coaches, past season, workouts, academics, girls!, community, expectations, etc.
Son received a phone call 2 days after the trip from the assistant/pitching coach to check up on the visit and to confirm they saw him playing for them and contributing early. Yesterday he received a handwritten card from the Head Coach thanking him and me for taking the time to visit, etc.
I say all this to make a point. It is imperative that all our sons feel that the coach(s) are genuinely interested in them. If they are not, the boys will know it within about 10 minutes. As a parent it is our job to ask the tough questions when face to face with a coach. You will be glad you did when you are driving back home on a 6hr drive!
God willing, after he has been accepted this fall it looks like he will be playing ball next spring at a wonderful college institution.
Oldslugger, I truly feel your pain about knowing in an instant when it wasn't a fit.
The night before he spent the night in the dorm with the baseball players playing X-box after going to Hooters (why weren't these around when I went to school?!) During that time the players were able to tell my son about the team, coaches, past season, workouts, academics, girls!, community, expectations, etc.
Son received a phone call 2 days after the trip from the assistant/pitching coach to check up on the visit and to confirm they saw him playing for them and contributing early. Yesterday he received a handwritten card from the Head Coach thanking him and me for taking the time to visit, etc.
I say all this to make a point. It is imperative that all our sons feel that the coach(s) are genuinely interested in them. If they are not, the boys will know it within about 10 minutes. As a parent it is our job to ask the tough questions when face to face with a coach. You will be glad you did when you are driving back home on a 6hr drive!
God willing, after he has been accepted this fall it looks like he will be playing ball next spring at a wonderful college institution.
Oldslugger, I truly feel your pain about knowing in an instant when it wasn't a fit.
We are going to visit Tulane University this week end for my senior (no baseball involved) My 2009 son sent the baseball coach an email requesting a time to visit and introduce himself after the tour...I am a bit confused. Can the coach send back an email saying "okay.." or NOt send an email due to rules. I know they cannot call. By the way thank you to all that gave me advice on the intro. letters. He has heard from quite a few of them--mostly form letters inviting him to camps, fill out forms etc. One that requested a DVD...so thank you--
College coaches can definitely send emails to prospects of any graduating class. Best wishes to both of your sons!
arrainging an unnofficial visit IS recruiting - but, yes he can respond because Sept of your son's jr yr has passed ...quote:College coaches can definitely send emails to prospects of any graduating class. Best wishes to both of your sons!
until then only general correspondence about the school & camp invites .. no recruiting
My '08 son received numerous emails from a D1 coach the summer after his sophomore year, including one which provided feedback after one of my son's select games that the coach saw him play. Have the rules changed since this time?
rules re fax & email were clarified awhile ago & then recenty rewriten to clarify text msg, IM, etcquote:by IF8: Have the rules changed since this time?
quote:Commitee Recommendation 2001: That a modification of intent be adopted to clarify that facsimiles and emails are considered “printed recruiting material” and may be sent to a prospect after September 1 of the prospect’s junior year in high school.
(2)Rationale. When 2000 NCAA Convention Proposal No. 32 was adopted as part of bylaw 13 deregulation, language was eliminated that clarified that emails and facsimiles are considered printed recruiting material and not phone calls. The committee agreed that it would he helpful to the membership to “reinsert” general language in bylaw 13.4.1 to make sure this distinction is understood.
"13.4.1.2 Electronic Transmissions. Electronically transmitted correspondence that may be sent to a prospectivestudent-athlete is limited to electronic mail and facsimiles. (See Bylaw 13.1.7.2.) All other forms of electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., Instant Messenger, text messaging) are prohibited. Color attachments may be included with electronic mail correspondence sent to a prospective student-athlete, provided the
attachment only includes information that is not created for recruiting purposes, except for items that are specifically permitted as printed recruiting materials (e.g., questionnaires). In addition, attachments shall not include any animation, audio or video clips and there shall be no cost (e.g., subscription fee) associated with sending the item attached to the electronic mail correspondence
(Adopted: 4/28/05 effective 8/1/05 for publications prepared for the 2005-06 academic year and after, Revised: 12/12/06, 4/26/07 effective 8/1/07)"
**(ncaa bylaw excerpts posted with implied permission of OS8
)