Iowamom23 posted:Son just got a D1 offer that would be no money the first year, but coach would put in writing 50% for years two, three and four. I like the promise for future years, son is hung up on initial cost. Thoughts?
We can afford this plan and it's a good school, both academically and baseball wise.
Congrats! Hope this works out for your family!!
Iowamom23 posted:Son just got a D1 offer that would be no money the first year, but coach would put in writing 50% for years two, three and four. I like the promise for future years, son is hung up on initial cost. Thoughts?
Is the D1 a Power Five conference school? (Big Ten, ACC, SEC, PAC 12 etc). If not, I don't think the Years 2-4 can be guaranteed. I could be wrong. An offer like you stated would flash *warning* signs in my head. I think it is important you have at least 25% athletic money in Year One. You need that leverage I believe
Be aware that your son will be a walk on, he has NO leverage as a freshman. I would ask for the front end as opposed to the back end. I am not sure you can put anything in writing that would hold up. Remember that scholarships are renewable and never guaranteed.
Power 5 programs do not have to give 4 year guaranteed scholarhips.
TPM posted:Be aware that your son will be a walk on, he has NO leverage as a freshman. I would ask for the front end as opposed to the back end. I am not sure you can put anything in writing that would hold up. Remember that scholarships are renewable and never guaranteed.
Power 5 programs do not have to give 4 year guaranteed scholarhips.
I understand that there are ways to get out of them, but, yes, they have been required for the past couple of years. Former Alabama coach got into trouble just a few months ago: www.tidesports.com/goff-tries-...iolation-ncaa-rules/
"In January 2015, NCAA schools passed legislation that required Power 5 conference schools, including Alabama and other SEC schools, to renew scholarships annually regardless of athletic performance. Previously, most scholarships were subject to annual renewal. Schools outside the Power 5 such as Louisiana Tech, Goff’s previous stop, are not required to renew scholarships annually."
http://informedathlete.com/the...caa-di-scholarships/
Edited to add: they can't cancel a scholarship, but of course they don't have to give a scholarship for year one.
2019Dad posted:TPM posted:Be aware that your son will be a walk on, he has NO leverage as a freshman. I would ask for the front end as opposed to the back end. I am not sure you can put anything in writing that would hold up. Remember that scholarships are renewable and never guaranteed.
Power 5 programs do not have to give 4 year guaranteed scholarhips.
I understand that there are ways to get out of them, but, yes, they have been required for the past couple of years. Former Alabama coach got into trouble just a few months ago: www.tidesports.com/goff-tries-...iolation-ncaa-rules/
"In January 2015, NCAA schools passed legislation that required Power 5 conference schools, including Alabama and other SEC schools, to renew scholarships annually regardless of athletic performance. Previously, most scholarships were subject to annual renewal. Schools outside the Power 5 such as Louisiana Tech, Goff’s previous stop, are not required to renew scholarships annually."
http://informedathlete.com/the...caa-di-scholarships/
Edited to add: they can't cancel a scholarship, but of course they don't have to give a scholarship for year one.
Ok let me make myself clear, sorry.
If a coach from a power5 defers the scholarship for for freshman year, the other 3 years are not guaranteed. So that was what I meant, they do not have to give 4 year scholarships, but when it is 4 years, unless the player becomes ineligible, they do have to guarantee it. Also this rule pertains to only those entering after the rule was established. That is my understanding.
And you are correct, no program not in those power conferences is required or uphold anything guaranteed.
Iowamom23 posted:Son just got a D1 offer that would be no money the first year, but coach would put in writing 50% for years two, three and four. I like the promise for future years, son is hung up on initial cost. Thoughts?
We can afford this plan and it's a good school, both academically and baseball wise.
This is a tough one. I think it really comes down to how much you trust this particular coach. It sounds like he loves your son and is just in a tough spot money-wise that first year. However, what happens if your son gets injured or does not perform as well as expected during his freshman year? Or another player comes along that the coach simply cannot resist and the scholarship money your son was promised is needed to attract him? Others who are more knowledgeable can jump in here, but I don't think there is anything the coach can put in writing short of a signed 4-year NLI that will guarantee a scholarship for your son in years two, three, and four. You would basically be counting on him keeping his word to you and your son. And, there is always the dreaded coaching change to be considered.
It's is possible there isn't money available for the first year and everything will be fine. On the flip side is a suspicion he has to make it as a walk on freshman year and prove himself before there is a year two. If the coach doesn't want him after the first year the money becomes irrelevant. He will want to leave to play elsewhere.
I'm suspcision when there isn't athletic money from the beginning unless the kid is such a stud (wealthy family or getting a lot of academic aid) playing time is not an issue. When there isn't athletic money I'm concerned a player is a backup option who is potentially disposable.
Iowamom23,
IMHO....this has little to do with the program and more to do with your son's other options. If this school is promising future scholarships, has great coaching, dream school and is the #1 best fit academically then it is worthy of strong consideration. But, if it is not any of these things then I think he needs to consider his other options/offers or keep looking. Again, JMO.
There is another poster I've been PMing. His son was offered a RWO to a top power-5 program. This is a dream school to many, and top tier academically for this recruit. He had other atheltic scholarship offers but elected to go this route because of its unique status and his recruiting champion was the Pitching Coach. Even though there is no money the first year, it was a no brainer to take the risk. It is a no lose situation....the worst case is they cut him after a couple years and he graduates from a great school. They know this, and they are going into it eyes wide open. Those are great risks to take.
Kid I once coached in LL is challenged by his small stature, but is the definition of a gamer. A coach from a small college said to him "I can't guarantee you a position and obviously don't have any money for you, but I hope to see you on the first day of practice so you can teach my entire team what heart is."
This was the only offer he got, but it was an amazing one...and he is going.
What is "RWO"?
BaseballinCT posted:What is "RWO"?
I am guessing Recruited Walk On...
BaseballinCT posted:What is "RWO"?
Recruited Walk On, also referred to as a Preferred Walk On
A preferred walk on spot at an in-state public school can be a better deal financially than a 50% offer from a private school.
Enjoying the Ride posted:Iowamom23 posted:Son just got a D1 offer that would be no money the first year, but coach would put in writing 50% for years two, three and four. I like the promise for future years, son is hung up on initial cost. Thoughts?
We can afford this plan and it's a good school, both academically and baseball wise.
This is a tough one. I think it really comes down to how much you trust this particular coach. It sounds like he loves your son and is just in a tough spot money-wise that first year. However, what happens if your son gets injured or does not perform as well as expected during his freshman year? Or another player comes along that the coach simply cannot resist and the scholarship money your son was promised is needed to attract him? Others who are more knowledgeable can jump in here, but I don't think there is anything the coach can put in writing short of a signed 4-year NLI that will guarantee a scholarship for your son in years two, three, and four. You would basically be counting on him keeping his word to you and your son. And, there is always the dreaded coaching change to be considered.
Staying with this theme, I know a player who was a recruit at a mid-major. I believe was promised 25% each year, four years. For some reason HC could see he was going to be short money the kids' sophomore year. Called the dad, said, "Hey do you mind if I double it his freshman year at 50%, then sophomore year is a 0%? Then Jr and Sr year back to 25% each?" Dad said fine.
In the end, the player was RS'd his frosh year. Then at end of year went and transferred. I'd love to mention the HC's name but won't because it was a class move. Kid and parents came away winners in that one. HC did the more than right thing for the kid and his parents, don't hear stories like that too often.
So with at least 8 (probably more) non-scholarship roster spots on a team, I guess it comes down to trusting the coaching staff to "honor" the preferred walk on status thru the spring. I would like to hear from those on here willing to share their experiences with taking that route. It is no doubt a leap of faith without athletic money to guarantee that spot. For the 2018s out here, the money is getting pretty tight but we have been told roster spots are available.
#1 Assistant Coach posted:Enjoying the Ride posted:Iowamom23 posted:Son just got a D1 offer that would be no money the first year, but coach would put in writing 50% for years two, three and four. I like the promise for future years, son is hung up on initial cost. Thoughts?
We can afford this plan and it's a good school, both academically and baseball wise.
This is a tough one. I think it really comes down to how much you trust this particular coach. It sounds like he loves your son and is just in a tough spot money-wise that first year. However, what happens if your son gets injured or does not perform as well as expected during his freshman year? Or another player comes along that the coach simply cannot resist and the scholarship money your son was promised is needed to attract him? Others who are more knowledgeable can jump in here, but I don't think there is anything the coach can put in writing short of a signed 4-year NLI that will guarantee a scholarship for your son in years two, three, and four. You would basically be counting on him keeping his word to you and your son. And, there is always the dreaded coaching change to be considered.
Staying with this theme, I know a player who was a recruit at a mid-major. I believe was promised 25% each year, four years. For some reason HC could see he was going to be short money the kids' sophomore year. Called the dad, said, "Hey do you mind if I double it his freshman year at 50%, then sophomore year is a 0%? Then Jr and Sr year back to 25% each?" Dad said fine.
In the end, the player was RS'd his frosh year. Then at end of year went and transferred. I'd love to mention the HC's name but won't because it was a class move. Kid and parents came away winners in that one. HC did the more than right thing for the kid and his parents, don't hear stories like that too often.
On the other side of that same kind of story.......I know "a kid" who was had been at 25% his freshman and sophomore years....played a lot, not a bench guy......who was asked to take 0% his junior year in exchange for the promise 50% his senior year. He politely declined 
for reasons I'm not going to get into here lol
Way back when dinosaurs walked the earth I was offered a walk on spot at a Big Ten school for Basketball. Ultimately I went in a different direction in life away from sports for awhile but had several friends go that route in either Baseball or Basketball over the years.
Ultimately you are betting on yourself to prove yourself and fight for playing time. It is an uphill battle because the scholarship player is going to get more of the benefit of the doubt because of the time & money invested in him. You will have to not be a "little bit" better than the scholarship player you will need to dominate him in practice and be so much clearly better that a coach would be an idiot to not play you.
For a vast majority the walk ons will sit the bench and maybe play an inning or three in blowouts. I've had friends who have done just that in bigtime programs that went on to become great coaches. They learned a ton from incredible coaching staffs in their years in college. Others have transferred down to D3's so they can play.
I think betting on yourself in life is a good thing
