Can this get you a baseball scholly?
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A player that is offered a "preferred walkon" means that there is no scholarship money available, but that the coach would like you to be part of the team. It usually indicated that you are expected to make the spring roster as well, although there are no guarantees.
It is possible that in your second year money may become available for you to be given a scholarship then.
It is possible that in your second year money may become available for you to be given a scholarship then.
I think that a player who is being offered a "preferred walk-on" should question the coach closely to find out just what is meant. floridafan's description is reasonable, but there is no agreed upon definition of the term, and one coach's meaning may not be shared by others.
3FingeredGlove gives very good advice...as usual. 
As for "earning" scholarship money in Year-2 or -3? Possible, but from what I've seen, on average, you shouldn't count on it.
As for "earning" scholarship money in Year-2 or -3? Possible, but from what I've seen, on average, you shouldn't count on it.
I've mentioned before on other posts that my nephew is a considered a "Preferred Walkon" for fall 2010 at a D1 school on the W. Coast of Florida.
He has been treated as a regular recruit from day one!. In their fall press release announcing the signing class, his name and bio was included. He was included in the recruiting weekend with all the other recruits and their parents. He was also told that if he plays they way they expect him to his freshmen year, that there will be $$$ for him his sophomore year.
For his family it is a win win situation. He wanted to play D1, the school is 2 hours from home, they have Fla Pre-paid had he qualified for Bright Futures Scholarship.
You have to go with your gut instincts, how much do you know about the coaching staff? What is the overall reputation of the program?
No one can tell my nephew that he was not recruited, they found him, wanted him and got him. Just like any other recruit.
He has been treated as a regular recruit from day one!. In their fall press release announcing the signing class, his name and bio was included. He was included in the recruiting weekend with all the other recruits and their parents. He was also told that if he plays they way they expect him to his freshmen year, that there will be $$$ for him his sophomore year.
For his family it is a win win situation. He wanted to play D1, the school is 2 hours from home, they have Fla Pre-paid had he qualified for Bright Futures Scholarship.
You have to go with your gut instincts, how much do you know about the coaching staff? What is the overall reputation of the program?
No one can tell my nephew that he was not recruited, they found him, wanted him and got him. Just like any other recruit.
That's a little strange as I understood that D1 schools weren't allowed to announce signings unless there was a NLI for a scholarship. I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time. Perhaps it has something to do with the "Bright Futures" money.
I would advise looking for press releases on who "signed" with a school the prior fall and then follow the rosters thereafter. You can also use PG's "committed" list and see if the players listed under a particular school ended up playing there. In fact, that might be a better source as the school's announcements would tend to cover only scholarship players whereas the PG list is compiled at least in part from information received from the player.
quote:Originally posted by Holden Caulfield:
I would advise looking for press releases on who "signed" with a school the prior fall and then follow the rosters thereafter. You can also use PG's "committed" list and see if the players listed under a particular school ended up playing there. In fact, that might be a better source as the school's announcements would tend to cover only scholarship players whereas the PG list is compiled at least in part from information received from the player.
Listed on PG since August as committed to FGCU and will appear on Fall roster
quote:That's a little strange as I understood that D1 schools weren't allowed to announce signings unless there was a NLI for a scholarship.
That's my understanding as well.
We discussed this about a year and a half ago.
Announcement without NLI?
The bottom line is that the college can announce without a NLI (after the early NLI date) provided the player has signed "an institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid". (13.10.2)
So a school could announce once a player has been admitted, and has provided a written committment to attend the school.
Announcement without NLI?
The bottom line is that the college can announce without a NLI (after the early NLI date) provided the player has signed "an institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid". (13.10.2)
So a school could announce once a player has been admitted, and has provided a written committment to attend the school.
quote:Originally posted by 3FingeredGlove:
We discussed this about a year and a half ago.
Announcement without NLI?
The bottom line is that the college can announce without a NLI (after the early NLI date) provided the player has signed "an institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid". (13.10.2)
So a school could announce once a player has been admitted, and has provided a written committment to attend the school.
Correct.. this was discussed back in November... btw, my nephew had already been admitted and registered
.
We have had two "preferred walk on" years at DI and three at JC...
Would piggyback on most of what has been said...
The PWO process differs for every school. We have seen it play out many different ways. Some do their homework take a calculated risk, find real opportunity and make the most of that chance.
On the other hand, Some walk in completely blind and get lucky and it is all a dream come true. Others do NOT do their homework, find the situation much different than they thought, get dinged and then blame the program. Some are purposely or accidently misled…..having few rules, the murky world of PWO leaves lots/everything to interpretation. Some teams bring in 35 guys for 35 spots…some bring in 50-70. And the numbers alone are only part of what you need to know.
As many have said here, baseball $ can be a real measure of worth. Lack of money can, in many programs mean less commitment, you need to know how that work’s and what that means.
Bottom line....nail it all down as much as possible…assume nothing…If you are going to take this route you had better do your research and find out exactly where you stand and how that specific program handles PWO’s.
Some of the questions to ask...
Is this a guaranteed roster spot for the spring?
What is the fall try out process?
How many people returning? How many How many people in fall camp? Preferred walk ons? Walk ons?
How many at my position? With my role?
How many cuts? When? December so I might go elsewhere? Or February when my options are limited?
Have preferred walk ons been cut? How often? What about in their second year? Do preferred walk ons stick and how do they do?
Have preferred walk ons earned scholarships in your program? How often?
Have preferred walk ons earned significant playing time?
Why me? What need do you see me filling in the program? Where have you seen me? (meaning in part… do you really know me well enough to answer all the questions intelligently)
44
.
We have had two "preferred walk on" years at DI and three at JC...
Would piggyback on most of what has been said...
The PWO process differs for every school. We have seen it play out many different ways. Some do their homework take a calculated risk, find real opportunity and make the most of that chance.
On the other hand, Some walk in completely blind and get lucky and it is all a dream come true. Others do NOT do their homework, find the situation much different than they thought, get dinged and then blame the program. Some are purposely or accidently misled…..having few rules, the murky world of PWO leaves lots/everything to interpretation. Some teams bring in 35 guys for 35 spots…some bring in 50-70. And the numbers alone are only part of what you need to know.
As many have said here, baseball $ can be a real measure of worth. Lack of money can, in many programs mean less commitment, you need to know how that work’s and what that means.
Bottom line....nail it all down as much as possible…assume nothing…If you are going to take this route you had better do your research and find out exactly where you stand and how that specific program handles PWO’s.
Some of the questions to ask...
Is this a guaranteed roster spot for the spring?
What is the fall try out process?
How many people returning? How many How many people in fall camp? Preferred walk ons? Walk ons?
How many at my position? With my role?
How many cuts? When? December so I might go elsewhere? Or February when my options are limited?
Have preferred walk ons been cut? How often? What about in their second year? Do preferred walk ons stick and how do they do?
Have preferred walk ons earned scholarships in your program? How often?
Have preferred walk ons earned significant playing time?
Why me? What need do you see me filling in the program? Where have you seen me? (meaning in part… do you really know me well enough to answer all the questions intelligently)
44.
Looking back my views on WO preferred or not has gotten stronger.
NOT a Chance.
4 years of college ball, degree in hand and no debt is priceless. Glad we held out for a scholarship. Preferred is a word used to talk a player into showing up with no money involved.
NOT a Chance.
4 years of college ball, degree in hand and no debt is priceless. Glad we held out for a scholarship. Preferred is a word used to talk a player into showing up with no money involved.
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
Looking back my views on WO preferred or not has gotten stronger.
NOT a Chance.
4 years of college ball, degree in hand and no debt is priceless. Glad we held out for a scholarship. Preferred is a word used to talk a player into showing up with no money involved.
So its all about the money?
There are many things to think about here. We consistently preach on here to make the college itself a big part of your decision. There are some colleges in which I'd be willing to spend my money on in order for my son (or daughter) to get the best possible education for their situation. It might be due to the academic reputation of the school, a unique program (e.g. architecture, performing arts, etc...) in which my son/daughter has a keen talent and interest, it might be based on location...or it might even be based on the best dang baseball program around (for him) and one in which I was confident he would flourish.
There used to be a well-respected poster on here...not sure where he's gone(?)...whose son took either nothing or almost nothing to attend what many would consider a "dream school." I know from talking with his father that is was this young player's dream school...he hopes to coach there someday. Good academics, good location, good coaching, good baseball. By the time that young man left the program (4 years later), he had played in three College World Series, graduated, upped his scholarship, become the Friday pitcher and was given the highest praise any of us could imagine for our sons by the coach.
Does he have any debt? I have no idea. But I am quite certain he has no regrets.
To me, its like anything else...there are some things you're willing to pay for, some thing you're willing to pay more for...and some that need to be free (or nearly free) before you'll take 'em. Figure out where a given school fits in those categories and you'll have a good part of your answer.
quote:Originally posted by observer44:
.
We have had two "preferred walk on" years at DI and three at JC...
Would piggyback on most of what has been said...
The PWO process differs for every school. We have seen it play out many different ways. Some do their homework take a calculated risk, find real opportunity and make the most of that chance.
On the other hand, Some walk in completely blind and get lucky and it is all a dream come true. Others do NOT do their homework, find the situation much different than they thought, get dinged and then blame the program. Some are purposely or accidently misled…..having few rules, the murky world of PWO leaves lots/everything to interpretation. Some teams bring in 35 guys for 35 spots…some bring in 50-70. And the numbers alone are only part of what you need to know.
As many have said here, baseball $ can be a real measure of worth. Lack of money can, in many programs mean less commitment, you need to know how that work’s and what that means.
Bottom line....nail it all down as much as possible…assume nothing…If you are going to take this route you had better do your research and find out exactly where you stand and how that specific program handles PWO’s.
Some of the questions to ask...
Is this a guaranteed roster spot for the spring?
What is the fall try out process?
How many people returning? How many How many people in fall camp? Preferred walk ons? Walk ons?
How many at my position? With my role?
How many cuts? When? December so I might go elsewhere? Or February when my options are limited?
Have preferred walk ons been cut? How often? What about in their second year? Do preferred walk ons stick and how do they do?
Have preferred walk ons earned scholarships in your program? How often?
Have preferred walk ons earned significant playing time?
Why me? What need do you see me filling in the program? Where have you seen me? (meaning in part… do you really know me well enough to answer all the questions intelligently)
.
Excellent post and in our case all of the above were asked over and over again before the decision was made. Both the Coach and school have a great reputation. The reception and attention my nephew has been given is exactly the same (if not more) than scholarship recipients.
Not necessarily the case of a teammate who is walking on at a big ACC school where he was told he could come out in the fall and "see what happens". Was told "no promises". No way my nephew would have gone that route,the cost of tuition alone is $37K and even with a 50% academic scholly x's fours years.... At some point the kids have to learn that their dream might not be able to come true or it has to be altered. Mine did.
JB it is always about money. He also got the great experience and loved all 4 years in one of the great cities. He is coming home to start a job with the Toronto Blue Jays organization after turning down 3 Fortune 500 job offers. He just spent last year selling computers in Wilmington NC and was so successful the company was willing to spend the money to get him a green card. Their Lawyer said it would cost $12,000.
I am not real happy he is taking the Blue Jay job but it is his life.
Dream school means zip to me. You can go to a dream school and have a nightmare.
I am not real happy he is taking the Blue Jay job but it is his life.
Dream school means zip to me. You can go to a dream school and have a nightmare.
In terms of a "preferred walk on" you are in a favorable position if the coaches have come out to see you play and have followed you. Preferred walkons that haven't been "scouted" run the risk of never really getting the same chance to play or make the team as a "recruited/scouted" player.
i.e. When the coach is working out live hitting schedules in the fall, which players get the opportunity to hit against the good pitchers? Which guys are scheduled against the walkons? Which session is the HC taking the time to watch....
If you are serious about playing baseball and all you have are walkon offer(s) seriously consider your other options (JC, D2.....). Often times you can transfer to that dream school from a JC.
i.e. When the coach is working out live hitting schedules in the fall, which players get the opportunity to hit against the good pitchers? Which guys are scheduled against the walkons? Which session is the HC taking the time to watch....
If you are serious about playing baseball and all you have are walkon offer(s) seriously consider your other options (JC, D2.....). Often times you can transfer to that dream school from a JC.
quote:Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
JB it is always about money.
Got it! Glad we've established that in your case for future reference.
Just don't assume that you've got a position locked up by heading to a JC. There can be a big difference between being a proven D1 player who drops down to play a year at a JC and a player who would be a "preferred walk-on" at a D1 who heads for a JC instead.