Show Me The Money: Are Verbal Commitments Always Secure?
April 18th, 2008 - byShow me the money!
Many recruits are wising up to the recruiting game and demanding their scholarship offers in writing. In an age where verbal commitments are becoming the norm, student-athletes must be weary of college coaches who offer false hope.
I just hung up the phone with a senior basketball player who was recently offered a scholarship to a prestigious Division I university for his sophomore year. This athlete graciously accepted the offer over the phone, understanding that he would have to wait a full year for the scholarship to take effect. A few days later the phone rang, and the coach informed him that they actually could not guarantee the scholarship, because they might find a better prospect in the next freshman class. Needless to say, this news delivered a huge blow.
In the age of verbal commitments, nothing is a sure thing and student-athletes are not taking it lightly. A high school football player from Idaho recently sued the University of Hawaii for allegedly revoking his scholarship offer after the coach resigned.
There are no guarantees until you sign on the dotted line, but there are some steps athletes can take to cover their bases when evaluating a verbal scholarship offer.
1. Build a relationship with a coach. If you feel uneasy about someone, trust your gut.
2. Ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask serious questions such as “is there any risk of losing this offer?” or “what happens if you leave the college?”
3. Find out what happens if you get hurt. Make sure you know where you stand just in case something unexpected happens.
4. Do not burn bridges. Respond to all coaches, even if you are saying “thanks, but no thanks.” Let everyone know that you will be in touch if anything chances. You never know when you might need a favor.
5. Stay in shape. Now that you have committed, it is time to kick it into high gear. Don’t let up just because you think your collegiate future is secure.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
What about offers in writing? what are the concerns with those? How easily can those be pulled?
April 25th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Thank you for the info NCSA. Going into this process is like being in a dark tunnel with no light. Thank you for the flash light. Now I and my son are getting more confidence that this may actually be something we could deal with properly. Thank You NCSA