<p>OK a lot has happened over here. The good news is my son was offered two spots on rosters for two NESCAC schools. He accepted at one. At this time I am not talking about which schools specifically and I am sure you can understand, but come Dec. when its definite and official...will be more open.</p>
<p>He was thrilled (understatement) as am I. At this point he is more motivated then ever to keep on working hard both on the field and in the classroom. So, does he or should he keep in regular contact with the coach? Is there a certain protocol?</p>
<p>Also I have heard conflicting reports on how to handle other schools. Does he tell them (other coaches) that he has committed? I would presume he should just from an ethical standpoint. Another parent said to always hold a few cards but somehow this seems wrong. This is a new arena for us. Anyone who can shed light, would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Good luck to everyone. One thing for certain that I have learned is that nothing is for certain. Things can change in an hour with a single phone call and that when one door closes another one often opens, sometimes when least expected. Some coaches just literally disappear without even an email and other coaches just appear out of no where! Its a long arduous process but I would like to think it generally works out and that for the most part, most coaches are good and honest and try/want to do the right thing.</p>
<p>Congrats to you and your son! Best of luck in December…IMHO, I would have him email coach every so often with any updates, grades, all-state etc… In regards to telling other coaches…I think it best to be honest with them. However, he should speak with 2nd and 3rd choice about the possibility of ED2 if things do not work as planned-especially if the ED1 school is a reach. If these schools agree to this, I would update them as well.</p>
<p>Gingerpeach do not think this has not crossed my mind:-) Between this and a major change in my career, Xanax sounds quite good right now!</p>
<p>I will recommend my son keeps in contact on a fairly regular basis as was suggested and be honest but keep communication open between he and some of the other coaches. He was really hoping for NESCAC so delighted that his top 3 have all been coaches from those schools…but until Dec. when its really official, hopefully it will keep him working hard!</p>
<p>Congats! (again) on the offer and acceptance. If NESCAC is like Ivy ED application, it will be a stressful time until mid-December. I’m not a big wine drinker, but my wife and I became big wine fans during that period! I definitely acquired a taste for merlots and shiraz from various parts of the world.</p>
<p>I would get your app & essay ready. I would take the essay very seriously even as a recruited athlete. In addition, I would notify every school that “was in the running” to let them know your son verbally committed, and to thank them for their interest. I would also follow up with a few select schools to let them know you may be contacting them or even applying ED2 or RD (as needed). You’re only as safe as your backup. Son had two backups since his first backup (ivy) had a very low RD Admissions rate although the coach insisted he could get him in. I was less than confident in his words, so we sought another school (nescac) as well. There is no doubt in my mind that he would have been happy at any of these schools. It just comes down to personal preference. </p>
<p>We found it very interesting that a year later one of his freshmen teammates was not admitted into son’s first backup and ended up at his Ivy. Things happen out of your control, and you have to protect yourself. I believe 100% in things coaches and Adcomms do, and much less in what they say.</p>
<p>Enjoy this moment, but start planning for contingencies would be my advice. Good luck!</p>
<p>PS…I’d re-read the “Never trust a coach and other lessons learned” thread. There are many, many nuggets of wisdom in that thread. Not all coaches are scoundrels, but some can come close. </p>
<p>Thanks. Good advice. I was wondering (as he asked me) how to handle other coaches he has been communicating with. So is it a good idea for him to email them and say that he has verbally committed but that he appreciates their interest in him and if something were to change he would be in contact? Something to that effect? Thanks. Going to go read that thread right now…am sure I could add my own little tidbit or two.</p>
<p>^^Yes, I’d probably only add the “if something were to change” language to schools he was truly considering. But that is entirely his choice. Good luck!</p>
<p>No offense, a verbal commitment means nothing in D3. It means something in D1 and D2 but not D3. Until you get the acceptance letter, I wouldn’t be spreading it to everyone.</p>
<p>Congrats on your son getting recruited. I would send a polite email to the other coaches letting them know of his decision. However, I would also state that your son would still be interested in those schools if he is not accepted ED1.</p>
<p>I do not agree that it means “nothing”. He got the green light from admissions told my son he was his #1 recruit for that position, has an excellent reputation and that he has his full support. I certainly see this is not guaranteed but we both feel pretty confident about it as long as he keeps up his good grades, and continues on the track he is on. This area has a lot of kids who go D3 and we have only heard of rare occasions where it does not pan out, of course it happens but it seems its more the exception than the rule.</p>
<p>I disagree as well. It means something almost all of the time. A D3 verbal commitment typically means a Coach has 1) recruited you for slotted athletic positions reserved by the school 2) reviewed the recruits transcript with Admissions 3) accepted this quid pro quo arrangement. Most coaches have good intentions and honor their word. Some coaches do not, and they would be the exception. Your advise to seek contingencies is good advice. Recruits should always seek plan B even if they think it is a sure thing.</p>
<p>Let me clarify. Maybe I shouldn’t say nothing, but a verbal commitment means more in D1 and D2 than in D3. Yes, you may have verbally committed and the coach may give you a position but you still have to get through admissions and be accepted. It’s not a guarantee. However, since admissions has given your son the green light, I wouldn’t be as worried. I’ve just seen countless number of people who verbally committed to a D3 school, and they end up with an undesirable result ( rejection or wait list) especially with more selective D3 schools. I’m also not saying the OP’s son shouldn’t be excited because he has accomplished something that is very difficult, getting recruited by multiple schools. However, I wouldn’t be celebrating until the OP’s son gets an acceptance letter.</p>
<p>Newsflash…I’ve seen countless number of people verbally commit to a D1 to change their mind/coach change mind/Admissions deny applicant/NLI issues, etc… In the sports competitive, win at all costs world of D1 I believe the verbal means even less. Money talks, and bullsh1t walks.</p>
<p>Athletic scholarships are 1 year for 99.9% of D1 athletes. There are no guarantees for sports money in year 2. I know many folks who were recruited to top baseball programs only to have their scholarship % reduced right before signing NLI because they had a challenging summer, year or just because the Coach wanted to give another kid more $$. It is vastly harder to recover from a D1 school doing something like that in the recruiting process because of monetary implications than for a D3 athlete. Recruiting horror stories in D1, I got several dozen of them to share. Horror stories in D3 very few.</p>
<p>I’m not trying to start an argument. All I’m saying is that I wouldn’t be celebrating until the OP’s son receives an acceptance. I get what your saying though fenway.</p>
<p>He has worked very hard, as have many at being the best student and athlete he can. He has dreamed and aspired to get an offer and it happened. i think he has earned the right to celebrate and be excited. We both know the reality of the situation, yes admissions gave him a green light and he is this coaches first choice recruit so we feel reasonably good about this.</p>
<p>I ask you this…what things in life ARE for sure?</p>
<p>I can think of few things…so I say enjoy today live for today and not get hung up on something that could potentially happen 4 months down the road.</p>
<p>^^ Agreed! Life is short and an athletic career is even shorter. We “celebrated” the verbal commitment, the LL and the letter of admission. I can guarantee some anxiety until that admission notice comes in the mail, but don’t let that diminish your enjoying this moment for your son. Congrats to him and to you, for though it’s the kids’ ability and hard work that makes this happen, we all know it’s a team effort that helps them realize these goals.</p>
<p>Just curious. I am happy for Kwalker but have also heard several times on this board that a player should put off committing “as long as possible.” </p>
<p>What is the reasoning behind this, again, and if it is sound advice, what would others consider the optimum time for a D3 football recruit to commit? Following unofficial overnights? Is it a more of a calendar-based thing, like many recruits have already taken slot spots by, say, October? We are football.</p>
<p>Sorry have been out. GP, I would love to know the answer to this as well … I have been telling our athlete to see everything he can before even thinking about committing, but I can see where he is starting to look at his friends who are committed and see that he just wants to see where he is also going. I’m also not sure when to call the point when a choice seems a clear choice so welcome any input.</p>
<p>One D3 coach we spoke to this season told us they do not cut freshmen recruits - only upperclassmen. His explanation was that they give recruits at least on season to prove they will ultimately be able to contribute to the team.</p>
<p>My daughter’s boyfriend played D3 football and this was the case at his school also, although some never made it off of the practice squad (ever!)</p>
That is great advice. How else are you going to know what is possible? There is going to be finer element to all of this, and frankly your son will know when it is the right time and the right choice. He will tell you.</p>
<p>Peer pressure to commit is huge. I’ve been there, but it is also a life lesson that something as important as “college” takes some time. My son was the second to last kid (out of 16 kids) to commit D1 on his baseball travel team. Everyone before him committed D1. I fully understand recruiting peer pressure.</p>
<p>Keep reaching out to new colleges and follow up with the old ones. I know D3 baseball just got hot last week. I expect the same in football. Be patient, and stick to your goals and strategy. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks, Fenway. I am glad that despite feeling a little itch to see the future, our son seems to equally appreciate keeping irons in the fire. Last month he was seen by a coach who is from a school significantly outside our area who nonetheless has kept up contact with him by leaving messages and sending personalized email. This weekend he told me he has decided he wants to do an overnight at the school because he looked it up and has a good feeling about it, despite the fact that it will involve plane flights, unlike the other schools he’s looking at. I am glad he still feels like he wants to keep all options open.</p>
<p>We currently seem to have about 7 schools still “in play”, some we are further along with than others. With several, they now have everything they need from us, including having visited their campus for a clinic. Son has followed up with all of them saying he liked their campus and staff and is interested, so if we don’t hear more back from those schools within, say, the next 2-3 weeks, we’re going to have son ask the direct question - where do you think I realistically stand in your current recruiting lineup?</p>
<p>And then go from there with the start of school and seeing what kinds of visits we can fit in.</p>