I appreciate that this a global pandemic and decisions are being made for the health and well being of of the general population. I am wondering however how the canceling of events and prohibition on travel is going to impact juniors in the midst of recruiting. My son’s season was just beginning and his high school season is suspended for at least 30 days and USA swimming announced no meets for 30 days so their big meet of the season is off. Lots of colleges are suspending all visits. Again, I know why and do see the bigger picture, but am having a bit of trouble on how to advise my S21 on next steps. Anyone in the same boat?
US Soccer has suspended Development Academy matches through April 30th(which I have no issue with from a preventative standpoint). It will put 2021s in a tough position in terms of recruiting. If play resumes in May that means my son’s team will have missed at least 7 games. They would play only a few more regular season games plus the June showcase. To put things in perspective, his game last weekend had 15 coaches in attendance, so every game missed means a lot to the 21s right now.
My D’s big swim meet was cancelled also. I know most of the coaches were waiting to see what she did at that meet, so it definitely will hurt her recruiting a bit. We are hoping that they will delay their decisions until after summer LC, but that would put them in a time crunch.
We received communication from our coaches that they’re trying to put together some kind of taper meet end of April when hopefully things will be better - but can’t imagine it’s going to be quite the same as sectionals. I agree with you @AlwaysMoving that it’s hard to believe coaches can wait until LC sectionals for new times to make decisions, but perhaps that’s just the new reality.
We got an email from a college coach emphasizing the importance of video in recruiting, (soccer). I’m wondering if college coaches will just have to make decisions with the information they currently have, which may be incomplete. Or more heavily weight the fall season? Though who knows how long this will go on and if the fall season will also be affected?
It’ll certainly be a very different, and likely confusing, recruiting season all around. I suppose one bright spot is that coaches might have a bit more time to chat on the phone and review recruit files.
One wrinkle that could also affect the picture for spring sports is that current college athletes will likely be eligible for an additional year. There is talk of extending this to winter sports as well, as many of those athletes were deprived of a championship season. This could really change the recruiting calculus at many programs, with recruiting priority and resources shifting from incoming athletes to retention of existing or transfer athletes. While this (probably) wouldn’t be the case at Ivies or D3s given current conference rules, the ripple effects could affect the entire current recruiting pool. Hard to predict.
The NCAA has granted a red shirt year to seniors in spring sports. I think that will cause some scrambling to get those seniors, who may graduate, into grad programs if they want to stay and play (and if the school has a grad program). I think it will also mean the current seniors in hs, who don’t have a firm offer from a coach may be unlikely to get one; the coaches won’t be scrambling to add to the rosters.
There could be other money issues too. My daughter had a couple of scholarships that were 8 semesters only, so those would have been used up. The school could have FA for grad students too, but money could be an issue.
I have a friend who is a junior. I’m sure he’ll petition for an extra year too as he was on track to be an all American and award winner this year. It could be domino effect.
@twoinanddone I was thinking the same. I believe what they’re discussing is granting relief to all classes along with some sort of temporary adjustment to the scholarship cap. Throw in the rising freshman class that’s already been recruited and the domino effect you mention, and it seems like the chairs available when the music stops might be more scarce or at least less predictable than in prior years.
I am so glad we visited colleges in the fall and winter!
My daughters SAT however was canceled and I am not sure they are going to offer it until the fall again. I wonder if colleges will be test optional this year?
Some colleges will be test optional, but the NCAA hasn’t announced it will be test optional. The clearinghouse requires one SAT/ACT for D1 and D2 schools. That could be taken up until the start of college.
I thought I’d read somewhere on CC that Case Western has already announced it will be test optional for the class of 2021, and just for one year. Haven’t verified it myself. I imagine the NCAA would wait to see if the June or August tests will be given before making a decision.