<p>My daughter was recruited to play d3 soccer. During the recruiting process a number of letters, emails and a face to face meeting were held. She was told that she would be a big part of the program in the fall. During the year the head coach moved on and the assitant took over. My daughter was cut. At no time during the process was there any mention of cuts. Quite the oppisite. She was told in writing that she would be a major player and an important part of the team. Has anyboby else had this happen</p>
<p>This must be incredibly disappointing to you and to her. It happens. I don’t know how often this happens, but it happens a lot. It’s one of the reasons that many people suggest that you choose the school for the academics and other features as well as for the sport and the coach. It’s also one of the reasons that a lot of athletes transfer. If your D has not played, she probably has not burned any eligibility. She could transfer and play four years if that was what was important to her.</p>
<p>And she doesn’t have to decide right now – but it’s something to throw out there. Was there another school that might fit, where she could enter as a sophomore next fall? Or even enter as a second semester freshman this spring? Think outside the box here … and good luck to both of you.</p>
<p>Ooh, that stinks. I am so sorry. Would a face-to-face with the coaches, including the head of the athletic program, help (and have copies of the correspondence with you)? I have no experience with this-- just wonder.</p>
<p>This happened to two girls on my niece’s D3 tennis team, too, and the coach did not change. The coach had a certain number of spots and had to try to guess how many kids would actually come to his D3 school - and yield was higher than expected. </p>
<p>Hugs to you and your daughter.</p>
<p>I know this is tough but it’s very common in D-III athletics. I think to some extent the promise of a spot on an athletic team helps recruit kids to the school. The fact is there are no guaranteed spots on any D-III teams. Many many kids go to schools each year believing they’re going to play a sport and then they don’t make the team. Because there is no promise of scholarship money at this level, nobody can be sure of playing.</p>
<p>So sorry, but as the others have said, the common wisdom is to pick a school you’d be happy with without the sport. My oldest played a D-III sport his freshman year (although about 10 kids showed up thinking they were going to play and did not make the team). He got cut his sophomore year (there had been a coaching change), but once he got over the disappointment, he’s still happy as a clam where he is.</p>