<p>S1 is a Senior and received an offer for a football slot at a NESCAC school where he believes he could be happy and successful ...both as a student and an athlete. He has visited campus for the guided tour/info session, and attended the school's prospect day/camp this summer. At this juncture, the school is very high on his list ...but not his first choice. </p>
<p>For anyone who has received a slot to play for a NESCAC team... is it customary for coaches to expect a student athlete to accept the offer, without going on an overnight to attend a game and get a better feel for the chemistry of the team, coaches, etc? </p>
<p>The coaches wanted an answer in a matter of days. I understand they want to sure up next year's roster, but S1 is unsure, without having done an overnight. Looking at his schedule and that of this particular college... the soonest he would be able to schedule the overnight is very close to the ED deadline. </p>
<p>S1 let the offering coach know he is unsure... and it is very important that he be able to go on an overnight before committing. He asked if his proposed late availability would be acceptable. He also contacted his 1st choice coach to apprise of this development - hoping to leverage a definitive answer regarding the pre-read (1st choice is more reachy). 1st choice coach "really, really wants him, and reportedly was going to nudge ADCom. S1 awaits an answer from both camps. </p>
<p>S1 understands that the offering coach may withdraw his offer because he didn't express over the top enthusiasm, and accept on the spot... very risky, but I am proud of him for being honest. We believe there will be other NESCAC and DIII ED opportunities for him based on similar expressed interest over the past several months. He may also have some DI-AA opportunities from schools who have kept in contact during this time, offered tickets to their games, etc ...but who are probably waiting to see how he performs in the first 2-3 games this season.</p>
<p>You have a very mature young man to push back on this coach. The coach appears to be putting the 2 minute drill on him. I can’t imagine what the coach would be like once he is actually in the program?</p>
<p>I would encourage your son to stick to his guns. IMHO, if he isn’t comfortable making a decison without an overnight then I think that is the right decision for him regardless if it is his first choice, second choice or tenth choice. This is where he is going to be for the next 4 years. Your son has to be comfortable with his decision and situation with regards to football and academics. I hope it works out for him.</p>
<p>Thanks, FS. I just wasn’t sure of protocol…I thought the slot offers came after the overnight - to make sure both paprties were on the same page? DH and I wondered if maybe he should have accepted, contingent upon how everyone felt after the overnight… but all of that was far too close to the ED deadline. If they really want him, they will find a way to address his legitimate need to assure a good fit.</p>
<p>I don’t know what the protocol is for NESCAC football. My (baseball) son was offered an OV to a NESCAC last Fall that included an overnight with the baseball team and a football game. They pursued him pretty hard. There was no offer prior to the OV. I suspect there would have an offer after/during the OV if we had gone. He verballed to another school prior to the OV.</p>
<p>I look at it differently. This isn’t about them. This is about your son, and possibly the most important decision of his life so far. If this doesn’t work out, he will find another school that he is comfortable with. We had a D1 school pull this “pressure stuff” on my son last year. He crossed them off his list, and ended up finding a much better fit all around.</p>
<p>Your son knows how to be recruited, and has the talent to be recruited. He will find a situation that best fits him. Good luck!</p>
<p>I agree this has to be about the boy. Our goal for him is to get the best LA education he can muster…and if he is also able to continue playing a sport he loves - even better. We also understand it is because of his passion and ability with football that he is even being considered at these competitive schools. We know he will eventually wind up somwehere, and thrive. Like most parents… it’s the uncertainty that is killing me.</p>
<p>My fear with this particular school is he is on the cusp academically… and I can’t help but think about possible opportunity lost, with regard to the quality education he could receive. I believe his ‘academic cusp’ status may be why the coach was looking for the immediate, firm commitment.</p>
<p>MY S is going through the same process right now at NESCAC schools for football. In regards to your specific question of “is it customary for coaches to expect a student athlete to accept the offer, without going on an overnight to attend a game and get a better feel for the chemistry of the team, coaches, etc?”, it probably comes down to two factors:</p>
<ol>
<li> How quickly the coach’s recruiting class is coming together.</li>
<li> How much the coach values your son and his abilities as a player.</li>
</ol>
<p>My S received 4 NESCAC slot offers by the end of July, with 2 more NESCAC schools indicating they’d be doing the same by mid-September. Ironically, the other 4 schools showed little or no interest! Go figure! It’s a strange game sometimes this recruiting. :-)</p>
<p>None of the schools put any pressure on him to commit now, but rather the 6 schools were talking about overnight visits and seeing a game in the fall. But I know at least of the schools was thinking they would have all their slots filled by October 1st. Whether that was a ploy to put pressure on him to commit or just the truth, I have no idea. On the other hand, if there is a player that a coach really wants, he’s going to leave a spot open as long as he can.</p>
<p>Sounds like your son is in a good situation and is handling it well. By being honest with both coaches, he is doing the right thing. I figure that if a coach is pushing him to commit now, the coach must really want him. And if multiple schools have offered him a slot, he is a valuable commodity. If your son needs an overnight to decide, have an honest conversation with the coach(s) and let them know where you stand. They should do the same and you’ll have more certainty. </p>
<p>As a parent, the uncertainty is hard. It was for me at least. But you have to believe that your son is going to end up at a great school getting a great education, and play some football. That is a very cool thing and you should be proud.</p>
<p>Four More Years… has your son decided where he will go, or is he still mulling it all over? He certainly is in an enviable position~ Best of luck to him, and congrats! Thanks for sharing your experience - it is very helpful.</p>
<p>My boy is a good student (not outstanding) and a better athlete. What has held him back in this process is his inability to score well standardized tests. I trust he will find a good fit for college where he can also play ball… it’s just not clear yet, where that will be. We’re still working through ‘reaches’ on his list…exhausting those opportunities before moving onto less competitive schools. It’s been exhausting for all of us - physically and mentally. I will be very relieved once he has figured it all out.</p>
<p>Mary, i think fourmoreyears said it all… It depends on the coach himself and what he is looking for and getting, and your sons ability. Some of the NESCAC coaches need to commit their players early or the other bigger name schools can and will snatch them away.</p>
<p>The only thing I will add is, Coaches tell a kid they need to apply ED when they know the child needs the boost of ED to get into the school. One highly competitive NON Nescac school let my son know that ED was the ONLY way the coach could get him in. I at least appreciated knowing that. Was it true… looking at things, probably. So maybe that is what the coach is trying to say. </p>
<p>Since four covered it all, I’ll comment on the standardized part… Try the ACT… boys seem to do better on it than the SAT’s. There is a Science part so that can help if your son scores well in that area… My son was recruited by a good number of NESCACS and other LAC’s and was offered a slot. He did choose a NEscac. One thing I will say, having the decision made via ED makes for a more relaxed and pleasant senior year… but the choice must be right.</p>
<p>Good luck… Pm if you have any specific questions…</p>
<p>My recruited NESCAC S did LOTS better on the ACT-31 versus low 600s in CR and Writing(shudder)-high 600s on math. He is really good at science and actually got a much higher score on the ACT writing test(10/12) as well. Made ALL the difference.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son. We have not faced that decision and don’t know what will happen if we do. Our daughter has two visits in September and then a few weeks off before two more, one the weekend before Halloween. So that’s close to the November signing, and close to when schools will be wanting those verbal commitments.</p>
<p>Not being a football family, I don’t know about their process, but it doesn’t sound fair to put the pressure on without the visit. I don’t know if I missed this but, was he offered an overnight?</p>
<p>Regarding the ACTs, my daughter took them and scored “higher” as well, although the science section sort of hurt her, she didn’t prepare for the test at all, and without having reviewed bio/chem, her score was pretty low, but she still managed to come out with a 32. Her SAT scores are pretty good, but not at the level as compared to the 32. As I understand it, the ACT is more knowledge and less IQ based, so some kids will just do better.</p>
<p>Please let us know how things turn out for your son, and what happens with the #1 choice. I feel the pressure of these days leading up to November as well, but I didn’t think the NESCAC schools would put on early pressure.</p>
<p>My son has decided on a school, talked ot the coach and is all set, so that part of the process is over. (Assuming he doesn’t pull an epic fail on his application, essay or interview!) We feel fortunate that it worked out so early for him and we are all thrilled with his choice. “Exhausting” a great description … but kudos to you for putting in the energy and effort required. </p>
<p>Now the next step: Letting other coaches know about his decision. My son is a nervous wreck about this. We met so many nice people from great schools he feels badly “letting them down”. There were a number of choices that would have been wonderful for him.</p>
<p>We’ve tried to explain to our son that although this is the ONLY time HE will go through this process, these coaches go through it hundreds of times every year. They tell kids “no” all the time and they have kids say “no” to them too. But it’s still hard for him, understandably so.</p>
<p>I have a feeling everything will work out for you … perhaps we can meet in person at a NESCAC football game in the fall of 2011! :-)</p>
<p>Thanks all…
I suspect the ED slot offer with immediate commitment was made, based on the needs of the team and talent in his position…and the fact that ED was a more sure way to get him admitted. </p>
<p>My son did hear from his first choice coach last night, and it looks like Admissions there wants to see straight A’s first quarter to prove his worthiness. This would suggest an ED II app date. With the rigor of his AP/Honors classes this year… we are not realisitcally expecting that to happen. Stranger things have happened, though… so I am not completely closing the door. </p>
<p>I also understand if a coach has one or two low-band slots to allocate… he needs to offer them to candidates with the best potential in his areas of greatest need. I respect that coach for such a quick turn around and honest message… as does my son.</p>
<p>He needs to place a follow up call to the offering coach this week to confirm the status of this slot: are they willing to wait for the proposed overnight, has the slot been retracted, are there other issues or options to discuss, or?? From there, he needs to send out the “where do I stand” emails to the other NESCAC coaches on his list… so we can sit down with him to repriorotize his list and tweak strategy. </p>
<p>It’s all part of the shake down process in finding him a good fit. I’ll update as soon as that happens~</p>
<p>^^^Good luck - I wish him the best of luck with this process, and all of the stages involved. LOVE the coaches that are super direct and honest - refreshing, and so helpful!</p>
<p>S1 has since spoken to offering coach and all is good. They want him, and are willing to wait for him to come for a test drive in the form of an overnight. They would like that to happen sooner than his schedule will allow (very close to the ED-I deadline), and are proposing an earlier overnight …without attending a home game. We are close enough to many teams in the confernce, where S1’s schedule could allow him to also be with the team at an away contest before and during a game. That seemed to make both parties happy.</p>
<p>S1 has since received a second NESCAC slot offer… where he already has an overnight scheduled… so Momma is breathing a little easier - for now.</p>
<p>Your son just learned a valuable life lesson that he will remember for a long time. The recruiting process has a way of teaching these young adults how to handle and deal with the adult world. Kudos to him on the decision to call the coach, and you for supporting him.</p>
I am thrilled for you and your son - phew!</p>