TMIB, I do not think such a letter would sound a bit like sour grapes to anyone but the sleazy coach. if these antics are not brought to light, how can they be addressed by those with the power to do so. If you do not want to be embarassed by having your behaviour brought out in the bright sunlight, do not engage in behaviour you would be embarassed by if it is publicized. see how easy that is. the problem is not the ones shining a light on the behaviour, it is those engaging in it.
Losing the Team Leader
- Thread starter sball0428
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- Nov 18, 2018
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I was recruited by Cal State Northridge in the late 80’s. I focused my efforts there...I wanted to go to CSUN (they had already won four D2 titles). I was eventually told they weren’t going to bring on any new pitchers. I found out that Cal State Bakersfield was looking for a pitcher. I got a scholarship and we won three D2 titles in a row (beating out CSUN one of those years!)!
Everything happens for a reason!!!!
Everything happens for a reason!!!!
This is spot on. Letting these coaches do this to kids and then still talking about the schools/coaches in covert tones does nothing but enable these coaches to continue to do the same thing over and over. Lots of stories about his happening but no one puts a name on it. Guarantee if word got out, these coaches would learn a lesson.
Expose these coaches to the world. Make them accountable.
We need more Julie's in this sport and in this world. No doubt in my mind it WILL work out for her. Sounds like she has a clear head on her shoulders and excellent advisors around her. GO JULIE GO!
AND what an inpiration and example to her teammates....don't think for second they aren't watching and seein how she reacts and handles this situations. So many wins here out of a crappy thing that happened.
Thank you for sharing. For any parent whose DD is going through the recruiting process, this story is sure to resonate. I don't have any specific advice, but please know that Julie has a ton of supporters rooting from the outside for a positive ending to this!
- Feb 8, 2009
- 271
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Sorry. I can’t attribute this to “the nature of the beast”. You either honor your word or you don’t.
Granted. The beast in this case is recruiting needless to say. However, too many players and their families give the power over their AS offers and so forth by verballing. Then, instead of continuing to try and raise interest and offers from other schools, they sit back and wait expecting that coach to honor their word. Spend enough time on here, on other of your local boards and around the fields in general, you'll find many of the college coaches don't do it. So yes...unfortunately, it seems to be the nature of many college coaches to continue to do this time and time again. As long as players and their families continue to verbal. take themselves off the market and continue to give these coaches this kind of power, then we will continue to see this happen over and over.
As others have posted, one way to combat this is to expose those college coaches that do this. Once the word gets out and spreads, then players and their families will no longer verbal to those schools. Now those coaches are basically screwed as the other coaches, which actually kept their word in the long run, will have access to their first choice of recruits.
Another way is for the players to continue to keep themselves showcasing and marketing themselves even after verballing. This lets the coach know that they aren't depending upon them keeping their word. It also may have the added benefit of creating a "bidding war" for that player. I personally believe that's one of the main reasons the entire verballing process was invented by the coaches...to avoid bidding wars to get key prospects thus freeing up more money for other position players/athletes they want.
All of that said, the absolute best way to combat this would be for all of the future college prospects to band together, quit verballing entirely and force the college coaches to follow the actual rules as outlined by the NCAA.
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But, to play Devil's Advocate, if a verbally committed player continues to attend camps, contact other coaches, etc..., won't word get back to the program she's committed to, making it more likely for them to drop her? Seems like a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation.
which is why it is important that coaches that do this type of thing are exposed, so it is not needed.
also, maybe the family already paid for the camp, and I doubt other coaches are going to tell someone that their verballed player contacted them.
I wish we had some college coaches on DFP who would weigh in on this, even if it meant using a different/anonymous screen name. These are kids and I think it's just crappy to treat kids and families this way. The system may be tightening up with the new rules, but I've seen this happen too many times and it sucks for good kids/athletes like Julie on this thread.
