DD found her dream school and went for it: SUCCESS STORY!

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Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
DD is a 2022 C/1B. She has played for A-level TB teams for the past 3 years (the ones before that were probably B teams in hindsight). Before COVID hit, she had her eye firmly on a mid-major DI school here in the South (highly-touted liberal arts university). She has been in contact throughout 2020 and it was apparent that they had interest in her, but had been really ham-strung by COVID, the extra year of eligibility, etc...

I was concerned about all of this and encouraged her not to put all her eggs in one basket and to look more widely. She began focusing on some AWESOME schools in the NE (mostly NESCAC) and have received a lot of interest from one of them. Honestly, though, we were concerned about the cost. I wrote about it in another thread, but we won't qualify for needs-based money and those schools give no merit money.

Well, she had had a smaller DIII liberal arts school in the South on her list, but hadn't been pursuing it very hard. She had a conversation with the Coach back in the fall and it sounded hopeful. The only issue that was a turn-off was that the team, frankly, is not great. Their record is pretty bad. BUT, he told her that she would undoubtedly play almost all of the time, as he keeps his roster small (16-19). He also said she might even get to play her secondary position when not catching. She took that in and moved on.

Fast-forward to last weekend. On kind of a whim, DH and I drove with DD up to this school to take a look around (2.5 hour drive). Students have not returned to campus yet, but we just explored. The campus is absolutely drop-jaw gorgeous and resembles Oxford in England. We found the softball field and DD loved it. We went to lunch off-campus and DD was typing away on her phone. She said she had emailed the Coach and I asked to see what she wrote. Imagine my shock when I see that she has written, "I'm here on campus and I am in love. I want to be a part of the school and will do whatever it takes. I would love to discuss committing to [the school] with you if that is an option." Not ten minutes later, Coach calls and offers her a spot!

I know it's DIII and it's not technically the same as a verbal commitment in DI. But we believe it's perfect for DD. STELLAR academics, small and close-knit community, and the ability to be serious about softball but also have enough time for studies and a social life. DD is over the moon happy. It would appear that putting it out there the way she did in that email really did the trick (of course don't do that unless you mean it!).

Can't wait to watch DD play without the stress of worrying about recruiting from here forward.
 
Aug 11, 2016
126
28
DD is a 2022 C/1B. She has played for A-level TB teams for the past 3 years (the ones before that were probably B teams in hindsight). Before COVID hit, she had her eye firmly on a mid-major DI school here in the South (highly-touted liberal arts university). She has been in contact throughout 2020 and it was apparent that they had interest in her, but had been really ham-strung by COVID, the extra year of eligibility, etc...

I was concerned about all of this and encouraged her not to put all her eggs in one basket and to look more widely. She began focusing on some AWESOME schools in the NE (mostly NESCAC) and have received a lot of interest from one of them. Honestly, though, we were concerned about the cost. I wrote about it in another thread, but we won't qualify for needs-based money and those schools give no merit money.

Well, she had had a smaller DIII liberal arts school in the South on her list, but hadn't been pursuing it very hard. She had a conversation with the Coach back in the fall and it sounded hopeful. The only issue that was a turn-off was that the team, frankly, is not great. Their record is pretty bad. BUT, he told her that she would undoubtedly play almost all of the time, as he keeps his roster small (16-19). He also said she might even get to play her secondary position when not catching. She took that in and moved on.

Fast-forward to last weekend. On kind of a whim, DH and I drove with DD up to this school to take a look around (2.5 hour drive). Students have not returned to campus yet, but we just explored. The campus is absolutely drop-jaw gorgeous and resembles Oxford in England. We found the softball field and DD loved it. We went to lunch off-campus and DD was typing away on her phone. She said she had emailed the Coach and I asked to see what she wrote. Imagine my shock when I see that she has written, "I'm here on campus and I am in love. I want to be a part of the school and will do whatever it takes. I would love to discuss committing to [the school] with you if that is an option." Not ten minutes later, Coach calls and offers her a spot!

I know it's DIII and it's not technically the same as a verbal commitment in DI. But we believe it's perfect for DD. STELLAR academics, small and close-knit community, and the ability to be serious about softball but also have enough time for studies and a social life. DD is over the moon happy. It would appear that putting it out there the way she did in that email really did the trick (of course don't do that unless you mean it!).

Can't wait to watch DD play without the stress of worrying about recruiting from here forward.

That’s what is all about. If she is happy, there is not much else you can ask for, right?

Congratulations!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Nov 5, 2014
351
63
Congratulations! I can never hear enough stories about kids finding great Academic and athletic fits for college.


The campus is absolutely drop-jaw gorgeous and resembles Oxford in England.


Totally understand if you don't want to share the specific school but as a Northeasterner I am very familiar with the NESCAC schools and after DD started travelling south a few times a year to play I looked into some schools down there. Your description sounds like a school I found that was possibly the most stunning I have seen, and I have been to all of the Ivies and most of the NESCAC. It was Berry College.
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
Congratulations! I can never hear enough stories about kids finding great Academic and athletic fits for college.





Totally understand if you don't want to share the specific school but as a Northeasterner I am very familiar with the NESCAC schools and after DD started travelling south a few times a year to play I looked into some schools down there. Your description sounds like a school I found that was possibly the most stunning I have seen, and I have been to all of the Ivies and most of the NESCAC. It was Berry College.

I'll PM you. It's not Berry, but Berry is absolutely gorgeous as well.
 
Nov 17, 2020
145
28
Huntley, IL
Being new to this whole recruiting thing, my understanding is verbal commitments from both Players and Coaches are non-binding? How excited should you be when a coach makes a verbal offer like that? I do contracts for a living and usually do not celebrate till the ink is dry on the paper. Just asking because I am not sure.
 

Top_Notch

Screwball
Dec 18, 2014
512
63
Congrats. When looking at schools with my older son, I found it amazing what campus visits can do to rule in/out a school. I keep telling my DD that she needs to get on the campus to get a feel for the school.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
D

I know it's DIII and it's not technically the same as a verbal commitment in DI. But we believe it's perfect for DD. STELLAR academics, small and close-knit community, and the ability to be serious about softball but also have enough time for studies and a social life. DD is over the moon happy. It would appear that putting it out there the way she did in that email really did the trick (of course don't do that unless you mean it!).

Can't wait to watch DD play without the stress of worrying about recruiting from here forward.
Congrats on her verbal commitment!!! Yes this is considered a verbal commitment. Coach offered her spot, DD accepted the spot. So it's a verbal commitment for both sides. Doesn't matter the Division. Don't play it down. Celebrate it! D3 girls work hard too! You just don't sign a "Letter of Intent" with an athletic scholarship attached. She might sign a "Congratulatory Letter" Instead.

Enjoy the ride.
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
Being new to this whole recruiting thing, my understanding is verbal commitments from both Players and Coaches are non-binding? How excited should you be when a coach makes a verbal offer like that? I do contracts for a living and usually do not celebrate till the ink is dry on the paper. Just asking because I am not sure.

It's correct. They're non-binding for both parties. But, that's where asking the right questions is so important. For DD, I made sure that she put, "How long do you intend to Coach for [school]?" on her list. I was a little concerned about his job security given the school's not-so-great record. His response was satisfactory to us. I think it's a bigger deal in a big D1 school; many times, girls commit to the coach vs. the school itself. So, if that coach leaves, the next one may or may not honor those verbals. For us, though, DD is committed to the school primarily and the coach secondarily. If he were to leave, she wouldn't attempt to follow him.

It is a bit of a leap of faith. DD has to keep playing and improving. Verbals can be rescinded.
 
Nov 17, 2020
145
28
Huntley, IL
Congrats on her verbal commitment!!! Yes this is considered a verbal commitment. Coach offered her spot, DD accepted the spot. So it's a verbal commitment for both sides. Doesn't matter the Division. Don't play it down. Celebrate it! D3 girls work hard too! You just don't sign a "Letter of Intent" with an athletic scholarship attached. She might sign a "Congratulatory Letter" Instead.

Enjoy the ride.

So how do you go about making that request? I would be very fearful as a parent that the offer would go away, especially if the coach changes. Would not want to offend the coach, but at the same time, if your making an offer, put it in writing.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
Being new to this whole recruiting thing, my understanding is verbal commitments from both Players and Coaches are non-binding? How excited should you be when a coach makes a verbal offer like that? I do contracts for a living and usually do not celebrate till the ink is dry on the paper. Just asking because I am not sure.
A "verbal" is just that. A verbal agreement that both parties have come to an agreement to and yes it is unbinding. Coach offers spot on roster and the player will stop her recruitment. Although, either party can change their mind and it happens. For D3 schools, players do not sign any contracts because there are no athletic monies involved.
 

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