BUT WHAT EXACTLY DOES THIS EMAIL MEAN? by Catharine Aradi www.fastpitchrecruiting.com
When you’re in the midst of your college search---e.g., writing college coaches, sending out video links, and so on—-you’ll almost certainly receive some rejection emails. These can be phrased in various ways, but they'll basically say that the coach has already recruited players to fill vacant spots for your grad year. Rejection is disappointing, but it's always better to get a "No, thank you," from a coach than to hear nothing at all. You can close the file on that school and not waste any more time wondering if it might be an option. Don't take this personally. Just move onto to coaches who do want to recruit you.
Some rejection emails, texts or phone calls, however, can appear ambiguous. They seem to say “no…but maybe” at the same time, and they often contain the infamous, "You're welcome to walk on," sentence. While some coaches use this line instead of directly saying they don't think you can compete at their level, others might really want to know more about you. They may not be able to offer you scholarship money, but based on what they've seen on your video or when they've watched you play, they may feel you’re a good candidate for their teams.
Almost every team needs walk-on players, even teams at schools that offer athletic aid. With NCAA and NAIA limitations on scholarships, coaches have to be selective when it comes to spending their available money. Coaches often encourage certain prospects to walk on at their schools figuring if the player comes there on her own and makes the team, everybody wins. But you need to be able to differentiate between the email that says, "You're welcome to try out as a walk-on," but really means, "We're not interested," and the one that says, "You're welcome to try out as a walk-on," and means, “And we’d like to talk to you about doing just that!”
Since players and parents tend to wear rose-colored glasses when reading communications from coaches, you may want to get a second opinion. Show the email to your travel coach or someone who knows the college coach at the school in question, or talk to other athletes who have contacted the same school to see if every player who writes the coach gets an identical response.
Below are excerpts from two emails received by a player I worked with not too long ago. (Identifiers have been removed.) Email #1 Dear Maria, Thank you for your interest in Cougar softball. You appear to be a strong athlete. At this time, however, all of our scholarships have been awarded for ___ (her grad year). If you decide to attend ______ University and want to try to play softball, please let me know. We would be happy to have you try out for our team, as we do occasionally offer spots to walk-ons. Best of luck, Coach Mac Email #2 Dear Maria, We’re excited to hear you’re interested in _____ College. Although a player of your caliber will undoubtedly have a number of team choices, I hope you will consider joining our program. At this time, we can’t offer you a softball scholarship, but recruited walk-on players can earn athletic-based aid later in their careers. I have enclosed a questionnaire, and if you are serious about attending _____ College, please complete and return it as soon as possible. I'll also be glad to set up time to talk so I can answer any questions you have concerning admission, housing, or other types of financial aid. We would also love for you to visit our campus and meet the team. I look forward to hearing from you soon! Coach Pat
So…What Do They Mean?
To start with, the first email is much more generic. The way it's written indicates the coach probably looked at the player's video and figured she might make the team as a walk-on, so he’s not going to reject her out of hand, but he's not doing much to encourage her either. The second email also indicates the coach can't offer the athlete a scholarship, however, this coach is saying she believes the athlete has the skills to play in college and is very recruitable. This coach adds that if the player is interested in being a walk on, they would be happy to work with her.
I don't generally encourage kids to be gamblers. You only have four years to play, and it is almost always smarter to take a scholarship or a guaranteed walk-on spot at a smaller program rather than risk not making a team--or worse, sitting the bench for four years at a bigger program. But that's my perspective. Some athletes are willing to gamble, and once in a while it does pay off.
If a coach suggests you consider walking on at his or her school, DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Follow up the coach's response with phone calls, a campus visit, etc. Ask a lot of questions about walk-ons—e.g., how many there are each year, how many make the team, do they ever get scholarship money, how many end up starting?
You may also be able to tell how serious a coach is by how much she is willing to do for you outside the realm of scholarship dollars. If a coach truly wants you as a recruited walk-on, she may be able to help you get into school, find a dorm, register for classes, and so on. Some coaches even bring recruited walk-ons in for official visits. If a coach is willing to treat you much as she would treat a scholarship candidate, then you are more likely to have a positive experience as a walk-on.
Communications encouraging walk-ons are a common component of the college search process. Don't automatically toss them, particularly if you really want to attend that school more than any others. But conduct a thorough investigation to find out whether the coach is a straight shooter and to assess realistically what your softball experience would be like if you made the team as a walk on.
These days too many players (and their parents) jump at the chance to go to a big name college team as walk-on player. When they get there, however, they often discover that they are destined to spend their softball years pinch running, pinch hitting, throwing batting practice or catching pitchers in the bullpen. Try not to waste your time pursuing a school where you're not likely to play when there are sure to be many others out there where you can compete and make a difference!