Softball Scholarships...do the math!

[Tim_si2010]

Pepper dad Congates. we had a blast following the team. the school is in a great area in S.A. Krista loved it. They are very young this yr. so i'm excited for Cook. My DD had a good first 2 yrs. then her back went bad on her couldn't lift the ball like she wanted to. lol Joe A----men.....

[Joe]

Generally speaking...most parents fall into the trap of softball first, academics second. If you add up the $$$, most would have paid for a year or two of tuition if priorities had been properly placed. The bottom line is ...you better damn well make sure DD is in love with the game before sending her off to college. Too many come home after a semester or two...not prepared for the 'real' game...studying!!! For too many...softball ends up being a job while academics take a back seat to the college experience.

[Blind Squirrel]

Generally speaking...most parents fall into the trap of softball first, academics second. If you add up the $$$, most would have paid for a year or two of tuition if priorities had been properly placed. The bottom line is ...you better damn well make sure DD is in love with the game before sending her off to college. Too many come home after a semester or two...not prepared for the 'real' game...studying!!! For too many...softball ends up being a job while academics take a back seat to the college experience.

If I'm understanding what you mean, isn't that relatively common among non-athletes? My guess is that there aren't too many parents that emphasize softball with marginal concern for things like character, ambition, academics and the importance of getting a college degree. Maybe I'm underestimating the stupidity of people. Seriously.

BTW, I work with a couple guys who spent so much time studying that they didn't experience any other aspects of college life (I know that isn't what you're advocating, Joe). Never even went to a football game. I feel sorry for them. I'm hopeful that my kids enjoy the sport they play in college, graduate and enjoy as much of the rest of the college experience as possible. I would be happy if they looked back at their college days as the best four years of their lives.

No cosmic disagreement. Just my perspective.

Testicularly Challenged Rodent

[bucndranch]

Generally speaking...most parents fall into the trap of softball first, academics second. If you add up the $$$, most would have paid for a year or two of tuition if priorities had been properly placed. The bottom line is ...you better damn well make sure DD is in love with the game before sending her off to college. Too many come home after a semester or two...not prepared for the 'real' game...studying!!! For too many...softball ends up being a job while academics take a back seat to the college experience.

This is so true. If I added up the money I sepnt from the time my DD went into travel at 10U through 18G, I easily could have put her through a decent college. Just her 16U year along we spent in excess of $16,000 with out of state qualifers and a great trip to 16U Nationals in Seattle. No regrets, we all loved every minute, but she gave it all up, scholorship and all her senior year.

The great thing is they stay out of trouble, do something they love, we loved watching her games every weekend and the money, well you bleed out slowly.

Play for the love of the game first, stayed focused on academics, then the scholorship. If your DD has talent, she will get into college!! Remember academic money cannot be taken back like athletic money can!

[Blind Squirrel]

... Remember academic money cannot be taken back like athletic money can!

I have no idea what the answer to the following is: How common is it for a softball player to lose all or part of their athletic scholarship money? Does it happen to 10% of kids? More? Less?

The above is often cited but I wonder whether or not it is like the old "Verbals don't mean anything ..." statement?

Nutless Wonder

[Tim_si2010]

UTSA lost 1 to 2 girls every yr from 07 thruogh 10. Oh And Cook resigned yesterday

[3Bsnag]

UTSA lost 1 to 2 girls every yr from 07 thruogh 10. Oh And Cook resigned yesterday

Just going off of the article- 2 weeks until first pitch of the season and you resign to "pursue other career opportunities"? I do hope there is more to that story.

[Blind Squirrel]

UTSA lost 1 to 2 girls every yr from 07 thruogh 10. Oh And Cook resigned yesterday

"Lost" due to not having their scholarships renewed or they left for other personal reasons? I personally know a few kids that have left a program and in each of those cases, there was not a scholarship reduction prior to their departure.

John

[Tim_si2010]

Grades, boy friends, kicked out for drugs. And a couple left due to Coach. Playing time and other Drama.

Cook left due to issues I can't write about. And it is a good thing to the program. This School is moving to the WAC next yr. It is growing so fast and it doesn't need any bad Karma lol I wish her the best she was up front and gave my DD everything she promised.

[BleacherFan]

What a fun sucker!!!
My kid is certainly in it for the fun; I have told her from the beginning, "fun is the foundation to build on; if your not having fun, the rest (the skill) is built on shakey ground, and you will not be successful"....in other words fun first.
However; I disagree that softball scholarships are "few and far between". As one post pointed out, there are scholarships at all levels.
But, the way "Crusher" puts it; it really sucks the fun out of the entire process. Thanks!!