My 2025 son committed to a D1 school for XC/TF. I would like him to apply to our state school as a plan B in case something major changes at the school he is committed to. He would not run for the state school if he ended up there. The school he committed to passes the broken leg test, so he does not think this is necessary to apply to any other schools and is afraid it could get back to the school he is committed to if he does apply. I worry about having every single egg in one basket. I read the athletic contract he signed; it says nothing about not applying to other schools. Any thoughts?
Has he signed anything with the school he committed to?
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If he signed, there is no need, but it is not uncommon for committed athletes to apply to a safety school for piece of mind.
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Has he been admitted yet?
It wouldn’t be that unusual to apply in state as a backup plan. Especially with how unsettled things are right now in some conferences. He could always tell the coach his parents are worriers if it comes up, but it probably won’t.
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Has he been admitted, and if so via ED? If not, it’s ok to put in other apps.
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Has he been admitted to this university ? If so, then he is okay.
If he has not been admitted yet, be aware that coaching changes can occur and the new coach may not agree with the prior coach’s recruiting efforts. (Recently had this occur with two separate Ivy League recruits. Although subsequently admitted, life was not pleasant with respect to athletics and both struggled/struggling academically.)
At this Ivy League school, almost every member of the track team suffered significant injuries due to athletic director change and new coach brought in by that athletic director. Therefore, it might be wise to have a back-up plan.
Without more specifics, the safer route would be to apply to the in-state school as a back-up option.
There are concerning stories about football recruits (especially quarterbacks) who did not fit into the new coaches scheme.
Yes, he signed the athletic grant-in-aid contract.
Yes, he was admitted. Thanks for your response. It is helpful
There is always risk to a coaching change…coaches change their offensive/defensive schemes, they move on to a better job, sometimes coaches die.
Even if no change in coach, the same coach is trying to bring in better athletes every year, either via recruiting or the portal. This is the life of a college athlete…risky, grindy, trying to strike a balance between sports and academics, and life.
As long as he wasn’t accepted ED, he can break that contract to go to another school where he won’t play his sport.
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He has already been accepted at his first school, and you still want him to apply to a different school that he wouldn’t do his sport at in case something goes wrong with (I assume) the athletics. Are you sure the first school actually passes the broken leg test? This is pretty much the definition of a school that doesn’t pass the broken leg test.
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yeah… i am confused about the motivation here.
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Perhaps the financial situation is different if no longer an athlete. Or some other factors. OP said “if there are major changes” at school A. It’s really not for us to interpret the why.
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If he signed and was accepted, isn’t the school obligated to fulfill the the first year scholarship at this point?
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I don’t know. My point is there are many things that could change at school A. A coaching change, or as I’m sure you’re aware, there are possible roster limits coming. Programs being cut, etc. It would be a good idea for OP’s kid to apply to a back up option, just in case something does go awry. That’s all.
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These things should not matter if the school passed the broken leg test, to @LurkerJoe 's point.
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Everyone is talking to themselves a bit here, because OP hasn’t really explained what their concern is. @NorthbyNW, what are you concerned about? Your son has been accepted to the D1 school and it sounds like he’d be excited to attend, even without athletics. What’s the worry?
If he just applies like a regular student to your state school, it’s very unlikely to get back to the other school - there is no global database of applications, just coaches who talk to each other - but if does, they would want to understand why.
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Yes. But the school’s not obligated to have a spot on the team for the kid. Not sure how much that happens, but it has happened to a couple of my students over the years…at least the coach told the kids before they got there in the summer/fall.
Agree, but…teenagers. Maybe said teen is having buyers remorse. Like someone else said, not really our issue.
Low probability a coach at the state school would even know anything about OP’s app, so I don’t think there is risk in the OP applying. If OP does ultimately switch schools, I agree they owe the coach where they committed an explanation and a heartfelt I’m sorry.
Sounded like it was the parents? I understood that OP was pushing the issue but the student was not really interested in applying to an additional school.
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This thread makes no sense. if he/she signed a LOI to a D1 school thats binding for 1 year. The OP disappeared. Is this just click bait?
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Not if the OP isn’t playing a sport at the new school.
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