<p>Okay,I will try to make a very long story as short as possible. My D received a generous athletic scholarship offer which she verbally committed to. The coach who made the offer then sent a confirmation of the agreement via e-mail. One month later the coach leaves for a better offer and we are soon informed that the offer is no longer good. I realize coaches move on and priorities change, but is the university under no obligation whatsoever to follow thru with commitments made by their employees, even when they become “ex” employees??? I have searched the forum for a similar incident to no avail…Please Help!!!</p>
<p>If I were the college, I’d honor the commitment made by the coach. He was speaking on behalf of the college at the time he made the offer. I think this constitutes a breach of promise, but I’m not a lawyer. Perhaps other posters with more legal knowledge can chip in here.
When was the offer made? When was it rescinded? Did your D send in an acceptance to the college and a housing deposit (if applicable)?
Depending on the time-frame, you could make a case that this breach of promise has prevented your D from pursuing other college options.</p>
<p>I knew I should have included more info…The offer was made on the condition that she would sign early in November. There is still plenty of time for her to find another school.</p>
<p>Is this a NCAA school? What sports oversite is involved and have you spoken with your HS…has this happened before to one of their students? Do they have any advice? Secondly i would maybe go to the college after making an appointment with an administrator.</p>
<p>OK - I’ve deleted my original post. The facts stated in your second post probably changes everything.</p>
<p>I’m reading your D is a HS senior and was planning to officially commit this November. Verbal commitments are not legally binding to either the player or coach. This does happen, either party can change their mind. Until the NLI is signed there is really only words of intent and promises. Lucky for your D there is still time to work with the new coach or find another good academic match.</p>
<p>This is a NCAA Division I program…Being a newbie to the athletic recruitment game, I was shocked at the news and was wondering if this a fairly common occurence when a coach leaves for another college.</p>
<p>I was thinking that having the offer and its conditions in an e-mail might go beyond a “verbal” agreement, it seems I recall the coach saying he would send it for our “protection”.</p>
<p>My guess is that it happens more often in the direction of the athlete backing out before signing. </p>
<p>See this article <a href=“http://www.ncaa.org/news/1999/19990315/comment.html#3a[/url]”>http://www.ncaa.org/news/1999/19990315/comment.html#3a</a>
“Comment – Recruiting promises are running on empty”</p>
<p>If you think about your case, your D would also not be obligated to play for the new coach, she committed to the old coach and maybe had built a good relationship with them. Now, she might face playing for someone totally different, again not the complete package she “verbally” agreed to. The new coach might want to bring in their own set of recruits since nothing has become official yet.</p>
<p>Maybe the old coach will want her to play in their new program. That option might exist. She could try to contact the old coach at least to assist in finding a suitable solution and maybe they would provide recommendations.</p>
<p>From a contract perspective, this is probably straightforward:</p>
<p>Coach makes an offer, contingent upon counterparty (the student) taking a specific action by November. She did not sign, so there was no acceptance and no contract, only an offer. The offer was withdrawn before an acceptance could occur.</p>
<p>Think of this analogy. You want to buy a house. On Friday the seller says "I’ll sell you the house for $100 if you pay me by Monday. " It is now Sunday and you have not yet paid. The seller calls and says “I withdraw the offer.” You keep shopping.</p>
<p>I guess your HS should have informed the students/parents more completely regarding the NCAA rules. I know that the rules are extensive but one would think that the coach or athletic director would have held some seminars. I wish you and your D the best of outcomes in finding a new school/coach to play for. This too shall pass.</p>
<p>"Think of this analogy. You want to buy a house. On Friday the seller says “I’ll sell you the house for $100 if you pay me by Monday. " It is now Sunday and you have not yet paid. The seller calls and says “I withdraw the offer.” You keep shopping”</p>
<p>Newsmassdad is probably quite right. Years ago, we had a house seller back out on closing day. There was nothing we could do, according to our realtor. We had to start the search all over again.</p>
<p>My understanding is that the offer is not binding until the student’s signed Letter of Intent (LOI) is received by the college. Before that happens, offers can be and are rescinded, for any number of reasons. Conversely, the scenario of: coach gets kid to commit, kid commits, coach leaves or is fired–also happens. I think the general NCAA policy is that the student is committed to the school, not the coach. Though there have been exceptions/waivers. It seems that with almost any NCAA policiy there are exceptions/waivers.</p>
<p>I know this is an old thread, but, thought my answer might help others in the future.</p>
<p>Verbal offers and verbal commitments are not binding on any party. This is per the NCAA. Now, you might be able to challenge that in court. However, you will spend thousands of dollars doing so and likely won’t dispose of the case until well into your childs collegiate years. Additionally, word would spread and you would likely sabotage any chance your child had of hearing from another school.</p>
<p>I tell all my clients to thank schools for their verbal offer, express to them your desire to play for them, and be honest with them that you are entertaining other schools.</p>
<p>Fiction: All scholarships are “full rides.”
Fact: MOST scholarships are NOT “full rides.”</p>
<p>Why would you take your child off the market when you don’t have a signed agreement outlining EXACTLY what the benefits are? You wouldn’t buy a house or car on a handshake, why would you risk your child’s future on one?</p>