Once a recruit is offered (and accepts) a specific scholarship amount, how binding is that with respect to subsequent years? In other words, can a college coach arbitrarily reduce the amount or eliminate it altogether during the course of a ballplayer's collegiate career at a given school?

Thanks in advance.

Every scholarship is a one year deal. The coach can, at his sole discretion, decline to renew it for the second year or any subsequent year.

As a matter of practice, most coaches do not make a habit of this. But it certainly does happen. The player is at a distinct disadvantage, because if the coach for whatever reason does not renew the scholarship, the player cannot just go play at another school without sitting out a year.

Which means choose your college carefully.

quote:

the player cannot just go play at a D1 school without sitting out a year

Just to be clear.

So is a recruit able to negotiate a "signing" clause to the effect that his % could not be unilaterally reduced?

Rob,
I understand that a coach who told us that his scholarships were 4 years unless the player didn't make an effort has cleaned house recently.

Rob-hit it right on the head. Year to year and they can take it away and if you don't like it and transfer you have to sit out unless you go down a level. Not fair at all to the player!

quote:

Originally posted by Bravescoach:
So is a recruit able to negotiate a "signing" clause to the effect that his % could not be unilaterally reduced?

Not exactly. But the player may be given a statement that details the history and policy of the college. The player has no recourse if the policy changes.

15.3.3.1.2 Financial Aid Authority Precedent. A staff member may inform a prospective student-athlete that the athletics department will recommend to the financial aid authority that the prospective student-athlete’s financial aid be renewed each year for a period of four years and may indicate that the authority always has followed the athletics department’s recommendations in the past. However, the prospective student-athlete must be informed that the renewal will not be automatic.