National Letter of Intent?

[Guest]

Again, who is setting up these photos ops? Parents with their undies in a bunch in wither direction should call your school's AD.

[Guest]

What if they took the whole signing piece out of it? Would D1 parents be upset? My D1 athlete thought way too much was made of it. They had their big moment when they verbally committed many months before. They even said "I don't feel any different ' lol.

[Guest]

What if they took the whole signing piece out of it? Would D1 parents be upset? My D1 athlete thought way too much was made of it. They had their big moment when they verbally committed many months before. They even said "I don't feel any different ' lol.

The "signing" part is the actual commitment, that's what the whole thing is about. I'm literally laughing that it's being suggested that the NLI be left out of NLI signing day so kids who don't sign NLIs don't feel left out! This isn't about photo ops, the NLI is a contract guaranteeing a commitment on both the athletes' and colleges' behalf.

I know people on TS don't ever want to believe that anybody ever gets any significant athletic aid, but they do. Even in the mid-majors. The P5 NLIs are for all 4 years, you're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars that's being contractually agreed upon. Even if the kid only gets offered 50%, at an $80,000+, that's $160,000 contract that that kid is signing and you're suggesting they do away with that because another kid who chose a different path might get their ego bruised if they have to wait until May to be in a picture? This is just so bizarre

[Guest]

There are 4 Cs that need to be clarified

Compliance - NCAA rules require the NLI signing occur away from the chosen college in the presence of trusted advisors. This is photographed as evidence that the student was not coerced, and thus agreement is binding. This only applies to recipients of Athletic Scholarships (DI, DII excluding Ivy)

Ceremony - HSs like to facilitate the above and turn the activity into an event and the photographs into PR moments that typically make local paper.

Celebration - Once it becomes a ceremony exclusive to NLI signees, it often gets extended to include all student-athletes committed /planning to play in college at any level.

Character - regardless of who invited you or whatever the HS AD says, you, your player, and everyone else at the event knows the difference. Proudly attend, stand on stage with your teammates and friends and bask in the Celebration - you earned it. Just don’t betray your character and grab a pen or hold your hand over a faux contract pretending to be signing a document you are not.

[Guest]

Lotsa words. Join the ceremony and be celebrated. Just show character, and don’t fake the compliance activity

[Guest]

I don't remember the last time our HS had D3s signing. They're always standing behind. Club social media accounts are a different story. They report on everyone's "commitment ." They definitely know better since recruiting is supposed to be part of their reason for being

[Guest]

The "signing" part is the actual commitment, that's what the whole thing is about. I'm literally laughing that it's being suggested that the NLI be left out of NLI signing day so kids who don't sign NLIs don't feel left out! This isn't about photo ops, the NLI is a contract guaranteeing a commitment on both the athletes' and colleges' behalf.

I know people on TS don't ever want to believe that anybody ever gets any significant athletic aid, but they do. Even in the mid-majors. The P5 NLIs are for all 4 years, you're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars that's being contractually agreed upon. Even if the kid only gets offered 50%, at an $80,000+, that's $160,000 contract that that kid is signing and you're suggesting they do away with that because another kid who chose a different path might get their ego bruised if they have to wait until May to be in a picture? This is just so bizarre

Making a big deal out of is what is bizarre. Like another poster my two (one D1 thr other D3) thought it was much ado about nothing. They were proud of their accomplishments and as parents we didn't need their pictures in the paper (and who even reads the local news anymore, online or hard copy ?)

[Guest]

The "signing" part is the actual commitment, that's what the whole thing is about. I'm literally laughing that it's being suggested that the NLI be left out of NLI signing day so kids who don't sign NLIs don't feel left out! This isn't about photo ops, the NLI is a contract guaranteeing a commitment on both the athletes' and colleges' behalf.

I know people on TS don't ever want to believe that anybody ever gets any significant athletic aid, but they do. Even in the mid-majors. The P5 NLIs are for all 4 years, you're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars that's being contractually agreed upon. Even if the kid only gets offered 50%, at an $80,000+, that's $160,000 contract that that kid is signing and you're suggesting they do away with that because another kid who chose a different path might get their ego bruised if they have to wait until May to be in a picture? This is just so bizarre

Op here I should clarify - I meant taking the photo ops out of it, not the actual signing. Have your own family celebration or whatever. I guess schools and clubs want to brag. Just have a group photo of everyone and don't do the faux signatures for social media. These kids will all be playing in college and that should be celebrated.

[Guest]

Op here I should clarify - I meant taking the photo ops out of it, not the actual signing. Have your own family celebration or whatever. I guess schools and clubs want to brag. Just have a group photo of everyone and don't do the faux signatures for social media. These kids will all be playing in college and that should be celebrated.

Exactly. The photo still needs to be taken, but it doesn’t have to be an “op”

[Guest]

There are 4 Cs that need to be clarified

Compliance - NCAA rules require the NLI signing occur away from the chosen college in the presence of trusted advisors. This is photographed as evidence that the student was not coerced, and thus agreement is binding. This only applies to recipients of Athletic Scholarships (DI, DII excluding Ivy)

Ceremony - HSs like to facilitate the above and turn the activity into an event and the photographs into PR moments that typically make local paper.

Celebration - Once it becomes a ceremony exclusive to NLI signees, it often gets extended to include all student-athletes committed /planning to play in college at any level.

Character - regardless of who invited you or whatever the HS AD says, you, your player, and everyone else at the event knows the difference. Proudly attend, stand on stage with your teammates and friends and bask in the Celebration - you earned it. Just don’t betray your character and grab a pen or hold your hand over a faux contract pretending to be signing a document you are not.

How about a D1 who is going to be a “walk on” with no athletic scholarship? Is it okay for that player to sign or are they also betraying their character as well. You’re not signing as an officials athlete and your walk on status is not confirmed till you pay the deposit. Are they okay to sign TS compliance officer?

[Guest]

Op here I should clarify - I meant taking the photo ops out of it, not the actual signing. Have your own family celebration or whatever. I guess schools and clubs want to brag. Just have a group photo of everyone and don't do the faux signatures for social media. These kids will all be playing in college and that should be celebrated.

I don't disagree that ALL should be celebrated, I just can't understand why D3 athletes would want to participate in a ceremony marking their "official commitment" when they are not actually committed yet. Don't all schools do a celebration in May to acknowledge D3 athletes or is it just my kids' school?

My D3 kid waited until the end of the year celebration to do her photo op and it was great, actually better than if she had insisted on participating in an NLI ceremony. Her boyfriend and a bunch of her friends that were playing D1 Lacrosse all showed up in her college colors and swag and sat in the audience with us. We (her family) took a photo with her at the dais and then the AD had all her "cheering squad" come up and take photos too.
She actually started a little bit of a tradition, because when my D1 kid signed her NLI a few years later, a bunch of her friends showed up in her college swag & colors (and the swag & colors of 2 of her other friends signing NLIs) with signs & balloons and all that. Then when their friends who were playing D3 were honored in May, we all did the same thing, Yes, WE, I made an amazing sign for one of her friends!

The bottom line is, no D3 athlete is committed in November-I don't understand the push to pretend they are.

[Guest]

How about a D1 who is going to be a “walk on” with no athletic scholarship? Is it okay for that player to sign or are they also betraying their character as well. You’re not signing as an officials athlete and your walk on status is not confirmed till you pay the deposit. Are they okay to sign TS compliance officer?

No.
If you are not signing an actual NLI on “NLI Signing Day” then don’t pretend you are.

I have no problem with everyone getting on stage and being celebrated - great! Ivy, walk-on, D3, Rhodes Scholar, or Eagle Scout. This isn’t about who is or isn’t worthy. You either are or you are not signing an NLI. If not, then don’t hold a pen.

I honestly can’t understand why this is even a conversation.

[Guest]

D3s gives pre reads summer going into senior year. Nearly all athletes apply ED or EA and know by January latest, often even earlier.

[Guest]

D3s gives pre reads summer going into senior year. Nearly all athletes apply ED or EA and know by January latest, often even earlier.

So, basically they are not admitted by the first week in November, and therefore not committed, but yet you are still demanding they masquerade as committed collegiate athletes at that time? Why can't they just wait until May, ON THE DAY DESIGNATED TO HONOR THEM?????????

[Guest]

So, basically they are not admitted by the first week in November, and therefore not committed, but yet you are still demanding they masquerade as committed collegiate athletes at that time? Why can't they just wait until May, ON THE DAY DESIGNATED TO HONOR THEM?????????

Fine I'll answer-BECAUSE MY EGO DOESN'T WANT HER TO WAIT! Happy? Now let my little Mia pretend to be committed like the D1 and D2 athletes!