Recruit Question

[Duke1632]

When a high school player is "committed", what does that mean? I'm guessing the context of "committed" here is a bit different than the same for a psychological evaluation... Actually, I'm curious if any contractual obligations arise (e.g., for the student or for other schools trying to recruit him), or if it's just, "Hey, I'm a kid, but right now, I'm pretty sure I want to go to this particular school."

[Spence]

Being committed means nothing as far as the kid is concerned. Until he signs that letter of intent in Feb. he is a free agent. Most kids honor their commitment, but they aren't obligated to by anything binding.

[billybud]

It's kind of like giving a girl a "promise" ring.

[Spence]

It's kind of like giving a girl a "promise" ring.

It is exactly like that, but actually the fan base is the girl not the coach.

[donovan]

It's kind of like giving a girl a "promise" ring.

Exactly like that...

The flip side of that is the school takes your letter of commitment and has absolutely no obligation to give you a scholarship.

[Spence]

It's kind of like giving a girl a "promise" ring.

Exactly like that...

The flip side of that is the school takes your letter of commitment and has absolutely no obligation to give you a scholarship.

That is true too, but the school and coach will catch lots of flack for pulling an offer from a commitment. It makes them look bad, it just makes the player look 18/19.

[billybud]

A letter of committment..an LOI..is a two way contract.

Verbal offers from schools and verbal committments are not binding...FSU will "offer" about 150 kids to take 30...the offers are either "actionable" or not. If it is in writing, it is an actionable offer...a verbal is just saying "kind of like you"...from both sides.

[Duke1632]

A letter of committment..an LOI..is a two way contract.

Verbal offers from schools and verbal committments are not binding...FSU will "offer" about 150 kids to take 30...the offers are either "actionable" or not. If it is in writing, it is an actionable offer...a verbal is just saying "kind of like you"...from both sides.

the promise ring analogy was much more telling, but this is good too. I expect it's more to do with the language used than the fact that it's "in writing," since contract law does not usually distinguish between the two.

[Spence]

If a recruit signs a letter of intent, they are bound to that school. Before signing day, he can change his mind every day and is bound by no one.

[donovan]

This is the question....when was the last time a school reneged on a committment and got sued. When was a athlete ever sued because they signed a LOI and reneged and went to another school. I do not know the answers. I suspect when the school prepared document is signed by both parties, they then and only then have a deal. All the before hand stuff keeps the boosters happy.

[billybud]

Athletes are not sued.....the NCAA just doesn't allow them to play for the other school for a year.

Schools honor LOI's unless certain provisions are involved such as felony arrests, etc. FSU, like most schools, honors an LOI even if the athlete is so injured before arriving that he will be medically disqualified from ever playing a sport. He will get a scholarship education.

[Duke1632]

You guys have definitely answered my question and I don't doubt that what is reported here regarding a LOI vs. "committed" is true. But in a way, the comments here are not really in accord with general contract law. Bear in mind, the NCAA (as a private entity) doing something is different than "suing" for breach of contract in a public court, so that's clearly one difference. For example, suppose you and I sign a contract that says "I will give you $10 for mowing my lawn." If you breach that contract and don't show up to mow the lawn, there's a difference between me refusing to deal with you anymore and taking you to court for breach of contract.

Typically, any contract signed by a minor (e.g., Less than 18 yrs. old, which would seem to include just about anyone signing an LOI or being committed) is voidable, meaning the minor student (but not the college) can back out even after signing the contract. Also, there's no legal difference between a verbal and a written contract (just that one is harder to prove in court). Therefore, what billybud says makes the most sense: that neither committed nor an LOI is (legally) binding, but the NCAA can use extra-judicial means to enforce it.

[billybud]

Athletes under 18 may not sign an LOI....

Their parent/guardian must sign. There have been numerous instances of a kid wanting to go to one program and the parent refusing to sign the LOI because the parent wants the athlete to go somewhere else.

[billybud]

An LOI is a legal and binding contract. It is enforced by the NCAA, not the courts, when an athlete breaches....If the school breaches, athletes can, and have, taken the matter to the courts.

The LOI is a scholarship offer that currently is good only year by year (that is, a one year offer with no guarantee of a four year schollie). Most programs do keep their players on scholarship even if they do not work out, but there is no binding reason to do so. FSU, like most, heavily encourages a kid to transfer if he will never see the field. By being brutally honest and telling a kid that he is not rising up the depth chart, most will seek a transfer (Like QB Clint Trickett who went to WVU this year).

[Spence]

An LOI is a legal and binding contract. It is enforced by the NCAA, not the courts, when an athlete breaches....If the school breaches, athletes can, and have, taken the matter to the courts.

The LOI is a scholarship offer that currently is good only year by year (that is, a one year offer with no guarantee of a four year schollie). Most programs do keep their players on scholarship even if they do not work out, but there is no binding reason to do so. FSU, like most, heavily encourages a kid to transfer if he will never see the field. By being brutally honest and telling a kid that he is not rising up the depth chart, most will seek a transfer (Like QB Clint Trickett who went to WVU this year).

That is right, except now some schools are extending the offers past a year.