I’ve Received an Offer – Now What?

• 2 January 2022

Receiving an offer to play post secondary athletics can be one of the most exciting times of your life. It is a validation that all of the time and work that you have put in has finally paid off. After all the immediate excitement has worn off, you may begin to wonder, what do I do now? In this installment of THE BLOG we will take a deeper dive into the steps to take after you have received an offer from a school to compete for their varsity sports programs.

Understanding the Details of The Offer

  Getting that email or phone call with your offer can bring forth a rush of emotions. In the heat of the moment, you may not understand or even look at the details of the offer. These details however are very important when it comes to you making your final decision to accept it or not. Firstly, you will need to look at the amount and duration of the offer. Each division in the NCAA, NAIA, U SPORTS, and CCAA all have their own rules and figures that they can offer you. Not every offer you get is a “full ride”. You will need to understand if the offer is a yearly scholarship, or a lump sum up front. You will then have to take a look at the stipulations or conditions of the offer. Some offers may have deadlines, some may require you to keep a certain grade level, others may even require you to switch clubs or teams to join the school. These specific details tend to get overlooked and lost in all the excitement; however, they are truly the most important aspects of the offer itself.

Communicate With The Coach Right Away

Connecting with the coach that has offered you a roster spot is something we here at NLU advise our athletes to do as soon as they receive the offer. By connecting with the coach, not only can you seek out more information about your offer, but by thanking the coach for the offer, you will be looked at in a positive light opposed to those who receive an offer and do not communicate at all. Even if the school that has offered you is not on your list of schools you would like to attend, communicate respectively with the coach. Coaches talk and the last thing you would want is a coach at your number one school pulling an offer because you treated a different coach disrespectfully.

Check Off All The Other Boxes

As much as playing sport may be the main reason you wanted to attend college or university, that is not the only factor that plays a role in your future. After receiving an offer from a school, you should check to see if the other aspects of being a student athlete fit the criteria you want in a school. Academic program, location, housing options, food, these are all major factors that if not up to your standard, can have a negative impact on your student life. Choosing a school just for athletics is never a great decision. As we tell all of our athletes, student first, athlete second.

Make The Best Choice For You

When it comes time to make a decision on an offer, do what is best for you. Some may say go, others may say pass, but at the end of the day, you know the best spot for you. When it comes to making the decision, make sure to consult with those closest to you, your coaches, and the coach of the school in question. Be clear and simple with your response. If the answer is no, thank them for the opportunity and wish them luck. If the answer is yes, show your excitement! Coaches love to see when recruits are excited to join their program. Make sure to ask about next steps, and most importantly, enjoy the on-boarding process. Post secondary athletics is a unique opportunity, so finding the right fit is vital, and when you do the experiences are unforgettable.