The Truth About Walking-On
April 24th, 2008 - by
At this time of the year it is extremely common for me to hear from a student athlete that is considering walking-on or taking a grey shirt option with a Division I program, and spurning multiple offers from schools in other divisions. This is one of the most difficult positions a recruit can be put in. After all, everyone has the vivid image of Rudy burned into the back of their head and has heard Brett Musburger tell them over and over about Johnny Walk-on who earned a scholarship and is now the pride of the entire state.
But athletes in this situation need to take their time and examine the situation very closely. They are making a decision that will not just affect the next 4 years of their lives. It will affect the next 40!
I recommend that the athlete first consider the academic impact of their decision. Just because a school is in a higher division does not mean it is any better academically. Plus most Division II and III teams sport higher overall graduation rates. The NCSA Power Rankings do a great job illustrating the strength of Division II and III schools. Just because you recognize a name doesn’t make the school any better.
Athletes then need to consider how this will affect their athletic future. Not every team runs their walk-on program the same way. Recruits need to ask coaches as many questions as necessary to determine the exact opportunities available to a walk-on. Walk-ons are denied many of the benefits that scholarship players are afforded.
Regardless of how good an athlete thinks he is, the odds are stacked immeasurably against him. Making the team is never assured. Actually playing in a game will be tough. Starting a game is a huge long shot. Most walk-ons never make it past being a practice player. And practice may not always be so fun…
Also, with the spiraling costs of tuition athletes need to consider the economic impact of their decision. Spurning thousands of dollars from a Division III school can seem very foolish if you don’t even make a team as a walk-on.
For some athletes just making the team is worth it in the long run, but they should take a long look in the mirror before making such an important decision. No one can tell you what the best opportunity is but, NCSA specializes in helping athletes identify as many real opportunities as possible. We then do our best to guide the family through all of their options. The athletes that find the right fit have options. Carefully considering an option like walking-on can mean the difference between a great college career and dropping out.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:57 am
“Spurning thousands of dollars from a Division III school can seem very foolish if you don’t even make a team as a walk-on.”
Brian, I am a little confused by this sentence from your informative article. I thought Division III schools could not offer athletic scholarships so how could one spurn an offer of thousands of dollars by trying instead to make a Division I program as a walk on? Thank you.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:04 am
Friends,
The NCSA is being very tactful here and giving great advice…..let me expand.
If you were GOOD NOW, you would not be walking on and hoping to make the team. The cold hard fact is you are not good enough now in the coaches eyes to make it.
Go to a smaller school, excel at the college level, then go BIG then and only then. It is not worth the risk. You may even find that the smaller school will be more enjoyable and you will get more exposure being a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond.
What are you thinking? Do not turn down a smaller school if you have an offer to go “walk on” to a big school. You really don’t have much of a chance at all.
Sorry, I can say what this site cannot say and I say it to help you, not hurt you.
So small school, get your education, and if you are good, they will find you!
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 am
My son turned down some D-1 offers because he only wanted to attend the University of Kansas. They looked at him last spring & summer & he made several visits to the school but in the end they did not offer him. They told him he had a spot on the team as a walk on. He thinks that is a bad deal and that a walk-on is treated very differently.
He has decided not to play. I hate to see him walk away from his dream of playing college football. Do you know anything about how that program treats its walk ons? He is a good student & comes from a college prep school that plays in Texas 5-AAAAA competition (the state champions were in our district).
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
Pat,
I wanted to make sure you understood that the amount of grant money available at D-III is sometimes staggering.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120846172336223781.html?mod=2_1559_topbox
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:17 am
ok I am a senior in high school and I am walking onto a divison I softball team. I have had many offers from division II and III schools but i kno that I am Dision I material. I was told just make the starting line up……so its possible with hard work and determination that you can do what ever you set your mind to. its not that much of a long shot but you have to be honest with your self to know what your capabible of.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:21 am
As a high school coach one of the biggest challenges I face is parents who are unrealistic about their child’s ability. Unless the kid is an NFL prospect (at age 18 who really is?) they need to consider the young person’s educational future. Many DII and DIII schools offer excellent educations with the opportunity to continue playing a sport you love.
A side note, DIII schools are non scholarship but they can offer financial aid packages that total in the thousands and even tens of thousands. Unfortunately, many students cannot qualify for these tidy sums because they are tied to academics. If you don’t have a 3.0 you aren’t going to get a lot and most of these schools are private which make them expensive.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:30 am
My son was looked at last year, before HS graduation, by a local D1 school. They gave the schlorship to someone else, but encouraged him to come anyway. He choose instead to go to an excellent D3 school that offered a starting spot and grant money. it was “tennis shoe football” and no more….just awful. He transferred to the D1 school in the winter as they still wanted him. In spite of being told by the OC that he was the best out there, in the end there were only 3 roster spots and the head coach wanted other positions than QB’s. And who ever wrote that walk-ons are usually just not good enough. No…..mayber they didn’t go the “well-known” high school……maybe their HS coach didn’t know who to talk to recruiters……maybe they didn’t have the fancy listing on the fancy website……the variables are much more complex……..Read “Meat Market,” educate yourselves, get good films made, go to schools and sit with the coach while the film is reviewed, look at JC programs…….
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:04 am
My son turned down three DI “walk-on” and a couple of DII and NAIA football scholarship opportunities and signed with a DIII school. The financial aid package they put together for him (grants, merit scholarships, etc) will cover all but a few thousand per year…less than attending any of our state colleges. By far the best financial deal, and he will be getting a degree from an academically high ranked school.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:24 am
My daugther was offered a spot on a lower popular D1 lacrosse program, she was not what you call a blue chip athlete, but still a pretty good one, they only offered her $5k. She has always taken the toughest courses in school; she is in the top 10-15% of her class (our school doesnt’ rank). Instead she choose an excellent DIII received 30k$ for merit and leadership and she’ll probably start, and the coach won’t give her a hard time because she wants to go into science, and they have extra labs that sometimes conflict with practice. Take your hardest classes and keep your grades up and practice the SAT. You’ll have more choices.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:54 am
I’m glad I read the article and comments. Our son had the choice of playing many great D3 schools or going to a Junior College for a year or two and hoping for a D1 opportunity (which many people thought was the better choice). We’re thrilled that he chose education over “chance” and will be starting at an awesome D3 school to play football in the Fall. The financial aid package they gave us (because he had the grades) gives him the opportunity to get a top notch education while doing what he loves. What’s the down side???
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:57 am
My son is a football player, who is being recruited by D1 teams. We have been to many campuses and sat at practices with the coaches, and they don’t speak highly about the walk- ons. We ask about players and depth of the team and they say things like “don’t worry about this kid or that, they are just walk on’s”. I think that one of the previous commenters stated. I they coaches did not believe you were good enough to recruit, they are most likely not going to change their mind if you walk on. Just their egos alone won’t allow it. My son has D1 offers, but was thinking about walking on at UCLA if they did not end up offering him, I would not allow it after everything I have heard about the way coaches think about walk -ons.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
My son was a spring walk on to a D1 baseball NJCAA program this year. The coach told him if he could prove to him that he could hit, he would play. Well, he’s done a great job defensively, but is only batting .200 with only 25 at bats scattered through the season. Hardly enough to prove anything, or build any momentum at the plate. He puts the ball in play, only striking out 2 times. I guess that makes him not a good hitter, because he’s been benched pretty much most of the season. His defensive skills, ability to field his position, arm strength and knowledge of the game are not in question. My son recently got an offer from an NAIA school that will almost entirely pay for his education, and he will be a starting player at his position. He’s taking the offer, and transferring. This small college sports a 92 % graduation rate also. D1 is not what it’s cracked up to be.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:16 am
My son rejected offers from 1-AA and D2 schools in order to walk on at a D1-A. He was criticized for this by his high school coach, as well as his NCSA advisor (who arrogantly remarked that he would be nothing more than a tackling dummy). He was red-shirted his first year and started his second year on scholarship. This spring he graded out as the best offensive lineman. Granted, he may be the exception among walk ons, but there are larger issues. If you believe you can play at a higher level and have the desire, go for it. While there may be financial and educational considerations, realize that the finest education and all the money in the world may not mitigate your regret at not trying.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
I was surprised that a full 20% of students at MIT participate in varsity sports. The best school for science and engineering in the world and they actually coordinate schedules of practice with classes, labs, and summer internships. It may be DIII, but there’s a realistic chance of getting to play or even start.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:53 am
Hard Truth and the LONG SHOT!!
My daughter plays softball and was offered a full scholarship at two Junior Colleges and 80% Scholarship at two D1 Mid Major Schools. Upon her visit to a Top 25 D1 school, the coach with a phenominal sales pitch, was able to convince my daughter that if she came there as a recruited walk on, that no one would know that she was a walk on unless she told them, and that everyone would be given the same opportunities, and whoever takes advantage will be in the line up.
After my daughter committed, she was contacted by one of her future teammates that informed her that there would be a walk on in her room, and would she like to be the walk on that they add to her room.
The first week of school, when the players were meeting each other, the older players were introducing themselves and others and knew everyone’s names except the walk- ons and introduced them as ” Oh they are just the walk ons” and didn’t attempt to learn their names.
The scholarship freshman players picked up real early that if you were a walk on, you didn’t matter and you weren’t a real player, so they began to avoid and ignore the walk ons also.
Coach issued items like book bags and stuff to the scholarship players only, and had meetings with the scholarship players and text them regularly on their phones.
Long story short. As adults, many of us have endured being low man on the totem pole. We tried to prepare our daughter for all of this, and of course the response was “Oh, I know, I’ll be able to take it”. Saying it and doing it are two totally different things. Once she got there and began experiencing this, it was as if we had not prepared her at all. She was devastated.
Spring Season was to begin in one week, and she injured her knee. Missed the first 3-4 weeks when the coach was giving everyone opportunities to show what they could do. Once she was better, the team was winning and the starting line up was pretty much set. (No Walk Ons).
Then, around the middle of the conference season, just as they were reaching the meat of the schedule, they gave her a chance. She didn’t do great, but she did alright, and they continued to use her.
I can tell you though, If we as her parents had not known what to expect, and had not been there to keep redirecting her thoughts of her worth, she would have most definatly not made it. She would have finished the season, but she would not have been back the next year.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I walked on at a D-1 school, spent the first 2 years as practice meat, but kept at it and eventually started at wide receiver and left as the schools all-time leading punt return specialist.
I could have gone to a smaller school, but I wanted to play bigger ball and was willing to wait a few years to do it. I knew I was good and it would only be a matter of time and it all worked out. Maybe smaller school is better for some, but each person should make their own decision, don’t tell someone else not to walk on just because you didn’t think it would be right for you.
After graduation we all got letterman’s rings to wear. Not a day goes by that I still (at 43 years old) don’t look back with tremendous pride at what I was able to overcome and accomplish. I know for a fact I would not have these feelings if I had gone to a much smaller school.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
After reading all the replies, it is obvious to see that the answers are not so cut and dry. There are many variables to consider. Academics, the physical location of the school, the coach, the team members, big fish, small fish, scholarships, financial aid, student loans, merit awards, Division of play, realistic ability, interest in the sport, and more. When it comes down to it, the decision must be carefully and diligently weighed. The decision should be one that will set your young adult up for success. It is not always about the money or the spot on the team. The sport is secondary. Sports are important and can ensure interest and enjoyment in school. Also, students who are physically fit are happier and healthier. I agree with the author of the article which states that walking on is terribly risky. It is also stressful. Students should find a school that will put the spot on the team in writing, no matter what the value of scholarship that is offered. My advice to give as a long time club and high school coach is to go where you are valued as a player and wanted.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
We signed with this agency [csaprepstar.com]. Troy our recruiter told us he would get my daughters name to colleges, and help her get recruited. What he failed to mention was that those ‘emails’ he sent are sent out as SPAM. He also told us is was very difficult to get a DI scholarship, so we should be looking into more DIIand DIII programs….ok, good advcie. What he DID NOT tell us was that my daughter needed to have a min SAT Score to qualify to play DII. She had a 780, and a score of 820 is required by ALL DII programs. Though he did ‘recommend’ she improver her score, it was not until last week (late in the recruiting process for her as she is a Senior) when several DII schools started making offers, that we were finally told by a COACH that she had to get her SAT up to 820! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! Get the facts, call schools you are interested in directly. Talk to others who have done it. She currently has a DI offer out of state, with a good school, but her first choice was a DII school in state with an amazing academic program.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:01 pm
my son was being recruited but unfortunately suffered a season ending knee injury. what are his chances of a.) still being recruited and b.) walk on opportunities in the fall of 2009. he will net be ready to play in 2008.
i’m sure this comes up often.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Real numbers from a Big Ten football team recruiting coordinator who is a friend of mine: Most years they will bring in 40 walk-ons. I asked him, “Of those 40 players - how many will be with the program all 4-5 years?” His answer - “4″. He comented that he had the easiest job — he could go into any HS in the state and offer a kid a walk on and they would always accept. Keep in mind that most teams will suit 120 -140 players for a home game. 11 starters on offense, 11 on defense, backups on both sides of the ball, and some special teamers — roughly 50 players will play all season. That means 70-90 will NOT play. Many parents will say — ‘That will not be my son — he will be one of those 4 who makes it.’ That is .1% chance. (Congratulations to those who do) Most kids are used to playing 2 -3 years in HS and want to play within the first year or two when they get to college. Many have dreams of playing beyond college at the pro level. Will the pro scouts want a 4th, 5th, or 6th stringer or will they take a look at a DII, DIII, or NAIA All-American? Obviously they will look at those who have played and excelled. Statistics show - most of those who play in college do better academically in school as well. Many times DI is what the parents or HS coaches want - it is an ego or pride thing for them. Yet when the player goes to a DI as a walk-on and a year or two later is not even invited out for spring practice - now their ego and pride is stung and they start blaming people and do the ‘would of …could of…should of…’ second guessing. Then the kid has to transfer and start all over getting established in school, on the field, and socially. Find the school that fits the player’s academic interest first and foremost — after all that is the purpose — to earn a quality education and receive the degree. He can use sport to aid in that search and open up doors of opportunity. Not taking anything away from DI as it is a great experience and opportunity for those who are offered scholarships. The odds are really stacked against walk-ons. Most coaching staffs will spend more time teaching and developing a player who they have invested time and money in versus the walk-on.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Are walk ons there just to pad the bench? If they’re good enough to walk on, they should have equal playing time. I think there’s more reason to play someone that has to pay for their education in order to come to play than some of the very spoiled brats I’ve seen throw their helmets as though they’re too good to strike out.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Great to hear everyones’ comments. Obviously a very divisive issue, but I think the comments help get my main point across. If you are considering being a walk-on think long and hard. By reading the comments above, its clear that some athletes make it while others do not. Clearly there is a risk when you choose to walk-on. Thats why it is so important to ask questions and try to understand the situation you are “Walking Into!” (couldn’t help it)
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I am mom of senior football player and followed the word of coaches and fell behind the eight ball. Many coaches have your sons best interest at hand and others do not. Through this process I have learned that as a parent its up to you the parent to follow through with colleges in the event your son or daughter is being recruited by them. Find out all the facts. What scores are needed. The scores for the NCAA and for each individual school are “NOT” the same. The school scores are higher. D1 can use the sliding scale while D2 adn D3 cannot. We all as parents think and what our kids to play D1, playing D1 doesnt make you any better of a player. As a child growing up all you dream of is playing football on TV on Sat. As a single parent you have to look out for whats in the best interest of your child. Ask questions and get the answers you need. In the end graduating with a College degree is the goal. My son will be attending college as a “Preferred Walk On” (same benefits as a scholarship player) and has been offered the chance to start this year coming in with the top 90 class. He has been asked to start workout early to prepare him for the season. Sometimes the best things do come to those who wait. Weigh your options, ask lots of questions, and be realistic. Your son or daughter will only be as comfortable with a school as long as you are. I find your information to be very informative and helpful I truly appreciate it, I have learned so much by reading and listening to other. I have another son come who I will be in the same situation, and I am ready. To Parents you should never have to pay to get your son or daughter looked at. and all combines are not good combines, schools that you are looking at may not be looking at you.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Great topic with no right or wrong decision as long as the student athlete is a student first. That is what it is all about is being a student and having a chance to play a game you like. My son comes from a Texas 4A football powerhouse. He was a starter and used the NCSA system. Because of his grades 3.92 GPA he had about 6 very solid offers. They where D1AA, D2, and D3. In looking at the NCSA power ranking these where some of the best academic schools in the US. We visited a few D1 schools annd he could have walked on, but the academics at these schools did not rank. He ended up going D2 to one of the top academic schools overall in the US, top 10%. He will still get to play the game he loves, but when the 4th quarter ends for the last time he will have a great education. People do not get it twisted, few make the NFL. We need manty Doctors, lawyers, pharmacist, engineers. Go to scool and use the school to get the most money and best education and do not worry about being D1. He went D2, but even though D3 does not give athlectic scholarships they can put together a great package if the grades are there, He had an offer from a D3 school that was 32K per year and would have cost me about 6K when it was all said and done. We visited a few great D3’s in MN. and almost choose them. At the end of the day get the paper.
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:22 am
I understand about searching for a school with a good program. I emailed tons of coaches and I finally got one that gave me a pretty good chunck of change to play softball for him. If you really weigh your options and think about the money you could possibly get I think it might make your decision a little easier.
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 pm
If a young athlete has a dream who should say that they should not persue that dream. So many times we want our children to be successful without facing adversity. The walk-on has to prove everyday that he or she can do it. The scholorship athlete has to show they can’t do it. Seems kind of like the real world to me! I was a walk on and played three positions the first year in football. Was totally abused on the meat squad but ended up with a scholorship. Walked on the Green Bay Packers in 1978 and after 11yrs and 3 Pro Bowls finially retired. If someone has a dream encourage them to take risks, don’t be afraid to fail, learn from setbacks and never give up. They may not be successful in their sport but if they keep that attitude in life they will be a success.
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Our son’s College choices were based on football first. Profile, film, and stats were sent mid and post season to lots of schools. Additionally he applied to 2-D1 and 2-D2 and 1-D3 school and was accepted academically last fall (not banking on athletic scholarships). After receiving an academic scholarship he was recruited as a “walk on” by a D1AA school. He was talking with D3 and D2 schools but liked the larger D1AA school. We met with the coaches and watched spring practice. Then the numbers were researched - 100 on the spring roster (5 are mid year transfers) 30 additional scholarship players coming for summer/fall. There will be 130 players + any “walk ons”. The coaches selling point “they (the coaches) walked on in college, and there are 3 walk ons on the depth chart”. He has decided to forego college football. He believes he can play at this level and knows 1 of the current walkons on the team who recieved a scholarship after the first year. But 120 to 130 players “after the cut” is not encouraging to a 2 year starter both ways in high school. We have struggled with no more football and we would like to see him continue but he is done. It would be even more difficult to see him not participate in college after working so hard. When he goes to the season opener this Fall it will be the first time in his life he is the fan and not the player for “his” school. I’m sure he will be a very good fan too.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:13 am
I have 5 sons. All of which played or is playing D1 football. Out of those 5 sons, only 1 has received a scholarship. The rest have attended different schools and walked-on. I will be the first to tell you, don’t be the parent that lets their kids make mistakes, be real with them. BUT do NOT be the parent that will get in the way of their dreams because YOU do not think it is in their best interest. What I always told my sons and imprinted this in their minds the minute they picked up a football is that sports were made for people who dream and dream big. No matter how it happens, no matter what the odds are, no matter how you are treated, if you are trying to capture a dream you better not give up and you better not listen to people who are around that try to be “real” and ruin that dream. As a former walk-ons coach, (never was the walk-on coach for my kids), We didn’t necessarily sign the kids that were the best athletes. We signed the kids that STOOD UP to adversity without COMPLAINTS and said “Thank you sir may I have another” after every brick and stone of hate we could throw at them. Why do they do this ladies and gents? Because they are testing your mental toughness. These kids are going to be the run-down meat of the practice squad getting licked by the “so-called” scholarship players that aren’t even better than some of the walk-ons. They don’t need to be blazing fast, super huge, or a physical mammoth. They need to be MENTALLY TOUGH NO MATTER WHAT! I guarantee they make the team or open eyes for next season…If failure happens, atleast you said you have it one hell of a shot and thats more than most could say…And everyone who wants to say that coaches hate walk-ons and such, you sit one of them coaches down and ask them straight up what they think and i guarantee you they would smile and say “If these scholarship players had to endure what these walk-ons have, they wouldn’t even got on the bus in the first place.”
So for some of you trying to be “real” like you know what your talking about by trying to rip some of these kids dreams out of their minds of playing D1 football because they might have to face a little adversity, just remember that at some point in their lives they will fail it’s just later on in life you won’t be there to do it for them. At 18 years old, help guide them in some ways, but if they want to walk-on we as parents need to get behind them and encourage them because where there is a negative there is a positive. In a walk-ons mind we are that positive. 9 times out of 10 a mentally tough walk-on will always beat out a better athlete. Guaranteed.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Pat,
I have been going through the recruiting process and i got a couple of scholarship offers to Division II schools that i dint really like, I could have had others from Division II schools that i wanted to go to but the players at my position have been talking to that schools for quite some time. So they got the job over me. I took an offer from a Division I school that i love and have a great walk on program. So it’s not always that your not good enough for the school you want to go to and get turned down, but it’s that you got picked over kids that are familiar with the program and know more people.
Questions?
Comments?