College Tryouts Question

My daughter is a rising senior, a 2013 grad that has been invited to a college softball tryout. We are new to all of this but like many others looking for the scholarship offer. Is there anything I should know before she goes to tryouts? Also, is it common for highschoolers to tryout for college teams before graduating?

 

I suggest you spend some time studying this board

The most important thing to know is that if this is a Division 1 school the invitation to 'try out' constitutes an NCAA violation. Does your daughter play for a summer/travel team? If so, the coach of that team should be able to advise you on these matters. If he or she can't then your daughter needs to find another team.

 

She will need to have a current physical, I think within the previous 6 months.

 

Major colleges D-1,D-2 programs do not hold tryouts for highschool players. This sounds "fishy" if you are correct in your words of a "try-out". They hold various camps for players to attend (usually at a cost) but they can't talk to players until after Sept. 1st of your junior year and that is usually done through e-mail once a month. What school is it? Check more into it before you commit an infraction.

 

NCAA Rules

Div 1 schools cannot have a "try-out" for high school age kids outside of a camp. They can hold a 1 day try-out for kids that are already enrolled in school, but those kids must meet all the same NCAA eligibility requirements, including being cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse, that regular SA have to meet.

Unless things have changed since I was at the D2 level, Div 2 schools can hold try-outs or have high school players workout with the team if they are in full team practice. We used to do this all the time at Pembroke and really had good feed back from the players and their parents.

I believe JUCO's can have try-outs as well but I am not sure.

Be sure to do your homework before taking part in this so you don't put your daughter's eligibility in danger.

 

Division II does, indeed allow tryouts (there are actually several NC schools at this level that hold tryouts during the summers), and for high school players to work out with the team (although there are a specified number of times as contact rules apply).

I know of numerous NJCAA schools that have "tryouts", although it seems like almost all of them have them when a camp is going on, so I have to wonder if they are linked. I know of a couple of players who tried out at the NJCAA level and they actually paid a fee for the tryout session.


As far as money's awarded? Honestly, every single player that we know that went on to play for the school for which they tried out, did not receive a financial package from the sports department. Each of these players were considered a walk-on with the opportunity to earn playing time.

 

Yes, she is on a travel team I just haven't had a chance to speak with her coach. This is not a DI or DII this is a Community College. Thank you for responding.

 

D2 and Juco are the only opportunities to try out
D1 and D3 do not permit it.

 

Thanks to all who responded. My daughter tried out yesterday and was offered a scholarship, she was thrilled. She hasn't accepted - yet but I feel like it was an awesome experience for her. Who knows what's to come. I think I mentioned earlier, it was a community college so no NCAA violation. If the opportunity presents itself I'd highly reccommend it. Great experience for the girls.