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If a head coach offers an incoming student athlete a scholarship then does not award it, assuming there is record of the offer, what are the repercussions? (doesn't matter what sport)

I am not sure of the context in which you ask the question but in football for instance the coaches will offer several more kids than there are scholarships available. If the class fills up, then the offer will not be able to be fulfilled. Of course for the right kid, room will be made, but all things equal it is first come first served.

On the other hand, although it happens occasionally, if you make an offer and then renege, or withdraw a committment after the kid has accepted, your reputation and credibility will be hurt. However, it will be forgotten quickly if the coach wins.

Interesting take on the issue. I am curious that if the offer is made and then taken away, isn't that fraud? A verbal contract is still binding.

so if an incoming student athlete that has accepted the offer but decides at the last minute he/she got a better offer somewhere else or just decides not to come, is that fraud? whats your point?

No, the student accepts, enrolls, then get's a bill for full tuition. In your scenario If a student athlete has signed a letter of intent and changes their mind then the coach has the option of not releasing the player. There are repercussions.

In your initial scenario, has the student signed a LOI?

Yes

Happens every year at every school. Just like kids can change their minds, so can a school, although most coaches won't without considerable reason. There is mrydel's argument that the coach's reputation will be "hurt," but at the same time, most coaches will explain to a HS coach why an offer was pulled. There also are countless scenarios in which a kid is offered, and told "look, we're going to offer three other players at your position — the first two to accept will get the scholarships." A lot of student-athletes misread that qualifier, thinking the scholarship always will be there, and therefore can get upset when it doesn't turn out the way they envision.

The Letter of Intent should denote the scholarship percentage. If this percentage is not honored once the student is enrolled, I would consider that a breach of contract (assuming the student did nothing to have his/her scholarship revoked).

PattyMelt wrote:The Letter of Intent should denote the scholarship percentage. If this percentage is not honored once the student is enrolled, I would consider that a breach of contract (assuming the student did nothing to have his/her scholarship revoked).

I would agree with this. Pulling an offer is not the same as pulling a scholarship, There would have to be some just cause for pulling the scholarship as we witnessed last year. Some of the ones pulled held up and some did not.

That's my read on it. And in some sports (like basketball/soccer) scholarships are renewable at the discretion of the school on an annual basis. In some circumstances coaches have been known to not renew a scholarship for an under-performing player, but this is very rare because the coach then gets a bad rep among the players in the sport and the high school coaches, usually there is something more like a morals issue or an academic issue.

Nothing wrong with revoking an scholie offer.

Junior wrote:Nothing wrong with revoking an scholie offer.

There is if there is a letter of intent involved (see above). Year to year, as mentioned, is a negotiable contract. The coach does not have to renew or he/she can increase or decrease.

Oldkeeper wrote:

Junior wrote:Nothing wrong with revoking an scholie offer.

There is if there is a letter of intent involved (see above). Year to year, as mentioned, is a negotiable contract. The coach does not have to renew or he/she can increase or decrease.

I was referring to pre-LOI revocation. I don't disagree that it would be improper after the parties have signed their LOI.

gotcha...misinterpreted