LSAClassOf2000

July 31st, 2013 at 1:19 PM ^

I believe that the NCAA permits "nonrecruited students" (their words) who plays for teams and have received no financial aid related to athletics to use the one-time transfer exception and play immediately at another school.

In the case of Vanderdoes, there is a way to appeal the denial of a release from an NLI. A hearing is conducted by a disinterested party essentially and the student-athlete is invited to participate in the hearing by whatever means can be arranged. The results are supposed to be sent in written form within 15 days of the hearing, I believe. 

Witz57

July 31st, 2013 at 1:51 PM ^

Yeah it's absolutely brutal that they'd let a 17 year old kid still play football when he did something as selfish as wanting to stay home for a sick family memeber. Especially since we know Notre Dame's coach for sure has a 4 year commitment to the school that he absolutely can not back out of at the drop of a hat.

Witz57

July 31st, 2013 at 2:43 PM ^

Not mandatory in name but pretty much mandatory in practice.  It's like an optional workout, or the binding arbitration contract an ex-employer of mine tried to get everyone to sign while gently reminding us that employment was "at will" and under California law we could be dismissed with no notice for "not working out."

No one's going to save a spot for someone who won't sign an LOI nor should they. Spots precious and refusal to sign one would be totally out of the norm.

cbs650

July 31st, 2013 at 3:09 PM ^

many players sign grant in-aid papers. The LOI is also only a relevant for HS seniors. once in college you are signing scholarship/grant in-aid papers every year to renew you scholarship. so to me their really is no use for the LOI except it allows espn to show coaches standing by the fax machine waiting for it on signing day lol

Witz57

July 31st, 2013 at 3:27 PM ^

It's pretty clear you know more about this than me. So actual non sarcastic question: by what your saying do LOIs mean little enough to coaches that they'd hold a spot for a player who didn't sign one and instead chose to wait and sign grant in-aid papers?

It seems like a bit time program would just move on if the were any question about a person's willingness to commit.

O S Who

July 31st, 2013 at 3:13 PM ^

in my mind if you sign a contract that is not mandatory, then you should be bound to the contract even more than if it was mandatory.  he CHOSE to sign a paper saying that he is going to notre dame.

whats the point of the LOI if people can still back out without punishment? he should have to sit out a year. 

wait until this happens to us, and then we will see what tunes you all are singing

cbs650

July 31st, 2013 at 3:23 PM ^

wrong because the contract is one sided. plus the contract is not even relevant. the scholarship is whats relevant and signing the LOI does not guarantee the scholarship. look at the kid who was asked to grey shirt after moving in I believe at LSU he signed papers saying he had a scholarship and it was yanked from him. look how one sides these "contracts" are.

GoBlueInNYC

July 31st, 2013 at 2:02 PM ^

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure (and the article makes it sound like this) Vanderdoes was never enrolled at ND. He signed his LOI but never made it to campus before deciding to stay closer to home. So this situation is nothing like having to "keep recruiting our kids til their senior year in college." This kid changed his mind due to changing family circumstances before ever setting foot on campus.

O S Who

July 31st, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^

loi is a contract, you should not be able to break the contract without repercussions, otherwise, what is the point of the contract... all i am saying that this may just be the start of february 1 not being the day where we all become comfortable with the incoming class, as they could still leave without facing any punishment (aka having to sit a year)

also, the senior year comment was an exaggeration

WolvinLA2

July 31st, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^

So an LOI is not binding for the schools or the players then, huh?  So why have them?  I wish both the school and the player had to honor the agreement for a year once they sign an LOI.  School doesn't want a kid they signed?  Tough, you need to give him a year scholarship and let him know he won't get anything after that.  Kid wants to change his mind after he signed?  Tough, you need to honor your commitment or sit out a year (though I don't think it should use a year of eligibility). 

WolvinLA2

July 31st, 2013 at 3:25 PM ^

Yeah, and I'm OK with exceptions on a case by case basis, I just hope they're strict about that stuff. "The weather there sucks" or "we signed another good player at my position" shouldn't count.