A preferred walk-on is a walk-on. There is no such thing. Its just a line the coach feeds the walk on to make them feel good about walking on. Period.

 

100% DEAD WRONG.

What would we say thae avg of scholarship athletes on D1 rosters started out as walk ons? If everyone that says the 20 preferred walkons recieve schollys starting soph year then that would mean if all recieved schollys for 3 straight years then 60 scholarships would be awarded to prefered walkons after 3 years. Hmmmm. Doubt that is the case.

My son is a walk on at UK... As a walk on last year he was not invited to Summer Camp. However, when he started the 1st day of class in September- he was treated nearly the same as scholly players. He got the opportunity to dress for the S Carolina game and dressed for the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.

 

Right now, he is practicing with the team during Spring Ball. Started the contact portion on Wednesday. His goal: is to make Summer Camp. A tough hill to climb, but that is the goal he set for himself.

 

Lastly, he is having a ball with the team, players and coaches. They are great. He traveled to Panama City with a few players a couple of weeks ago, some spend the weekends with us during the Fall to watch N Ky football.

 

If one loves the sport, there is nothing wrong with walking onto the team and having a great time. BTW, he spends just as many hours with the team during training as the scholly players and it takes that little extra to stay up on academics. That part, getting up at 6:00am and going to practice and then school in the late afternoon kind of caught him by suprise! Go CATS!

My son is a walk on at UK... As a walk on last year he was not invited to Summer Camp. However, when he started the 1st day of class in September- he was treated nearly the same as scholly players. He got the opportunity to dress for the S Carolina game and dressed for the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.

 

Right now, he is practicing with the team during Spring Ball. Started the contact portion on Wednesday. His goal: is to make Summer Camp. A tough hill to climb, but that is the goal he set for himself.

 

Lastly, he is having a ball with the team, players and coaches. They are great. He traveled to Panama City with a few players a couple of weeks ago, some spend the weekends with us during the Fall to watch N Ky football.

 

If one loves the sport, there is nothing wrong with walking onto the team and having a great time. BTW, he spends just as many hours with the team during training as the scholly players and it takes that little extra to stay up on academics. That part, getting up at 6:00am and going to practice and then school in the late afternoon kind of caught him by suprise! Go CATS!

 

I don't think anyone is saying there is anything wrong with walking on. Actually I would say quite contaire. It takes a person that really loves it to go through it with only a glimmer of hope of playing. And how special is it when one of these players succeeds and sees the field? That is a huge accomplishment. Good luck to your son. I'm glad he is enjoying his experience.

100% DEAD WRONG.

 

Uhhhhh....ok. You don't get any scholarship money, you don't eat training table with the team, you don't get per diem for the weekends, so it sounds just like a walk-on to me, buddy. A walk on is a walk on, period. In the locker room among the team everyone knows who the walk-ons are. It's not like "oh, but he is a preferred walk-on." Every walk-on has the same opportunity, but just like scholarship players, some are better than others. Every walk-on is evaluated before being allowed to walk-on, or they should be, by either film or a tryout. But regardless, you don't receive any money at all, so it doesn't make a difference because you get no money! Those that are better then others get more reps. It is proved on the field.

Edited April 3, 200917 yr by thepointafter

I think the main misconception is that people believe that a preferred walk on has the inside track to a scholly, one or two years down the road. That is simply not true.

 

I agree here 100%. Sometimes it is the case, but in college football not usually. Sometimes walk-ons earn a scholly though, and it makes for a great story.

Uhhhhh....ok. You don't get any scholarship money, you don't eat training table with the team, you don't get per diem for the weekends, so it sounds just like a walk-on to me, buddy. A walk on is a walk on, period. In the locker room among the team everyone knows who the walk-ons are. It's not like "oh, but he is a preferred walk-on." Every walk-on has the same opportunity, but just like scholarship players, some are better than others. Every walk-on is evaluated before being allowed to walk-on, or they should be, by either film or a tryout. But regardless, you don't receive any money at all, so it doesn't make a difference because you get no money! Those that are better then others get more reps. It is proved on the field.

 

Not sure what your point is. Of course walk-ons aren't getting money, that is the essential difference. As far as the others like training table, that is part of the cost of college either on a 5 day or 7 day meal plan and since walk-ons aren't getting money they pay... That also differs by team, some have separate dining facilities for scholarship players, some don't and they all eat together, so it really doesn't matter. And per diem? Sorry but players can't get paid for living expenses, that is a violation.

I'm not sure if you have an axe to grind here or what, maybe you had a bad experience with walking on - there have been many who have, but the whole point of this is that players can keep on playing if they can prove themselves. There have been many walk-ons who have been left out in the cold, and felt they were done wrong. Normally because they thought they could hang on and get on scholarship only to have the university go recruit someone in their place. There is no guarantee. And by the way, there's no guarantee for scholarship players either. The days of 4 year scholarships are long gone. Every player has to prove himself every year. Show up fat, out of shape, and unmotivated and see how long your scholarship lasts.

"Not sure what your point is. Of course walk-ons aren't getting money, that is the essential difference."

 

Hooaah, that is exactly my point. A walk-on is a walk-on. Go look up in the NCAA Compliance Handbook and you will not find one word mentioned about a "preferred" walk-on. But, it does talk about walk-ons. A preferred walk-on is the coaching staff gently saying they would "prefer" you walk-on instead of giving you a scholarship!

 

"As far as the others like training table, that is part of the cost of college either on a 5 day or 7 day meal plan and since walk-ons aren't getting money they pay... That also differs by team, some have separate dining facilities for scholarship players, some don't and they all eat together, so it really doesn't matter. And per diem? Sorry but players can't get paid for living expenses, that is a violation."

 

Hooaah, not sure I follow you. Training table is what the NCAA mandates to teams allowing them one meal a day as a team, usually dinner. But, of thier choice. It is a meal that is not open to the general student body. You are right again, the walk on and the "preferred walk-on" for a lack of better term, don't get to eat that either. Well, not for free. And per diem, sorry but players do get them. Its supposed to be for meal money over the weekends. It helps to buy beer. As far as players not getting paid for living expenses you are wrong. If you live off campus you get a rent check. I would call that living expenses. If you choose not to be on the meal plan at the cafeteria then you can opt for cash to pay for your meal expenses. Or living expenses, whatever you want to call it. And it's not a violation either. It's all in the handbook.

Edited April 4, 200917 yr by thepointafter

There is no axe to grind. I'm just clearing up the terms. It is what it is. Walk-ons are essential to the program. God bless them.

"Not sure what your point is. Of course walk-ons aren't getting money, that is the essential difference."

 

Hooaah, that is exactly my point. A walk-on is a walk-on. Go look up in the NCAA Compliance Handbook and you will not find one word mentioned about a "preferred" walk-on. But, it does talk about walk-ons. A preferred walk-on is the coaching staff gently saying they would "prefer" you walk-on instead of giving you a scholarship!

 

"As far as the others like training table, that is part of the cost of college either on a 5 day or 7 day meal plan and since walk-ons aren't getting money they pay... That also differs by team, some have separate dining facilities for scholarship players, some don't and they all eat together, so it really doesn't matter. And per diem? Sorry but players can't get paid for living expenses, that is a violation."

 

Hooaah, not sure I follow you. Training table is what the NCAA mandates to teams allowing them one meal a day as a team, usually dinner. But, of thier choice. It is a meal that is not open to the general student body. You are right again, the walk on and the "preferred walk-on" for a lack of better term, don't get to eat that either. Well, not for free. And per diem, sorry but players do get them. Its supposed to be for meal money over the weekends. It helps to buy beer. As far as players not getting paid for living expenses you are wrong. If you live off campus you get a rent check. I would call that living expenses. If you choose not to be on the meal plan at the cafeteria then you can opt for cash to pay for your meal expenses. Or living expenses, whatever you want to call it. And it's not a violation either. It's all in the handbook.

 

This is all interesting information, TPA. Since you do indeed seem pretty well informed on the topic, let me ask you the following:

 

If a walk-on, preferred or otherwise, is given an actual roster spot, I'm assuming at that point that they would get free access to the team meal?

 

Do you have any insight into the number of walk ons - again, "preferred or otherwise" - that end up eventually securing some type of athletic scholarship for their remaining years? I know it's very, very low, but just don't know how low we're talking about. 1 in 50? 1 in 100? 1 in 500?

I don't think anyone is saying there is anything wrong with walking on. Actually I would say quite contaire. It takes a person that really loves it to go through it with only a glimmer of hope of playing. And how special is it when one of these players succeeds and sees the field? That is a huge accomplishment. Good luck to your son. I'm glad he is enjoying his experience.

 

Thanks! :thumb:

 

IMO, the vast majority of walk-ons could play at another level of college ball. However, due to academic preference / team preference and/or college preference they try their skills and abilities with a D-1 school.

 

So far, it has been a great ride. Regardless of possible athletic schollarship opportunities at the end of the rainbow... the chap has gained numerous new friendships and about 20 lbs. as a result of this journey w/ the CATS!

Not based on everything I've been reading. There is a difference between a preferred walk-on and regular walk on. Maybe not a huge one, but there is a difference.

 

cooperstown get a college coach behind closed doors and he will tell you a walkon is a walkon there is no money coming. If you are reading all this stuff and a coach is saying it in the paper or magizine he is saying it so he can make the parents happy!!!! Trust me on this one I know several college coaches. The number of walkons that get money is slim in none also. Every now and then a walkon will get money but dont count on it.

cooperstown get a college coach behind closed doors and he will tell you a walkon is a walkon there is no money coming. If you are reading all this stuff and a coach is saying it in the paper or magizine he is saying it so he can make the parents happy!!!! Trust me on this one I know several college coaches. The number of walkons that get money is slim in none also. Every now and then a walkon will get money but dont count on it.

 

Actually, my interests weren't really so much as to whether a preferred walkon has a chance for a scholarship (it is clear they have little chance) and moreso whether or not they were guaranteed a roster spot, which is pretty clear that they are.

Actually, my interests weren't really so much as to whether a preferred walkon has a chance for a scholarship (it is clear they have little chance) and moreso whether or not they were guaranteed a roster spot, which is pretty clear that they are.

 

Preferred walk-ons are treated the same has scholarship atheletes. Same food, same facilities, same helmets, same playbooks, same teachers, and even the same coaches. And shoot, if they can make a football play they might even see the field. Of course Iam only basing this on what I have been told from someone I know in this situation. Walking off the street wanting a tryout is one thing, being recruited and knowing the coaching staff is another. And the issue of scholarship opportunities vary from case to case.