It is different for every person, depending on what you want to get out of the entire college football experience. I had the opportunity to play at a smaller school but chose to walk on at UK several years ago, I didn't see the field much but did enough to letter as a senior. Looking back, the things that I have taken away from that experience are invaluable. The K-Club connections, life time season tickets, bowl games, etc.... some of the things that you may or may not get at a smaller school. Yea, it is hard work and it is definitely not for everyone, you may not even realize the take aways until much later in life but I say that it was definitely worth it for me. If a kid thinks that they may have a chance to play at that level, I say go ahead and give it a shot; there is nothing like running out in front of 65,000 people on Saturdays in Lexington. You will never know unless you try it. I have never had one regret!

 

You get free season tickets or am I misreading this? Is this something new? What year did you letter?

You get free season tickets or am I misreading this? Is this something new? What year did you letter?

 

Yea, you get one free season ticket if you lettered. As far as I know, this has been around for quite a while, I lettered in 1987 and it has been in place since then.

I am pretty certain that at UK you do get the same meals(training table) as the kids on scholarship but no money.

I am pretty certain that at UK you do get the same meals(training table) as the kids on scholarship but no money.

 

That is the way it used to be; I would bet you are probably correct.

I am pretty certain that at UK you do get the same meals(training table) as the kids on scholarship but no money.

During the Rich Brooks era, there was no training table for the UK football team. Also, there was not a football dorm. All the players get money for meals, but they do not eat at a central location like they used to. They players are scattered throughout campus and many of the upperclassman have apartments off campus. They receive a monthly stipend for the cost of housing.

 

I wonder if Joker will change that policy. I, personally, like a training table and a football dorm.

I played at a division 1aa school as a preferred walk-on. Everything you all are saying is false. Preferred walk-ons do not try out, they were asked to walk on by the head coach. They are just like a scholarship player, but they pay to go to school. Kids if you want to take a preferred walk on, live your dream and do it.

I played at a division 1aa school as a preferred walk-on. Everything you all are saying is false. Preferred walk-ons do not try out, they were asked to walk on by the head coach. They are just like a scholarship player, but they pay to go to school. Kids if you want to take a preferred walk on, live your dream and do it.

 

I think that is exactly what most posts on this thread do so.

 

Personally, I agree with your decision to pursue your dreams and challenge yourself at the a higher level of football. Congrats to you and best wishes on success.

Played at Western Kentucky in the 80's. It was Definatly worth my time.

My point is that in my opinion a walk on with no benefits such as tuition, books, etc. is not as good as playing at a lower level where these things are taken care of. IMO the opportunity to get your education paid for and play ball at the same time is the most appealing part of an athletic scholarship. Getting your education paid for and being debt free when you graduate is HUGE but not everyone thinks so, and that is okay. I would advise players to consider the education package more than the athletic big school draw. Working hard in practice and the immense time committment to just benchwarm is not a very good deal to me. If others want to do it then go for it. I wouldn't and I wouldn't advise others to do so either.