VERBALLING TO PURDUE U

[coolstuff]

Having just attended the NFCA administered camp in Columbus OH, I can share what a group of parents were told by an NFCA official. "Verballing" is a handshake agreement between a coach and player. Can one or the other back out? Yes, they can. The verbal agreement is dependent on the word of both parties, and is not legally binding. I don't know what the conversion rate is for verbals to NLIs but I would hope it is very high, and that very few verbals fall apart. As a Purdue alum I expect the Purdue softball coaching staff to be honest and of the highest integrity, and I believe those two fine ladies have nothing to worry about.

As far as media coverage of verbals is concerned, newspaper staffs all over the country are cutting back and have to be very picky about what they are willing to cover. I have seen a mention of a verbal within an article about a HS game, ie, "Suzy Softball, who has verballed to Purdue, hit a home run." Signing ceremonies get just a little more attention (depending on the sport and the player). A news release to your local paper about a verbal or an NLI will likely run in a "HS briefs" column.

And, to dovetail with a similar thread in the IN forums, I have seen Team Akedema players at Purdue's softball camps.