If a gymnast signs an NLI does that mean they are on scholarship?

[ugadawgkat]

...or are they just committing to the school?

 

[RedBirdie]

A true National Letter of Intent means they are on scholarship. But sometimes gyms will hold a signing ceremony for a non-scholarship athlete.

 

[ugadawgkat]

If they are just holding a signing ceremony with no official NLI and scholarship what exactly are the signing?

 

[RedBirdie]

Essentially, nothing. Some schools will send a commitment letter for walk ons to sign, but it's not legally binding like an NLI is.

 

[ugadawgkat]

So if they do sign a NLI is that for 1 year or for all 4 years? If its for 1 year do gymnasts re-sign a new NLI each year? Thanks in advance for the info.

 

[irichluck21]

No, they sign it one time. Though NLI is good for one year at a time.
The athletic department has to notify the athlete if the athlete will not be getting the aid renewed.

 

[makam]

I thought there were changes to the scholarship rules so coaches can't abuse athletes and then threaten their scholarships to keep them compliant? Like, don't they have to have a paper trail of why the athlete deserves to lose their scholarship--and it can't be because they gained 5lbs or something. Did I misunderstand that?