What equipment do colleges supply?

[default]

My daughter will be playing her first year of college ball next year. She is asking me what gear does a college supply, and what are we responsible for? And, I don't have a clue.

Does it vary by college? Do some companies - Mizuno, adidas, Worth - contract with certain schools? Are there certain minimums per Div. I, II, III , etc? Shoes? Bats? Socks? Gloves? Batting Gloves? Gatorade? Knee Braces? all kinds of possibilities...

Let's hear it from the veteran parents.

 

[default]

It's been a couple of years since I was there but when I went, they supplied everything but my glove. They provided us with bats, helmets, bags, uniforms, cleats, under armor, hoodies, jackets, sliders, socks, practice clothes, visors, braces or other protection equipment, sunglasses, gum, drinks, sunflower seeds, everything!! They even washed our clothes for us. Some brought their own bats but they certianly had a good variety to choose from if you needed one. They had a catalog for shoes that you chose the ones you wanted and they got them for you. We all didn't have matching shoes, eveyone got to choose the brand and style they wanted. It was pretty cool!! I'm not sure if it is the same as it used to be but I'd imagine they get even more now. They hook you up pretty good!!

 

[default]

It depends on their available funds, and of course sponsors. For DIII I'd ask Joe A. My DD played DI, but that didn't necessarily mean they were outfitted like the OSU football team (minus tatoos, cars, etc. :lmao.

I know the team supplied (uniforms, of course), cleats as needed and bats. The uniforms were cleaned and kept "in order" by the athletic laundry facility, but the kids had to be sure they got them there according to the rules. I believe braces, wraps, etc. were also supplied as needed by the trainers. I think plenty of cold water was at their disposal, but I think the sports drinks were up to the individual, since there are so many preferences. Just because you see Gatorade cups doesn't mean that's what's in it...

Most girls used their own gloves, but I think if you needed one (within reason) it would be supplied.

I will ask DD this eve. if she has any tips or suggestions.

----

Edit - - Klump's sounds like what DD had. Although the shoes matched. I think DD was spoiled on Ringors before college, but got (free) Addidas for college play. Hey - when it's free and easily replaced - you don't complain! Oh, they were supplied practice stuff too. I forgot about the seeds too! DD always had seeds...

 

[default]

I would think that is something that parents/players need to ask while on a visit. With the prices of some bats, if bats are provided that would be like a mini scholarship in itself.

 

[default]

I'd have to double check with my DD, but I believe at D3 you don't get much more than a uniform for equipment. Could be a case by case basis at some schools.

She should probably ask the coach.

 

[default]

D1 is going to get way more than D2 or D3 or NAIA. I think at D3, most schools seem to have some team bats, catcher's gear, maybe a warmup outfit or BP jersey. I supplied several t-shirts, practice gear, some warmup gear, new top of line helmet, and maybe one or two other items each year. Players bought Under Armour, shoes, most supplied their own bats and other individual items. I know some D3 schools just operate like a high school program and you just get the uniform and must fundraise for everything else.

A lot depends on the coach. Does the coach want to take money out of recruiting or somewhere else to provide some extras for the players? Or will the coach take money out of the camp or fundraising accounts to buy some of these items?

 

[default]

My DD's D3 school operates pretty close to what a high school program would have. As others have said, I think it depends a lot on the individual school, but it's going to be way less at D3 vs. D1.

 

[default]

Asked DD yesterday evening about this. She said at her DI program, you essentially supply your glove and underwear - sports bra, etc. Pretty much everything else is provided - including road meal allowance. Water is provided, and sports drinks, seeds & gum come from your meal allowance if you budget efficiently. Many kids took their favorite bat to freshman fall tournaments, but gradually migrated to using the provided team bats after that. DD took her favorite '04 Rocket Tech with her freshman year (which recorded a VERY memorable walk-off homer ). That bat is now "in storage".

As Joe said, having an equipment sponsor can help. I believe coaches are provided a certain level of agreed upon funding, and it is up to the individual coach to disburse those funds as they see fit. Having an equipment sponsor can ease the burden, and allow discretionary spending in other areas - like upgrades on uniforms, etc. Certain DI programs in her conference did have equipment sponsors who even provided warm-ups, sports bras, etc. So depending on the program, you could possibly just "show up with your glove and your game"!

 

[default]

Studies supposedly show that one of the big things affecting the satisfaction of college athletes is the quantity and quality of the gear they are issued. Often girls go to a D3 program expecting to get all kinds of things like a D1 player would and end up being disappointed. Our department had a contract with Nike, so one of the things our players received was a 45% discount off of all Nike products, which was helpful.

Meals and all travel expenses are provided pretty much everywhere, I think. We roomed four to a room, though. I imagine D1 only has two to a room. I never liked putting four to a room, as I think once you're an adult you shouldn't have to share a bed with someone, but we couldn't afford all the extra hotel rooms. I know some D3 and even D2 budgets are bare bones and they have no more money for equipment than high school teams.

 

[default]

With twins out of HS in two years, and both are pretty good students, is there money out there for softball to help us out. They are decent HS players and have a desire to play at the next level, so I am just curious about how much help is out there financially.

 

[default]

DD's D2 team had uniforms, socks, spirit wear clothes pack, bat bags, helmets, food and drink while traveling (when eating with team), and motel room supplied (each had there own bed usually)...She used her own bat, glove, and cleats.

They did have one little fundraiser, but university pretty much foot the bill for everything.

 

[default]

Everything was provided for DD at D1 school...cleats, turf shoes, practice clothes, batting gloves, gloves, bats, helmets etc. they were expected to use and wear the equipment provided instead of their own. If a school has a contract with a company to supply equipment, they will usually expect players to wear the gear of the contracted company.

 

[default]

I got a bat bag to use (returned at end of season), my uniforms (keep socks, return everything else), practice uniforms (keep shirts, return pants/shorts), a ball, and lots and lots of sprints and push-ups. Our coach also orders whatever bats we want each year. There's always water at practice and games. Laundry is done for practice and game uniforms as long as you turn your uniforms in on time. Athletic training treatment is free/readily available. We fund raise a LOT so that spring break trips are free. We have to get our own glove, cleats, snacks, etc. Coach can get us a discount through Nike because our school affiliates with them. D3. It's not bad at all...

 

[default]

Oh, and, when traveling with the team, all meals are paid for and coach usually has snacks for longer bus rides. Helmets are provided.

 

[default]

With twins out of HS in two years, and both are pretty good students, is there money out there for softball to help us out. They are decent HS players and have a desire to play at the next level, so I am just curious about how much help is out there financially.

I think with your daughters' abilities you should not have trouble finding something...the key is marketing your daughters to the coaches of the schools they want to attend. Contact with the coaches, skills video, showcase tournaments and especially camps will get them in front of the people that need to see them. Talk to Bouldersdad, he is the guru in these here parts...

 

[default]

I think with your daughters' abilities you should not have trouble finding something...the key is marketing your daughters to the coaches of the schools they want to attend. Contact with the coaches, skills video, showcase tournaments and especially camps will get them in front of the people that need to see them. Talk to Bouldersdad, he is the guru in these here parts...

We sent out 30 letters yesterday to colleges they are interested in attending. One went to the OSU camp last week and one played in the underclassmen all star game and played pretty well.
It is just somewhat overwhelming, and when I see the costs associated with college, it flat out scares me. I paid my way through college 30 years ago. There is no way a kid could do that in this day and age.
This site is a great resource for information on the matter.
Thanks for your advice.

 

[default]

Studies supposedly show that one of the big things affecting the satisfaction of college athletes is the quantity and quality of the gear they are issued. Often girls go to a D3 program expecting to get all kinds of things like a D1 player would and end up being disappointed. Our department had a contract with Nike, so one of the things our players received was a 45% discount off of all Nike products, which was helpful.

Meals and all travel expenses are provided pretty much everywhere, I think. We roomed four to a room, though. I imagine D1 only has two to a room. I never liked putting four to a room, as I think once you're an adult you shouldn't have to share a bed with someone, but we couldn't afford all the extra hotel rooms. I know some D3 and even D2 budgets are bare bones and they have no more money for equipment than high school teams.

We had 4 to a room every time we stayed at a hotel and we were a D1. And we didn't always stay at the Hilton...that's for sure!!!

 

[default]

We sent out 30 letters yesterday to colleges they are interested in attending. One went to the OSU camp last week and one played in the underclassmen all star game and played pretty well.
It is just somewhat overwhelming, and when I see the costs associated with college, it flat out scares me. I paid my way through college 30 years ago. There is no way a kid could do that in this day and age.
This site is a great resource for information on the matter.
Thanks for your advice.

Out of those 30 letters, pick the top ones and follow up with phone calls to the coach. Yep, it's stressful at times, but you only get to do this once - so think of it as a fun and exciting thing in your DD's life.

If your DD covers all the bases and isn't shy or afraid to market herself - make phone calls, send out summer schedules, etc. - there is definitely money out there at all levels that will cover the majority of reasonable college expenses. Just don't expect to get a full ride at the more expensive schools. But for a decent athlete, it is a very realistic goal to get a sizable amount at most of the state $15K/year schools.

 

[default]

I think with your daughters' abilities you should not have trouble finding something...the key is marketing your daughters to the coaches of the schools they want to attend. Contact with the coaches, skills video, showcase tournaments and especially camps will get them in front of the people that need to see them. Talk to Bouldersdad, he is the guru in these here parts...

Very far from a guru on anything except for drinking beer lol. What we did ( meaning the dd and the family as a whole ) was to take a number as a sophomore in hs of the colleges she was interested in. That number was in the 20,s. And it ranged all Divisions 1,2,3 and even some NAIA. Do alot of visits, go to the clinics the colleges hold she is interested in and try to play at as high as a level as you can afford. Constant communication between the dd and the coaches, invite them to games, thank them for showing up whether they did or not because in all honesty you may never know, then remind them of the next weeks game times filed locations and city. Then start the process all over again the next week. Talk to them until one of two things happen, either they invite you to come see them or they say thanks but no thanks. And grow thick skin on the last part, because a college cant use you dosent mean they diddnt like you. alot of factors play into recruitment, roster openings, money they have to spend and so on.

Use colleges you know that you wouldent attend to practice on unofficial visits. Refine your questions there when talking to coaches. Learn the right way to ask certain questions. Never bring up money. Let the college coach do that.

Take all you have learned your sophomore year and then start visiting the colleges you are serious about and having honed your skills at visits it will make your time go by alot easier when you finally get to meet the coaches of the colleges your really interested in.

Recruiting is nerve racking and alot has to go right to find the right fit. But your dd will know when she steps on campus it will just click. Start early, do a ton of research and be patient. Things will work out and she will soon discover at what division and what school she belongs with.

Tim

 

[default]

Nice post Bouldersdad!