Which program should I sign with?

If you're a walkon you aren't "signing" with anyone. You are simply choosing to go to school there. There is nothing binding to sign. No signing party. No instagram post.

,............ wrote:

If you're a walkon you aren't "signing" with anyone. You are simply choosing to go to school there. There is nothing binding to sign. No signing party. No instagram post.

My bad for the incorrect terminology... what team should I choose to join?

Rip the anonymity lol

A

If academics are both equal go with the coach that is actually interested in you as a person. You’re not going to the Olympics so it doesn’t matter if their top guys are a little faster. Neither are top notch programs anyway.

School B coach sounds like he is being realistic with you.

School A might or might not be trying to sell you on the program while school B is giving you the straight numbers.

End of the day, you're a walk on so look at which program treats walk ons better. My school treated walk ons the exact same as full rides. I have friends who played at other schools and walk ons had a separate locker room, were not allowed at training table, etc.

What is the bottom line price of both? If they are equal academically, choose the cheaper option. You really are not D1 material. It is highly likely that will not evenbe running in a year or two.

Choose the school with the best academics then try to get on the team.

School A without a doubt. A program that is interested in you will take the time to give you an individualized approach to training. I have had friends who loved running in high school become unhappy and lose motivation when walking onto a team where they are not made a priority. OP if you're not trolling I sincerely hope you chose school A as I am sure that you will find long term success with them.

Build wrote:

School A without a doubt. A program that is interested in you will take the time to give you an individualized approach to training. I have had friends who loved running in high school become unhappy and lose motivation when walking onto a team where they are not made a priority. OP if you're not trolling I sincerely hope you chose school A as I am sure that you will find long term success with them.

Just to add a little more incentive, A would give you training partners that are closer to your times, and you could work your way up. I am not going to speak ill of B because I am sure that you would improve wherever you go as long as you stay healthy and motivated. Trust me, as a college upperclassman who has run at multiple programs, a program isn't just about giving out weekly training. Having a coach who actually cares for you as both a runner and person will make you enjoy your 4 years (or 5 if you red shirt). It is about who will pick you up after a bad race, care just as much as you when you have a good race, keep you mentally fit during injuries, try to give you opportunities to race whenever possible, etc. For school B if you got hurt tomorrow and never hit those standards the coach would likely not bat an eye.

Also go on Strava and evaluate the training of the two teams. I don't know any of the specifics of your situation but don't take fast times as the sole reason to go to a school. You mentioned coach B was nonchalant about you which suggests that he probably recruits a lot faster than you. If school A takes a lot of walk-ons and develops them long term, that could be a huge reason the times aren't as fast but the training is still good. The feeling of building a smaller program where you can contribute more will feel very rewarding.

Just my 2 cents.

not coe wrote:

What is the bottom line price of both? If they are equal academically, choose the cheaper option. You really are not D1 material. It is highly likely that will not evenbe running in a year or two.

At what point is one considered D1 material? I know people that have picked up athletic scholarships with slightly faster times than me. My 5k is admittedly very poor for D1 But my 800 and mile would put me at around the 65-75th percentile at D1 meets in my area, which doesn’t seem awful for a freshman.

D1 material in my mind is:

800 in 1:54

1600 in 4:20