Turn down BB offer for athletics

Got a BB IB offer for SA26, but want to turn it down to keep competing d1.

Context: had a straight Cs in hs but got recruited to a semi-target. Decided to take advantage and worked hard for 2 years and got an offer. However have struggled with some injuries alongside spending too much time on classes and recruiting and haven’t really done well athletically. Due to the poor performance and other reasons it’s likely I wont be able to keep scholarship/roster spot at current school next year. Want to transfer anyways though.

Ultimately it’s a lose-lose but leaning towards turning it down and transferring. While I could keep internship and transfer, I really just want to go all in on my athletic career.

Am I crazy to give up offer?

Added context: New school would be of lesser academic quality. 3 years of athletic eligibility left.

11 Comments
 
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I played college football before I pursued IB, and recently signed for SA '27, so I hope this helps.

When I reflect back on my decision of quitting football to pursue academics and IB, I have nothing but gratitude for my decision. It was bittersweet when I quit, as I had devoted my entire life to the sport, but starting something new felt incredibly refreshing. (Additionally, I found the industry had shared commonalities with football, but I won't dive into that.)

My best advice for you would be to consider departing from your respective sport. At the end of the day, sports is only a granular portion of your entire life, and if the institution you'd transfer to is worse academically, then I would encourage against it, as you'd be sacrificing a quality education just to play your sport for one, maybe two more years (unless you're good enough to go pro).

You're in a tough situation, but I hope my input helps you in making a structured decision. Maybe redshirting would give you some time to think about athletics. Best of luck!

 

I think the decision would be easier if I was quitting on my own but I’m kinda being forced out so I can’t seem to let go.

 

I think so too, but it seems by at this point, it's best if you simply rip off the bandaid and just leave the sport. I'd recommend you continue playing it recreationally if possible (intramurals at school).

If you turn down the offer and attempt to recruit FT, just know it will be much more difficult to land an offer for An1.. maybe just accept the offer, quit the sport for the time being, and try to return to the sport if you end up not enjoying the IB experience.

 

Close friend was in a similar situation decided to pursue football and now is getting ready to graduate with 0 idea of what he is going to do. Ended up getting hurt his senior year anyways. It’s a really tough call

 

Honestly dude, had a similar instance but was Iinjured and a 6th year transfer student from an ivy to a masters program at a waaaay lesser school. Clawed my way into ib then PE. Take the IB offer and stay at the school. It sucks to stop playing but if you’re honestly struggling athletically whee you are, you still might struggle with where you are going

 

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