Questioning ‘verbal commitments’

I have been meaning to comment on the article in the March 21 issue by Merrell Noden ’78 (sports), and was reminded to do so after reading an article in The Portland Press Herald. The article was about a lacrosse player on the Cape Elizabeth High School team. She is a junior and the article stated that she has “verbally committed to Princeton.” In light of the comments of Dean Janet Rapelye and the Academic Index, on what exactly is Princeton basing its “acceptance” of an athlete who is only in her junior year? Her sophomore-year grades and PSATs? I was surprised that Mr. Noden didn’t mention this practice of “verbal commitments” by athletes who haven’t even finished junior year of high school.