Comments on: Letter of bad intentions

By: Cat11

Cat11 — Tue, 17 May 2005 16:46:56 +0000

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/college/orl-rsptlsign07050705may07,0,1353399.story?coll=tf-main-sports

Here’s another article where players “sign” to play with DIII schools this fall.

On a day that was most certainly unlike any other for athletics at Tavares High School Friday, five football players signed college grants to continue their careers.

In a signing summit orchestrated by Tavares Coach George Sneed, receiver Matt Habermehl signed with Millikin University, an NCAA Division III school in Decatur, Ill.; lineman Robert Douglas and running back T.C. Smith signed with Urbana (Ohio) University, an NAIA school; and punter/defensive back Ryan Leary and receiver Danny McManus signed with Maritime College in Throgs Neck, N.Y., an NCAA Division III school.

By: TTigerFan

TTigerFan — Wed, 04 May 2005 20:38:26 +0000

Good points, everyone … it is a valid argument that DIII should encourage the press to learn the difference between scholarship and non-scholarship athletics in college. As the father of an excellent small-high-school athlete, I was disappointed that he did not get DI attention at signing day, but it didn’t take long for us both to see the value of an outstanding school with a successful athletic program. Without exception, the coaches and players we’ve met are fine examples to younger student-athletes. I plan to encourage my friends and neighbors to consider DIII as a valid option for their sons and daughters.

With tuition de-regulation in Texas (and perhaps elsewhere), smaller private schools are actually competitive with the state schools … especially when academic scholarships and grants are offered (as in our case.)
I’m looking forward to watching him grow in body, mind, and spirit … I want him to enjoy university life in all facets and happy that he has found a place to do so.

He could certainly have “walked-on” at a DI school (no different than “walking-on” to a DIII school, is it?), but wanted to spend more time in class and “have a life” outside football. Can’t argue with that, can I? The more I read and hear about DIII, the more I think it fits my son best, whether he continues to play athletics or decides to stop.

Here’s a link to the article that appeared in our local newspaper … as you can read, no “signing” is mentioned, although he certainly did sign a paper accepting the financial package offered to him.

http://www.shinertx.com/shinerhs/va030805.htm

By: pcole

pcole — Tue, 03 May 2005 23:07:23 +0000

Conversely, it’s not unreasonable to ask schools to have a little understanding of how Division III football works. It is a lot different from the other divisions.

By: Bombers

Bombers — Mon, 02 May 2005 20:22:10 +0000

You cannot look at the Fitchburg State story in the Naples paper without understanding how high school football works in Florida. It is a lot different from the northeast. National signing day is a big deal. Almost every single high school takes time away from the academic day to have a big press conference/assembly in the gym for all the players and the events are heavily covered by both local and national media. Seems like this kid’s high school either wanted to include everyone signing OR just have an assembly of their own and the only kid they had moving on was going D3.

By: pcole

pcole — Fri, 29 Apr 2005 20:49:15 +0000

Interesting but be careful with it — the Division III transfer rules changed as a result of the actions of the Division III membership at the January 2004 convention. That publication is dated March 2003 (p. 2).

By: jyoung

jyoung — Fri, 29 Apr 2005 20:08:25 +0000

Robert:

All of this is good reading, be sure and read page 27.

http://www.ncaa.org/library/general/transfer_guide/2003-04/2003-04_transfer_guide.pdf

By: pcole

pcole — Fri, 29 Apr 2005 04:34:29 +0000

Actually, this is true. A Division III player can self-release.

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 20:38:38 +0000

So, does this mean if a student wants to transfer, his school wouldn’t have to sign a release form in order for him to talk to other schools?

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 18:31:42 +0000

Jyoung:

I admire your work to help kids find a way out of painfully difficult circumstances. The work that people like you, teachers and others do in disadvantaged neighborhoods is the work of God — I really believe that.

I think you misinterpret our argument here. Our point is that D3 is special because of what it is — academic and athletic talents together — not what it isn’t. It’s not inferior to DI and shouldn’t have to pretend it’s DI to get attention.

It’s a great experience for what it is, not a great experience because we could pretend it’s DI with Letters of Intent, scholarships and big TV contracts.

I hope the kids who you help are motivated by the D3 experience or whatever other blessings they have around them to give them hope.
D3 is inspiring enough on its own real credentials. It doesn’t have to pretend to be D1. We probably wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe that.

By: jyoung

jyoung — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 17:23:32 +0000

Cat11

Unfair advantage to who?