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The High Court |
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Deep Thinkers Only... |
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Battlin’ the Ballcoach |
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Rewarding better players with scholarships…How dare he?
By Darth Reagan
It’s taken the Ol’ Ball Coach approximately 1 year to divide the state of South Carolina into two camps: Love em and Hate em. Would you expect anything less from the most notable and quotable coach in college sports? What has he done this time?.....You’ve got to read on….……
We all know by now that Gamecock country has changed over the past year. Due to Spurrier’s mere presence they have already sold out all of their season tickets while booster contributions are at unprecedented levels. Sounds pretty good to me; in fact it sounds a lot like Gator country. However, some tension is building in Carolina. The South Carolina Football Coaches’ Association (SCFCA) has a problem with the way Spurrier is rebuilding the program. And guess what; Spurrier doesn’t care what they think!
Coach Spurrier recently revoked 6 athletic scholarships from players recruited by Lou Holtz’s coaching staff and gave them to other players. What was his reasoning for such a dastardly move? Other players were more deserving of the scholarships….How’s that for a concept, to actually reward the best players with scholarships for their athletic performance. To quote Spurrier, "We had some walk-on players who were actually contributing more," …."So some of the high schoolers, they got mad about it. I don't know what to say, but to me in life you put people on scholarship who deserve it the most and that's what we tried to do." Well, the SCFCA didn’t take too kindly to such a competitive philosophy because they see it as “unethical”. So they drafted a letter and submitted it to Spurrier, while posturing to move the State Playoffs from SC’s home stadium in December.
Is it my imagination or are we living in a society with too many associations and acronyms? There seems to be an Association with an opinion on everything and now we are hearing from the SCFCA on how to rebuild a college football program. The funny thing is this; the SCFCA wasn’t contacted to rebuild the South Carolina program, Coach Spurrier was, and he’s in charge! The last thing we need is an Association trying to lay down moral codes in a letter.
According to the letter, the SCFCA’s main objection is as follows, “We feel that unless an athlete ‘breaks rules’ or embarrasses the institution, to revoke a scholarship because you feel an athlete cannot play at the level needed to compete in the Southeastern Conference is unethical.” This quote should be inducted into the SQAHOF (Stupid Quote Association Hall of Fame). That’s like saying a student shouldn’t lose an Academic Scholarship because he’s failing his courses.
Now, to most people, the SCFCA may sound as if they are playing some hardball politics. First, the letter to Spurrier signed by 90 members and then the most recent threat to move the State Playoffs from South Carolina’s home stadium. But according to SCFCA front man and self appointed moral policeman, Andy Tweito, they are doing nothing of the sort. And I quote, “We're not trying to play political football here”. However, during the same interview, Mr. Tweito also says, “Some coaches are so upset about it, they won't welcome (South Carolina) recruiters into their school,". Now which is it Mr. Tweito, politics or no politics? Ethical or unethical? Are you saying that some of your membership with the high moral fiber and love for all of their players might boycott college recruiters? Is that good for the high school athletes? Of course it isn’t, and they should be ashamed. None of this verbal warfare really matters though because Coach Spurrier isn’t going to be intimidated by you or your organization. In fact, in his quote he’s already referred to your group as “high schoolers”! Ouch…..
The bottom line is this: Spurrier will reward the most deserving players because the OBCA(ol’ ball coach association) is in charge and doesn’t care about the SCFCA while trying to win the SEC!
(All quotes for the above article were provided by (AP): Spurrier at Odds with High School Coaches, July 29th 2005)
Contact Darth Reagan at darthreagan@thehighcourtofsports.com.
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