Scrutiny at Div 1 level

Heard a caller on a talk show about a topic I had never given much consideration. He was talking about recruiting and his son choosing a college for football. He had advised his son to include on his list of considerations between Div 1 and Div II, I-AA, etc the factor of being scrutinized by the media. The discussion was in the aftermath of the Okla State football coach Mike Gundy lashing back at a reporter's article about one of his players.

He had advised his son (& his wife) that if he chose Div 1 he had better be ready to accept much tougher scrutiny by the media than the other classifications. He gave an example of "screwing up" on the field that the son needs to accept that the media would likely make it a bigger issue in Div 1 than the others.

Anyway, I know this is not a football forum and this issue may not be as relevant for baseball but still thought it may spark interest. By the way, this dad was really touting the no-nonsense and honest talk and blunt approach of NCSU coach Tom O'Brien about the types of players he wants to recruit.

 

I can speak 1st hand and say this is true. The kid with the grade problems, bar fight, DUI, or whatever gets much more attention at D1 that D3. It also seems to get more attention if it's a revenue sport vs. a non-revenue sport. You always hear about the FB player or BB player that slips up. Sometimes smaller sport athletes can slip under the radar. Sometimes baseball players that slip up fall into this group.

Unfortunately, it goes with the job (playing D1). I wasn't crazy about Amato but I like the fact that he tried to keep matters private. A kids transgressions are none of my business. O'Brien does some of the same.

From time to time I'll report on a kid for a service. I never report anything negative.

 

True Enough

Duke Lacrosse? Rutgers Women's Basketball and the Radio Personality was a pretty big thing too.

 

Very true. Good point. But racial slurs over a public radio show and rape allegations are bigger than ineligibility due to grades or a barfight.