A signing class tidbit you probably missed
by Mike Breese on Feb 10, 2010 11:15 PM CST
in Football
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PrintKill spins a web of confusion over who and who hasn't been offered a scholarship
After reviewing some of the articles from signing day (It's been a week already?) I came across a couple interesting tidbits from Lindsey Willhite of the Daily Herald. First of all, some clarification:
Preferred walk-ons/potential scholarship guys who’ve committed and NIU announced on Wednesday:
P/K Tyler Anderson (Rockford Guilford HS)
DT Frank Boenzi (Geneva HS)
S Zak Giller (Michigan)
RB Marckie Hayes (Sycamore HS)
S Michael Santacaterina (Geneva HS)
This makes a lot more sense than the original report of a 2nd kicker being signed + the safety in Giller.
This brings the official total # of scholarships just given out to 21 (or 22 counting Boenzi in 2011). Contrast this with the 26 total "signees" from the official release.
I just don't understand why I had to read a completely buried blog post from Daily Herald for this information. Why couldn't Kill just tell us during the official release? Or the press conference? What is he trying to keep secret?
Doesn't it just water down the excitement of signing day that preferred walk-ons are getting the red carpet treatment? I thought that receiving a scholarship upfront from a school is a lot bigger of a deal than just getting the chance to earn a spot. It just doesn't make any sense to me.
Wouldn't fans like to know which players have actually been offered scholarships and which ones haven't? No offense to any of these players, but if we're reaching to sign an extra kicker or a random safety from Michigan then aren't fans going to get a little discouraged? Wouldn't season ticket-holders like to know this is more of a quality class rather than a push just to fill scholarships?
Finally, I've never heard of this going on at other schools. Who decided that this would be a good idea? It started with K Ryan Salerno and DT Jon Phillips in 2009, but is this now too much?
Here are the player profiles of the unveiled preferred walk-ons:
| K Tyler Anderson | Guilford HS (Rockford, IL) |
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5'11" 186 lbs | Youtube: [1] [2] [3] Stats: 26 punts for a 42 yd avg. 93% PAT avg. Notes: All-Conference. Nice to see the local flavor here and more bodies at the Punter position. Hopefully Josh Wilber can teach this kid some tricks. Digging the Aerosmith in his first highlight video. |
| S Zak Giller | Chelsea HS (Chelsea, MI) |
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6'2" 195 lbs / 100 meter time: 11.7 secs Scout Profile: 2-stars Notes: All-Area. Went to the same high school as Nick Hill, a highly-touted prospect that eventually committed to Michigan State after receiving an offer from NIU. Is this the start of a pipeline? Has decent size and may fill in the 'John Kremer/Tyler Knight' role on this team in the defensive backfield. Played 3 games with a broken arm and 7 with a cast. |
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Scholarship confusion
I still can’t believe Kill was able to get the Hayes and Santa without a firm scholarship. It says a lot about the program. As a long time Huskie fan, what ever he is doing to get talent, keep doing it. Any Me’co update?
keep it up kill!
I don’t know as much about Santacaterina’s decision process, but I know both Hayes and Santa had interest from other schools. NIU had to prioritize the scholarships in other positions that needed to be filled. Hayes has said he’s always wanted to play for NIU, but that Kill was a huge reason he chose NIU. Kill was a walk on himself and he gives his walk-ons [the ones who work hard for him and impact the team] the first scholarships available. Hayes is that kind of player. I believe Santa is too.
Maybe in his eyes.....
….they’re all the same….
;-)
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
by Tackle Box on Feb 11, 2010 7:47 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed..
If he is planning on giving them a scholarship when one is open, there really isn’t much difference. If he told them they have to earn it, and that it isn’t a sure thing, could be different. If they are under the assumption they will get one, then might as well just put them with the rest of the group.
by Grinder in Training on Feb 11, 2010 9:05 AM CST up reply actions
Rec'd
Red and Black Attack - Northern Illinois Pride
by Mike Breese on Feb 11, 2010 10:14 PM CST up reply actions
enough said
We played Tackle Box!…that sums it up pretty well.
Preferred walk ons
i actually like the preferred walk on idea because the people will be workin their asses off to try and get a scholarship and make it on the field. If someone knows they have a scholarship they may not be putting forth full effort because they know they got a spot
I know there was some delay on several MAC players
Because the financial aid office was trying to see if the student qualified for tap/pell or other state grants. I don’t think it’s officially “let’s save a scholarship” but I do think if a coach has two guys and he wants them both with one being in state and one being out of state you try to get the instate guy’s out of pocket as low as possible.
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