FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[NCF]

Matthew was told that he had 4 years of eligibilty when he arrived at Mount Union. He structured his academic schedule based on that information and was on schedule to end this fall semester (2012) with two major degrees. He stayed in Alliance all summer preparing for his senior football year and it wasn't until last week that coach (J.W.) called Matthew into his office to break the devastating news to him (2 weeks before camp starts). Matthew's parents asked Mount to appeal because they felt that Matthew was being penalized and stripped of his senior year for a rule that no one told him or his parents about.  The rule is : an athlete must complete his football eligibilty within 10 full time semeters. Had Matthew known that rule was in place, he would have structured his academic curriculum based on the 10 full time semester rule and would have scheduled a part time semester in between that time frame which would have made him eligible to play his senior year. As far as Matthew parents are aware, no appeal was made on behalf of Matthew.

Matthew was red shirted his freshman year (Fall 2007) at USF as a walk on. He sat out 2008 as a sophomore but attended classes as a full time student at USF. Then he transferred to Mount Union in 2009. So now, you all know the whole truth.

WOW! That is a shame.And I agree that the ball was dropped somewhere along the line. Is there still time for an appeal to be made or did they pass the point of no return?

[NCF]

In response to the post that suggested Matthew quit because he projected being placed behind the remaining QB's, you obviously do not know Matthew well enough. Ask is teammates if they think Matthew is a quitter. One has to wonder, if what occurred two weeks before the start of football camp was not accidental.

The only thing keeping Matthew's family from filing a full blown inquiry and grievance into the events and the manner it was delivered, is Matthew's respect and admiration to his coaches and his fellow teammates who remain on the team.

Filing an inquiry would not show disprespect. it should give him peace of mind knowing he did everything from his standpoint to understand the ruling. He has a right to know how the decision was made.

[formerd3db]

In response to the post that suggested Matthew quit because he projected being placed behind the remaining QB's, you obviously do not know Matthew well enough. Ask is teammates if they think Matthew is a quitter. One has to wonder, if what occurred two weeks before the start of football camp was not accidental.

The only thing keeping Matthew's family from filing a full blown inquiry and grievance into the events and the manner it was delivered, is Matthew's respect and admiration to his coaches and his fellow teammates who remain on the team.

trafficman:

With all due respect (I mean that seriously), I think you are perhaps overprojecting/overreading what was said.  I do not believe that anyone was suggesting that Matthew is a quitter - that was not said anywhere by anyone.  The statement I believe you are referring to posted by another poster here (it wasn't me) only said that it might have been discouraging to him regarding the number of people fighting for the QB job.  That does not imply whatsoever that he was going to back down from the challenge and/or have a chance to be the starter again.  I do not doubt that any of those players who are in competition for the QB job have some worries about it.  I know I would, even if I were the top candidate and anyone who says they wouldn't have some concern for their own personal stake in such a challenge, IMO, were to be not being truthful to themselves.  We are all human.

Anyway, from what you have related here, again, I have to believe it was an unfortunate misunderstanding somewhere by someone in the process.  I also agree with newcard that it would seem to me, hopefully still some time to file an appeal based on the circumstances you relate.  Yet at the same time, I certainly understand and respect Matthew's decision to not do so for the reasons you mentioned, if that is what he (and his family) choose to do.  Like Raider68 posted, all of us wish him nothing but the best in his future, whichever way this plays out i.e. football or not.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

In response to the post that suggested Matthew quit because he projected being placed behind the remaining QB's, you obviously do not know Matthew well enough. Ask is teammates if they think Matthew is a quitter. One has to wonder, if what occurred two weeks before the start of football camp was not accidental.

The only thing keeping Matthew's family from filing a full blown inquiry and grievance into the events and the manner it was delivered, is Matthew's respect and admiration to his coaches and his fellow teammates who remain on the team.

I posted that and it had no facts behind it, just suspicion on my part before knowing the "Whole Truth".  I apologize for posting just my suspicion at the time.  I don't know Matthew, and am sorry that things worked out this way without the appeal from the coaching staff.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Over the weekend my wife and I were going through some stuff in her cedar chest and we came across a 1993 football program. We all know who the first string QB was but who was, and no looking, the backup?

My guess would be Borchart, but I think he was a Fr. in 1994, so I am probably wrong.

[Pat Coleman]

Yep, there's no clock in Division III, but there is the rule about semesters. Often a student-athlete will take a semester off of classes (or perhaps go part-time, I'm not familiar with the particulars) in order to preserve that semester for the following fall or spring.

[beenhit2hard]

Over the weekend my wife and I were going through some stuff in her cedar chest and we came across a 1993 football program. We all know who the first string QB was but who was, and no looking, the backup?

My guess would be Borchart, but I think he was a Fr. in 1994, so I am probably wrong.

Was not Bill B  it was a player who left the team during preseason the next year  and opened the door for Borchart to start

[emma17]

Trafficman it sounds like you are very close to the situation/family. I can only imagine how disappointing it is for Matt to be given this news now. I am sorry for him.

Do you have any idea if Matt even knew that someone was looking into his eligibility?

[purpled]

And the answer is...Rob Vettorel! I have no idea who he is either. 

[pradierguy]

That is too bad about Matt. While I didn't think he would be the starter the whole year, I really thought LK could lean on him throughout most of the Regular season while getting Burke/Namdar more reps (ala Jorris/Micheli).

Have to think Seaman will now attempt to fill that role.

Still have to scratch my head about Matt playing BB. Almost like he knew this could happen???

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

And the answer is...Rob Vettorel! I have no idea who he is either. 

I graduated in 1994 and remember Rob.  I think he transferred to Walsh or Malone.

[Raider 68]

Matthew was told that he had 4 years of eligibilty when he arrived at Mount Union. He structured his academic schedule based on that information and was on schedule to end this fall semester (2012) with two major degrees. He stayed in Alliance all summer preparing for his senior football year and it wasn't until last week that coach (J.W.) called Matthew into his office to break the devastating news to him (2 weeks before camp starts). Matthew's parents asked Mount to appeal because they felt that Matthew was being penalized and stripped of his senior year for a rule that no one told him or his parents about.  The rule is : an athlete must complete his football eligibilty within 10 full time semeters. Had Matthew known that rule was in place, he would have structured his academic curriculum based on the 10 full time semester rule and would have scheduled a part time semester in between that time frame which would have made him eligible to play his senior year. As far as Matthew parents are aware, no appeal was made on behalf of Matthew.

Matthew was red shirted his freshman year (Fall 2007) at USF as a walk on. He sat out 2008 as a sophomore but attended classes as a full time student at USF. Then he transferred to Mount Union in 2009. So now, you all know the whole truth.

trafficman,

Thanks so much for posting the information regarding Matt's situatiion. He made great contributions to Raider football over the past two years. I, for one was glad he was part of the program and wish him best success going forward. This had to be a "very tough" time for him over the last few weeks. Hope we see him helping his teammates this fall, if that is something he wants to be involved.

[raiderpa]

It is a shame that a career has to end this way.  Matt dedicated himself to Mount football and put himself in a pressure-packed situation in the playoffs and Stagg Bowls.  Give him great credit for stepping up to the dish and putting himself out there for the Raiders. As a Raider fan,  I wish him the best, and thank him for his efforts. Good luck.

[beenhit2hard]

And the answer is...Rob Vettorel! I have no idea who he is either. 

I graduated in 1994 and remember Rob.  I think he transferred to Walsh or Malone.

I remember Rob, just do not remember 1994,,or a lot of other things.
Happy to report the Chincoteague ponies have 25 out for FB this year,,and only one senior,,this is the year I learn  Patience(sp)

[raiderguy]

This is very bad news for Matt considering all the work he must have put in preparing for this year. I hope he can participate in some other way maybe as a volunteer coach, etc.

This is bad news for the Raiders too, since you can't have too much depth especially at QB. But to steal a local phrase......"What If?" What if this was discovered part way through the season or heaven forbid after winning the National Title? Mount could have faced some serious penalties for allowing an ineligible player in their games this year. WOW? Matt would not have wanted that to happen I'm sure. Just some thoughts.

And who the H E double hockey sticks is this Rob Vettorel and who made him king? Is this some long standing grudge he is holding against Mount because he didn't make it there?