FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[HSCTiger fan]

QuakerMom, I know you are frustrated but playing in college is a lot more work than most kids and parents expect. It's certainly not for everyone. If I were in your shoes I would encourage my son to talk with his coach. I would also remind him that the financial sacrifices you've made will all be for nothing if he does not get good grades that will transfer. Best of luck.

[quakermom]

My husband and I suggested that he talk to his coach but he just felt that would make things worse. I'm not even sure what he means by that. One of the other kids that ate with us after the game also said that would be a bad idea.

[jknezek]

Yep. Playing football isn't the important part of college. Making grades and setting yourself up for the future is the important part. If you enjoy playing that's great. But number 1 has to be getting the grades.

[ECU]

Quakermom, I feel for you more than you know. On another note, just heard that last years starting quarterback at Guilford is  probably leaving the team with 2 years of eligibility remaining.

[Shoreman]

Quakermom. Playing in college is more of a marathon that a race. You have to learn so much both as an athlete and a student. By the end of his freshman year he may think much differently.

[jknezek]

With the last 2 weeks of non-conf play upon us, the ODAC really needs W&L and H-SC to do well against top regional opponents (Centre and Huntingdon respectively). H-SC's win over CNU is really the only notable non-conf win for the ODAC so far, with most other games against other conference middling performers, E&H's win over Ferrum (projected 2 in USAS) and R-MCs loss to JHU the big exceptions.

Certainly the ODAC could use a reputational boost as I feel this non-conf outcome is one of the weaker sets in the last few years.

[tigerfanalso]

I agree, W&L and HSC need to win their next out of conference games. HSC played Huntingdon to a 7 point game on the road so I feel they should have an opportunity to show better at home. Tough to play a quality game after making a 12 hour bus trip. W&L needs to play much better to beat Centre, but they can do it. HSC will begin a home and away with Walbash beginning in 2014 (I think). If HSC can pull an upset, the ODAC will benefit. Those two games should be interesting. 

[abnrgr]

MOM
It's hard to know why he wants to quit so it's hard to say what to recommend. As a player, coach, Infantry officer, I have seen all kinds of reasons to quit. too many to enumurate.

Mostly it is because it can be a little brutal and not too much leadership on top of it will exacerbate it to the point of lunacy. If you suspect a leadership issue get him to another school (that's cheaper) after the semester of course to get the grades. He has to remember to he is about 0.1 percent of the high school playewrs that get to play at the next level. He's a gladiator!!

The only words of wisdom is when you quit the first time it gets a little easier to quit the next time 

abnrgr

[quakermom]

Thanks. After listening to my son and his teammates, I do have some serious concerns about the leadership. It sounds like there is a serious morale problem on the team. 

[quakermom]

ECU you were right. Talked to my son last night. The QB from last year did quit the team. My son said that all the players really looked up to him.

[ECU]

I knew he was thinking about it. I guess he made it official. As a Guilford football alum and a father, I think those coaches at Guilford should be ashamed of themselves for literally running a solid young man off of his own football team. This board may not like me saying that but I know the details of how he was treated and it is nothing less than shameful.

[HSC85]

MOM
It's hard to know why he wants to quit so it's hard to say what to recommend. As a player, coach, Infantry officer, I have seen all kinds of reasons to quit. too many to enumurate.

Mostly it is because it can be a little brutal and not too much leadership on top of it will exacerbate it to the point of lunacy. If you suspect a leadership issue get him to another school (that's cheaper) after the semester of course to get the grades. He has to remember to he is about 0.1 percent of the high school playewrs that get to play at the next level. He's a gladiator!!

The only words of wisdom is when you quit the first time it gets a little easier to quit the next time 

abnrgr

abnrger,

Very wise advice.  I played with two men who have been lifelong friends.  One quit our team due to injury and the other quit mid-season.  They both regret it.  There are so few individuals that get to play college football it is regretable when some do not see it as a privledge but as a right. 

I have no knowledge of the situation at Guilford nor do I have any advice.  I would like to share that in life there will be many chances to quit or to run when things don't seem to be going our way.  How we react will determine how we look at ourselves in the mirror.

I would like to thank you Abnrger, for your service to our country.  You and men and women like you are heros.

[ECU]

I have never been in the military and I agree that quitting should be the last option. I have owned several successful businesses for about 25 years and I hold fast to a simple concept. If you prove to be dishonest or incompetent, I cut all ties to you immediately. I never do business with someone who is not qualified to perform the tasks necessary to make my business successful. This rule can be applied to many aspects of life and I am seeing it applied by college football players this year. To all of you who have served in the military, I sincerely thank you for making it possible for me to raise a family in a free and safe country.

[Shoreman]

SAA Picks for the week:

Millsaps
at Point, Majors win big v. NAIA opponent, 28+ margin

Ave Maria
at Birmingham Southern, BSC by 35

Sewanee
at Maryville (Tenn.), Tigers over Scots by 15

Claremont-M-S
at Rhodes, Rhodes loses to west coast Stags by 7

Centre
at Washington and Lee, Centre by 10

[jknezek]

I think W&L is going to have to play much better than they have so far this year defensively to stop Centre. That being said, it is at W&L, which is the only reason I think the Generals have a chance. Also, Centre isn't coming off a bye week so no extra prep time for W&L's quirky O. I think that's one reason the Generals lost to F&M, they had tons of time to prep and the game was in PA. Centre last year had a bye before the game and had the extra time to get ready, and it still was a toss-up at the end. Of course, Centre sees this offense twice a year (W&L and Sewanee), so there is plenty of tape.

Altogether, I think Centre is a better team, but all the environmental factors are in W&L's favor making this game closer than it should be. Kind of like last year but in reverse.