Spring Break
Letters of intention: 'what's the big deal?'
Nick Lilja
Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: Sports
People use this day to show everyone else who they love. As most of you know, I'm not one of those people. Instead I will use this day to share with all of you my deepest feelings of confusion: high school football letter of intent signing day.
I know I'm not alone, but sometimes I feel like I am. And I'm hoping someone can explain it to me. This isn't about calling people out, and this isn't about showing people up, and it's not about the kids who have made their dreams come true. It's just a simple question.
Is this "event" really so important? Does it need air time on TV or worse, its own press conferences? Are people at home really that interested in an 18-year-old kid's future? Yes, it's interesting to see where the best high school players in the country or state are going to play college ball, but outside of that, what does it matter?
Especially here at Oregon State. The Beavers aren't known for grabbing a top-10 recruit or even finishing in the top 30 in the "best recruiting class" category. This school is known for turning "average" players into great players. Example: Mike "Pac-10 schools didn't want him, now he's hot and they can't stop him" Hass.
This is Oregon, people - not Texas or Florida - where football takes priority over everything. In Oregon, football isn't more important than family, friends, food, a roof over your head, school, oxygen or gravity. Ask any Texan which they would rather go without, football or gravity, and they are going to say gravity. Ask the same question to an Oregonian, and they will probably say the environment is more important than either.
Going one step further, is it necessary to have Web sites created strictly to give people updates about how fast the fastest 18-year-old in the country is? I Yahoo!-ed "high school football recruiting" and got 9,000,000 plus hits back. That's ridiculous. One of the most prevalent sports stories in America, steroids, dropped 14,000,000 hits back. For some reason, I don't find those topics anywhere near equal. Those athletes are still kids, still playing uneven games against untalented high schools. I know great players who turned into great NFL players and didn't even play football until college.
I know I'm not alone, but sometimes I feel like I am. And I'm hoping someone can explain it to me. This isn't about calling people out, and this isn't about showing people up, and it's not about the kids who have made their dreams come true. It's just a simple question.
Is this "event" really so important? Does it need air time on TV or worse, its own press conferences? Are people at home really that interested in an 18-year-old kid's future? Yes, it's interesting to see where the best high school players in the country or state are going to play college ball, but outside of that, what does it matter?
Especially here at Oregon State. The Beavers aren't known for grabbing a top-10 recruit or even finishing in the top 30 in the "best recruiting class" category. This school is known for turning "average" players into great players. Example: Mike "Pac-10 schools didn't want him, now he's hot and they can't stop him" Hass.
This is Oregon, people - not Texas or Florida - where football takes priority over everything. In Oregon, football isn't more important than family, friends, food, a roof over your head, school, oxygen or gravity. Ask any Texan which they would rather go without, football or gravity, and they are going to say gravity. Ask the same question to an Oregonian, and they will probably say the environment is more important than either.
Going one step further, is it necessary to have Web sites created strictly to give people updates about how fast the fastest 18-year-old in the country is? I Yahoo!-ed "high school football recruiting" and got 9,000,000 plus hits back. That's ridiculous. One of the most prevalent sports stories in America, steroids, dropped 14,000,000 hits back. For some reason, I don't find those topics anywhere near equal. Those athletes are still kids, still playing uneven games against untalented high schools. I know great players who turned into great NFL players and didn't even play football until college.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Harry
posted 2/14/07 @ 8:54 AM PST
Well said. I've seen many "blue chip" recruits get all the benefit of doubt, and still not make any worthwhile contribution for OSU's success, while an unknown with more heart and the ability to grow into talent was squandered, either on the sidelines, or not even trying out to make the team. (Continued…)
Matt T
posted 2/14/07 @ 12:22 PM PST
Hey Nick,
I know in the past I have been suportive of you, but I want to use this opportunity to express my true feelings toward you. Nobody loves you, nobody cares what you say, I didnt even read the article above. (Continued…)
Matt T
posted 2/14/07 @ 4:53 PM PST
I feel priveledged that not only am I famous on a radio show, but now people are immitating me while responding to articles on the Barometer.
I am one of the people who closely follow college recruiting. (Continued…)
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