Thank You, Coach Lang

The Scott Lang's of the world inspire us all to be better people. Scott embodies everything that is life, sports and the experience of competing for something far greater than individual achievement.

Regardless of the final outcome this season, players at La Roche College (NCAA III) will be champions for life. The few years they had the honor of spending with Coach Lang will undoubtedly help shape their careers, their decisions, their relationships, and their mark on this world.

My wish for all aspiring student-athletes is that they embrace the spirit of athletics, not only for the pride and prestige of playing at the highest level, but for the life lessons it teaches us about doing for others.

Take a moment to read this wonderful article by Les Carpenter. I hope it moves you the way it did me. Scott Lang understood the unique opportunity he had to impact lives, and he seized it.  - Rex Grayner

Does college football need an early signing period?

Valor Christian QB Brock Berglund's decision to become a Jayhawk after verbally committing to Colorado is merely another case in what appears to be a rising trend in college football recruiting.

Is the strength of the "verbal commitment" losing its muscle? For many top prospects and major college coaches, verbally committing to one another ends the recruiting process once and for all, for both sides. So then why are more and more Division I football recruits switching their commitments from one school to another? Are college coaches pressuring kids to make decisions they aren't ready to make, or in the college recruiting race, is it "get yours while you can, then change your mind later"?

At present, unlike sports such as baseball, basketball and volleyball, college football has no early period in the National Letter of Intent signing process. Football recruits cannot ink their official commitments until early February of their senior years, regardless of how early they verbally commit to a school.

Proponents of an early signing period argue that giving kids an opportunity to sign before a "regular" signing period would help alleviate decommitments.  Opponents say it would decrease valuable evaluation time for college coaches.

What do you think?  We want to hear from you. Give us your thoughts by submitting your comments below.

Rex Grayner
Student-Athlete Showcase

College recruiting rules can be tricky

For student-athletes & parents, understanding the in's and out's of college recruiting can be a major challenge. In this November 2010 article, Tom Lakin helps clear the air for high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

“In this day and age, getting in touch with coaches is tough. Reaching out is quick and easy enough, but there are a number of NCAA rules that may restrict us from responding.” 

-Ryan Wellner, assistant men’s lacrosse coach at Division I Stony Brook