12-06-2008, 06:26 PM
Florida is known for producing great football players. I've watched many of them play high school, college and pro ball. So many of them come from low income and disadvantaged backgrounds. No doubt they are prime high school athletes who were often a "big fish in a little pond", but their skills alone advanced them to college then, for the few, on to the professional level.
I'm a huge Florida State fan and, as most of you know, our football program has fallen off its dynasty pedestal. But recruiting talent doesn't always mean character comes with it. FSU is not alone in off field problems. You read about 'incidents' from all over the country.
I lay a large portion of the blame directly at the feet of the NCAA. About 20 years ago, the NCAA did away with athletic dorms, training tables or dining halls and many of the control mechanisms that were in place to supervise players. They felt the student athlete should have the "full life experience" (whatever that means), and insisted they move out into off campus facilities, cook for themselves etc. It seemed to change the whole 'team' dynamic.
The very first thing that cropped up were the agent scandals (remember Footlocker and Tank Black?). Under the former system, agents couldn't just roam the dorm halls, there were peer pressure checks and balances, assistant coaches also keping an eye on things. There was also a loss of team leadership where the juniors and seniors had more contact with the younger kids to mentor them and foster comradeship and togetherness. These things were so important in helping to mold the character of not only the team, but the individual student athlete. Especially those who came from dysfunctional home backgrounds. It gave them some sense of 'family'.
The "big fish in a little pond" incoming freshmen no longer have that nurturing transition. Not only do they have the challenge of leaving home and adjusting to college life and academics, they now find themselves "little fish in a big pond" having to compete for starting positions. Some just can't find acceptable ways to deal with all that. Those with 'marginal character' seek ways to draw attention to themselves both on and off the field. They don't accept coaching very well and many tend to underachieve. It just snowballs until you get players like Plexico Burress, Terrel Owens, Michael Vick etc. They may still may be great athletes, but they are social disasters and train wrecks waiting to happen.
As both an alumni and Seminole Booster, I've heard many of these thoughts from great coaches and players such as Mickey Andrews, Chuck Amato, Bobby Bowden, Odell Haggins, Mark Richt, and Lawrence Dawsey. All of them, over the years have been guest speakers at our booster club functions. All have expressed the desire to help kids grow, not only in athletic prowess, but in character as men. And all have expressed a sense of personal failure when, as they say, "I lose one."
I'm a huge Florida State fan and, as most of you know, our football program has fallen off its dynasty pedestal. But recruiting talent doesn't always mean character comes with it. FSU is not alone in off field problems. You read about 'incidents' from all over the country.
I lay a large portion of the blame directly at the feet of the NCAA. About 20 years ago, the NCAA did away with athletic dorms, training tables or dining halls and many of the control mechanisms that were in place to supervise players. They felt the student athlete should have the "full life experience" (whatever that means), and insisted they move out into off campus facilities, cook for themselves etc. It seemed to change the whole 'team' dynamic.
The very first thing that cropped up were the agent scandals (remember Footlocker and Tank Black?). Under the former system, agents couldn't just roam the dorm halls, there were peer pressure checks and balances, assistant coaches also keping an eye on things. There was also a loss of team leadership where the juniors and seniors had more contact with the younger kids to mentor them and foster comradeship and togetherness. These things were so important in helping to mold the character of not only the team, but the individual student athlete. Especially those who came from dysfunctional home backgrounds. It gave them some sense of 'family'.
The "big fish in a little pond" incoming freshmen no longer have that nurturing transition. Not only do they have the challenge of leaving home and adjusting to college life and academics, they now find themselves "little fish in a big pond" having to compete for starting positions. Some just can't find acceptable ways to deal with all that. Those with 'marginal character' seek ways to draw attention to themselves both on and off the field. They don't accept coaching very well and many tend to underachieve. It just snowballs until you get players like Plexico Burress, Terrel Owens, Michael Vick etc. They may still may be great athletes, but they are social disasters and train wrecks waiting to happen.
As both an alumni and Seminole Booster, I've heard many of these thoughts from great coaches and players such as Mickey Andrews, Chuck Amato, Bobby Bowden, Odell Haggins, Mark Richt, and Lawrence Dawsey. All of them, over the years have been guest speakers at our booster club functions. All have expressed the desire to help kids grow, not only in athletic prowess, but in character as men. And all have expressed a sense of personal failure when, as they say, "I lose one."