I actually like the way this thread is maturing.
I actually like the way this thread is maturing.
While this is an article on football, it presents many of the issues associated with the portal.
https://www.si.com/college/2021/02/0...r-portal-covid
As much as I was for the extra covid year of eligibility, I think the impact of it will be felt for the next few years in this regard. This class of true freshman that are wrapping up their first year, most likely were told by coaches that they would be competing for an open starting spot left by a graduating senior. Covid hits, super senoirs return & it's hard to imagine a world where the likes of Dalton, Sis Bates, Kendyl Lindaman or Anna Shelnutt, etc. get beat out by a freshman. I think kids that thought they would be battling for a starting spot found themselves #3 or #4 on the depth chart & decide to leave to find a place to get more pt. I think in order for redshirting to work out for both the student athlete & the program there has to be very open & honest communication between coach & SA. Stability & a well-established culture within the program are also necessary components. Lonni Alameda & FSU immediately come to mind. FSU is very adept at using the redshirt successfully & to their advantage; recent Seminole standouts like Elizabeth Mason, Meghan King, & Kathryn Sandercock all took a redshirt. Alameda loves to redshirt her freshman pitchers because she gets an entire year to develop them & let them adjust to being a college student while also giving SA up-close look at how the D1 game is played. This is actually the reason that Kylie Hanson chose to go to FAU over FSU-she didn't want to sit a year. She eventually transferred to FSU with her last year of eligibility & would help lead them to their 1st natty. It could work for UL if Glasco makes it clear to the SA before they sign NLI & the SA is 100% committed to the process and is fully aware of sitting out. If you are reading this, congrats for making it to the end of my novel lol. Sure I'd worry about them leaving after the RS year but it's a calculated risk. And I'd also constantly worry that they could just as easily suffer a freak or an unforeseen injury but I'm just a worrier.
Technically, I would guess that to redshirt a player would be the coaches decision, so I guess team would be the answer. The player could say they don't want to redshirt but the coach still doesn't have to play them. Then again, not all players would stay for the next year if that were to happen. Sophie Piskos had already agreed to the redshirt before they have to pull it when Rawls got injured and couldn't catch.
Thats exactly why I wouldn't red shirt anyone because if you do then you run the risk of the player leaving next year. Anyone not redshirting and not playing falls into this category. With the portal you really have no idea what your team will look like year to year anyway, so get your moneys worth by playing them as/if needed.
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