Benjamin Picks Up Offer from UL

[Bandwagon King]

_ Lets just wait a little bit and find out just how many programs are willing to offer him a 2 sport spot before we all get whiny about us not possibly offering that chance. _

This is a fundamental issue with UL historically, but especially in football. Everyone wants to wait around & see who has the stones to offer somebody in a sport. I've got news for you guys. Whether it's recruiting players, chasing girls or fist fighting, you wait around until the other guy gets his licks in & your gonna lose.

[CajunDawgPound]

You have to be a pretty special athlete to play both in the same year.
_

Jeff Demps - Florida Real Football/Track
Trinden Holliday-LSU Touch Football/Track

[CajunDawgPound]

You have to be a pretty special athlete to play both in the same year.
_

Elton Slater UL in the 80's

[SlappyCajun]

I have always been talking about playing football and basketball.

[RedBug58]

_ I have to disagree. There have been a few examples given here, and not that I want to bring them up, but LSU has had a couple of guys that were very successful in both football and baseball recently.




igeaux.mobi _

But it's easier at a school that doesn't focus on academics.

[Just1More]

_ I think you're missing the main point. Let's say you have a guy who may be a good enough athelete to be recruited by the major schools on one sport or another, but wants to play two sports. Are you going to give him an opportunity to fulfill his dream & have a chance to latch onto that special player, or do you try to bigtime him & tell him we are going to hard sell you like the big boys? You can either get the player or watch him walk. What do you do? _

In rare cases, I think we give the athlete the opportunity. Regardless of my belief that it will not likely work out that they will remain a two sport athlete, it is a recruiting tool and if the young man is adamant about it, give him the opportunity.

[zephyr]

_ I think you're missing the main point. Let's say you have a guy who may be a good enough athelete to be recruited by the major schools on one sport or another, but wants to play two sports. Are you going to give him an opportunity to fulfill his dream & have a chance to latch onto that special player, or do you try to bigtime him & tell him we are going to hard sell you like the big boys? You can either get the player or watch him walk. What do you do? _

You tell him that you want him but only to play one sport. Collegiate athletics are a year round focus for the student athlete and he would be shortchanging one program to play another sport at certain times of the year. Again, we are talking about kids who aren't in the realm of a Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker or any other elite athletic freak. I have no problems with a kid running track and playing football but basketball is too much of an overlap with the requirements of both sports. I would also be concerned about overtraining the body with little to no rest between sports and allowing the body to heal and rest as well as strengthen with the benefits of a true offseason.

[Bandwagon King]

_ You tell him that you want him but only to play one sport. Collegiate athletics are a year round focus for the student athlete and he would be shortchanging one program to play another sport at certain times of the year. Again, we are talking about kids who aren't in the realm of a Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker or any other elite athletic freak. I have no problems with a kid running track and playing football but basketball is too much of an overlap with the requirements of both sports. I would also be concerned about overtraining the body with little to no rest between sports and allowing the body to heal and rest as well as strengthen with the benefits of a true offseason. _

While you're all concerned over his health & well being he is busy running track the day basketball is over. Then the second school ends he is playing AAU basketball all over the country, until football starts. I don't think you even understand the calliber of athelete a guy like this is to be able to excell at all of these sports. The biggest problem with college atheletics is people acting like its all about hard work & dedication, when it's all about hard work, dedication, & atheletic ability. Anybody who doesn't think playing basketball is conducive to being a better football player has never played basketball before, & has no appreciation for how hard basketball players have to work at their respective trade.

[wcd35]

Do we even know he wants to play both? Most HS kids that play as many sports as he does get burnt out each year and only recharge during the summer if they're free
igeaux.mobi

[Bandwagon King]

_ Do we even know he wants to play both? Most HS kids that play as many sports as he does get burnt out each year and only recharge during the summer if they're free
igeaux.mobi _

He said he's playing AAU in the summer. You gotta love sports to do that.