"Pressure to stay at home" What and how?

[UcMiami]

To say that most college students matriculate close to home is a statistical understatement...

"Nearly 83% of students attend four-year colleges and universities in their own states. The number is even higher for students who end up at state universities — 90.5% of them never leave their state. In contrast, 44% of students who select private colleges do cross their state lines."

http://www.thecollegesolution.com/sticking-close-to-home-for-college/

http://www.cappex.com/blog/going-the-distance/

I would be curious about the numbers for 'scholarship' students as the financial burden of attending an out of state 'state' school is usually 5 to 10 times what attending within the state costs - nearing or equalling private school costs. Scholarship students don't have that financial burden to consider.
But a valid point.

 

[UcMiami]

Interesting topic. The below was taken from a post on the Cal Bears Forum, concerning a player, Kristen Simon, who wanted to go to Cal and wound up signing with USC. She is from Los Angeles.

If you listen carefully to what Kristen says in her interview, she telegraphs exactly why she chose USC. She wanted to sign with Cal (hence the lovely words she had to say about Lindsay and the Cal family, she had no similar praise for USC). Her parents on the other hand felt strongly about her staying close to home. Unfortunately, it looks like Kristen fell victim to an antiquated rule that requires a parent sign the LOI if you are under 21 years of age. Her parents refused to sign an LOI that said Cal and it appears Kristen simply got tired of fighting about it. Reading between the lines, her twitter also appears to telegraph the struggle that was taking place leading up to signing day. Sad story and a big loss for Cal. Kristen may be slightly undersized, but has some of the best footwork I've ever seen on a post player. The rule should really be changed so that kids can sign on their own once they've reached 18. . . Obviously, parents should play a major role in any kids decision making process, but they shouldn't have total veto power. If you're old enough to fight for your country, you're old enough to choose what college you'd like to attend!

http://bearinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79040&page=3

I wasnt aware that you needed a parents signature if you were under 21 to sign a LOI. I would have thought being 18 would be good enough.
Here is the back up for the signature requirements for a LOI.........click on "Parent or Legal Guardian Signature"

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/nli/nli/frequently asked questions/index.html

I was hoping this player. K. Simon, would sign with USC. However, I wouldnt want an unhappy player to sign anywhere.

Wow - thanks for posting. Interesting parenting.
I suspect the rule was put in originally to protect the recruits after a few football recruits woke up after a visit with a massive hangover, an STD, and a copy of their signed LOI. And while scholarship athletes do get money it doesn't cover all of their expenses and generally expecting parents to fill the gap.

 

[Icebear]

Not hanging out every day distance, but schools like UConn, UHart, and UMass are close enough that you and your buddies will be home on three-day weekends, or you can go see them. You can all get tickets to see a concert together in Boston, Hartford, or the casinos. When your club rugby team reaches their postseason, your friends make it down to see you play. People who go farther go home so infrequently and take so much time traveling that there isn't as much time or energy for seeing friends after you've hugged your parents and crashed on the couch. You start missing out, and when your friends don't want you to be missing out on fun with them, that's pressure. Throw in an elite Division 1 sports program, and if you choose to go far away for school you will pretty much never have time for your old friends ever again. People you might have been close to since preschool. I would call that pressure to stay close to home.

I always thought of the threshold limit being between 2-3.5 hours away. Up until that point a round trip in a day is feasible but when you are 4+ hours away doing round trip travel is a day's work in itself. Gettysburg at 6 hours one way certainly made round trips impractical. Not saying I haven't done it but it wasn't a pleasant day.

 

[Phil]

One odd factor is that in certain states, you just want to play for "State U". For example, it might be Iowa or Iowa State, but there were often home state players that "wanted" to go to the school they had followed for years; Vivian talked about this, because the same spirit is quite absent in NJ for example. Yes, Rutgers recruits rather well locally, but the inherent desire to play for Rutgers just isn't there.

I think the spirit is especially strong in the midwest.

Yes, this is the point I was going to make. Connecticut doesn't have the rich history of a strong football team, so I don't think we fully realize the state allegiance in many other states. The highly debated options are State U or U State. The thought of a Different State just isn't on the table.

My tailgating experience is probably less than just about anyone here, but having just spend Saturday, 8 am to 6pm at a tailgate party, ten hours of PSU fight songs, PSU flags, PSU bean bag games, PSU bumper stickers, PSU tablecloths, PSU jackets, PSU warmups, PSU hats, PSU tents (plus a brief break to go to a football game), I can see how someone growing up in that environment would be seen as a traitor to consider anything other than a state school. It was both intoxicating and creepy.

 

[Icebear]

Yes, this is the point I was going to make. Connecticut doesn't have the rich history of a strong football team, so I don't think we fully realize the state allegiance in many other states. The highly debated options are State U or U State. The thought of a Different State just isn't on the table.

My tailgating experience is probably less than just about anyone here, but having just spend Saturday, 8 am to 6pm at a tailgate party, ten hours of PSU fight songs, PSU flags, PSU bean bag games, PSU bumper stickers, PSU tablecloths, PSU jackets, PSU warmups, PSU hats, PSU tents (plus a brief break to go to a football game), I can see how someone growing up in that environment would be seen as a traitor to consider anything other than a state school. It was both intoxicating and creepy.

Yeah, Phil, it kind of is both. But creepy in a good way just like our love of the UCONN Huskies. I am really glad you had the chance to experience a game in Happy Valley. BTW, how did you like the Blue Band?

 

[Phil]

Yeah, Phil, it kind of is both. But creepy in a good way just like our love of the UCONN Huskies. I am really glad you had the chance to experience a game in Happy Valley. BTW, how did you like the Blue Band?

The band was excellent. I was particularly impressed that they chose Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet Overture as a halftime piece. One of my favorites, and not an easy piece.

 

[Phil]

Yeah, Phil, it kind of is both. But creepy in a good way just like our love of the UCONN Huskies.

I didn't miss the comparison, and frankly, that troubled me. I actually briefly considered quitting being a fan, it was that troubling. The moment passed, but I won't forget it.

 

[Icebear]

I didn't miss the comparison, and frankly, that troubled me. I actually briefly considered quitting being a fan, it was that troubling. The moment passed, but I won't forget it.

I was correct about the size of the State College borough it is 42,000 in 2012. The average game crowd is 2.5 times the borough population. People really can't conceive of the migration that means on game days in the fall and the acres upon acres of tailgating. I have parishioners, friends and neighbors who have made that journey for 40+ years.

 

[winlots]

Yes, this is the point I was going to make. Connecticut doesn't have the rich history of a strong football team, so I don't think we fully realize the state allegiance in many other states. The highly debated options are State U or U State. The thought of a Different State just isn't on the table.

My tailgating experience is probably less than just about anyone here, but having just spend Saturday, 8 am to 6pm at a tailgate party, ten hours of PSU fight songs, PSU flags, PSU bean bag games, PSU bumper stickers, PSU tablecloths, PSU jackets, PSU warmups, PSU hats, PSU tents (plus a brief break to go to a football game), I can see how someone growing up in that environment would be seen as a traitor to consider anything other than a state school. It was both intoxicating and creepy.

So, PHIL: don't you LIKE beanbags??? I mean, what is the problem??

(Great paragraph and strong point. Nifty ending as well, although I think I understand the "intoxicating" part a bit more clearly than the "creepy" part, having been to that same tailgating, though I didn't have a single sip either time). Glad you were able to sandwich (so to speak) in the game at least.

 

[winlots]

I was correct about the size of the State College borough it is 42,000 in 2012. The average game crowd is 2.5 times the borough population. People really can't conceive of the migration that means on game days in the fall and the acres upon acres of tailgating. I have parishioners, friends and neighbors who have made that journey for 40+ years.[/quote


Not to mention a bunch of two-lane county roads and cowpaths, which factor in to the overall experience.

 

[huskie joe]

All very good points of view. I would like to know what you think about Aja's decision to wait until spring. I respect her decision very much and her parents will be an important part of it, but it sounds like they will leave it up to her.

Do you think that maybe one of the reasons why she is waiting, is because she is going to play out of state (hopefully Uconn). If she accounces now that it might be a negatvie distraction for her this basketball season. The fans might get on her for leaving. But if she waits to the season is over and decides in the spring, the season will be over and she might receive less publicity?

 

[winlots]

HUSK: one of our colleagues had a post to that effect just a day or so ago. I tell you, it is hard for me to believe that this would be an issue - "fans" getting on her case if she announced for UCONN - at least not in a sustained fashion. But it is a very weird world we live in for sure.....more so by the day.

In any event, my sense of the Wilson family, from what I've been able to read, is that they are very serious, methodical, measured, and detailed about this process.....going thru it together as a family. I think that is probably more at play in the spring target than the fear of local reaction, but I guess only the family really knows.

As far as the "starting her own dynasty" kind of thing, vs. joining one, I think she'd miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime if she did not come to UCONN at this juncture: to play with Stewart, Lewis, Tuck, Jefferson, Chong, et al AND with the caliber of kids coming in WITH her, both as players but more importantly as people. (Also, you seldom go wrong when you experience something which will broaden your horizons.....some serious time in a different, and also wonderful, part of the country for someone who does not know the area. I love the south, but nice and important to taste other regional pleasures as well.)

 

[huskie joe]

HUSK: one of our colleagues had a post to that effect just a day or so ago. I tell you, it is hard for me to believe that this would be an issue - "fans" getting on her case if she announced for UCONN - at least not in a sustained fashion. But it is a very weird world we live in for sure.....more so by the day.

In any event, my sense of the Wilson family, from what I've been able to read, is that they are very serious, methodical, measured, and detailed about this process.....going thru it together as a family. I think that is probably more at play in the spring target than the fear of local reaction, but I guess only the family really knows.

As far as the "starting her own dynasty" kind of thing, vs. joining one, I think she'd miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime if she did not come to UCONN at this juncture: to play with Stewart, Lewis, Tuck, Jefferson, Chong, et al AND with the caliber of kids coming in WITH her, both as players but more importantly as people. (Also, you seldom go wrong when you experience something which will broaden your horizons.....some serious time in a different, and also wonderful, part of the country for someone who does not know the area. I love the south, but nice and important to taste other regional pleasures as well.)

 

[Phil]

So, PHIL: don't you LIKE beanbags??? I mean, what is the problem??

(Great paragraph and strong point. Nifty ending as well, although I think I understand the "intoxicating" part a bit more clearly than the "creepy" part, having been to that same tailgating, though I didn't have a single sip either time). Glad you were able to sandwich (so to speak) in the game at least.

Believe it or not, the dual meaning of "intoxicating" wasn't intentional.

 

[Phil]

All very good points of view. I would like to know what you think about Aja's decision to wait until spring. I respect her decision very much and her parents will be an important part of it, but it sounds like they will leave it up to her.

Do you think that maybe one of the reasons why she is waiting, is because she is going to play out of state (hopefully Uconn). If she accounces now that it might be a negatvie distraction for her this basketball season. The fans might get on her for leaving. But if she waits to the season is over and decides in the spring, the season will be over and she might receive less publicity?

That's an intriguing thought. I hope it is the case.

 

[huskie joe]

Thanks Winlot I did not see the similar post. All we can do is wait and hope she becomes part of some great upcoming teams!!

 

[Kibitzer]

Past history would indicate that that would not be true except for a few hyperventilating members.

Those "hyperventilating members" comprise the vast majority of regular Boneyard posters. Hell, if we weren't hyperventilating we wouldn't be here!

Want proof? Ge back a few days and read the, um, "discussions" about Saniya's jump/set shot or Vowel Guy's method of assimilating ratings of players from different sources.

And I won't touch how the welcome mat was pulled away from under the feet of Herbie or Ciarmonte.

 

[Icebear]

Kib, I was limiting my comment to the issue surrounding recruiting and overactions related to that. I think the regulars are relatively balanced when it comes to whom we get and whom we don't. There are always a few the sky is falling posts but all in all the reactions are nothing at all like many in the past in Knoxville.

You are correct we have our moments and weeks but usually not around kids when they choose another school.

 

[Kibitzer]

Kib, I was limiting my comment to the issue surrounding recruiting and overactions related to that. I think the regulars are relatively balanced when it comes to whom we get and whom we don't. There are always a few the sky is falling posts but all in all the reactions are nothing at all like many in the past in Knoxville.

You are correct we have our moments and weeks but usually not around kids when they choose another school.

Now. Open mouth. Insert index finger. Pull tongue from cheek. Aaaah!

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Those "hyperventilating members" comprise the vast majority of regular Boneyard posters. Hell, if we weren't hyperventilating we wouldn't be here!

Want proof? Ge back a few days and read the, um, "discussions" about Saniya's jump/set shot or Vowel Guy's method of assimilating ratings of players from different sources.

And I won't touch how the welcome mat was pulled away from under the feet of Herbie or Ciarmonte.

You talking to me!!!

 

[UcMiami]

I would also point out that as hard as it is to believe, WBB does not have quite the following of big time college football or even big time men's college basketball. We can be pretty fanatical us converts, but ... there is a huge difference between the 80,000 that descend on PSU for a football game against any kind of opposition (including themselves for the spring game) and the 8,000 attending the game against the defending national champion Uconn, let alone the 3850 average for their first two games. And in HS the numbers generally are a lot smaller as are the gyms the games are played in. I think the exposure and therefor the crazy fan pressure for HS kids is much worse for football players than WBB players.

 

[Icebear]

We can be pretty fanatical us converts, but ... there is a huge difference between the 80,000 that descend on PSU for a football game against any kind of opposition (including themselves for the spring game)

People in Happy Valley would be devastated if only 80,000 showed up for a game.
There is 106,574 seating, many more still sitting outside tending the grills and watching the game on TV.

 

[Phil]

There were 96,000 announced Saturday, off a bit because it was against 1-8 Purdue. And some were tailgating and didn't even go to the game (one in our group I know).

 

[Icebear]

PSU - Michigan whiteout pic

Sound levels for crowd noise peaked at about 104 db.

 

[RadyLady]

never criticize a man (recruit) unless you have walked a mile in his/her shoes