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Message: [QUOTE="Bronx23, post: 2837127, member: 8501"] I think this is a very interesting conversation which now adds (been there actually all along) being educated in a religious college / environment to so many other factors such as: geography; academic level of schools and their specific programs; playing with close friends; comfort level at each specific campus and with the players currently and previously there; and many, many more without even considering specific coaches, their skills, prior successes, playing time, other recruits, etc. Choosing amongst all these factors makes this an extremely difficult, complicated and also a huge decision for each student. One factor is their relationship with their parents and the influence the parent still has on them. Some young people still want and need their parents approval and agreement with their decision, others less so, or the very few who take full control of this critical decision. I say this knowing perfectly well this can be viewed positively or negatively how they make this familial aspect is incorporated into their decision. I'm thinking of two examples of U Conn players, present and past. If I remember correctly Sue Bird initially attended a public HS on Long Island (think it was Syosset HS), and choose to transfer to Christ The King HS, a women's basketball powerhouse. It meant her father I believe getting an apartment close to CTK in Queens and I think she was there for two years. Thi s was clearly done to maximize her enormous basketball talent. While I don't wish to offend anyone CTK is a good academic school but not an elite Catholic HS as compared to previously mentioned Mary Louis HS or another called St. Francis Prep. Obviously this decision appears to have worked out quite well as she is probably the greatest point guard in women's basketball history. The other example is KLS who comes from the HS mentioned and described above. Also obviously as is well documented she has two older sisters who were and are excellent players in their own right who choose a premiere coach and basketball program as well as one of the better / best academic institutions in the US. Because of her own intrinsic personality and qualities she wants to follow a new path rather than follow her older sisters to Stanford. Being the best basketball player of the three maybe was part of her wanting something different. And she wasn't comparing Geno to chopped liver either. U Conn is a very, very good academic institution but in most fields not comparable to Stanford. Again making it clear that I personally know nothing about either individuals or their families in these two cases, other than both seem to be wonderful, supportive, loving ones, my main point is each recruit has so many things to weigh and balance in their choice. What a religious university adds or takes away is going to be viewed and weighted differently by each person. So while some of you anxiously await this years or next years dream recruits, try and understand the complexities of this decision. Some get it right for them. Others get it wrong. The most important issue or point is who they adapt and move on. I've done a good deal or training in real estate and previously social work and lately at the end of my training sessions I end reading a Chinese fortune cookie saying. I know I'm pretty weird! It is "things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out." Bronx23 [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach