NOW HEAR THIS: College recruiting needs to change
The University of Colorado was scandalized by football.
The University of Colorado had a great fall.
All the king’s men, and all the king’s horses couldn’t put CU together again.
Believe me, it won’t ever be the same for the University of Colorado, or any other college football program, large or small. I believe we are about to witness the most profound “180” in collegiate football control seen since the introduction of the facemask.
The recruitment of high school athletes is about to get a face lift. The ugly scars of recruiting exposed by CU are certain to bring sweeping changes. The pain of Colorado, is being felt by every institution of higher learning in this country, and they are PRAYING there will be no stories of:
• Alleged sexual misconduct
• Allegations of rape
• Drunken recruiting orgies
• Reports of escort services and strippers
All of that has been reported relative to the CU football program the past few weeks. Is on campus recruiting of athletics out of control?
You betcha!
The University of Colorado is certainly not alone in this latest campus smear. Others have had similar occurances, maybe not as sensational, but to be sure they have their buried bones.
So, what’s the answer?
Stop on campus recruiting as it’s done today. First and foremost discontinue the practice of using pretty young campus queens as hosts, and escorts for the potential recruit. No female escort. No problem.
A totally controlled environment supervised by responsible, trustworthy individuals from the time the recruit steps on campus until he leaves. The process of sound judgment, that being what’s honorable for the young man, his family, and the institution, must be employed.
My, what a novel idea!
This is a business trip for the young man. Keep it that way. Every hour of his stay should be accounted for and recorded for anyone to inspect. With these and other steps taken no school would ever have to fear the dreaded “lack of institutional control” verdict handed down by the NCAA which always results in harsh punishment.
The stench from the Colorado disgrace will linger until reforms in recruiting are adopted, and every institution mandates total compliance.
Anything less than a dedicated, and determined effort by the NCAA, and its member institutions to pull this off, will for certain cripple the body of intercollegiate athletics, in a way never before seen, while digging a much deeper and wider sinkhole for college football, and basketball to slide into.
Can they change?
Not can they ? but will they?
Hope Hines is a television sports reporter and a Nashville personality.