NBA, NFL, not NCAA, determine draft entry

NBA, NFL, not NCAA,determine draft entry
Fanfare:
While I agree with Mr. Hipple's idea of having college athletes who leave early for the NBA or NFL pay back the value of their scholarships, I feel I must correct him on one major point. It is not the NCAA which regulates when players can enter the drafts early, it is the leagues conducting the drafts. The NBA's rule is that a player must be 18 and his high school class has reached graduation -- probably the only reason LeBron James returned for his senior season at St. Vincent-St. Mary. The NFL's is that a player must be at least three years removed from high school -- meaning that one must be at least a redshirt sophomore to leave (ala Michael Vick). Also, these rules are negotiated into the leagues' collective bargaining agreements, so not only would Maurice Clarett have to sue the NFL, he would also have to sue the NFL Players Association.
As far as the NBA and NFL having different entry rules, I understand completely. Basketball is supposedly not a contact sport, so the fact that males ages 18-21 are usually still growing is not as relevant to their physical safety in playing the sport at its highest level.
James Dougherty
Warren
Coach deserves support
Fanfare:
This letter is to all the so called Ursuline High School football fans. I like to call it, "How easy it is to blame the brand new, young, Irish kid, from Cardinal Mooney that has no head coaching experience." I want to start by saying that I had the honor to play football and graduate with Coach Dan Murphy from Cardinal Mooney High School. Because of my excitement for him and to show my support, I attended some Ursuline football games this year and from the first game I witnessed all the way to the last one, I would have been embarrassed to be a fan or part of the alumni. Coach Murphy received very little support and the support he did get was mostly from his friends and family. I kept hearing about how talented Ursuline was and how good they were going to be. However, talent can only take you so far and the rest comes from within. Worrying about "what college am I going to play for" or if "I'm going to get more ink in the newspaper than you" are personal goals and do help the team win games. From the chanting on the field towards Coach Murphy to the "fan" who went after him at the end of the Mooney game to fight him, let me ask you, what kind of example are you setting for your kids? If the parents of the players don't respect and support Coach Murphy, how can you expect the players to? It's easy to second guess a call after the game is over, but it should be even easier for a "talented football team" to pick up seven inches on fourth down with the playoffs on the line. These coaches worked hard all year long and deserve the playoffs for never quitting, but to the players, your season should have ended when you didn't show up for films after the Mooney game. This team had an opportunity to win more games this year and didn't. That does not come down to coaching, that comes from wanting to win and playing as a "team". Cardinal Mooney was outsized and outmanned all over the field, yet with that little chance of winning in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, they did it as a true football team. To Coach Murphy, you are a great coach with terrific football experience that any true football fan could see. Your resume speaks for itself and if the Irish fans do not want to support your coaching ways and new ideas, you should always know that your family, friends and alma mater will be proud of you and support you wherever you go.
This letter is to all the so called Ursuline High School football fans. I like to call it, "How easy it is to blame the brand new, young, Irish kid, from Cardinal Mooney that has no head coaching experience." I want to start by saying that I had the honor to play football and graduate with Coach Dan Murphy from Cardinal Mooney High School. Because of my excitement for him and to show my support, I attended some Ursuline football games this year and from the first game I witnessed all the way to the last one, I would have been embarrassed to be a fan or part of the alumni. Coach Murphy received very little support and the support he did get was mostly from his friends and family. I kept hearing about how talented Ursuline was and how good they were going to be. However, talent can only take you so far and the rest comes from within. Worrying about "what college am I going to play for" or if "I'm going to get more ink in the newspaper than you" are personal goals and do help the team win games. From the chanting on the field towards Coach Murphy to the "fan" who went after him at the end of the Mooney game to fight him, let me ask you, what kind of example are you setting for your kids? If the parents of the players don't respect and support Coach Murphy, how can you expect the players to? It's easy to second guess a call after the game is over, but it should be even easier for a "talented football team" to pick up seven inches on fourth down with the playoffs on the line. These coaches worked hard all year long and deserve the playoffs for never quitting, but to the players, your season should have ended when you didn't show up for films after the Mooney game. This team had an opportunity to win more games this year and didn't. That does not come down to coaching, that comes from wanting to win and playing as a "team". Cardinal Mooney was outsized and outmanned all over the field, yet with that little chance of winning in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, they did it as a true football team. To Coach Murphy, you are a great coach with terrific football experience that any true football fan could see. Your resume speaks for itself and if the Irish fans do not want to support your coaching ways and new ideas, you should always know that your family, friends and alma mater will be proud of you and support you wherever you go.
Donnie Belosic Jr.