Since I posted SUFFER THE CHILDREN, I got a lot of feedback not just from ordinary folks but also alumni, current student-athletes, and coaches from different schools.
My point is that we have to check this rampant win-at-all-costs mentality that is taking root in schools today. Kids are recruited for the sole purpose of winning without a care to what they do in the future. In college, I guess it's fair to cut them should they not perform but to take away the scholarship is not fair or right because that effectively marks them as "players for hire." Last I checked collegiate sports is listed under amateur sports.
I will mention a few of the comments that I received.
Nikko Dizer, Ateneo Men's Baseball Team
He was still in 2nd Year high school in Ateneo when he was offered a scholarship to the college. A baseball prodigy, there were quite a few schools after Randy Dizer's kid. There was no mention of having to try out for the senior nine and the only time there was mention of getting cut from the team was in Season 70 when the team went 1-9. Because of the increasing pressure on student-athletes, he told some ILLAM teammates to instead go to either UST or UP. A few of them went to DLSU to their regret. He says that we forget that sometimes the people who take part are kids and all this pressure to win takes the fun out of it.
JC Intal, Ginebra San Miguel
Unlike his other siblings who went to Ateneo, JC went to Claret then Letran before joining the brood in AMDU. He was surprised that when he went to ADMU he was told that he had to fight for a place on the team. To try out -- something that was never mentioned during his recruitment. JC told me this a few years back just to quantify it.
Coach Hans Smit, DLSU Football
The forever coach of the green and white says that in high school, kids need to be trained and motivated. "They (FEU) are young but they beat my team. Twice so you know that they have the talent. What was said to the team is not good. In college I tell my players that there are open tryouts. I don't mind giving a jersey to a freshman who proves he should be on that squad. But in high school -- those are the formative years and what you do to them as a coach can make or break them. It will leave a lasting impression. What happened was bad."
FEU player who refused to be named
Lagi naman ganyan. Puro pananakot kapag hindi nag-perform. Mahirap na magsalita baka kung ano pa mangyari. Si Coach mabait pero yung mga boss basta panalo panalo panalo.
Xavier Señoren, Ateneo Men's Volleyball
When Señoren was recruited to go to Ateneo from DLSZ, other than the usual yadda about school and studies there was no mention about any stipulations such as trying out for the team or the possibility of getting cut. If he were to be cut he would be very surprised because as far as he knows, he's in Ateneo to study and play for four or five years.
My point is that we have to check this rampant win-at-all-costs mentality that is taking root in schools today. Kids are recruited for the sole purpose of winning without a care to what they do in the future. In college, I guess it's fair to cut them should they not perform but to take away the scholarship is not fair or right because that effectively marks them as "players for hire." Last I checked collegiate sports is listed under amateur sports.
I will mention a few of the comments that I received.
Nikko Dizer, Ateneo Men's Baseball Team
He was still in 2nd Year high school in Ateneo when he was offered a scholarship to the college. A baseball prodigy, there were quite a few schools after Randy Dizer's kid. There was no mention of having to try out for the senior nine and the only time there was mention of getting cut from the team was in Season 70 when the team went 1-9. Because of the increasing pressure on student-athletes, he told some ILLAM teammates to instead go to either UST or UP. A few of them went to DLSU to their regret. He says that we forget that sometimes the people who take part are kids and all this pressure to win takes the fun out of it.
JC Intal, Ginebra San Miguel
Unlike his other siblings who went to Ateneo, JC went to Claret then Letran before joining the brood in AMDU. He was surprised that when he went to ADMU he was told that he had to fight for a place on the team. To try out -- something that was never mentioned during his recruitment. JC told me this a few years back just to quantify it.
Coach Hans Smit, DLSU Football
The forever coach of the green and white says that in high school, kids need to be trained and motivated. "They (FEU) are young but they beat my team. Twice so you know that they have the talent. What was said to the team is not good. In college I tell my players that there are open tryouts. I don't mind giving a jersey to a freshman who proves he should be on that squad. But in high school -- those are the formative years and what you do to them as a coach can make or break them. It will leave a lasting impression. What happened was bad."
FEU player who refused to be named
Lagi naman ganyan. Puro pananakot kapag hindi nag-perform. Mahirap na magsalita baka kung ano pa mangyari. Si Coach mabait pero yung mga boss basta panalo panalo panalo.
Xavier Señoren, Ateneo Men's Volleyball
When Señoren was recruited to go to Ateneo from DLSZ, other than the usual yadda about school and studies there was no mention about any stipulations such as trying out for the team or the possibility of getting cut. If he were to be cut he would be very surprised because as far as he knows, he's in Ateneo to study and play for four or five years.
Because scholarships are in limited supply, sometimes it's used as a bargaining chip.
Even in National University, the influx of funds has now seen better recruitment and all of a sudden some mainstays are in danger of losing their slots. Whether that means being sent home right now isn't clear.
Then there is the Soc Rivera Rule that is plain stupid. Why the UAAP Board adopted that is only testament to a knee jerk mentality that has pervaded a board that acts with hidden agendas and not for the greater good. A student should be able to go to the college of his choice. I find it ludicrous that they are deemed and investment and if they would like to transfer to another college straight out of high school that they have to sit out a year of residency if they are not able to secure a permit that approves their playing.
Kind of sad when schools go from winning isn't everything to it is the only thing.
Even in National University, the influx of funds has now seen better recruitment and all of a sudden some mainstays are in danger of losing their slots. Whether that means being sent home right now isn't clear.
Then there is the Soc Rivera Rule that is plain stupid. Why the UAAP Board adopted that is only testament to a knee jerk mentality that has pervaded a board that acts with hidden agendas and not for the greater good. A student should be able to go to the college of his choice. I find it ludicrous that they are deemed and investment and if they would like to transfer to another college straight out of high school that they have to sit out a year of residency if they are not able to secure a permit that approves their playing.
Kind of sad when schools go from winning isn't everything to it is the only thing.
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