Victories, donations not linked

[billhoward]

I don't believe you have to be a former athlete to write about athletics, or a former soldier to cover a war (although Col. David Hackworth in Newsweek did provide an incredible insight about our bumbling through the '90s. (I just learned part of his brilliant writing is that he teams with his wife, a Smith grad of no mean writing skill).) However it does help to have been there. On this, I have the advantage on you, I believe, in having covered state legislatures and local politics. It is enough to try one's belief that the lower classes should be allowed to vote. Or rather, all should be allowed to vote, but there are some who should not be allowed near the seats of power and finance.

The legislature is a cesspool of ignorance, manipulative power, a bit of sex (never enough, they despair), some corruption, and a belief that the more bills introduced (and sometimes passed), the better the legislature serves. There are of course brilliant people, too; I was boggled by the intelligence of Alan D. Sisitsky (circa '67) but he burned out young, a bit more so by the dedicated judges who gave up $250,000 partnerships (back then) to make $80K on the bench.

I think the peak of bad government lies somewhere between county and state government. At the local level, you have a surplus of jovial idiots who are responsive, at least, to their constituences. At the federal level, there are many bright people in government (civil service, not just elected) who are bright, arrogant, and unresponsive. In between you have the best, although more likely worst, of both extremes.

So, yes, I believe that several UConn NCAA championships coupled with a persuasive college president and likeable coach is going to sway legislators to vote more funds for the U ... and in so doing perhaps breed a future generation that when elected will not move their lips while reading. If that happens, the Connecticut legislature has performed a great service.

[billhoward]

You should start a thread now, or a year from now, on what kinds of pressures, inducements, etcetera, a decent HS athlete encounters. A lot of us with kids who are now, at the middle school level, possibly going to do well enough in high school to get contacted and recruited.

The idea of being an athlete at a good D-II or D-III school has its charms.

We're already seeing the pressure to go traveling team not in-county, to take all the clinics (ka-ching), to do the summer sports camps away.

[ninian '72]

Interesting suggestion, Bill.  We're just starting out, but  I'll see if I have anything helpful to offer as things progress.    

I think it is useful to start thinking about these issues early.  According to NCAA rules, coaches are not allowed to contact student athletes before September of their junior years, but a service academy sent my daughter a letter after the state h.s. championships during her sophomore year.  Apparently, the NCAA allows the academies to jump the gun a bit, so you need to be aware of the issues that soon.

Probably the best advice I've seen so far is from Rick Curl.  HIs swim program in the DC area has produced a number  of Olympians,  but it also looks out for the needs of kids who aren't superstars.  I think his advice would serve students in a variety of other sports as well.  See below:

http://www.berecruited.com/college-recruiting-advice/curl-burke-swim-club.html

(Note the plug for the Hotel School!)

I think guidance counselors and admissions officers would quibble with his advice regarding course load and quality during the junior year, but I can understand his perspective, since he's trying to place swimmers in appropriate programs.