Sunday, November 30, 2014

ANOTHER DEAD FOOTBALL PLAYER - This Time, A WALK-ON

Another DEAD Football Player - This Time, A WALK-ON...

Nov 30, 2014, 5:10 PM Pacific

I literally heard the news, posted it on my social media and started writing this post for the blog.

So, another Dead football player is found, most likely, it appears, a self inflicted gun shot.  A walk-on football player at Ohio State, Kosta Karageorge had been missing since the very early morning hours on Wednesday (approx. 2 AM).

The CBS NEWS Report today.

Karageorge's mother is quoted in the CBS News story that he had suffered numerous concussions.  We have heard about my USC teammates dying, Junior Seau, Scott Ross, and several other NFL players in recent years.  But,  what about the Walk-On, who so many people don't give a damn about?  Well, I do!

This story, this concussion debate, is much deeper and rooted in an unconscionable assumption that leading with your helmet / facemask is the best way to make a great block.  BULL S#%#!!!

Block and tackle with your shoulder pads! Sure, there will be some incidental contact with your helmet, but it will not take the initial blow.  Once old school football coaches realize this, football will be safer - period! 

I'm not trying to hawk or shamelessly plug my book, but this is EXACTLY what I talk about in Chapter 13, Irreparable Harm.  I explain in WALK-ON U: The Shocking Truth Behind Football's Unsung Underdogs, that Head Trauma is flagrantly just the nature of the beast for the walk-on... It is assumed that they (walk-ons) signed up for this treatment so let's use them as battering rams over and over and over again and let the chips fall where they may.

I am writing, right now, (my second edition), a six page dissertation that I will submit to the NCAA and all of its voting members, as well as the "United States Congress: Health & Safety Commission on College Sports."  My first edition of WALK-ON U: The Inclusion Petition into the NCAA was submitted in March of this year, 2014.  That catapulted Walk-Ons into the discussion chambers and ultimately granted (in April 2014) Universities the "option" (for the first time in Five Decades ) to feed Walk-Ons within the nutritional training table meals of their athletes.  Many Division I schools JUMPED on this opportunity to take care of their walk-ons.  Brazenly, would you believe, several schools STILL to choose to force walk-ons to PAY for their training table meals - all in the interest of the Almighty Dollar. (my opinion)  UNFORGIVEABLE!

In January 2015 the NCAA will vote again on Reforms.  I will make sure my WALK-ON Reforms are part of the Discussion.  We will Disclose in the WALK-ON REPORT which schools give a damn about walk-ons and which schools don't. 

Fight On for the Walk-On!
Tim Lavin

Thursday, November 20, 2014

The Quest for Change for WALK-ONS Nationwide, in ALL Sports...

November 20, 2014

Today marks the first day of this WALK-ON U Blog, and my quest to Rally a Nation behind Every Male and Female WALK-ON Student Athlete in Every Sport represented within the NCAA at all levels, but especially within the Division I ranks.

It is very sad that in 2014, Walk-Ons, nationwide, are STILL disrespected.  It is NOT shameful that Division I Universities make millions on top of millions.  The shameful part comes in when they step on the backs of Walk-Ons to do it as they run to the bank.  

Hey, I have no problem with schools making millions.  That is terrific.  But, would it be a crime to use less than 1% of that money to take care of the student athletes who take care of you?  Would it be a sin to actually cover training table, the nutritious meal given to the 'scholarship' players, so walk-ons would not have to fork over money to fuel their own bodies?  Believe it or not, some schools are STILL charging Walk-Ons money to fuel their bodies - this might be the most shameful and embarrassing decision of all - and those schools will soon be exposed so future walk-ons will know which schools take care of walk-ons and which schools don't.

I'm in the middle of my investigation. I will not report on these schools - yet.  I gave my word they have until the January vote to right the wrongs.  Some will, some wont.  Those that don't will endure the consequences. 

These schools may not build their teams around Walk-Ons, but upon the Walk-Ons back they build their team.   

In January, the NCAA and Power Five Conferences will be voting once again for reforms.  It is our job; as sports fans, as parents, as players, as administrators, as coaches - nationwide, to come together, and pressure the money making decision makers that the time has come to take care of ALL student Athletes BEFORE dropping millions into coaches salaries. 

 What THEY Don't want you to know will be Exposed here in this Blog and come January, we will see which schools do the right thing.  There are numerous issues at hand, and they will be reveled here.

I am reaching out to anyone and everyone reading this Blog to support Walk-On student-athletes, support the reforms I put forth in the coming weeks in this Blog.  I will need your help.  Stay tuned and I will keep you updated almost daily of the issues at hand and the rules and polices that need to be reformed.  

Make A Statement!
Tim Lavin