LOI

Coming on the heels of last week's Super Bowl debacle (oops, spectacle), we endured another red letter yesterday. It was the annual dog and pony letter of intent day (LOI), where phenomenally talented high school seniors fax (I guess it has to to with tradition) their "contracts" to the university who has offered enough extra circular schwag to entice them to play football for them for the next four, or sometimes three, or sometimes five, years. Thereby earning the institution of higher learning obscene amounts of television money. The kid gets his scholarship and the school gets the ratings, rankings and royalties. It is no wonder that LOI day, in many circles, gets more media play than, say, the philanthropy of rich and famous alumni.

We know that in today's economy, without five star recruits and a post season bowl game, women's soccer or rowing would suffer. Football pays for all of that and lots, LOTS more. Alums love to brag. And when they brag they donate. It keeps the ship sailing. I like college football. I like ONE team in the NCAA. I am an idiot savant of monumental proportions when it comes to Husky Football. That loyalty and passion remains my last team sport vice. The hypocrisy in all others I lost appetite for decades ago. Here is an interesting article from the WSJ, taking a look at recruiting rankings versus volunteerism. A stretch, I know, but indicative, perhaps of a trend.

The trend being that there is more to football, more to college football, and more to life itself than merely outscoring your opponent.

Pic is from the 2001 Rose Bowl (a Dawg win vs Purdue) and the cap I wore that day in Pasadena. Hopefully, with the talented 2013 class signed yesterday we can get back soon.