College Sports

Is there anything more worthless than a commitment in June from a rising senior?

Here’s the scenario: Star athlete attends summer football camp at Hot Diggity Dog U. He is given the royal (NCAA approved) treatment. “Ooh, look at our stadium.” “Goodness, we just happen to have a jersey in your size.” “Come hang out with the head coach, he’s just a regular guy!”

By the end of the third day of camp, Star Athlete is proclaiming to the local media (who are given access to the campers), “Hot Diggity Dog U. is just what I have been looking for in a school. I feel so welcome, like one of the team already. I think we can win a national title. I am going to sign with Hot Diggity Dog U. and become a HDDU Wiener!”

Yeah, right.

Not one official campus visit has been taken, and Mr. Star Athlete is ready to sign on the dotted line?

But the alums start burning up the message boards. “Welcome, Mr. Star Athlete! We are glad you are coming to HDDU! Can’t wait to watch you burn up the turf.”

First of all, the odds that Mr. Star Athlete ever reads the message boards is, well, non-existent. Secondly, the odds that he ever actually signs is only marginally higher.

Mr. Star Athlete is going to get back home, start getting letters from all over, take a few visits, and then pick. Summer camp will be a distant memory.

Oh, and lest you feel sorry for the poor school that will have offered a scholy, been led to the altar and then jilted, don’t. If Mr. Star Athlete becomes Mr. Can’t Hold On To The Football during his senior season, Hot Diggity Dog U’s scholarship will be pulled faster than the blink of an eye.

So watch them dance the dance this summer, the mating ritual of recruiting. Just don’t get your hopes up.