Emily Tropp reports that the IHSA has ruled that Marcus Posley cannot play basketball for Auburn.
That’s less of a surprise than gambling going on in the back room of Rick’s Cafe Americain in “Casablanca”. Twenty or thirty years ago athletes could move in with a relative so they could play sports at another school, but no more. Not even close. Last year, the IHSA banned an 18-year-old Polo dad from playing baseball until overturning the decision on appeal more than halfway through the season, and that was a player who wasn’t a star pitcher, wasn’t joining a winning team and had moved 2,000 miles to be close to his infant daughter. His move had nothing to do with sports, yet the IHSA said he belonged with his parents, not his grandfather, if he wanted to play sports. If Posley wants to play basketball this year, I can’t see how anyone in his family would have allowed him to enroll at Auburn.
And the IHSA is correct here: Posley’s parents still live in Winnebago and his brother still goes to school in Winnebago. There doesn’t seem to be a good reason for Posley to be going to school at Auburn except to play for one of the state’s best basketball teams, and that’s a reason that does not — and should not — fly with the IHSA.
But an IHSA official said in Emily Tropp’s story that athletes who then return to their original school after not being able to play at the school they tried to move to are usually granted eligibility again. Why?
If the IHSA does not allow players to switch schools for athletic reasons only, then why are they allowed to go back for athletic reasons only? If Posley goes back to Winnebago now, basketball would apparently be the reason why. And I thought that reason doesn’t fly with the IHSA.
If you want athletes to stop transferring in the hope of playing for a better team, don’t let them have a safety net when that transparent ploy doesn’t work.
Let Marcus Posley play basketball for God sake! All the boy wants to do is play basketball! It is his senior year and no matter where he is attending school, if he has the grades them let him play. Why take that away from him? It is probably a very devastating thing to be told you can’t play the sport you love! Think of the alternatives that he could be out doing. Example: armed robbery, hence last weeks situation!!! What do we want Rockford? Here we have a teen that is beyond good at basketball and loves to play. Wants to go to college and is doing good things and now we want to take that away because he lives with a relative??? We complain about what these teenagers are getting involved in but then when one has a chance to do good things we want to find a way to hold him back! I just don’t get it and why is it even an issue? Worry about real honest problems, we have plenty and believe me this isn’t one of them!
Kristina, I believe that you are missing the point.
Marcus Posley was in a situtation where he was able to play basketball at the school he was attending (Winnebago). And while he is not getting in to things such as armed robbery, who are the people in this young man’s life that are providing him with this type of guidance? Family, adult mentors, coaches, and teachers are responsible for not only responsible for helping him stay out of trouble but also ensuring that sound morals and good character are developed as well. No one is attempting to “hold him back” but rather establish order on a situtation where some believed they could manipulate the system.
Matt, I agree with your opinion on not letting him play 100%.
Kristina, sounds like Marcus CAN play basketball- at Winnebago. “for God sake”… Follow ISHA rules, end of story.
This kind of nonsense even goes on in jr high and elementary schools. I have a sort of relative who is living with someone else a few towns over solely so he can play on what is perceived as a better football team. I think he is in 7th grade. He was basically recruited to do this by a coach for the high school team that this school feeds into.
It is long past time when school athletics needs to be put in proper perspective as something well down the list of priorities instead of the only thing that matters.
A suburban paper — I think it was the Aurora Beacon News — did a front-page story a few years ago about an eighth-grader picking his public high school. The kid wound up being a first-team all-stater, and he was choosing between three or four schools, depending on which relative he lived with.
The IHSA is a high school organization. There’s not a ton it can do when people pick a school before high school starts. But it is correct in cracking down on high school transfers. We’ll see what Marcus Posley does now, but I can’t believe anyone thought the IHSA would ever let him play for Auburn when his family never moved away from Winnebago.
Two thoughts
1) The saying “The worst they can say is no.” It was an interesting attempt by a young man trying to put himself in a potentially better situation for a sport he enjoys. It’s good for the IHSA to have these situations which serve to challenge their integrity as a governing body. Be very afraid when the
IHSA, or any rule making authority, is so powerful that their rules are never questioned or challenged.
2) It deeply saddens me to see someone draw the erroneous and dangerous conclusion that not being allowed to play leads someone to commit armed robbery. There are thousands of students in Rockford High Schools that participate neither in sports nor crimes. I am a firm believer in the positive personal and social benefits of exercise and organized athletics, but also a firm believer in sound logic.
THIS IS POINTLESS! I totally disagree with Matt and anyone else who feels Marcus shouldn’t be allowed to play weather its Auburn or Winnebago. Why does it matter where he lives, or who he lives with? I personally feel that certain people don’t want to see a “Super-trio of gaurds”. Marcus’s parents agreed to this transfer so it should not matter to anyone else. Either you come support these AWESOME “Super- trio of gaurds” or you dont. MARCUS HAS THE TALENT! IF HE WANTS TO PLAY FOR AUBURN IT’S NOT A CRIME. LET HIM PLAY
Why does it matter where he lives? Are you serious? It matters because it’s high school sports. The pros draft and sign players from all over the world. Colleges recruit players from all over the world. But high school sports are supposed to be the kids who live and grew up in your town vs. the kids who live and grew up in the next town.
Matt would you say that for Boylan sudents who come from over seas? Oh by the way what were you thinking. Did you ever think that some day you will have to interview MP (possible on a professional level)?
For all those crying foul on the IHSA decision I’m gonna play devils advocate here with this thought…Imagine this scenario…Mr. Posely enrolled at Boylan and the IHSA ruled him ineligible. These cries would turn into cheers of support for the decision. I understand that transferring public to private has different rules than transferring public to public, but in the hypothetical the point exists. Please stop pretending that you care what is best for the young man when what you are really upset about is him not being able to play at Auburn.
Considering it was the decision of the IHSA and not anyone in Rockford, I am not sure who these “certain people” are that don’t want to see the “super trio”. I would be shocked if “certain people” secretly petitioned the IHSA to rule him ineligible at Auburn and that there is a huge conspiracy involved here.
hey Fanesse Embrey – I agree but the rules are the rules and must be changed. As for Auburn – having MP there would have a slight impact. With the team they have now they will tear it up. They are soild and deep at the guard position. I seen them play summer ball and would say they will go vary far with or without MP. They are lightning fast and they are the best team in the history of Rockford (West or East). Coach OTT and his assistants have done a supurb job. Last years sophs will make a massive impact on a state run. They are maturing quicker than any team in resent memmory. I believe they will make a sound impact in the Proviso West tourney. Hey knights – there use to be a banner in the gym that read FORWARD EVER BACKWARD NEVER. Now you have all the talent nessary to make a state run. Its just to bad that MP will not be there – its Rockfords loss.
Hey MP. Keep up the good work and grades. I know theres been alot said by people that just don’t get it. If I were you I would just keep your GPA where its at and get out of Rockford and leave illinois high school sports in the dust. If it has an impact at Ball state don’t worry I’m sure Wichita state would love to see you with La mark and FV. Actually thats not a bad idea.
People who move from out of town can play at any high school they want. The best overseas player, even better than Damir Krupalija, played for Sycamore, a public school. … Neither I nor the IHSA has any problem with athletes enrolling at other schools after their families move, whether that’s leaving public for private (Arthur Ford from Auburn to Rockford Christian last year) or private to public (Brea Edwards from Boylan to Hononegah).
As for interviewing Marcus Posley, when we change our coverage because we’re afraid they will no longer be friendly to us is when news agencies stop being reputable. I write what I think, whether it’s about people I like or don’t like, know or don’t know.
In this instance, I am an Auburn parent, so it would have been fun to see Marcus Posley help make the Knights a state title contender, but that doesn’t change my view of what is right and what is wrong.
I also know both Coach Ott at Auburn and Coach Murphy at Winnebago. I can’t imagine that either would have told Marcus that he had any hope of being eligible to play for Auburn. I’m not sure who told Marcus that he could, but they should not have.
And who knows? Maybe Marcus himself knew it was a longshot. We don’t know because he has not spoken to anyone in the media about it.
Hey, if he wanted to go to Auburn for the academics, good for him. We will see what he does now.
Matt good enough. Could you do this – could you report on the Pryme Tyme program. It was a shame this summer when Prytme Tyme did what they did and did not get 1/100 the coverage. It is nice to see how many people still are behind MP. Matt as far as the head line “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING” seroiusly! I would find that a little offensive. If I were Auburn players I would not give any news agency in Rockford the time of day outside of the Rock River Times. Just remmber they don’t need the newspaper – you need them. I’m half tempted now to relocate out of the state in another aerospace comunity lets say Wichita!
Alan, we wrote a huge story on Pryme Tyme in June, the biggest story I can remember on any summer club. I know fans of the Big Dogs baseball program have asked us several times to write a story on them, but we generally don’t write about club teams because there isn’t nearly as much interest in them.
It’s the same reason newspapers and TV stations cover college sports so much, but pay little attention to CBA basketball teams that would dominate the NCAA champion teams. People care about schools and their teams, whether its college or high school. We cover high school sports extensively. An all-star laden summer team just doesn’t have the same cache, unless they represent Rockford rather than Pryme Tyme, as in when cities send a team to the Little League World Series.
Anyway, that’s why we don’t write more about Pryme Tyme. The same thing goes for when local golfers travel across the country. They get more play if they win local golf tournaments, even if they are against lesser competition, because people care most about OUR local tournaments unless it’s Brad Benjamin playing in the Masters or U.S. Open.
Alan Chstain, the statements you make are absolutely ludicrous.
To say that this year’s Auburn HS boys’ basketball team is better than 54-55 West Warriors, 92-93 Guilford Vikings, or a ton of other teams that featured high end division 1 basketball players such as Lee Lampley, Nick Zachery, Damir Krupalija, Frank Richards, or Aaron Robinson is absurd.
I am extremely happy that the success Auburn basketball has had a positive reflection on the city and community but let’s not lose sight of what is truly important and that is that this young man become a better person and a contributing member to society when he finishes his academic/athletic endeavors.
Fred VanFleet is playing basketball at Wichita State, LaMark Foote is not. There is a reason for both. Marcus Posley is a very good high school basketball player and may even contribute at Ball Sate, if they still want him, but an NBA player he is not. Matt Trowbridge is doing his job and evidently doing it well because I have a feeling this blog will be going for quite some time.
As for those who would cry foul when a student transfers to attend Boylan, it is what it is. They are a private school in a public school league, if neighboring schools felt that strongly about it they could have them removed. As for playing devil’s advocate, I am a huge follower of sports at all levels. I was curious if anyone could explain to me how this group of “last years sophs who will make a massive impact on a state run” came to be at Auburn when I saw them play football at a middle school which isn’t anywhere in Auburn’s vicinity?
In closing,” MARCUS HAS THE TALENT! IF HE WANTS TO PLAY FOR AUBURN IT’S NOT A CRIME.” but it is against the rules.
posley is not good enough for the MVC and Wichita St…and foote is not a Division I player. As for whomever said that Auburn doesn’t need MP..they are dead wrong…another talented athlete on that roster makes them deeper and more dangerous…MP would be the 2nd best player on Auburn, hands down….however, even with him, with no big men of consequence, they could hardly hang with the truly great teams in RPS 205 history.
What rock have you (John Smith & Left coast) been under? You have no ability to rate the talent of this team. When was the last time you watched them play? I could see that you may be a disgruntled Titan fan. The team Auburn has is the best defensive team ever in the NIC9 0r 10. The team West had back in the 50′s was a way different type of team. They would not be able to move the ball with the athletic ability Auburn has. As far as the recruited teams that Boylan had put together – they would have a hard time getting the ball over half court. The team Auburn has maybe better with MP but the team they have now will set local if not state records (Hopefully against Boylan). RRSTAR has stated that they have had a lot of coverage on this year’s 17AAU pryme tyme team. If that’s true then you must not have read the paper for a few years or one of the reporters has lied about giving Pryme Tyme the press coverage. The press, bloggers here and the death of Ken Barnes will fire this team up like you can’t believe. You need to make them feel the pain more (keep blogging). I can’t wait to see the Boylan fans leave the gym after the first half. YOU HAVE IT COMING. YOU WONT BE ABLE TO HIDE BEHIND A BLOGGERS NAME. I use to watch a friend coach the kids that eventually played on the 92 – 93 Vikings team – once again different era (besides that (MW) coach inherited that team from Dan Green). What you will see this year is a full impact team. You say Auburn needs a big man – afraid not – big won’t keep up with this team. By the way tell Lamark F he has no D1 talent – I predict he will explode on the seen just like MP did this summer. I guess your version of a D1 player would be one that’s been pumped up by the press. Auburn has 2 other weapons I will not discuss but will tell you just when you think you have it figured out – figure again (just like a raptor from Jurassic Park). You should do one thing in March, Blog again, tell the public what you think then! Please All keep blogging give this team MORE AND MORE AND MORE motivation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here’s the story on Pryme Tyme I mentioned that was our centerpiece sports story that day. We also mentioned Pryme Tyme on stories about Posley making his college commitment and on his eligibility issues and they were the lead brief, with the headline, when they won a couple of major out of down tournaments.
A fine time to be in Pryme Tyme
AAU club climbs into national spotlight.
ROCKFORD — Pryme Tyme is not a secret anymore.
Anthony “Doc” Cornell has made sure of that as his 19-year-old AAU basketball program has gained national attention over the past couple of years.
Cornell founded Pryme Tyme in 1992, and he claims his kids have compiled an 84 percent success rate of getting into college. He currently has two stars — Fred Van Vleet from Auburn and Marcus Posley of Winnebago — who are attracting plenty of Division I attention, and they are helping to improve the program’s growing reputation.
“I can’t talk about the players, but I can talk about Doc and his program. It’s top notch,” Northern Illinois University assistant coach, and primary recruiter, Todd Townsend, said. “I think their reputation is a strong one, and is getting better every year. They’re really starting to get a lot of respect from (college recruiters).”
Cornell runs the entire program — which includes boys and girls teams from third-grade to the 17-and-under squad. He also coaches the 17-U Pryme Tyme team, which is 30-3 this year and has knocked off some of the top AAU teams in the country. They were 58-4 last year and 65-5 in 2009.
While this current team is getting the program its biggest accolades, Cornell says it’s a lot more than just playing winning basketball that fuels his will to teach.
“It’s fun when you’re winning, and it feels good and everything, but it’s when I hear ‘I wouldn’t be where I am today without what you did for me,’ that’s what really makes me feel good about what I’m doing here,” Cornell said with a smile. “We want them to learn life lessons, stuff you can learn on and off the court. We want them to grow up to be productive citizens. That’s what we work toward more than anything else. It’s all about helping these kids.”
He says he and his staff constantly push “community involvement and just being a good person” on the players, and he insists all of his athletes must put school first. His goals are about earning a college scholarship, not putting a bunch of points on the scoreboard.
This season Pryme Tyme players have helped clean up around their schools, took part in neighborhood cleanup projects, helped with area churches, and joined in a program where the athletes spend time at local nursing homes. They also help each other, Cornell said, with some of the older players tutoring the younger ones.
The 17U Pryme Tyme team has competed in seven tournaments so far and expects to play in five more before school begins in the fall. The teams usually practice twice a week for 2-2 hours, but Cornell gives his older kids the month of June off so they can take part in summer leagues with their high school teams.
“That’s important to us,” he said. “We know they need to have that time with their high school teams to build those bonds, so we make sure they have it.”
Cornell also makes sure there is a spot on the team for every skilled player who comes out. There are no tryouts, and he occasionally will add a second team in a division to accommodate everyone.
“If they’re not ready, I’ll tell them,” he said, “but I hate to turn any kid away.”
According to its peers, Pryme Tyme is not only winning, but is going about it the right way. Along with a long list of assistants, including Dr. Jason Davenport, Mike Luster, James Dixon, Gerry Ford, Dave Glenn, Rick Cobb, Joe Danforth, Hosea Harris, Ameer Watts, Ramone Zachery, Tony Taylor, and David Glenn, Cornell even has other AAU coaches looking to him for advice.
“I use other teams as a model, sure, and Doc’s has been a good one to use,” said Shawn Ellis, head coach and president of the Northern Illinois Basketball of Aurora (NIBA) AAU program, which is in just its third year of existence. “He has put me in contact with people I never thought I’d be in contact with. He’s nationally known. Doc has those kids working toward the right things. And he’s sure got them playing good, too.”
Van Vleet is the 6-foot floor leader, and he recently moved up to the No. 2 spot in the junior class in Illinois in the Hoops Report player rankings. And the 6-2 Posley is a versatile slasher whose “jump shot isn’t bad either,” Cornell said.
Lamark Foote (Auburn), A.J. Uhrig (Rockford Christian), Quavion Scott (Freeport), David Hellstrom (home-schooled), Gerry Ford Jr. (Guilford), Tae-Rhe Turner (Auburn), Wes Koral (Wheaton Academy) and twins Quincy and Quinten Canty (Belvidere) round out a balanced squad.
According to an article in SLAM Magazine last month: “Pryme Tyme may be the Midwest’s best kept secret in AAU,” and they are a team that has “winning down to a science.”
But Posley doesn’t agree with all of that.
“We know how to win, but I don’t think we’re a secret anymore,” he said. “We kind of have a target on our back these days. A lot of teams know what we’re all about now, and they want to knock us off. We just play hard and keep showing people what we can do.”
They recently qualified for the AAU National Tournament to be held in Orlando, Fla., on July 23-27, and Cornell says he will make sure they drum up enough funds to make the trip. The team will be involved in fundraising projects, and donations are welcome.
Cornell hopes the program can continue to thrive, though travel costs are “tricky” these days. He hopes to keep Pryme Tyme in the spotlight for years to come.
There are plenty out there hoping right along with him.
“Reflecting back on it all, being around that program helped so much,” said Ameer Watts, one of Cornell’s assistants who played for Pryme Tyme from 1995-2000. “Traveling, dealing with things, meeting new people; it was all amazing. It opened a lot of doors, and it opened my eyes to what was out there.
“Without Pryme Tyme and Doc, I don’t know where I would be.”
There’s that statement again. Somewhere, Coach Cornell just smiled.
Staff reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.
At a glance
What: Pryme Tyme AAU basketball program
When: Summer season for high-school age players; spring, summer and fall seasons for younger teams
Where: Practices are held at Northwest Community Center, Auburn High School or St. Paul Church of God and Christ
Information: go to theprymetyme.org
Cost: Rates change, but this year’s high school-age players paid $500-$750 while the younger groups paid $200-$400
To donate time or money: E-mail Anthony “Doc” Cornell at prymetymetravels@aol.com
Caption:
I’ve been under no rock Alan Chastain and I have no allegiance to any team in the state line, I just enjoy watching local sports and have had the pleasure of doing so for the past 45 years. I’m also a firm believer in doing what is right and playing according to the rules. You continue to make outrageous claims about the ability of this Auburn team. They have a legitimate chance of winning the NIC-10 championship, a regional title, and potentially another sectional title; but again, a state winner they are not. You mention that they are the best defensive team ever, but there are no statistics to support these claims. You mention that some past teams wouldn’t be able to get the ball past half court? Have you watched Auburn play? A man to man press with the person responsible for guarding the inbounder hanging around half court is not extrememly tough to beat. You are correct regarding the 54-55 West Warriors, they were a different team; one that these Knights would struggle dearly with. Again, you make remarks about local coverage and have been proven wrong as well. If you’d like to debate, then please let’s debate; but use facts in trying to support your outrageous claims not opinion. I’m not sure who (MW) is but Mike Miller inherited that 92-93 Guilford Viking team and did everything right to galvanize them in to making that state title run. Auburn indeed does need a big man, and a legitimate shooter (which is why the attempt to transfer Posley) in order to stretch the court. They will be limited to one shot against most teams and will lose any game against legitimate talent and size just as they did at NIU last year. They have no secret weapons, just undeveloped size which seldom gets touches any how. Fred Van Fleet is an excellent player and made a sound choice in signing with Wichita State. You say that LaMark Foote is also a Division 1talent, I was curious if you could tell me why?
Only in America! JS – Last year Fred Van Vleet became the 6th in steals for the history of the IHSA. Between Fred and Lamark (found in MaxPreps) they make up over 65% of Auburns steals last year. Fred was tenth in the state with a 17.1 pts./gm., Lamark eighteenth with a 15.4 pts./gm. Fred was #1 in the state (tied2 67th in the nation) with 148 steals @4.8/gm. Lamark Foot was 17th in the state with 70 @2.3/gm.
Yup you got me on Mike Miller but your galvanize remark shows that if you take a drug test you would have to be in detox for 45 years! I personally have known what Dan Green did for the program at Guilford. What can you say Miller was in the right place at the right time. As for Dan – Just like Doc Cornell – how he was forgot already unless Matt reminded us from ALL the archived info from this summer (Nice copy and paste job).
I challenge all who read this blog to check out how high school sports are played in Europe. It would not be a bad idea back here. Al of you who have a problem with Marcus playing with Auburn – well you have a problem. Thank God I do not work with your thoughts or in the box thinking – it’s exactly what this country has become. People like you would follow a feather over a cliff because a sign told you to do it. Rules are rules – right! If you were intelligent enough to understanding anything (which I doubt) you would have understood from history (depending on what you have been thought) you would know that any society that has lots of rules has lots of corruption.
OK here is your school lesson – get your pen and paper ready John. Matt get ready to copy and paste! In Europe there are few high school sports. What they have there are Clubs. The clubs have athletes that compete on a high level and are not attached to their education system. There schools in most of Europe are Monday through Saturday 8AM till 6PM most days. Some of these athletes are paid well at young ages (the will lose their amateur status). Get the picture. There sports are not tied to their education process (WHAT A CONCEPT). In Germany a student may miss up to 60% of the class and graduate (they also get to sign their own excuse). Get the picture – sounds like the way life is supposed to be lived.
Here in the USA we are brain washed into believing whatever without question. Why? Because of MONEY. It’s in our college system to. We spend (waste) all our athletes time telling them they need an education so they can go to college and get spoon feed bullcrap while the money changers use their lives for their own profit. I read an article from an athletic that went to Kansas State to play football and become a veterinarian. When he spoke to his academic advisor he was told he should not take those classes because they were too hard and he would lose his scholarship. He ended up in classes where 35% of the schools athletes were in. The athletes made up over 90% of that curriculum.
Point is – the rules are F-ed up. Marcus just wants to play basketball and you people are caught worshipping the rules – losers! Your brain washed and have no human compassion – ZERO! Don’t you believe in God? By the way it does say in the bible that in the end times that there would be people that would worship THE LAW – bow down you fools (bow down to the one you serve you will get what you deserve).
@ alex chastain: Maxpreps is not a completely reliable source for stats . Look for stats for Winnebago High School or Guilford High School or Rockford Lutheran. All coaches do not enter the stats so the rankings are only by those that are entered which, as you can see, is not even everyone locally so can you imagine how many stats are missing for the entire state?
By the way, good luck with your move to Europe. You don’t like it here, pack your bags and move.
How ridiculous to say that just because some people agree with the IHSA ruling that we don’t believe in God because we do find some rules appropriate. Amazing how some people will bring up God anytime someone disagrees with them. Doesn’t God preach something about honesty too. Is there complete honesty at work here in the transfer situation? Hmm.
It’s hysterical to me that you think having rules causes corruption. So there would be no corruption if all the rules would go away?
I have compassion for the young man. Let’s see what this was really all about. How about he play for Jefferson. Let’s all agree we would allow him to transfer and play for Jefferson. Now, can you say it’s just about him playing basketball or it’s just about him playing basketball for AUBURN? Why don’t you try some honesty.
Alan, I have agreed with you numerous times that Fred Van Fleet is a very good high school player. To say that they make up for 65% of their team’s steals is not a very convincing statement; most backcourts have similar statistics. As far as their PPG averages, those are not accurate reflections of the state or an indicator of their defense. LaMark Foote was NOT 17th in the state Mr. Chastain; how could this be when he was only 16th in the area? You have mentioned steals several times; how do the rank in blocks, defensive rebounding, and opponents field goal percentage? I again agree with you that Dan Green did a nice job, but galvanize is the correct term when a young coach (Mike Miller) took over and maintained their focus when it could have easily swayed. We have organizations comparable to clubs in the United States, they are called AAU teams and players may choose which teams they would like to play for. Just as in Europe, they are not “supposed” to be affiliated with any particular school though in some cases I often think otherwise. Rules are in place because we live in a democracy, and these rules are established by what the majority of us believe or agree with. The question isn’t whether Marcus Posley should be allowed to play basketball, it is should he be allowed to play basketball at Auburn; and that answer is NO. To think that this young man or anyone else should be allowed to choose where they want to play high school sports at is absurd. They are in high school and you play for your school in the arear in which you live and pay taxes. Can you imagine if this were allowed? Some schools would not be able to field teams to compete. You obviously relate well to Auburn, let me ask you how this would have sounded when this program was in shambles and students did not want to attend there? You’re statement regarding attendance at European schools and American colleges leads me to believe that you don’t value education and that’s unfortunate. No graduating senior from this area will play in the NBA, Mr. Chastain; it’s not a negative remark it’s the truth. I am a very religous man as well and I will finish with a two part history lesson for you. I believe in the ten commandments which are also “rules.” I also know that this country was founded and built behind hard work and firm morals, which is why this story is more of a tragedy than anything. The “role models” surrounding this young man should be helping him become a better role model, not helping him circumvent any system including the IHSA.
I am not sure why you are dogging me for copying and pasting. I wasn’t trying to write a story on Pryme Tyme. I was trying to prove you were wrong when you said we never wrote about Pryme Tyme.
As far as Europe, the U.S. system isn’t perfect, but it’s far better than in Europe. To me, sports ARE part of education. I wrestled, golfed and ran cross country in high school and we have insisted that our four daughters play at least one sport. They resisted at first, but our two oldest (the only ones in high school yet) were surprised to learn how much sports adds to your high school experience.
The club teams in Europe — just like our AAU and club teams in America — can’t hold a candle to high school and college teams. Being part of the school adds tremendously to the experiene.
The IHSA made the right decision here, the next decision they need to make is removing private schools from participating in public school sports. Period, because if you think for one second that private schools are not recruiting then you are as blind as a bat.
Private schools don’t even deny they recruit. But they say they recruit students, not athletes, and they are allowed to do that. If they didn’t recruit students, they might not even be able to stay open for business. … I’m certain some also try to target athletes in particular. … I am also sure that many don’t have to. When you win state titles, or even conference titles, on a regular basis in a sport, many of the best athletes naturally want to go to that school. It’s the same way college stars want to play basketball for North Carolina or Duke and football stars want to play for Alabama or Florida. … And that’s one reason why Illinois has a 1.65 attendance multiplier. It’s still easier to win as a private school, but the attendance multiplier makes things more fair. … Anybody that doesn’t want to play against private schools is free to start their own athletic association and play against only who they want to play against, but most people think a state title with only public schools wouldn’t be a real state title.
As the season comes to a close, I’ve noticed that no one has mentioned the fact that 2 Boylan students, after being ACADEMICALLY INELIGIBLE, transferred to Rockford Lutheran this year. Given “athletic scholorship/funds” to afford tuition. Nevermind the fact that they transferred from a Catholic to a Lutheran school. Red Flag! 1. If the smaller public schools can “recruit” athletes, they should be in a class of their own, or above. 2. Academically ineligible prior to season. And Teyvious Montgomery being Ac Ineligible over 1/3 of the basketball season, while attending Lutheran. And not one ounce of news coverage on how TM Always seemed to make the grade for the big games. ??? Coincidental, convenient, and beyond suspect! Any school official for Lutheran can hardly look someone straight in the eye and say these boys were brought to the school as “students”. Even more unbelievable to see a school which quote “Focuses on God’s presence”, shame themselves, all in the name of winning at all cost. Do they really think we are that ignorant to their bs? Matt – Why doesn’t someone cover the real scandal that is going on in athletics today in our area? Marcus Posely got greedy, got bad advice, and learned his lesson the hard way. Noone will remember this a year from now. As we hear of more “students”/athletes readying themselves to transfer to Lutheran for the 2012-2013 basketball season, one can only hope that someone stops this nonsense, and holds them accountable. That’s the story people will remember…
Clearly none of you have any idea of the real story behind his transfer…there were courses Marcus needed to take to be eligible for Ball State before graduation that were not offered at Winnebago! With that being said was it a better situation for the young mans future, well considering he made the MAC all freshman team and ended the season starting…just because some high school basketball coaches call in and report and complain because they didn’t want him playing in the NIC10 is ridiculous! The kid should have been able to play! Period! Auburn still destroyed every team and got 3rd in state and Marcus still signed D1 and started! His most important year was taken from him for what? I’ve coached college basketball and there is no way I would rule him I eligible over what happened!