Random Info

Just so ya know, I called the NCAA this weekend and they informed me that I could indeed play D-1AA football aka FCS aka schools like App St, Elon, Campbell, ODU, etc. S0, I called coaches at Elon and ODU and expressed interest. We will see if this develops into anything but I knew both of those coaches well so only time will tell.

4/26 Update

So, as you may know, I recently got back from my visit to North Greenville. They gave me an offer of $7,000 for the 09-10 school year. 36 credit hours are required to graduate and the cost of tuition is $265 per credit hour to total up to $9540. Overall, that is a pretty decent offer. We will definitely keep that one on the board but I was not that impressed with my visit. I don't know if this school can come close to providing the academic and social atmosphere that I am used to at Duke. The facilities were quite subpar compared to the d1 level, but are pretty close to what I expected. I have 10 days to accept or decline their offer. I expect to hear back from ECU's business school and if I get in, I will likely decline the offer from NGU. The coaches treated me well and took me out to dinner, but I question the social and academic nature of that campus. There is not a whole lot going on in Tigerville, SC which is on par with Como, NC. This visit has got me questioning the d2 thing in general if I can't find a place with a really good education. We will see how it unfolds. The coach from Tiffin just called and wants me to finish the application so they can give me a package. Lets git'r'dun.

4/21 Update

I talked to Fayetteville State today and had to turn them down. I got a call later in the day from Lincoln University in Mizzou. They wanna put me on and made an offer. Tuition is 7,000 there and room and board is 3,000 extra. They want to give me 7,000 which would make me the highest paid player on the team. They also want to create a graduate assistantship next year and I would be the guy for that job. They might even be able to get the academic people to go in for the other 3,000 because of my high GMAT and decent GPA. Hopefully more good offers are on the way too, things are starting to heat up. Discuss.

4/20 Update

Hey so I know its been a while, but not too much has happened. Bad news, Valdosta is no longer in the picture because they need a tackle more than a guard. However, the coach from North Greenville called today and had good things to say. I am going to visit there on Saturday. This could provide me with a little more insight. West Virginia Wesleyan still wants to give me a full ride, but they have to wait until a couple guys fail out and free up schollys. I should be getting an official offer from them after the end of their semester.

4/16 Update

Ok, so far today I have talked to the coach from Mars Hill and he asked me to talk to an academic guy, who was a Duke alum. After talking to him, I decided to decline Mars Hill since they did not have a graduate program or a way for me to obtain a second degree quickly.

I also talked to the coach from Pace University and he basically gave me my first monetary offer. Tuition, etc. to the school runs around 29,500 and he would be able to get me 21,000. So, this would put me at an $8500 first year of school. However, I'd have pay the remaining 29,500 for the second year. Therefore, the cost would run me around $38,000. There is also limited possibility of coaching the second year. We will have to check on ways to finance the second year.

Third, I talked to the coach from Harding University and found a bit of a gem. Although they are located in Searcy, Arkansas, I like the way they do business. It is a Christian school and the football team reflects those same values, something I could definitely get along with. He is big on the idea of looking me in the eye and possibly working me out before he makes an offer, so we will see how that goes. This will probably only happen if I make a visit to the middle of the country to visit several schools. I would assume no potential for a full scholarship. I like the integrity of the program though.

4/15 Update

Today, the only person I heard from was Chowan and I went on to tell them that I would not be attending. I am looking for a school with a graduate program. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a big day.

4/14/ Update

Talked to Lincoln University and North Greenville University today. Lincoln might be able to come very close to a full ride and NGU wants to set up a visit. I am thinking of going to see them on my trip to Valdosta. NGU Spring game is next Saturday so I am thinking I will see Valdosta Friday and then NGU on Saturday. Both move up a lil bit on the list.

West Coast Coppers

Since everything about this blog has copped West Coast's style, I shall not stop now. In typical West Coast fashion, I will be hosting a selection show for my graduate school of choice. Until that point, I will keep you updated on the hottest news regarding my collegiate status.

J-FREE GETS RECRUITED PART 1

For those of you who don't know, I am seeking to use my fifth year of football eligibility to go to grad school and hopefully get a scholarship to work towards my MBA. So I am being actively recruited by about 20 schools now. So here is a Lunardi/Scout.com-style breakdown of my recruitment.

As of right now, no definitive financial offers have been given, and that will be obviously make a large impact on my decision. Offers are expected to arrive as early as this week. Check daily for updates.

High Interest

West Virginia Wesleyan College - Buckhannon, WV - Coach has been talking business from the get-go. No question he wants my services and as a "fully-funded" school would most likely be able to offer a full scholarship. Perhaps most importantly, he thinks he can get me an MBA in one year which would be phenomenal. I expect to hear from him soon.

Valdosta State University - Valdosta, GA - One of the first to contact me, Coach has been very enthusiastic before and after receiving my film. He also thinks that I coule fit in during my second year of grad school as an assistant coach or possibly a grad assistant. Also, Valdosta is ESPN's TitleTown USA and a factory for producing coaches.

Southwest Baptist University - Bolivar, MO - Recent addition that has gone through all the appropriate channels for recruiting, including a request for release from Duke. I like their offensive style and the fact that it is a baptist school.

Medium Interest

American International College - Springfield, MA - An early contact - haven't heard from them since the film was sent.

Lincoln University - Jefferson City, MO - Talked to Coach today, the film should be getttin there any time now and will be able to talk business after that.

Tiffin University - Tiffin, OH - Coach has been in high contact lately. We will see how the money looks.

Harding University - Searcy, AR - Coach just got my film and e-mailed me saying he wants me on their team. I expect a phone call tomorrow so maybe we can iron out some details.

North Greenville University - Tigerville, SC - Talked to the coach today. The school seems like a good fit, but the coach wasn't all that friendly.

Mercyhurst College - Erie, PA - Really like the coach. He is a Carolina guy and knows Dreke and a few of my former coaches. Although they don't have an MBA, they have a masters in Organizational Management and also one that produces CIA members apparently. That could be decent I guess.

Low Interest

Chowan University - Murfreesboro, NC - Despite the correlation with the name of this blog to the hometown of the school and the closeness to home, I likely won't attend because of the lack of a graduate program. However, the second degree in graphic arts seems like an acceptable alternative.

Pace University - New York City, NY - Haven't heard from these guys in a while. Will it change once they see my film? We will see.

UNC Pembroke - Pembroke, NC - These guys seem intersted but Indians kinda scare my mom.

Findlay University -Findlay, OH - Just got brief interest from these guys not long ago so I sent the film to them. Their record was not great last year but their basketball team just won the d2 national championship.

Urbana College - Urbana, OH - They just called me today and requested my film. I don't know if they will be able to put in an offer in enough time to compete.

On the Bubble - Fayetteville State University, University of North Alabama, Catawba College, Lenoir-Rhyne College, Mars Hill College, Wingate University

Last Two In: Southwest Baptist University, North Greenville University
Last Two Out: Mars Hill College (no grad school), Fayetteville State University (how will J-Free do at a HBCU)
Next Two Up: Any NC school that replies, American International College
Next Two Down: Pace University, Urbana College