re: How solid is the commitment of Stephen Sullivan?w/ tweet

quote:

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I'm all about kids going out and seeing the country and schools that want them. They should embrace this as a once in a lifetime chance to see whats out there and being treated like royalty. However, I tend to side with you when they post pictures repping other schools gear. That shite is out, although I dont mind it when it's LSU getting the love, lol
All in all, you just got to let these young men have fun with it.

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You really do have to let them have fun with it and trust it works out. Speaking to the part where you say you don't like it when they post pics repping gear from other schools... regrettably (when LSU commits visit other schools), that's part of it, too.

eta: I'm not really aiming the rest of this post at you, Manchac Man. You already said you know it's a great opportunity for the kids and it's in their best interest to see what's out there, but because some people do get so bent out of shape, I think this is worth saying...

On one level, it might seem not honorable for an already committed player to put on another's school's jersey. But I don't see it way. When a player agrees to go on an official visit, there is an actual agreement of sorts-- even if it's not in writing. The school agrees to take care of expenses (food, board, etc... not to get into secondary entertainment expenses that occur); in return, the player agrees to courteously listen to what the coaches are pitching to him, as well as participate in events the coaches might stage for him as an individual or as part of a group of players... including things like being asked to put on school gear and taking numerous photos in the locker room, in the stadium, etc.

Of course, this is part of the selling process-- the school asks players to put jerseys on and takes a million pictures so the players literally see themselves as part of the school. It's not dishonest of the schools; they're just doing whatever they can to create a lasting impression and pleasant memories. But it's part of the agreement that the player makes when he agrees to be hosted for the weekend. We all just have to hope that as the players look back over the memories of these visits that the LSU visits are the memories that win out.

I think it would actually be in very poor taste if players arrived on an official visit, then refused to listen to the coaches, refused to put on the shirts/jerseys/hats they're offered, and generally refused to let themselves be photographed or participate in PR events. If LSU were to invite a kid who is committed elsewhere-- like Ed Oliver-- I think everyone would be shocked and disappointed if he showed up and refused to wear a jersey, etc. He would be skewered on here for poor character. It's the same when LSU commits visit elsewhere. We have to expect them to politely go along with the flow-- even if we want them to secretly try to recruit other players to LSU during the visit... which I think is perfectly okay, too... it's all part of the game.

And if the players share some of these pics on their own twitter, instagram, etc., and say they had a great time, that's their business. A big part of social media for younger people is sharing good and bad times with friends. While it's always smart to use common sense and consider what you say on these sites, if you're a player, you should free to admit you had a great time on a visit to another school. And you shouldn't have to worry that you're going to piss off a handful of angry old men / fans that start feeling you owe them or their school anything before you've signed an LOI.