The only reason not to play small college football is if your ego is too big.

I can't wait to read newarkcatholicfan's response to this question.

I played at Saint Xavier and then at Centre for four years. I was ready for football to be finished when I played my last high school game, but I started getting the "itch" a few weeks later.

 

After my last college game, I was prepared to let my playing days go.

 

I HIGHLY recommend playing as long as possible.

 

I actually think the original post that suggested "it's not worth it" is ridiculous. All the things that make High School football "worth it" are still present at the college level. In the case of small colleges, football is pure. It's not about money, fans or an agenda. It's about the game.

 

It's true that a few hundred or thousand fans might be the largest crowd you see at games, but do most people strap on a helmet at 10 years old for the fans?

 

Why play small college football?

Why play in High School?

Why even pick up a helmet at all?

 

The injury scenario is present at all levels of football, and many other sports too.

 

When I went to Centre, football demanded 3-4 hours a day, 6 days a week (in season) so the "commitment level" is similar to Major College football.

 

However, I do believe my coaches cared about me and I still have a wonderful relationship with almost everyone of them.

 

If you ever want to coach football, I suggest playing small college ball, even if you don't get on the field. From what I witnessed, anyone could be on the team, but you had to be pretty dern good to see playing time. Playing at the next level really helps you understand the cerebral side of the game much more. I think it should be a prerequisite for anyone who wants to coach football.

 

And what better way to stay committed to your school work and academic requirements? If you go D-3 or NAIA you WILL graduate in 4 years and you will probably get better grades because you have a support network of teammates (or 100 best friends right off the bat) that keep you focused.

 

In fact, I would argue those players who "walk on" or don't see playing time at larger universities should strongly consider small college ball. They would get to play football, instead of watching their friends play in front of 50K people and they would graduate in 4 years with a tremendous educational experience. I did not say tremendous education on purpose, because your education is what you make of it and you can get a great education anywhere that offers college level classes.

 

Since the NFL is all about 40 times, shuttle runs times, vertical jump and bench press reps of 225 lbs....a player that is good enough to play can make it not matter where he goes to school. See Pierre Garcon for The Colts if you have any doubts.

 

At Centre, I traveled abroad to Jamaica where I had an internship at Red Stripe, had another summer internship after my junior year, traveled to Germany to play a semi-professional football team before my senior season, served as a PAID residence assistant and residence director for my last three years and walked across the stage to receive a degree that I earned in four years with professors who knew my first and last name and who stood in line and applauded all the seniors who worked so diligently over that time.

 

I have 3 friends who were offered jobs right out of college from alumni of Centre "just because they were part of the family".

 

My point isn't about Centre or me. It is to say that overlooking the opportunity to play football or even attend a small college could be a mistake.

 

Yeah, my left ankle gets a little stiff when winter comes around because I had a high ankle sprain playing college football, but it was a small price to pay for all the blessings that I received along the way.

 

 

Awseome response...I couldn't say it any better. The beauty of football is you can't go to the Y and get in a pickup game, or join a softball team...once it's over, it's over. It's the greatest team sport on Earth. Play it as long as you can!

Lot's of great responses. I really didn't expect people to feel so pasionately about this subject. Where I grew up there wasn't the amount of small colleges there are back here, so I have very little perspective on the small college experience.

I wake up almost every morning with my shoulder and knees hurting. Every month I drop a fat check in the mail to make my student loan payments. I played small college football and for all that money, pain, and time this is what I got:

1. A college degree

2. A son who thinks his Dad's championship ring is the greatest thing in the world

3. A wife who wears my old jersey to work when her school has "jersey day"

4. A group of friends that I can count on anytime, anywhere

5. And, a whole bunch of stories that get better every year.

 

Was it worth it? Hell yes.

I wake up almost every morning with my shoulder and knees hurting. Every month I drop a fat check in the mail to make my student loan payments. I played small college football and for all that money, pain, and time this is what I got:

1. A college degree

2. A son who thinks his Dad's championship ring is the greatest thing in the world

3. A wife who wears my old jersey to work when her school has "jersey day"

4. A group of friends that I can count on anytime, anywhere

5. And, a whole bunch of stories that get better every year.

 

Was it worth it? Hell yes.

 

:lol::lol:

 

Awesome

:lol::lol:

 

Awesome

 

I hope Will Bardo and Brandon Roller are reading this thread.( Never give up on your dreams!!!!) :thumb:

NAIA schools offer athletic scholarships and most have very high academic standards and prestige. I don't think playing football and getting some money for school along with it would ever be a waste of time.

 

I agree 100%. I have a son at a NAIA school on a running scholarship. If not for the scholarship he would not have a chance to go to a very nice school and at a very affordable price. He stills get to do what he loves, and it helps ole dad out in the pocket book. He's happy, I'm happy and his future is brighter for the experience he's facing right now.

I played 4 years at Campbellsville, and the small college experience is definitely worth it. When most of your teammates from high school have to hang up the pads after your last loss, and you get an extra 4 years to do what you love, there is no replacing that!!

DIII and NAIA schools are too expensive and unless you intend on getting a "special" education, it mis most likely not worth it. Some have the desire to continue playing past their final game in HS. Mostly everyone will always have the, "what ifs". But as said before, it is truly up to the individual.

 

See, this is what was beautiful about playing DIII. There are no "what ifs" for me. My friends all have them, and this is one thing that I have absolutely no regrets about. I took the train to the end of the line and saw what there was to see. It was as far as my body would afford me to go, and I just wasn't good enough to go any further.

 

In terms of expensive, you are correct. If you are going to a Liberal Arts school, be ready to pay hefty loans or hope to get a very good package. I have $4,000 left to go on mine. It was worth every penny. Additionally, only at a DIII school would my coaches have been not only ok, but supportive, of me missing a month of off season conditioning to study abroad. That opened a number of doors for me, hence the screen name.

Great bunch of well thought out opinions. However, the answer seems to me to depend on so many variable. First, are we talking about going to a small school or not going to college at all?

What about a situation where one turns down an opportunity to go to a prestigious school because a d-3 offers an opportunity to play football.

I spent nearly 40 years in HR and which school the degree comes from matters to some and matters little to others.

If you want to work on Wall Street or get accepted to an Ivy League school for your masters, you can do that from a school like Centre, but perhaps not from many small schools.

My brother-in-law wanted to be a doctor but could not get into med. school with a degree from Villa Madonna. He eventually did get in at age 30 when an influential doctor got him in Alabama.

There is just so much to consider before making a final decision.

If you love to play the game, then it is absolutely worth it. If you really don't love the game (not like it, but love it), then it isn't.

Yes, it is worth it.

I played at Saint Xavier and then at Centre for four years. I was ready for football to be finished when I played my last high school game, but I started getting the "itch" a few weeks later.

 

After my last college game, I was prepared to let my playing days go.

 

I HIGHLY recommend playing as long as possible.

 

I actually think the original post that suggested "it's not worth it" is ridiculous. All the things that make High School football "worth it" are still present at the college level. In the case of small colleges, football is pure. It's not about money, fans or an agenda. It's about the game.

 

It's true that a few hundred or thousand fans might be the largest crowd you see at games, but do most people strap on a helmet at 10 years old for the fans?

 

Why play small college football?

Why play in High School?

Why even pick up a helmet at all?

 

The injury scenario is present at all levels of football, and many other sports too.

 

When I went to Centre, football demanded 3-4 hours a day, 6 days a week (in season) so the "commitment level" is similar to Major College football.

 

However, I do believe my coaches cared about me and I still have a wonderful relationship with almost everyone of them.

 

If you ever want to coach football, I suggest playing small college ball, even if you don't get on the field. From what I witnessed, anyone could be on the team, but you had to be pretty dern good to see playing time. Playing at the next level really helps you understand the cerebral side of the game much more. I think it should be a prerequisite for anyone who wants to coach football.

 

And what better way to stay committed to your school work and academic requirements? If you go D-3 or NAIA you WILL graduate in 4 years and you will probably get better grades because you have a support network of teammates (or 100 best friends right off the bat) that keep you focused.

 

In fact, I would argue those players who "walk on" or don't see playing time at larger universities should strongly consider small college ball. They would get to play football, instead of watching their friends play in front of 50K people and they would graduate in 4 years with a tremendous educational experience. I did not say tremendous education on purpose, because your education is what you make of it and you can get a great education anywhere that offers college level classes.

 

Since the NFL is all about 40 times, shuttle runs times, vertical jump and bench press reps of 225 lbs....a player that is good enough to play can make it not matter where he goes to school. See Pierre Garcon for The Colts if you have any doubts.

 

At Centre, I traveled abroad to Jamaica where I had an internship at Red Stripe, had another summer internship after my junior year, traveled to Germany to play a semi-professional football team before my senior season, served as a PAID residence assistant and residence director for my last three years and walked across the stage to receive a degree that I earned in four years with professors who knew my first and last name and who stood in line and applauded all the seniors who worked so diligently over that time.

 

I have 3 friends who were offered jobs right out of college from alumni of Centre "just because they were part of the family".

 

My point isn't about Centre or me. It is to say that overlooking the opportunity to play football or even attend a small college could be a mistake.

 

Yeah, my left ankle gets a little stiff when winter comes around because I had a high ankle sprain playing college football, but it was a small price to pay for all the blessings that I received along the way.

 

Your entire response is well-written, but I especially liked the parts I highlighted.

 

My son is down to four final choices for college. One of them is Centre, where he is being recruited by both the football and baseball teams (I would never let him do both - he'd have to pick one and my guess is that it would be football). In fact, we're going down there for an overnighter in a few weeks, as well as attending a reception for recruits at the Taft Center in Cincinnati in a couple weeks. I'd really like to see him go to Centre despite the fact that it would cost me a lot more than his other choices. Ultimately, I don't think he will, as he wants to attend a larger school.

 

Again, nice job with the post.

cooperstown,

 

I can't recommend the school highly enough. If he is anything like me, he would DEFINITELY question the small school/town atmosphere.

 

After attending school for a few months, I realized how easily it was to visit and partake in the large cities around the campus (i.e. Louisville 1 hour away, UofK 30 minutes, and UC around 1.5 hours).

 

Frankly, if it wasn't so easy to get to "big time college towns" I would not have chosen to attend the small school. I would have been influenced by my friends and their enthusiasm for partying.

 

If he wants to stay around the Kentucky area, a Centre degree will in fact land him jobs without going beyond "hello" in an interview.

 

The financial help is tremendous and so are the academic scholarships. I found out after a few months of school that I should have applied because almost everyone who applies gets rewarded some kind of scholarship.

 

Anyhow, if he would like to hear more information about the school and/or meet with Andy Frye (the head football coach) please let me know.

 

I'm willing to do just about anything for a kid considering Centre (as you will find is the case for most Centre Alum).

 

Wherever he goes, I'm sure he will have made the right decision!