Bulls players to juggle classes, game Friday

Friday's home game against No. 20 West Virginia is the second of three weeknight games for USF this season, and that will give some Bulls players the challenge of attending classes on a game day.

"We've got a lot of professors, and I don't blame them, that want them in class, and I think they should be in class," coach Jim Leavitt said Wednesday after the Bulls' final practice in preparation for Friday's game. "A few guys, if they can get away from that, then we seclude them. If not, then they're going to go to school. Their education is No. 1."

Players typically have little else to worry about on a Saturday game day, waiting in a team hotel and meeting with coaches before taking a bus to the stadium.

"We have some guys taking classes Friday that are starting in the game," Leavitt said. "Can that be tough on them? Well, I don't know. It's just the way it is. Education is No. 1. That's the way it is. They're going to go to school, take tests on Friday, then go play a game."

Asked if that is how USF has handled weeknight games in the past, Leavitt said the decision is left up to each player's individual professors, and the players do as they're told.

"It's whatever the professor wants. They go see the professor and if the professor wants them there, then by golly, they're going to be there," he said. "We'd like to have it to where, if they could get away and get focused on the game, it'd be great. But it's not always that way, and I'm not one to question anybody. I just do whatever we're told to do. Education is why they're here."

West Virginia's players will miss most of two days of school, with a team meeting scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday before the team's flight to Tampa leaves at 11:45.

USF lost to Cincinnati on a Thursday night two weeks ago, and the Bulls' next game after a week off is a Thursday date at Rutgers on Nov. 12.

Comments

[Ken]

Assuming that this game wasn't included in the letter the players take to each instructor about their absences during the semester, the instructors are going to expect the student-players to be there. Yes, they can skip, but not without consequences. Hoping they play well. See you all at the game.

[Bulliever]

I agree with Mr. Ferguson here. No more excuses.

The coaches need to prepare for WVa and prepare their players!

We need to do 5 things here to be successful:

1) We need to quit the "run by committee" strategy...it is NOT working and hasn't for a couple of years!!

2) No more penalties and play disciplined football!

3) The defense needs to tackle the guy, quit trying to strip it every play!They need to hit hard... like the hit Lejiste had at FSU... that really set the tone for that game.

4) OMG, PLEASE catch the freakin' ball!! I get a grey hair every time a player drops a pass! We need to throw more passes to Hester!

5) Play this game with intensity, like it is the LAST game they will EVER play. I bet Grothe would do ANYTHING to get back out there again...

[Jupiter Bull]

That ABC article is a short, but thought provoking view. And humbles us to know that we ARE NOT like UF, Bama, etc. that has that established, massive booster org.

Maybe I'm fooling myself, but I'd think a young up & comer would love the challenge of taking over this program and taking it to new heights. We're still a BCS school, in a good market to recruit. We aren't UF...but we aren't FAU either.

I'm anxious to see how we play tomorrow, and how fan reaction is. I'll be tailgating with some WVU friends...they'll be good fans, and ready for a big game. I'd love to be able to have our Bulls drop WVU again, and knock them out of the Top 25. WVU is favored for a reason, but if we are up & prepped, we can take them. GO BULLS!

[Done with the Jim]

I know more guys who would rather party the night before a day game than hit the sack early. Why do you think teams have curfews?

[David Weber]

It's just a typo, I swear!

I'm extremely thankful that there is no math section on the bar exam.

My point about resting up is that a lot of guys like to keep to a specific routine. I think we all know plenty of people that want to sleep in whenever they have something big going on at night.

[Done with the Jim]

But back to the point of the entry, if a guy would rather rest up on Friday morning, that's totally excusable as long as he has some skips to spare and is doing well.

Posted by: David Weber | October 29, 2009 at 03:16 PM

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If going to classes on game day would tire a football player out, then he probably shouldn't be on the team in the first place.

[Turd Ferguson]

The mind of a football program apologist is such a fascinating case study. We have our share...well truthfully MORE than our fair share, but they exist in every fan base.

The discussion in this thread on the Illinois Scout site sounds just like the discussion here and on the other Bulls fan sites...

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=169&f=2617&t=5010919

Their fans of the apologist persuasion are actually trying to make the case that Ron Zook can't win because he doesn't have the talent...that he's a good coach, he just needs ONE MORE RECRUITING CLASS.

Yeah, um, they just lost to Indiana. Yeah...Indiana. Go take a look at their record over the past 10-15 years. Wow.

Zook will never win because he's a terrible head coach. Leavitt will never be consistently good because he's a bad head coach.

And by the way...who's ultimately responsible for getting the talent in the program anyhow???

[G.A.]

Couple of things. First, since this is largely an academic discussion, I feel compelled to point out that 16 x 3 = 48. We know Dave Weber has math skills that extend beyond multiplication, but feel the need to give him a little grief.

USF does have a specific policy in place for unexcused absences for student-athletes, but the word "unexcused" is also an important word there. As Leavitt said, it's at the discretion of the individual professor.

I can remember having Friday classes in college and needing to hit the road to drive to cover road games, and knowing some professors were more strict than others.

[Done with the Jim]

If Bulls swoon continues, is it time to make a change?

http://www.abc15.com/content/uponfurtherreview/story/If-Bulls-swoon-continues-is-it-time-to-make-a-cha/2iGgA1GUpkSid5FBEgbNEA.cspx

[David Weber]

I remember that from this summer. I think it was capped at 2 or 3 unexcused misses, regardless of how frequently a class meets in the week. I remember some intro classes were really lax, and some were really strict. Upper level classes in my majors seemed to have a uniform number of 3.

But back to the point of the entry, if a guy would rather rest up on Friday morning, that's totally excusable as long as he has some skips to spare and is doing well.

[Done with the Jim]

"The attendance policy in most classes allows for 3/4/5 unexcused skips, so it's not that big of a deal if someone doesn't want to go on game day." David Weber

-------

I believe there is a different policy for student athletes.

[Done with the Jim]

"The attendance policy in most classes allows for 3/4/5 unexcused skips, so it's not that big of a deal if someone doesn't want to go on game day." David Weber

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Unless I'm mistaken, Student Athletes have more stringent rules.

[Bill B.]

Oh, Sorry Turd, et al, forgot to check my spelling first.

[Bill B.]

Anybody that is happy about the situation at present is not a fan of USF. We all want answers and we all want to see improvements. It seems we are begining and for some have already lost faith in CJL to help bring the BE title to USF. We have heard the definision of insanity (doing the same thing over and over hoping to get different results). We have heard that there is thin line between genius and insane. We have seen crazy things happen and know people can act crazy and still be in control.

We also know some coaches just can't get the team to the top as head coach, Norm Turner comes to mind. Great as an OC but seems to suffer as a head coach. Gruden also comes to mind, he got the super bowl with Dungy's players and Kiffen's defense. So where does CJL line up. Or should he be in a line up. I still love the team just not what they have been doing lately. Will be working Sunday to make up for Friday.

[David Weber]

The attendance policy in most classes allows for 3/4/5 unexcused skips, so it's not that big of a deal if someone doesn't want to go on game day. I've missed my share of classes, with less of an excuse, and turned out just fine. Skipping shouldn't be a habit, but in a class that has 42 meetings (16 x 3) in a semester, you really don't miss that much in one session.

And there are plenty of reasons to skip a Friday morning class. Such as the fact that it's on a Friday morning.

[Done with the Jim]

How many ranked teams played in Gainsville this season? None!

Posted by: JC | October 29, 2009 at
10:37 AM

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Wrong! A ranked team has played in every game in the Swamp this season.

[Tampa Tad]

No not I, I just started posting here in last couple of days. I'm not bashing, just pointing out the obvious to me, yes I am frustrated, I like CJL, but think he has made promises to kids based on getting them at USF and not what is best for his team. A fan I am, maybe not happy right now, but still a fan.

[Steve W]

Tad,

weren't you the one who was saying those bashing Leavitt and the Bulls should not be allowed to post?

[JC]

The weekday games are a challenge at times but I still attend, I yell til my throat is sore and I support my team through thick and thin.

I also am a father of two small kids, a season ticket holder and a donor. I wouldn't think of canceling my tix or my donation. Because I'm a true fan who realizes the game is bigger than me and not designed to accomidate my schedule.

Speaking of which, how do you justify a weak schedule when 3 of the 6 home games are against ranked teams? How many ranked teams played in Gainsville this season? None!

Life is not over Bulls fans.

[Tampa Tad]

We are not Usf haters or CJL haters, we love the Bulls we are just sick and tired of seeing them going down in flames every year the same way. This is a College sport..... Thus College class are involved....... I hope they win TOO, and win the rest of there games, but the cracks in the USF armor are starting to become apparent.

CJL has done a excellent job getting this team off the ground, but I question his decision making ability and whether he has control of this team. Examples:

After BJ last 2 starts do you think Kelly would be starting him this week, NO...... he has done it already at UC several times.Ask Grutuza

The kid that had 4 personal fouls against after the second he should have never saw the field for rest of the night.

Lack of fire after a loss......

If CJL takes control of this team and stops making promises to players just to get them here, Stop cuddling these young men and hold accountable (isn't that's what COLLEGE is suppose to be about anyways) the Bulls will be fine. Talent will only win you so many games, but Coach talent and you will win Championships.

So yes they do need to be in class on Friday, it there responsibility. Maybe the Professors at USF see they need some kind of discipline.

[G.A.]

HBryan, I didn't know USF would have players in class. I know other programs don't do weeknight games because they don't want the extra interruption from classwork. It's just a note ...

[Turd Ferguson]

Exactly.

He's not even a C-USA coach.

He's a 1-AA head coach.

[Done with the Jim]

"POOR PERFORMANCE - JL is a Conf USA coach NOT a BCS coach." K2

His C-USA record was mediocre and failed to show improvement.

2003 5-3
2004 3-5

[Done with the Jim]

Steve W,

Maybe it's the UA shoes!!!

[Steve W]

werbito...

Did you watch these games? We didn't just lose, we got DESTROYED... We played like crap, just like we've done the last few years... There has only been one constant in the whole thing... Think about it...

[K2]

I am giving up my season tix and booster donations after this season....

Three Reasons:

WEEK NIGHT GAMES - College football at its core is about tailgating on Saturdays with family and friends. It is NOT about sneaking out of work early to barely get to a game by kickoff and then leaving the game early because the kids are passed out and have school the next day.

POOR PERFORMANCE - If the guys don't care about the win, neither do I. This is clearly on the shoulders of JL. You think Raheem is in over his head. JL is a Conf USA coach NOT a BCS coach.

Weak Schedule - Since they only play one or two marque home games a year I can save a ton of money and get better seats. I know it should not be about the economy, but USF is selling a product that I can no longer buy.

See you at West Virginia - I be the one caring two kids asleep on my shoulders.

[USFShep]

Dr. Ferguson,
Yes, I know who you are as well. The Pitt performance after the Cinci performance was all I needed to see that things have not changed with this team. It's a shame because we have the talent.

Hope they win this weekend! Would be nice.

PS...Please just call me Shep....Thanks.

[werbito]

It can't be said enough... I'm impressed by the implosion after losing to two top 25 teams. I understand our history, but be realistic. Sometimes your team loses.

That said, the Bulls are going to win Friday. Though, it seems the CJL haters are hoping for a loss just to prove a point.

[Ken]

I can't see how going to class in the morning or early afternoon (there are no late afternoon classes on Fridays) would have any impact on a player's performance in the game--they have to do something with all that time, so why not go to class.

[hbryan]

Sheesh, please tell me Leavitt is not already collecting reasons for a possible lackluster performance against WVU. Why is this even a story?

[Turd Ferguson]

Some Professors may feel the football players have not played football for the past two weeks so why would they need excused this week?

Posted by: USFShep | October 28, 2009 at 08:28 PM

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Well said, Mr. Shepler. Well said, indeed.

I knew you'd eventually come to understand the true state of this program.

Welcome aboard, my good man.

[Done with the Jim]

Wollard should mandate that Leavitt attend basic football coaching classes to make up for the ones obviously skipped years ago.

[oldgreengold]

If, based on past performance in the class, a player has shown a level of competency commensurate with the professor's expectations of the class members in general, then the player should be excused with some type of make-up work to be done later. If the decision is just based on the professor's ego, which is sometimes a bit oversized, then it's bogus to make them attend. Some professors mandate attendance even when, in my opinion, it has nothing to do with mastering the content of the course. Albeit, the enriching experience of attending class adds so much more to one's life. I have a grandson who just dropped out of the football program at Dubuque because of the demands of the classroom being too much to handle while playing. His coach was pissed.

[USFShep]

Some Professors may feel the football players have not played football for the past two weeks so why would they need excused this week?