While that makes sense, December is a dangerous period for recruits because the transaction wire for coaches gets a healthy workout from Thanksgiving to Letter of Intent day. No one wants to commit to a school only to have the head coach, the prospective position coach or the recruiter bolt for another job two weeks later.
Others propose an August signing period, but I have two words that explain why that's a bad idea: knee injury. While a lot of schools will offer scholarships early and then honor a commitment to a player who subsequently suffers a major injury, few college programs can afford to take in two or three walking wounded in the same recruiting class. I think some coaches would actually be rooting for the player's senior season to end with a 2-7 record instead of putting him at risk in four or five -- or seven -- more playoff games.
Anyway, check out the full story when you have a few minutes.
Rise-ing stars: Rise Magazine has published its lists of 10 male and female high school athletes who bear watching during the 2007-08 school year.
The only New Yorker on the list is Erin Brennan, the Garden City lacrosse star who is an alternate on the 2007 U.S. Women's Under-19 National Team. She piled up 54 goals and 36 assists during the regular season as a junior.
Extra points: Greg Sirico, 40, is now interim AD at Warwick, though he could have the job on a permanent basis by early next year. Sirico replaces John Russo, who was moved out of the job in June after 15 years. Sirico accepted the AD position at Nyack last year but quickly had a change of heart and returned to his teaching job at Warwick. . . . Marty Keating, 64, who has coached swimming in Pittsford for 34 years, will direct the Livonia boys this winter. Keating replaces Chris Martin, who moved to Long Island after 13 seasons, and he will remain as the Pittsford girls coach this fall.
