Wingate denied 5th year--REINSTATED

[greeceman]

The ruling has came down from section 5 and they said he could not play.However Aquinas has appealed the desicion to court and the ruling could be reversed and a new rule for section 5 could be made because of it.Whats the thoughts on this?

[SectionVDude]

no comment really ..not all 4 5th year players...:confused:

[saints_dad]

The ruling has came down from section 5 and they said he could not play.However Aquinas has appealed the desicion to court and the ruling could be reversed and a new rule for section 5 could be made because of it.Whats the thoughts on this?

Back when they played a national schedule against other Prep school teams (St. Edwards of Texas, Boys Town Nebraska), Aquinas regularly played 5th year players. Their coach during that time, Harry Wright, who had played at Notre Dame, would take Notre Dame prospects who were not quite ready for prime time and groom them as 5th year seniors. Of course, there were plenty of excellent local players on those squads as well. That was back in the late 1940's though and Aquinas did not play local teams in that era. There's a great video about that era of football that I would recommend. It's called When Football was Bigger Than Life (http://www.animatusstudio.com/videoproduction/football.html) that was produced by the guy who owns Chester Cab Pizza. I bought it for my Dad for Father's Day a few years back. My Dad played for Aquinas in the early 1940's (leather helmet era!) when John Sullivan was the coach. My Dad's team picture was shown in the video.

[DrewVT6]

I surprised no one caught the tiny blurb in today's D&C (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/SPORTS08/709180335/1007/SPORTS) that Wingate will be reinstated after completing 15 practices.

He is no longer eligible to play varsity basketball, according to Aquinas athletic director Anthony Bianchi.

[Rams15]

Did the Wingate boy play basketball the year he missed football season due to an injury ? Somewhere along the line I thought I remember this to be the case. I could easily be mistaken ! Regardless, exceptions are declared and have been made for players who miss a season ( semester ) due to injury.

These are young men we are talking about and you can never get back the time you have when you leave high school. He is a 17 year old senior boy ( ? ) who wants to play football. Pesonally, I say let him play. However, we don't have to play against him and I am not sure of the track record of Section V in rendering these types of decisions. Have they been consistent and managed with a great deal of equity ?? Maybe some of you can answer that question for us.

[LtLancer]

What do you think are the chances that he enrolls at MCC for the Spring Semester? Would it be fair then?

[DrewVT6]

What do you think are the chances that he enrolls at MCC for the Spring Semester? Would it be fair then?

From my POV, if he has the credits to graduate in time to start the spring semester at MCC that would be a fantastic idea. However, he's not facing the same financial pressures most students going to college will have as he has the SU scholly in hand.

Rams15- I believe he did play basketball the year he sat out of football.

As you said, this is a teenager. I believe Section V is doing a very kind and just thing. Hopefully opposing coaches don't try to stir up more issues around this.