🏈 Crimson Tide players voted to travel as a team to bowl site in California

[BAMANEWSBOT]

In doing so, the players turned down a permissible bowl stipend for travel.

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The late date of the BCS national championship game presents several logistical challenges for a team fortunate enough to reach it.

For instance, Alabama's Jan. 7 game against Texas falls after the university was set to begin spring classes. That means all players -- included those who've already graduated -- must enroll for another semester, even if they plan to withdraw at a later date.

Perhaps the most interesting decision for the Crimson Tide in recent days was whether the team would travel individually or separately to California.

NCAA rules specify that players can receive a set dollar amount for individual travel to bowl sites, and players then can pocket the remaining cash. Nearly all teams do this, as Alabama did for the Independence Bowl in 2007 and the Sugar Bowl last season.

But the late date of this year's game presented a problem in that most teams break for the holidays and then meet at the bowl site. Alabama could not do that unless it arrived very early for the BCS title game.

Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban left the decision on travel this time to his captains -- linebacker Rolando McClain, left guard Mike Johnson and cornerback Javier Arenas -- and the entire team. Encouraged by those captains, a UA official said, the Crimson Tide unanimously voted to forego the stipend and travel as a team Jan. 1 to the Los Angeles area.

The decision made things earlier on the team in many ways, since practices can continue in Tuscaloosa after Christmas break and the Crimson Tide can also avoid the type of delays that can come with traveling individually across the country.

Just another interesting note in a season full of them for Alabama's team ...

 

[BigAl]

That's great news I'm proud to hear this.

 

[252BAMA]

Good for them. It's hard enough to keep your eyes on the prize out there.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=ve5cmf&s=5

 

[austexbama]

That's great news I'm proud to hear this.

Team unity=:a:

Didn't know about the enrollment rule :bs:

 

[KingofBling]

Very impressive.. Im betting BIG on BAMA!!! Roll Tide!

 

[BamaUte]

I didn't know that about the stipend. I know our players were free to travel in the time between the end of fall semester and christmas, but the option to travel separately is interesting.

Roll Tide!

 

[BamaCore]

Looks like according to Gentry Estes, UA is appealing to get at least a bit of that money. But one thing in that article caught my eye:

Left guard Mike Johnson, one of the team's three captains, explains the rationale of that decision:

"We really just said, 'Look, it's a business trip.' It's not about money or trying to get everybody to have all these different things going on. It's time to win this game,'" Johnson said. "I was pleased with the way everybody reacted. Everybody wanted to get a charter and stay together as a team and make sure we were all on the same page for the game."

 

[planomateo]

this and the fact that all players have zero academic issues, pretty cool.

 

[LBS]

"That means all players -- included those who've already graduated -- must enroll for another semester, even if they plan to withdraw at a later date."

Can this in any way impact our APR rating?

If these players are 1) on scholarship, and 2) enroll in spring semester and play in what is now Spring Football, then does this impact availability of scholarships for Gray Shirts who were going to enroll in those vacated scholarship slots? (Might Graduated Seniors have to come off schorship and assume a walk on role so that their scholarship can be passed to those who were promised it? And, who then pays for those classes that will eventually be withdrawn from?)

 

[TerryP]

I know the academic standing for the football team as a whole is in very good shape.

As to the logistics on how they work the rest of it out? I have NO clue. It's a great question. I can't even think of anyone I know I could ask so that make me ever more curious...

 

[usn92]

I am fairly certain the players already holding degrees will not affect the APR if they enroll and then drop classes, they have already graduated, which is the goal of the APR system. A school can cancel a scholarship and then award it to another individual at any time as long as the 85 limit is not exceeded and the Fall semster 25 addition rule is maintained. So, early enrollments should not be affected.

 

[TerryP]

I am fairly certain the players already holding degrees will not affect the APR if they enroll and then drop classes, they have already graduated, which is the goal of the APR system. A school can cancel a scholarship and then award it to another individual at any time as long as the 85 limit is not exceeded and the Fall semster 25 addition rule is maintained. So, early enrollments should not be affected.

We are expecting at least a half of a dozen January guys. I've lost count.

Classes start before the game. So, there are a half of a dozen players that won't be enrolled under scholarship.

Scholarships are written to be renewed in June or July. So, it seems we'd have some of the graduates drop their scholarship...just guessing. But, that's after school started...

Again...guessing. It has something to do with the add/drop date?

 

[ExiledTidefan]

seems like these university presidents, the ncaa, or accreditation people should foresee issues like this, with these stupidly late bowl games, and create exceptions to make it easier on student athletes. Probably still part of the great money grab before these players become millionaires in the NFL.

 

[austexbama]

seems like these university presidents, the ncaa, or accreditation people should foresee issues like this, with these stupidly late bowl games, and create exceptions to make it easier on student athletes. Probably still part of the great money grab before these players become millionaires in the NFL.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-t25-texas-monroe&prov=ap&type=lgns

Now Texas is getting back a player that was suspended and they are going to add a player that was academically ineligible all of last season.

"Texas also will add the sophomore safety Christian Scott, who has missed the entire season because he was academically ineligible."

Mack Brown is pulling out all the stops for this one, we better be ready for anything!!! (insert Auburn)