Walk-Ons

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

For those that may care....

Was buried in another thread yesterday, but Mike Lelito (RS SO) and Buddy Jaffee (FR) are no longer listed on the 19-20 roster that MU recently posted.

Down to just Tommy Gardiner for walk ons, at the moment. 

https://gomarquette.com/roster.aspx?roster=180&path=mbball

[warriorchick]

For those that may care....

Was buried in another thread yesterday, but Mike Lelito (RS SO) and Buddy Jaffee (FR) are no longer listed on the 19-20 roster that MU recently posted.

Down to just Tommy Gardiner for walk ons, at the moment. 

https://gomarquette.com/roster.aspx?roster=180&path=mbball

I bet it is relatively unusual for a walk-on to be on the team for all four years.  If you are the mind that a full ride isn't sufficient compensation for playing college basketball, imagine if you didn't even get that.  It's an unbelievably huge commitment.  If it were any other activity on campus, most parents would be livid that they were devoting so much time to it instead of studying.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I bet it is relatively unusual for a walk-on to be on the team for all four years.  If you are the mind that a full ride isn't sufficient compensation for playing college basketball, imagine if you didn't even get that.  It's an unbelievably huge commitment.  If it were any other activity on campus, most parents would be livid that they were devoting so much time to it instead of studying.

Completely with you.  Being a walk on would be brutal. 

[mu_hilltopper]

Completely with you.  Being a walk on would be brutal. 

How so?   I mean, except for having to pay tuition.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

How so?   I mean, except for having to pay tuition.

Ummm, because you have to go through the same grueling training, conditioning, practice, film, etc., etc., as everyone else, yet you have zero chance of playing anything more than run out the clock minutes against the sugariest of cupcakes. 

[mu_hilltopper]

Ummm, because you have to go through the same grueling training, conditioning, practice, film, etc., etc., as everyone else, yet you have zero chance of playing anything more than run out the clock minutes against the sugariest of cupcakes. 

First .. I think some guys would enjoy that .. second, there are rewards.  Great seat to watch the game.  I imagine they get the same scholastic support.  Not to mention trips to New York, DC, Philly and maybe Hawaii, Orlando, Europe.  Dinner at Wojo's house.   Far better meal plan. 

I'd sign up for that.

[MU82]

Ummm, because you have to go through the same grueling training, conditioning, practice, film, etc., etc., as everyone else, yet you have zero chance of playing anything more than run out the clock minutes against the sugariest of cupcakes.

But it is totally voluntary, and every single walk-on knows what it will be like before they sign on.

My daughter was a D3 athlete. She got to play a little, but otherwise it was just like being a walk-on: Grueling training, conditioning, practice, film. It was a 6 day a week "job," and she didn't get a penny of scholarship money for it. And they don't get the kind of perks that D1 athletes -- even walk-ons -- do.

But it was her decision and hers alone. If she didn't want to do it, she didn't have to. And in fact, she stopped playing after 2 years to concentrate on her academics. That also was her decision and hers alone.

So if we're supposed to feel sorry for walk-ons, JJJJJJJJJJJ, I don't. I do admire their dedication, though.

[Coleman]

Aren't there tryouts for walk-ons every year? If that is the case, it would make sense they wouldn't officially be part of the team until they try out and make it. I expect tryouts are soon after the academic year begins in early fall.

Maybe they guarantee some walk-ons a spot on next year's roster without trying out against the best MU has to offer each year, but I would expect this to be the exception, not the rule. These are generally called "preferred walk-ons."

[mujivitz06]

How so?   I mean, except for having to pay tuition.

Can't believe this is a real question

[jsglow]

Aren't there tryouts for walk-ons every year? If that is the case, it would make sense they wouldn't officially be part of the team until they try out and make it.

Maybe they guarantee some walk-ons a spot on next year's roster without trying out against the best MU has to offer year, but I would expect this to be the exception, not the rule. These are generally called "preferred walk-ons."

MU has two types. Tryout kids and guaranteed preferred.  Jaffee had his spot guaranteed before he set foot on campus as an example.  Marotta had been the same.  My recollection is that Lelito initially tried out.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

So if we're supposed to feel sorry for walk-ons, JJJJJJJJJJJ, I don't. I do admire their dedication, though.

Woah, woah, woah....I am not saying you should feel bad for them.  I am just saying I can understand why a walk-on would decide to move on.  Its a lot of work for little reward, IMO.  I think its pretty rare to see a kid like Marotta make it through all 4 years.  At least it has been over the past 10-15 years of MU hoops.  Marotta and Frozena are the only ones, I believe.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

First .. I think some guys would enjoy that .. second, there are rewards.  Great seat to watch the game.  I imagine they get the same scholastic support.  Not to mention trips to New York, DC, Philly and maybe Hawaii, Orlando, Europe.  Dinner at Wojo's house.   Far better meal plan. 

I'd sign up for that.

Yah, there are benefits.  Some may think its worth it.  Most probably don't.  Which is why it so rare for there to be 4 year walk ons.

[Coleman]

Woah, woah, woah....I am not saying you should feel bad for them.  I am just saying I can understand why a walk-on would decide to move on.  Its a lot of work for little reward, IMO.  I think its pretty rare to see a kid like Marotta make it through all 4 years.  At least it has been over the past 10-15 years of MU hoops.  Marotta and Frozena are the only ones, I believe.

Yeah Frozena is the only other one I can remember that went the distance. But it does show if you manage to do it you kind of become a MU folk hero. Both of those guys were favorites.

One year walk-ons aren't as well remembered.

[Goose]

Our daughter was a walk-on on the MU Women's Soccer team for three years and it is tough duty. She received limited playing time over the three years, but was involved in all of the training and off season work. My only gripe on situation was the number of players in the program. There were many other walk-on's that were in similar situation as our daughter. They probably could shorten up the size of the team by nice margin, IMO. All that said, for the most part our daughter loved being part of the team/program.

[T-Bone]

One year walk-ons aren't as well remembered.

MAGIC DAWSON!!!


Mache brothers - one of the two...

[TallTitan34]

One year walk-ons aren't as well remembered.

Off the top of my head...

Rob Hanley
Chris Teff
John Willkom
Shane Grube
Deon Franklin
Matt Mache
Craig Kuphall

[MU82]

Off the top of my head...

Rob Hanley
Chris Teff
John Willkom
Shane Grube
Deon Franklin
Matt Mache
Craig Kuphall

Off the top of my head ...

[#UnleashSean]

But it is totally voluntary, and every single walk-on knows what it will be like before they sign on.

My daughter was a D3 athlete. She got to play a little, but otherwise it was just like being a walk-on: Grueling training, conditioning, practice, film. It was a 6 day a week "job," and she didn't get a penny of scholarship money for it. And they don't get the kind of perks that D1 athletes -- even walk-ons -- do.

But it was her decision and hers alone. If she didn't want to do it, she didn't have to. And in fact, she stopped playing after 2 years to concentrate on her academics. That also was her decision and hers alone.

So if we're supposed to feel sorry for walk-ons, JJJJJJJJJJJ, I don't. I do admire their dedication, though.

The way it is in college sports:

D3: you are a student first, athlete second. Everyone is a "walk on"

D2: student and athlete lines blurred. You are expected to do both.

D1: athlete first, student second.

[Coleman]

Off the top of my head...

Rob Hanley
Chris Teff
John Willkom
Shane Grube
Deon Franklin
Matt Mache
Craig Kuphall

Only one I would have known was Hanley, and that's because he was in my class. But congrats I guess...?

[rocky_warrior]

I knew nothing of Tommy's story.  No mention of "preferred status", but sounds like he was "recruited" as a walk-on.   And sounds like he found the right place...

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/park-ridge/sports/ct-prh-tommy-gardiner-marquette-basketball-maine-south-tl-0530-story.html

[MU82]

The way it is in college sports:

D3: you are a student first, athlete second. Everyone is a "walk on"

D2: student and athlete lines blurred. You are expected to do both.

D1: athlete first, student second ... unless you are a walk-on; then you had better be student first.

FIFY

[Jon]

sounds like he was "recruited" as a walk-on. 

like being recruited to be a mistress...

[Herman Cain]

Cam did a great job over the four years. He stayed and Delivered  exactly what he was supposed to deliver . Was nice to see him get the grad assistant role.

Would not surprise me if the  two guys not returning are exploring opportunities at D2 or D3, that frequently happens in these situations.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I knew nothing of Tommy's story.  No mention of "preferred status", but sounds like he was "recruited" as a walk-on.   And sounds like he found the right place...

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/park-ridge/sports/ct-prh-tommy-gardiner-marquette-basketball-maine-south-tl-0530-story.html

Jaffee was recruited as a walk on as well.