No, not really.  I saw plenty of kids who went to the Army or tried making
it on their own before going to college when I was in school.  Obviously
Francis tried to take a different route and chose college later on.
Unfortunately the NCAA has rules with respect to age and competition.

At 21, he deserves as much of a chance as anyone to go to school.  I am not
sure he was even on a full scholarship when he came to Maine -- he certainly
wasn't considered one of the top prospects before the season started -- and
if so deserves even more credit.

No, you can't have 30-year-old NHL vets playing college hockey.  But if a
kid is eligible and wants to go to school and play hockey (no small
commitment there) then I say more power to you.

-dt


----- Original Message -----
From: "james acheson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2003 11:07 AM
Subject: Re: Nault done??????


> anyone else question 21 year old freshmen?if this is college and not semi
pro sports then.... well need I continue?
>
> "Wayne T. Smith" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:Jon wrote ...
> > Channel 5 news announced on tonights show that Francis Nault eligibility
> >has expired due to a tourney he played in the summer of 2000. He may
return
> >as an asst coach.
> >
> > As a Maine fan do these lapses make you want to pound your head on the
> >wall?. I'm sick of this crap even though it appears no NCAA violations
> >occured.
>
> I don't understand. (Nothing new!). I mean the head pounding. :-)
>
> Are you upset over the idiotic NCAA rule that steals a year of
> eligibility if a hockey player plays hockey after turning 21, but before
> entering college?
>
> Are you upset with the idiots that would run a tournament, supposedly
> for would-be college prospects, but not realize they were jeapardizing
> the eligibility of one or some of them?
>
> Are you upset with Maine for not educating Nault about this rule? Was
> Nault committed to Maine at the time? How much "educating" is the
> recruiter allowed or should be expected wrt the NCAA maze of rules?
>
> Look at the positives: this really opens it up for Ryan as Captain!
>
> I think it was a great and sincere offer by Maine to continue Nault's
> scholarship and offer a student-assistant position. What a great
> opportunity that could be for Maine (short-term) and Nault (long-term)!
>
> cheers, wayne
>
> P.S. With my son getting married at the same time, I'm hoping we get
> lots of reports from the Maine Hockey Banquet! ;-)
>
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