Hello, Everyone!
 
Just sat down and read the latest FMH newsletter.  It's a great issue, with
terrific photos taken by FMH members, lotsa good info, insights into the
team, etc.
 
One article has elevated my temper a little, and I'd like to bring this up
for discussion:
 
Tracey Flynn (I'm not shooting the messenger, here, folks.  It's not her I'm
ticked off at!) has an article in here stating that the NCAA says that
interaction between fans and student athletes remains under the same
restrictions EVEN AFTER THE KIDS ARE GRADUATED AND NO LONGER ELEIGIBLE!!
This means when Keith Carney comes back for Alumni Weekend (I think he left
in '92 - 8 years ago!), we can't offer he and his wife a bed in our home, or
give them the use of our car while they visit.  Hey, Scott King!  You can't
work for Dr. Jack Adams when you get that medical degree!  That would be
illegal!
 
What in h-e-double scooters does the NCAA think they are?  How is this
enforcable?  Tracey indicates that enforcement could vary between a scolding
letter (a singular talent of the current administration) to outright
banishment, otherwise known as "disassociation".  I'd hate to see the
publicity if they tried any of that stuff!  I had heard of this rule several
years ago, but thought it had been legislatively corrected.  I guess I
believed common sense would prevail!
 
Maybe for most of you this is a non issue because these student athletes
don't become a part of your lives.  I am privileged to work in an environment
where I see quite a few of them from many different sports, usually when they
are in pain and usually for more than one visit.  They are all great kids,
and I am pleased that some of them have become true friends.  To tell me that
I cannot treat them normally ONCE THEY ARE NO LONGER STUDENT ATHLETES is
insulting and invades my privacy.
 
What do you all think?
 
GO MAINE!
 
Cathy Hart