02-03-2016, 04:21 AM
(02-01-2016, 03:45 PM)ferrari link Wrote:Do we seem to get an unusual number of guys who go on missions? Other than BYU, of course, are other top schools on a par with us regarding this? Curious because I have no idea. If the answer is no, then why?
Just a guess, but I would think that Stanford's very willingness to recruit students it knows will not be around for two more years becomes one of the factors that leads to our success. I assume that a certain number of coaches would consider LDS kids problematic, not for character or any other issues, but simply because they will not be around for a two years. If you are a coach under the gun to win right away, will you tie your program to players with a delayed return? Are there concerns among some coaches about players falling out of shape over those two years? But Stanford now has a history of accepting this pathway, even embracing the added maturity that comes with the experience. And, of course, once LDS players from the Rocky Mountain region see friends and team mates being welcomed by Stanford, and returning to enjoy success on the gridiron and in the classroom, Stanford becomes more attractive.