Today's Hurry Up discussion of the Virginia recruiting punishment brought back memories of two situations, one related to recruiting and the other the consequences of overemphasis on sports at too young an age.

High school recruiting has been going on for years but seems to be getting worse.  Back in the 1960s, Canton McKinley has to sit out a year of football over recruiting.  Now that was harsh.  To keep the series with Massillon on track, they played twice the following year - 1st game and the traditional last game.

My son attended middle school in New York with an athlete who moved to Ohio before grade 8 because of football.  His step-father had him repeat grade 8 (basically a red shirt) so that he would be more mature for high school football.  His son was a high school all star but was burned out because of the step father living vicariously through him.  He ended up attending OSU although not playing football but in his freshman year committed suicide.  That was an extreme case and so very sad as may daughter was a friend of his sister and shared with us the consequences.