'10 UT S Chris Badger (BYU Transfer)

[Irish4Life09]

Hmm, they should really tell the coaches about these mormon kids taking trips. ...... What? Wait they already know it happens and still offer?
Come on now, these kids (according to the column on yahoo-wish I knew how to link) have to put in a request AND have to be accepted.
Your post did sound kinda off as well. Sounds like you don't want any mormons to be offered at all. I'm not a mormon but heck I was upset with what you wrote.

Pardon this kid's beliefs for getting in the way of your football.
Let me shut up now before I get really upset and banned. (if this didn't already do that)

Does anybody read an entire post anymore? Or is it all done out of context?
A letter of intent is a signed contract.It's that simple.
I was just thinking about this....and it kind of makes me think of the Seantrel Henderson deal with USC.
Henderson knew there was a good possibility that sanctions would occur at USC,no matter what coaches told him.Nevertheless, he still signed with them, and them once sanctions happened he bolted. In this circumstance, Badger most likely knew he would take a trip early on in his collegiate career.
I'm not saying he is gone from ND.He may well come back,play for us, and maybe he'll be the greatest player in our university's history.
But just the simple fact of it screwing up recruiting from last year already makes me angry, plus it hurts this year's team.
Like I have said 50 times already congrats to him fulfilling his religious expectations.It would be nice if more of our country stood by religious beliefs,maybe our country would be in a better position(thats for another thread....)...but I do think we should be more careful with scholarships.I can guarantee you that Kelly didn't recruit this kid in the anticipation of him taking 2 full years off football, then at least another year to get back in playing shape to possibly play football.

 

[Jason Pham]

A letter of intent is a signed contract.It's that simple.

A contract which has been voided in the eyes of the NCAA. The NCAA does not consider it binding if the recruit leaves to go on a church mission. Thus, the contract has not been violated.

In this circumstance, Badger most likely knew he would take a trip early on in his collegiate career.

As I said before, these things aren't set in stone. Teo, if i recall correctly, was considering going on a mission trip but does not believe he is so called at this time.

But just the simple fact of it screwing up recruiting from last year already makes me angry, plus it hurts this year's team.

Yes, we will be hurt in the secondary because of it. But I ask you this... what is the alternative? Should he not have committed to us at all? Should the staff not have given him an offer based on the possibility that a Mormon recruit might go on a mission? Should he consider his commitment to the football team more binding that his commitment to his beliefs? You are angry about it and suggest it could have been some other way but I ask you, what other way is there? Those I have laid out are completely untenable given the values of Notre Dame.

..but I do think we should be more careful with scholarships.

What are you suggesting? Blacklisting Mormons from our recruiting boards? Pulling scholarships for those who elect to go on missions? Again, this is ridiculous considering the religious institution behind the football team.

I can guarantee you that Kelly didn't recruit this kid in the anticipation of him taking 2 full years off football, then at least another year to get back in playing shape to possibly play football.

You can guarantee that? Teo went back and forth on the idea of going on a mission this coming year and in fact will continue to discern such a calling throughout his career at Notre Dame and, if not then, beyond. You don't think that alone would have given Kelly the idea that Mormon players at a spiritually charged school might elect to go on a mission? Again, it all seems a bit unreasoned to me.

 

[IrishAddiction]

Good luck and God bless Chris on his mission. We will be praying for you as you go, and are excited to see the day when you return.

 

[Irish.Ca]

Chris is going on a mission and doing a very personal thing and going off to help someone, somewhere, somehow. He's bettering himself while helping others. Doesn't that sound like the sort of thing ND prides itself upon? Sounds like he is the RKG doing what they do best and he'll return older, wiser and stronger IMO too. Goodluck Chris, stay safe.

Go Irish!

 

[Irish.Ca]

Question, what ripple does this cause with our recruiting # this year? Do we get a scholarship back for two years and then lose one when Badger comes back (ie potential 5th year gets denied a 5th year). Does his departure tie up a scholarship for 7 year? 4 regular, 2 for mission, possible 5th year? If so, thats crazy!

 

[BGIF]

Question, what ripple does this cause with our recruiting # this year? Do we get a scholarship back for two years and then lose one when Badger comes back (ie potential 5th year gets denied a 5th year). Does his departure tie up a scholarship for 7 year? 4 regular, 2 for mission, possible 5th year? If so, thats crazy!

I addressed this in one of the recruiting threads, I think it was in the "Next To Commit" thread.

Two rules apply: 25 recruits maximum in a class, 85 scholarships total on the team. This class being recruited now is limited by the 85 rule. Depending on attrition there will probably be 20 scholarships, plus or minus, this year.

Yes, we get a scholarship back for two years. Since Badger won't be in school that schoarship can go to another recruit or a transfer, or to a walk on.

Scholarship are given out on a yearly basis, one year at at time according to the NCAA regulations. They are subject to renewal each year. That's how coaches like Spurrier can get rid of players who he feels doesn't perform to his expectations. He doesn't "pull" their scholarship he simply doesn't offer them another year. I've never heard of ND doing that. To the best of my knowledge ND has alway honored a 4 year commitment althought the NCAA.

When Badger returns, Kelly will have to adjust, IF ND is at a full 85 scholarships, through one less 5th year or recruiting one less in the ensuing classes.

 

[Ben E.]

I addressed this in one of the recruiting threads, I think it was in the "Next To Commit" thread.

Two rules apply: 25 recruits maximum in a class, 85 scholarships total on the team. This class being recruited now is limited by the 85 rule. Depending on attrition there will probably be 20 scholarships, plus or minus, this year.

Yes, we get a scholarship back for two years. Since Badger won't be in school that schoarship can go to another recruit or a transfer, or to a walk on.

Scholarship are given out on a yearly basis, one year at at time according to the NCAA regulations. They are subject to renewal each year. That's how coaches like Spurrier can get rid of players who he feels doesn't perform to his expectations. He doesn't "pull" their scholarship he simply doesn't offer them another year. I've never heard of ND doing that. To the best of my knowledge ND has alway honored a 4 year commitment althought the NCAA.

When Badger returns, Kelly will have to adjust, IF ND is at a full 85 scholarships, through one less 5th year or recruiting one less in the ensuing classes.

Thanks for clearing that up for us again!

 

[Irish.Ca]

Thanks

B est
G etter of
I nformation on
F ootball

 

[jason_h537]

Chris will be leaving for his 2 year mission September 1st. Kid's going to Ecuador. best of luck to him and enjoy yourself because there are some beautiful places to see there as well

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I wish him the best.

 

[johnnykillz]

I really hope Chris stays up on the weights. Bicycles are great cardio, but he's gonna need some anaerobics too...

Where's MBeckha when we need him? Maybe he'll go to Ecuador with this fine young lad.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Maybe studying the mechanics of the 400 meter jog.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Maybe studying the mechanics of the 400 meter jog.

I'd settle for lighting mofo's up in a local rainforest. Puts a little hair on your chest...

 

[jason_h537]

I'd settle for lighting mofo's up in a local rainforest. Puts a little hair on your chest...

i just pictured some tourist in the rainforest and Badger comes running in out of nowhere and lays them out. Fueling the rumors of a strange white beats attacking people in the Ecuadrean rainforest

 

[johnnykillz]

lol.

And then he blesses the poor individual, and asks them: Have you heard the story of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?

Upon hearing about the religion, they quickly convert out of fear for the Badger, I mean the lord.

 

[mgriff]

I'd settle for lighting mofo's up in a local rainforest. Puts a little hair on your chest...

Gotta watch out which people he is lighting up in the forest, it could end up being some members of the drug cartels!

 

[BGIF]

Insightful article on Chris and his commitment. For the Notre Dame family, Father Hesburgh's "God, Country, Notre Dame" has special meaning. Chris Badger walks that walk.

Badger leaving Notre Dame to serve mission | Mormon Times

Badger has prepared for his mission by doing missionary work in South Bend. Badger, along with fellow Mormon teammates Manti Te'o, Kona Schwenke and Justin Utupo, have been inviting curious teammates to attend an LDS family ward in the area. Badger has also spent time with the full-time missionaries at least every other week since January.

"Being a football player opened doors to talk to people you wouldn't otherwise and explain the church. Some of the people I talk with now probably wouldn't listen to me with a name tag," Badger said. "I have been able to talk to coaches and numerous other players about the church. Everyone has been really receptive of it. It's been a completely positive experience."

...

"It's been amazing. Everyone on the team has congratulated me. Many have said 'Wow, what a great decision to make,'" Badger said.

"I think they see the mission as a great opportunity to become closer to God and grow spiritually. ...

When he returns, he expects to pick up where he left off.

"I will kind of be a weird, old guy, but I expect to still be able to compete and play at a high level."

 

[DirtySecret]

Sept. 1 Chris reports to go to Ecuador for 24 months..

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[NDFANnSouthWest]

Great kid....

One thing about kids going to a mission and than coming back...they are more mature physically and mentally...he will be a 20 yo freshman and absolutly lay the wood!

 

[TerryTate]

Saw an update from a poster on rivals

Chris is doing well. I think the whole experience has been a lot harder than he expected, but he's hanging in there. He's living in Cuenca, Ecuador which is in the southern mountains. Has a nice climate 70-75 year round, so the weather is nice. Stated its been rainy a lot so he says he's "walking in the rain and mud everywhere he goes it seems like." He lives in a rented apartment. Apparently not too bad, but says he wakes up bleeding from bed bugs.. States his food is pretty good. Luckily, he hasn't gotten sick. He's not able to work out a ton, but he's waking up at 5:30 every morning and works out for 45-60 min. He does heavy sandbags that he filled up w/ gravel, then we also sent a TRX suspension system and Tower 200 (those on the infomercials). Does a lot of ab/core/stretching stuff as well. States his weight is about the same, so thats good.

He's been doing a lot of service projects and has started a project of distributing supplies from Utah to a charitable hospital in Cuenca. He wrote home how he wants to major in Spanish and Peace Studies when he gets back to ND and maybe go into med school and do international medicine.

We send him all the updates about ND and CFB in general. He was super pumped to hear about how well Tommy came in and played. He roomed w/ Tommy that first semester, so was super excited to hear how well he played, as well as the other DBs.

He doesn't get much free time.. just Monday afternoons where he can email home for an hour. He gets to call on Christmas so he's looking forward to that.

I think the main thing he's learned is to be grateful for stuff he had. Part of that was his opportunity at ND. As a former 'never was', I always tried to explain to him how lucky he was to have the chance to have a scholarship to play football at ND. I don't think he ever grasped how fortunate he was. He got scholarship offers as a sophomore and ended up getting up offers to the main schools he wanted, so I think he took it for granted. He's always worked hard, but I imagine when he gets back that will go to another level. He's really missed playing and working out, so hopefully things work out after he's back.. Still planning on coming back in May/June of 2012. This was from his last email home:

"I'm excited for the habits im forming and how I'll be able to develop it after my mission with better effort and consistency, im in 100 % baby! I'm never complaining of a thing again in my life! ha ha"

 

[tadman95]

That's good stuff. What an experience to build on. Looking forward to seeing him develop.

 

[jmurphy75]

I can't wait for Chris to come back, he's going to be so much more mentally ready and not afraid to work. Also the work he's doing is defiantly strengthening his core muscles, which will allow him to excel in his weight training when he gets back.

 

[jason_h537]

good for him, cant get back soon enough

 

[D-BOE34]

I just wanted to spark a little fire in yalls belly about a DB we have coming in. Correct me if wrong but he will be considered 2012 class? Start counting him in as a big get for DB/S this years pull of recruits folks.

Here is a little video that jut pumped me the **** up!
YouTube - Chris Badger "Big Hits" Highlights

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I just wanted to spark a little fire in yalls belly about a DB we have coming in. Correct me if wrong but he will be considered 2012 class? Start counting him in as a big get for DB/S this years pull of recruits folks.

Here is a little video that jut pumped me the **** up!
YouTube - Chris Badger "Big Hits" Highlights

I just tackled the fat lady walking past my office.

 

[anarin]

the booms were placed perfectly haha

chris "head hunter" badger

 

[aubeirish]

Besides, there is no doubt he is going to be a mature young man coming in.

 

[BestBIrish47]

I just tackled the fat lady walking past my office.

She thinks you are dating now

 

[bert2834]

Easily my favorite highlight film out of any recruit ever!

 

[D-BOE34]

YES SIR!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT! SAW SOMEONE ELSE POSTED HE WOULD BE BEACK NEXT SPRING SO HE WILL HAVE SOME EXTRA WORK PUT IN TO LEARN THE SYSTEM THEN DEMOLISH IN THE FALL!