Slu -Hoop -Broadway and calling all BY posters - TOPIC - walk-ons; playing time, respect, etc. After a survey of college students and grad students (and my own view) here is a strong perspective. Alabama football, North Carolina women's soccer, Stanford tennis, & UConn WBB--or any top dogs in the NCAA. AD IN COLLEGE PAPER - We are looking for only two regular college students (who played in HS) who want to hang out with the players, go on trips around the country (maybe foreign countries too), probably win championships, get rings, pad the resume of being on the roster/championship team, get special meals/food/snack bar, special workout rooms, and you get to play pick-up & or practice the game you enjoy. Only two walk-ons get to have this "out of the world experience" with all the perks mentioned above. Please note-- "walk-on competitors"-- that "game time" is not listed. Play time will probably be NONE or a minute every other game. OUTCOME - you would have quite a few students who would feel like the luckiest person on campus if they were selected. From the unofficial survey, almost all say "I'll take the unbelievable experience and the perks and I'll deal with the NO PLAYING time.
To solidify the point, think of the MALE practice players. They get some of the perks--practice, pick-up games, & resume--but no ring, no travel, no championships, etc. Those guys are still feeling lucky and fortunate to be a small part of the success.
I love sports and rather play than watch on TV, but I would take the walk-on position (with all those benefits) (& I wasn't playing the game anyway) and give up playing/ game time.
And everyone knows how lucky the walk-ons are and everyone respects the role the walk-ons play. In this scenario, Playing time is dead last on the priority list. Geno/CD are just good people and give the walk-ons a taste anyway (and the crowd loves it.)
