Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Sept. 28, 2012, edition 1 / Page 12
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-SPORTS fotUiaH team takes akvaatage ef epea tneuts WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM BY MALIKAH FRENCH Staff Writer Football season is underway and the campus is alive with tailgating, game tickets and supportive fans. Yet this year seems a bit different with the public announcements for new, walk-on recruits. Most students and players seemed unaware of this yearly calling done by the football program. "This is the first year we've done them. It might be an annual thing; I don't know," said senior and captain Daniel Biggerstaff. "The reason we did them this year was because we have so many people hurt and a couple of people quit." "I don't know of us having tryouts before, but I'm only a sophomore," said Andrew Milot. "We have always had walk-ons, just like every other sport on campus," said junior and captain Paris El-Ali. "We just have our walk- on tryouts late. Walk-ons are not invited to camp." The confusion surrounding this year's walk-ons could be attributed to the size of the football team. With over 90 players, it is difficult to accurately relay information to everyone. This year's recruiting process also raised strongly adverse opinions among members of the team. While some applauded the new members, others disagreed with them joining so late in the season. "I think it's good because we needed the team has gone through," said sophomore numbers and i?s a lot of talent that could Joey Able. "They're just getting a free chance come on the field and do good work for us," to be on the football team." said Milot. * "It's really good to know that some With several injuries, the football team has struggled to increase the number of able-bodied players. Fortunately, with a public announcement regarding recruitment, the team welcomes new members. "We only had three walk-ons and all three of them will contribute to the program in some capacity, whether that is on the practice field or on game day," said El-Ali. "I personally don't like it, because they haven't been here since day one and gone through all of the things the rest of the football students came out and actually tried out for the team," said Biggerstaff. "It shows that you don't have to be there from start to finish." With all of the mixed opinions and information, the team must look towards the coaching staff for guidance on the issue and a positive outlook on the outcome. "We've had what we call 'recruited walk- ons' and thafi s the closest we've ever gotten to it," said Head Football Coach Chris Rusiewicz. "This year our whole walk-on approach was to tiy to get more numbers in our program to help with practice. "Our numbers were dropping, so we decided that during the bi-week was a good time to open it up to the students to show us what they can do," said Rusiewicz. "We had about seven guys register. Ultimately, the day of, there were four guys (and) we accepted three of them." One of the three members accepted was sophomore lacrosse player Juquan Tellis. As a dual sport athlete now, he is eager to help both teams and appreciates the support he's getting from both programs. "It feels good to be back on the field after a year off," said Tellis. "I'm just happy the team accepted me as a player, (and) now I can hopefully help the team be successful. "My (lacrosse) coach wasn't mad for the most part, but like anyone who cares about you, he laid everything out on the table," said Tellis. "It feels good having the lacrosse team behind me. It makes me work even harder for playing time." ^th injuries high, this year's, football tryouts can hopefully add the spark of talent that the program needs to sustain itself and allow the players to excel. This week has given Guilford fans fresh football faces to look for. Same shtick, different ice: NHL lockout aggravates all BY JOSH BALLARD Staff Writer The subtle "chik, chik" of skates on ice, the clashing of sticks, the thud of the puck against the goalie, the dang of a shot bouncing off the goal — these are the sounds hockey fans love. However, the most recent lockout initiated by the National Hockey League puts the upcoming season, and these beloved sounds, at risk. "As a fan of hockey Tm pretty pissed," said senior and Carolina Hurricanes fan Brendan Wynands. "Instead of capitalizing on the goodwill created with the fans since the end of the last lockout or continuing to make adjustments to increase the profit of the small market teams, the owners have dedded to make the players the culprils." Owners are sticking with proposals that lower the salaries of players and increase the length of time that draftees must play as restricted agents. This lockout marks the fourth NHL lockout since the '92-'93 season and is the third lockout under Gary Bettman's tenure as league commissioner. "Bettman gets booed at every NHL event for good reason," said senior and New York Rangers fan Tdi Raphael. "He has cost the fans a lot of games. "Essentially the NHL is in a position where the teams, since the detrimental lockout of 2005, have been giving star players long and rich contracts," said Raphael. 'This lockout is about revenue distribution ... and about what to do with the league's salary cap." Negotiations are still underway with all pre-season games through Sept. 30 already cancelled. With the season slated to start on Od. 10, fans are understandably worried. "I'm a sports fan and am frustrated when the games can't be played for compensation-related reasons," said Sports Information Director and Assistant Director of Athletics Dave Walters in an email interview. "While I recognize the business aspects of professional sports, I don't watch the games and follow the players because of how much they get paid, nor do I watch because of how much money the owners make," he added. "I watch the games because I enjoy the competition and the Upset hockey fans unite to stage a protest in New York City in light of the NHL lockout.The lockout is the fourth in the hockey league since 1992-93. opportunity to root for my favorite teams and players." A number of NHL teams and players are resorting to more drastic measures in response to the lockout. "Lawyers for the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames players are trying to have the NHL lockout declared illegal under Alberta law," Sports Illustrated reports. "Some players are already signing with European teams for the season." Wynands directs his displeasure at the league in general. "In short, I blame the NHL and the owners entirely for taking away the greatest game on earth through their own selfisfmess and greed," said Wynands. '
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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