Curt Dukes explains why he left Nebraska

[Pat]

http://www.heraldsun.com/sports/18-383202.html

Here's an article that gives some insight into Dukes' decision to transfer.
With all due respect to the kid, I think the Huskers are better off without
him. Some of the things he says seem pretty tactless, especially this part:
"One of the biggest things was just realizing that if football was taken
away, was that a place I wanted to be and where I want to get a quality
education?"

Considering the special attention that was given to him when he was
recruited, I think it's pretty cheap for him to bag on Nebraska's academic
standards.

Another part that really stands out: "It's a totally different situation out
there; football is strictly business." I hope he enjoys playing on the
scout team for one of the worst teams in America.

[Gern Blanston]

At least he'll be able to watch his school's basketball team play in
March...

Post by Pat
http://www.heraldsun.com/sports/18-383202.html
Here's an article that gives some insight into Dukes' decision to transfer.
With all due respect to the kid, I think the Huskers are better off without
"One of the biggest things was just realizing that if football was taken
away, was that a place I wanted to be and where I want to get a quality
education?"
Considering the special attention that was given to him when he was
recruited, I think it's pretty cheap for him to bag on Nebraska's academic
standards.
Another part that really stands out: "It's a totally different situation out
there; football is strictly business." I hope he enjoys playing on the
scout team for one of the worst teams in America.

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[D***@aol.com]

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In a message dated 8/20/2003 6:20:21 PM Mountain Standard Time,
***@cox.net writes:

: Considering the special attention that was given to him when he was
: recruited, I think it's pretty cheap for him to bag on Nebraska's academic
: standards.
:

I don't read it that way. I think he is saying that Duke is better
academically than NU - a statement with which few would disagree. Dukes is a good
student, and that is obviously important to him. I would like to have seen what he
could do this fall, but I can't fault his decision; it's his life.

Dick Karre
***@aol.com

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[todd strong]

I respectfully dis-agree DKarre2. I feel it is a back handed comment, made
by an immature (punkwhoranoutonhiscommitmentandhadnoheart) teenager. I don't
feel he intended to slight NU. He did not go out of his way to paint a nice
picture though. Dukes may have better academics, yes, but as you will notice
Dukes new teammate says at the end........(paraphrase) how can you turn
somebody down coming from Nebraska........
Eight days.............
----- Original Message -----
From: <***@aol.com>
To: <***@tssi.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 11:27 PM
Subject: Re: Curt Dukes explains why he left Nebraska


: In a message dated 8/20/2003 6:20:21 PM Mountain Standard Time,
: ***@cox.net writes:
:
: > Considering the special attention that was given to him when he was
: > recruited, I think it's pretty cheap for him to bag on Nebraska's
academic
: > standards.
: >
:
: I don't read it that way. I think he is saying that Duke is better
: academically than NU - a statement with which few would disagree. Dukes is
a good
: student, and that is obviously important to him. I would like to have seen
what he
: could do this fall, but I can't fault his decision; it's his life.
:
: Dick Karre
: ***@aol.com
:

[Pat]

----- Original Message -----
From: <***@aol.com>
To: <***@tssi.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 11:27 PM
Subject: Re: Curt Dukes explains why he left Nebraska


: In a message dated 8/20/2003 6:20:21 PM Mountain Standard Time,
: ***@cox.net writes:
:
: > Considering the special attention that was given to him when he was
: > recruited, I think it's pretty cheap for him to bag on Nebraska's
academic
: > standards.
: >
:
: I don't read it that way. I think he is saying that Duke is better
: academically than NU - a statement with which few would disagree. Dukes is
a good
: student, and that is obviously important to him. I would like to have seen
what he
: could do this fall, but I can't fault his decision; it's his life.

I would have to respectfully disagree, once more. This is the exact quote:
"One of the biggest things was just realizing that if football was taken
away, was that a place I wanted to be and where I want to get a quality
education?" What he says seems to imply that Nebraska doesn't offer a
quality education, which is a load of hooey. If he had simply stated that
Duke had the better academics or something to that effect, then I doubt I
would have a problem with what he said, but his statement says almost
nothing directly about Duke.

Do I think he intended to bag on Nebraska like this? Probably not, but he
sure phrased it poorly. I'm not faulting his decision; merely articles like
this which almost seem like a cheap way to burn bridges. Best of luck to
him, but I could do without future "interviews" of this nature.

[Bob Beach]

At 07:05 AM 8/21/2003 -0700, Jay Saunders wrote:

:He doesn't like it that Nebraska football is more like
:a business? Seriously. I've got news for ya, Curt,
:college football is a business these days - and you
:just left one of the best corporations in the country
:to work at McDonalds.
:
:
:

Very possible if one is talking athletics and not academics. But
then, I am not sure if NU is one of the best corporations, football wise,
in the country right now. The upcoming season will tell a lot. We may
find out they are or we may find out they are not.

I was listening to a radio show this afternoon on ESPN radio in
Lincoln. They were interviewing Lee Barfnecht (I'll bet I butchered that
spelling) from the Omaha World-Herald. His opinions sounded as if he
copied me. He mentioned the idea that NU's talent was lacking the impact
players of the TO years. He also mentioned recruiting has been
suspect. And, he said NU is 2-3 years from challenging for the Big 12
North division title. He didn't say the Big 12 championship nor the
National title. He said the Big 12 North. He mentioned Solich may not
been given that much time.

Bob Beach

***@rrbeach.com

[b***@juno.com]

I don't have any inside scoop, but I think that there is more to the story than what is being reported here. It might be one of those cases where his transfer is a win/win for both parties. It is too bad; I remember how excited folks were when he committed during the summer of 2001.

Oh well, best of luck to Curt and let's bring in some stupendous recruits to take his place.

--- "Pat" <***@cox.net> wrote:

http://www.heraldsun.com/sports/18-383202.html

Here's an article that gives some insight into Dukes' decision to transfer.
With all due respect to the kid, I think the Huskers are better off without
him. Some of the things he says seem pretty tactless, especially this part:
"One of the biggest things was just realizing that if football was taken
away, was that a place I wanted to be and where I want to get a quality
education?"

Considering the special attention that was given to him when he was
recruited, I think it's pretty cheap for him to bag on Nebraska's academic
standards.

Another part that really stands out: "It's a totally different situation out
there; football is strictly business." I hope he enjoys playing on the
scout team for one of the worst teams in America.





________________________________________________________________
The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!
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[Jay Saunders]

I view this article, and Dukes' reasoning as pretty
pathetic.

He misses the trees and the rain? Come on.

He doesn't like it that Nebraska football is more like
a business? Seriously. I've got news for ya, Curt,
college football is a business these days - and you
just left one of the best corporations in the country
to work at McDonalds.

Maybe the kid just made a bad decision, and he is
trying to find a way to explain it. But I wish he
would have found something better than homesickness.
That is something he should have thought about long
before he put his name on the dotted line.


Jay Saunders
Wichita, KS

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[Steve Reichenbach]

Post by Jay Saunders
I view this article, and Dukes' reasoning as pretty
pathetic.

Pretty harsh judgment. Let's look at how you arrive at it.

Post by Jay Saunders
He misses the trees and the rain? Come on.

Life is pretty short to live a place that doesn't suit you.
He had never lived in Nebraska. Evidently, he preferred the
climate of his home. Personally, I like Nebraska, which
is why I returned here, but to each his own. Dukes preferred
his home place. That doesn't sound "pathetic".

Post by Jay Saunders
He doesn't like it that Nebraska football is more like
a business? Seriously. I've got news for ya, Curt,
college football is a business these days - and you
just left one of the best corporations in the country
to work at McDonalds.

No, this isn't corporations and McDonalds. He left one of
the country's top football programs at a university that
ranks in the high double-digits nationally to one of the
country's top universities with a football program that
ranks in the high double-digits nationally. Different
people want different things, but his choice isn't "pathetic".

Post by Jay Saunders
Maybe the kid just made a bad decision, and he is
trying to find a way to explain it. But I wish he
would have found something better than homesickness.
That is something he should have thought about long
before he put his name on the dotted line.

Has it occured to you that a high school senior can
"think" about it for a long time, but not have the
experience to know what he wants. Evidently, he made
a decision that was wrong for him and then with a
little more experience and knowing more of what he
wanted, decided to go another way. That doesn't sound
pathetic.

I am big for NU football and think guys who give it
their all are great for doing so, but it isn't "pathetic"
when someone decides they don't want to give NU football
their all and decides to move on. To me, it would be
more pathetic to drift along in the program if the fit
isn't good.

The only thing pathetic in this is judging a teenager
so harshly because he discovered that he didn't want
the same things that others would prefer he wanted.




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[Jay Saunders]

I've been waiting for someone to rip me on this one...

In no way, did I call Curt Dukes pathetic. Nor did I
call his decision pathetic. I just think the reasons
he gave for wanting to leave aren't very solid - and
don't speak highly of his character. Fine, he was
homesick. So was I when I went to school. So are
thousands of others.

OK, so let's assume that Nebraska football isn't a
business (even though it is and the players are just
doing pro-bono work). When Curt Dukes actually does
get into the business, or "real" world, he won't be
able to just quit because he doesn't like the way the
business is run. And If he does, there might not be
another business out there willing to give him a
chance. Ask Eric Crouch how his pro football career is
going now that he has quit a second time.

I don't care if Curt Dukes the football player is in a
Nebraska uniform. I do think it is unfortunate that
Curt Dukes the person decided not to fulfill the
promise he made when he told Frank Solich and the
university he would attend school at Nebraska.


Jay Saunders
Wichita, KS

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[S***@aol.com]

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Lee B, has no idea what he is talking about. I go to church with him, and he
really is pumped on K State and Texas, and OU.

Kansas State will falter
Texas will lose to someone they shouldn't.
OU plays NU in the Big 12 championship this year.

That's how confident I am.

Lee, I still like you even if you are wrong and misguided. See you sunday.


SKJ

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[T***@aol.com]

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Who cares why he left. Maybe he just wants a cool nickname like the "Dukes of
Duke" or something. What upsets me about him, and everyone else who leaves
early, is that they basically received about $50 - 250,000 in educational
compensation, room & board. They should be forced to pay some of it back. If a
player is hurt and has to leave then, yes his education should be paid. But if
these kids are simply looking for "greener pastures," then they can part with a
little green. No where else in this lifetime can you get a deal like these kids.
They gave up the right to be called "kids" when they signed their names. Like
it or not they are men should be held accountable as such.

Terry

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[Andrew Smith]

Consider this another example where the free market and capitalism gives
a different result from what one (at least Terry) thinks is fair or
just. Given the choice between 2 schools where the main difference is
that one will require you pay them back if the relationship does not
work out, which school do you think an athlete will choose? The school
invests in an athlete, hoping for a positive return, and promises (or at
least implies) that the athlete will be happy with their education and
athletic development. The athlete, being a valued commodity, shops
around for the best deal, one which includes the fact that if they are
not happy at the school they can leave without owing anything.

Also, should other students on other types of scholarships pay back the
school if they leave before graduation?

And, yes, student effort is the most important factor (though I wouldn't
say "by far") in the quality of education received. But...
(1) Given that Dukes is likely to give the same effort regardless of the
school (he's actually likely to give more effort at a more challenging
and stimulating school), there's little question that he'll get a better
education at Duke.
(2) Quality of the school DOES matter. Tougher course work, more
knowledgeable teachers and fellow students, etc. - i.e. a more
stimulating academic environment - make a significant difference. After
attending an average school for my undergraduate degree, I attended
Brown University for my masters and was a teaching assistant there. I
have no doubt that most (not all) undergraduate students at Brown would
not have received as good an education at my undergraduate school even
if they gave a slightly better effort.

Andy

Post by T***@aol.com
Who cares why he left. Maybe he just wants a cool nickname like the "Dukes of
Duke" or something. What upsets me about him, and everyone else who leaves
early, is that they basically received about $50 - 250,000 in educational
compensation, room & board. They should be forced to pay some of it back. If a
player is hurt and has to leave then, yes his education should be paid. But if
these kids are simply looking for "greener pastures," then they can part with a
little green. No where else in this lifetime can you get a deal like these kids.
They gave up the right to be called "kids" when they signed their names. Like
it or not they are men should be held accountable as such.
Terry

Fact is, Duke, and many other universities are way above UNL in our
academic caste system.

US News & World Report, in its annual ranking of American universities,
places Duke in a 4-way tie for 5th in the nation.

I understand that schools are not equal, but I just *have* to
express my conviction that student effort is the by far the most
important factor in the quality of education received.

[Laura Brown]

I wonder if his injury contributed to his decision. Finding out your
mortal often makes you reevaluate your life choices. He decided to bank
on his brain (which is very gifted) instead of his braun which is one
major injury away from going bankrupt. I can't fault him for his
decision.

--
"Education: the path from cocky ignorance to miserable uncertainty."
Mark Twain

Laura

[Theodore Heise]

On Sat, 23 Aug 2003, Andrew Smith wrote:

: ...there's little question that he'll get a better education
: at Duke.

Well I question it more than a little. Guess we'll have to
disagree on this one.


: ...After attending an average school for my undergraduate
: degree, I attended Brown University for my masters and was a
: teaching assistant there. I have no doubt that most (not all)
: undergraduate students at Brown would not have received as
: good an education at my undergraduate school even if they gave
: a slightly better effort.


I got my undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska at
Omaha. Perhaps it's not really an average school, but that was my
general perception. My senior year I scored in the 98th
percentile on the subject GRE, which suggests the education I
received was well above average. In the first year of grad school
it surely seemed that I was better prepared than most of my
classmates. Now it may be that I'm a genius, but I think it's
more likely due to the fact that I worked my butt off at UNO. Or
maybe UNO is well above average after all. :)

Ted

[T***@aol.com]

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I think this is an area the NCAA should step into. If a scholarship athlete
leaves for another university, maybe that school should reimburse the losing
school. Athletes going early to the pros should be forced to pay back some
percentage. Obviously some kids leave period. That might be like getting blood from
a turnip.

I just think it really sucks that someone can get a free ride and then bail.

Terry

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[Pat]

----- Original Message -----
From: <***@aol.com>
To: <***@tssi.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2003 9:28 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Curt Dukes explains why he left Nebraska


: I think this is an area the NCAA should step into. If a scholarship
athlete
: leaves for another university, maybe that school should reimburse the
losing
: school. Athletes going early to the pros should be forced to pay back some
: percentage. Obviously some kids leave period. That might be like getting
blood from
: a turnip.
:
: I just think it really sucks that someone can get a free ride and then
bail.

What exactly would the athletes be paying back? If they were only using
their scholarship for the duration of their time on the team, then why
should the school have to be re-imbursed?

[R***@aol.com]

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The othere side of the Dukes coin, and every other scholarship player, is
that scholarships are granted for one year. They're renewable, of course, but
not all of the scholarships are renewed. If you can't play, you may be out on
the street. It is widely rumored that certain football powerhouses routinely
do not renew scholarships for players who aren't ranked highly on the depth
chart.

Dukes stayed a year and a half. I'd say that he basically fulfilled any
obligation he had to the University for his scholarship.

Dick Beverage

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