Updated January 18, 2002
Lola Oshinowo (#96
O.J. Oshinowo)
As a parent of football player who went through the recruiting
"jungle" a year ago, my advice to the recruits is to do
everything you can to avoid letting the head coaching situation
affect your decision. Focus on what is important to you and your
future (a solid education and a good football program). Notre
Dame was one of the schools that tried to recruit my son, and our
living in the midwest made Notre Dame "attractive". Our
son chose Stanford. Why?
1. Stanford Football is one of the better programs in the
country regardless of the head coach, It is in the best athletic
program in the country. The team is solid with great, talented
student-athletes who can compete for a national championship
2. Stanford education is much better. How do I know? I have
worked at colleges for the past 20 years of my career. Do not let
anyone convince you that the quality of education at Notre Dame
is comparable to that at Stanford
3. Banking on having the same coaching staff throughout your
college football career is as good as banking on not having snow
in Alaska. Put your education and future first!! No one can
guarantee that TW will be at ND throughout the next football
season.
Try to make a wise decision. Good Luck!
Ted Royster (#30
Brandon Royster)
What the Stanford Cardinal means...
1. Excellence in Education
2. Excellence in Athletics
Short and simple phrases, that when properly applied, will
have a significant impact on your future. If you haven't
experienced it yet, you will find out that the only thing
constant in life is change. The keys to success include
one's ability to meet challenges and adjust to change. As
scholar athletes who have been drawn to and are considering
Stanford for a higher education environment, the foundation is in
place on which you can build. Consider the credentials of
the complete academic and athletic staff. Closely examine
the educational environment and offerings in a challenging
environment: award winning professors on the staff; the
Hoover Institute; access to Silicon Valley technological
resources; strong connections to government resources; and much,
much more. How can Stanford's offerings be applied to your
goals? What do you have to offer Stanford and those with
whom you will face the disciplines of a high caliber learning and
sports environment?
Every year the Stanford sports program for men and women
excels in baseball, basketball, football, golf,
volleyball... Student athletes come to Stanford to learn
and apply themselves in a dedicated environment filled with
resources and a supporting community.
Our mascot is a tree. To me that tree represents
knowledge, growth, wisdom and the ability to endure through the
years. As a proud parent with a son at Stanford, the best
advice that I can offer is, "Come! Be a part of it.
Add to the strong reputation, tradition of excellence and high
standing of Stanford's education and athletics programs."
Terry and Teri Leonard (#99
Matt Leonard)
To Stanford Recruits and their families:
Stanford Football can lose top recruits because of high
academic requirements. Frankly, we wouldn't have it any
other way. As the parents of a player
recruited by all the top schools in the country (including
Notre Dame and the Florida schools) our son chose Stanford because
of that reason. Stanford football represents the best
scholar/athletes in the country. The talent on Stanford's
team is as good as any in the country and is getting better with
every season. The surprising thing is that after being involved
with Stanford football for 4 years, we are now even more
impressed with the quality of the program than ever!
Stanford football is so much more than Mr.
Willingham. Stanford football will be great with or without
him. We have an exciting new head coach that was the coordinator
of one of the top offensive teams in the country.
With the continuity of Coach Tipton on defense, an injection of
new energy in the offense and an exceptional athletic talent
pool, we realistically see the potential for a conference if
not a National title. But beyond all that (and more importantly),
there is a level of dignity at Stanford that supercedes
football. Despite Stanford having the strictest admissions
requirements in Division 1 football, our son's teammates are
the young men that made that cut. These are the type of young
men we are thrilled to have our son associate with.
Remember parents: football players live, eat, train and
socialize with other football players. These top caliber
individuals would be your sons' peers. Excellence
builds on excellence. Without exception, when we tell
people we have a son at Stanford, eyes light up with
admiration and it will be that way for him the rest of his
life. Notre Dame and other schools take inordinate
pride in filling their stadiums but what good would that actually
do your son? (Besides, what else is there to do in
South Bend?! )
Best wishes on making the right decision... we know Matt
did.
Dean Anderson (#97
Mark Anderson)
Stanford has outdone itself again with the hiring of
Teevens. Soon we will be filled in on the rest of what will
be an outstanding staff. If you want to play wide-open,
Florida-style football, with a Stanford degree, then this is the
right choice for the next 4 to 5 years. If you love to play
defense, you will fit right in with the outstanding classes ahead
of you. Everything is falling into place for Stanford to be
a great team on both sides of the ball. All this in Div 1A
with a Stanford degree, great campus, unbeatable climate,
fantastic connections and a group of fellows unique in the ranks
of college football. Mark, my son, was contacted and/or
offered by more than seventy institutions, including the likes of
Princeton, Harvard, Miami, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Iowa,
Colorado, Clemson, Washington, Oregon and Stanford. We
visited many campuses, evaluated the academics and football from
top to bottom. In the end, the opportunity to play Div 1A
football at the #1 academic university made the decision obvious;
there are too many pluses, in addition to football, not to make
Stanford the choice.
More nationally recognized athletes (one in six) are present
on campus than at any other one in the nation. If you love
sports of all kinds, then only Stanford can satisfy your needs
(find out about the Sears trophy). Never forget, the
Stanford degree is available to a very very small pool of
athletes worldwide. When you're not playing football, you
can watch top-ranked men's and women's basketball, volleyball
(national champions), baseball (national champions), golf (Tiger
Woods loved Stanford), water polo (tops), etc. The list goes on
and on --- no other university can claim such laurels.
Remember, you can go anywhere else and be a football jock but,
at Stanford, you are one of many gifted athletes that will have a
degree from the #1 rated academic Div 1A institution in the
nation. However, if all you want is to play in the NFL,
then any of the 130 colleges will do. If you really do
pride yourself in academic abilities as well as football and are
included in that very small, very select few to be offered a
Stanford scholarship --- grab it !! Some are intimidated by
all that Stanford offers and should remember the words of the
bard, Shakespeare, "Our doubts are traitors that make us
lose the good we 'oft might win for fearing to
attempt." If you are one of the fortunate few to be
offered the opportunity to attend Stanford, grab it, hang on and
enjoy the ride!!!
George and Suzan Crochet (#86 Gerren Crochet)
Here is something positive about our welcoming experience
to Stanford: Our son Gerren Crochet arrived at Stanford as
a freshman in August 2001. His older brother Damien had
long left the football program under Willingham. We did not
expect to know any of the players and none of the
staff. Of course, Ty Willingham knew us and was the
first to greet us as we walked on the campus - three
days before the freshman were to arrive. His personal,
genuine style appeared to be unique and we did not expect
that Gerren would began to feel "at home" here until he
would get to know the other team members. There were at
least a dozen people that extended a genuine, warm welcome to
Gerren and to us. Here is just a sample of what we
experienced in the first two days:
- Coy Wire invited Gerren to play a pick-up game of touch
football with other team members.
- Track coach Vin Lananna just happen to be on the track as
we walked across it to our car when he welcomed
us to Stanford. Moments later, 6 to 7 track team
members came up to introduce themselves to Gerren.
Vin helped us connect with track coach Edrick Floreal
who has followed Gerren's football and track career.
- As we were leaving the track, we saw Pat
Dement. She invited us to join them at their home
for a visit. Just to make sure that we were not
breaking any NCAA rules, Pat contacted Dave Tipton to get
the rules. We met Bill and Pat Dement on the
recruiting trip in January. Pat and Bill are the
most wonderful folks that we have ever met!
- Of course, Dave Tipton, the football office staff
and several coaches took time to offer help. Ty
even took the time to recommend and give us directions to
the nearest rental car agency.
It seemed that everywhere we turned, someone was there to
welcome us or offer support -- and they were not being paid to do
it. It only took 24 hours and we knew that we were
"home."
Joe Faust (#32
Justin Faust)
Like the parent(s) of every Stanford
football student-athlete, I could write volumes on the recruiting
process and the ultimate selection of schools. Our sons were
highly sought after by the finest universities in our country.
They chose Stanford. Why?
Very early on they understood, with our
support and encouragement, the true value of education and high
achievement. Our young men, while excelling on the football
field, separated themselves from others of similar athletic
talent by committing to academic superiority. That academic
commitment provided them with an additional option when selecting
a college. That commitment to excellence allowed them to look for
something special in a college. Something more than an athletic
experience, but an experience the will positively endure a
lifetime.
Please don’t sell the football
experience short. In our three years with the program Stanford
has won a PAC-10 Championship, defeated national powers like the
University of Texas and Notre Dame, played in two bowls games
including its first Rose Bowl in nearly 30 years, and was
consistently ranked in the top 10 in the Bowl Championship Series
throughout most of the 2001 season. Stanford football is for real
and can successfully compete with any team in the country. But
there is more.
There is that something special that the
Stanford experience offers. That something special those Stanford
student-athletes earned the right to be part of by their
commitment off the field as well as on it. In all honesty, I will
tell you there is no perfect program. Your son will find
challenges in any situation. However, from our intimate
three-year relationship and viewing prospects for the future,
Stanford stands far superior to any other university.
Carl Stimson (#72
Dustin Stimson)
I was in the Home Depot on the day it was announced Coach
Willingham was headed to ND. My cell phone rang, it was my
son Dustin # 72.
"Dad, have you been watching ESPN
Sports?"
"No son, I'm at Home Depot."
"Coach Willingham is going to ND!"
Of course, my concern was how Dustin would take the
news. So I asked him, "how are you doing and how do
you feel about this?"
"I'm disappointed but remember what I said several years
ago when we discussed a possible coaching change during my time
at Stanford?"
Of course I did, but I was more comfortable knowing he
remembered his comments. When I asked him about committing
to Stanford, and there is always the possibility of Willingham
leaving, any concerns? He replied, "Dad, this is
Stanford, they'll get another great coach." Boy was I happy.
His position coach is headed to ND as well. But he feels
he'll need to make the most of an opportunity, and not have any
potential baggage with someone new.
I understand that Coach Willingham and the rest of the
departing staff will be at the football banquet on Sunday!
That shows everyone the quality of the coaches who are afforded
the opportunity to coach at such a GREAT university. As
parents of a student/athlete, we are very proud that our son
attends a university where education and development of young
people is given a higher value then just winning football games!
(Of course we want to win, but not by lowering our academic
standards).
Julie and Ed Culver (#56
Capp Culver)
Most asked question at home: "How could you let
your son go all the way from TX to CA to play football at
Stanford?" Our response was always: "Are
you kidding? Why wouldn't we?" Our son, Capp
Culver, a redshirt freshman linebacker, came to Stanford from a
rural town of 2,500 in the Panhandle of TX. Some of his
comments at the freshman dinner in Aug. were something like,
"I come from a place that has more oil wells than people and
more cattle than oil wells. We live 45 minutes away from
the closest Wal-Mart and McDonald's." Capp is the
oldest of our 3 children and comes from a very
value-oriented family and close-knit community. Sending
Capp to Stanford has probably been one of the easiest decisions
our family has ever reached. Here are a FEW
reasons we have been so pleased with Capp's decision.
#1 We have been so amazed at the kindness and support
shown to Capp and his fellow recruiting class by ALL of
the upperclassmen on the team. Their fellowship
together is much like a big family of brothers and it has touched
our hearts to see them welcome the new class into their ranks
with such genuine enthusiasm.
#2 The Stanford campus is unique because they do
not have a "jock dorm". Since the players live
with the regular student body in dorms all over campus their
freshman year, the players are able to form friendships outside
of their athletic circle which will further their networking upon
graduation.
#3 The biggest majority of the recruits that signed with
Stanford last year came for the same recruiting
weekend. They agreed they were all going to sign with
Stanford that weekend. They met the rest of their
group at the spring football game. They kept in touch
regularly before they all went out for freshman practice.
Together as one unit, they entertained and awed the supporters at
the freshmen dinner on the football field and cheered for each
other's highlight clips. They are all stars in their own
rights, but have joined together to light up the Stanford
campus. It is not easy to go from Friday Night Hero to
redshirt freshman, but these boys have sailed through it
TOGETHER. Watch for this class to blend in with the
already talented and seasoned players to take this Stanford
Cardinal Team to new heights. The new recruiting class will
do the same thing.
#4 The parents of this recruiting class have also
joined together well. Since so many of us live so far away
(Florida, Michigan, Georgia, TX, Montana, LA, CA,
Washington, etc), we have relied on each other to
"parent" all of the boys we could while we were
there. If we were at home on game day, one of the other set
of parents would call before, during, or after the game to
tell us they hugged our son's neck for us and took them
to eat or shop. We've called the other redshirt
freshmen's rooms to find our own sons and where we
found one, there were usually others. Coy Wire's
parents (and others) started the Stanford Football Parent's
Association and it has become a valuable source of
information. The older boys' parents have been
so generous with advice and helpful hints on how to
do the "football player parent thing". All
you need to do is ask.
#5 The academic staff is absolutely the best and they
offer every kind of academic support imaginable. All
of the boys worried about being able to "make their
grades" at Stanford, but they are all doing fine!
#6 The Stanford tailgate fans have been most hospitable
to this "trying to get it all figured out" group of
redshirt parents. We have crashed several table groups and
appreciate the generosity and friendliness in which we have been
greeted. We will be bringing some homegrown Texas beverages
and food to add to your refreshments next year. Many
thanks!
#7 The Stanford Coaches, Assistants, Trainers, and
office staff have all been wonderful. Ted Leland and his
wife have always been perfectly charming (and we especially like
the fact that they are partial to :) linebackers).
We wish ALL of the coaches that left the very best at
that "other" school (except when we play them of
course). We appreciate Capp's main recruiter, Coach Buzz
Preston, and thank him for the making that
"hard-to-make", tearful, and heartfelt phone call
to our family the day the story broke. Capp's only comment
after that news was that it was up to his redshirt class
to make sure the recruits had good recruiting
weekends. These are the guys they'll need to depend on to
help them reach their goals. The troops are ready!
#8 We are excited along with Capp and the other players
about Coach Buddy Teevens. Capp called and said ALL
of the players are pumped and ready to get to work with Coach
Teevens and have confidence in him that he will hire outstanding
assistants. We all need to be patient and positive while
they assemble the right combination of people to fill all of the
vacated positions.
In conclusion, let us add that Capp calls home frequently and
his calls have ALL been positive (not one down call since he
went out last July and he was only home for 10 days at
Christmas). How could his calls be
otherwise? He's at the most prestigious academic university
with a new and enthusiastic head coach (not forgetting to
mention Coach Tip and Mr. Weightman, Mark).
He's surrounded by the most outstanding and
multi-talented group of young men who also happen to be
dedicated football players for the Stanford Cardinal.
What more could any parent want for their son? We
hope to meet you at the Spring game or next year as we
follow Stanford. Go Cardinal!
Dr. Mike Heitmann (#75
Eric Heitmann)
So why Stanford? My son like so many of the others on the
team could have gone to any program in the country out of high
school. But he or we or whatever the case was chose
Stanford. There are a lot of reasons to do so and and be it
known to one and all there has never been an instant of regret
for having come to Stanford.
First of all the reputation that Stanford has attained for its
academic excellence is incomparable. For any recruit or his
parents not to understand that are falling way short in their
evaluation process. That reputation was not easily attained
nor maintained. It is to give great credit to the
generations that have preceeded my son at Stanford. It is
to the credit of the administrations prior to now, but most
importantly to the graduates and alumni that have made sure that
the value of their degree has appreciated . To me as a
parent, I am humbly thankful to you. For selfish reasons
alone it makes the time that my son has spent there more valuable
than any other place in the country.
Every parent needs to know that the football aspect of their
son's career is just one injury away from being over. To
not take that as a major factor in the evaluation process is very
shortsighted on a parent's part. The DEGREE from Stanford
is the ultimate insurance policy against that misfortune.
And along the same lines, the recruit should know that the
medical support staff that Stanford offers is the pinnacle of
excellence. I would like to publicly give my thanks to
those that have helped keep my baby boy going (all 305 pounds of
him). This is an important factor. All of these young
men think they are bullet proof and invincible. But they
can break and get injured. It is a comfort to know there
are people there that can and will repair them.
As far as our experience with the actual football
program, NO COMPLAINTS!!! The only promise Tyrone
Willingham made to us four years ago was that our son would get
an excellent education and if he played to his potential, honors
would befall him. That is all he would guarantee. I
asked how long he planned to stay at Stanford point blank at the
table one night and his response was that he currently had no
intentions of leaving. In my profession that is known as a
"doctor answer". That means there is wiggle
room. It means I am here for now, but
opportunities might arise that will have to be evaluated in the
future. It was as honest an answer as he could reasonably
have given.
Parents should know that, yes, you are coming because of
a head coach. But he is just a part of the equation.
You should be coming because of the program. The program
transcends the head coach or the position coach (of which
there have been four in four years in our case). The
program is what is important and the people behind the
program. All of those unsung heroes in the coach's office,
the equipment managers, the trainers, the medical staff, they are
the program's blood and guts.
But last and not least is the Stanford
Community. YOU are what makes the word STANFORD
so special. So forever more that name is affixed to my
son's: Eric Heitmann - Stanford.
Thanks to you all. It has been an enjoyable and
rewarding experience.
Brent Chambers (#67
Kirk Chambers)
We had several opportunities to visit various universities as
our son was recruited. I would just like to touch on a few of the
things that made the trip to Stanford so special for us and
ultimately led to our son’s choice to come to "The
Farm."
We felt that Stanford not only introduced us to the football
program, but to the entire university family. Stanford was the
only university we visited where it seemed to be almost expected
that the parents be a part of the trip. How graciously we were
treated, but at the same time great care was made so that the
visit was truly for our son. At various dinners that we attended,
place cards always directed us to where we should sit. Great care
was made in arranging for our son to sit with and meet people who
would play an important part in his Stanford education. We were
not only guests in the athletic department, we were also hosted
at the Faculty Club. We were introduced to faculty members in
whose programs our son had an interest, it became evident that
the faculty members we met had taken the time to become
acquainted with our son’s interests. I particularly remember
one professor congratulating our son for attaining the rank of
eagle scout and then following up by asking him some questions
about his high school and community activities outside of
football.
In the evening as the recruits were hosted by teammates, we as
parents were invited in groups of 4 or 6 as dinner guests to the
homes of several professors. What a pleasant evening we had at
Prof. Bob Simoni’s home. Even today we look forward to
seeing him at Stanford activities. He and his wife were so
charming and friendly and we could see that our son would be
instructed by very fine people, people who not only were experts
in their fields, but caring individuals who would have a genuine
interest in our son not only as an athlete, but also as a
student.
Yes, the coaching staff and their interest in our son did play
a big role, but we were equally impressed by the invigorating,
positive atmosphere that we experienced from the entire
university family. We have discovered through the years that this
great environment was not the creation of some great PR person in
the football office. Stanford has truly proven to be the great
university that we were so graciously introduced to through our
son’s visit.
Our son has really enjoyed his football experience at
Stanford, but the fine education that he is receiving will become
even more important than the football experiences as the years go
by. In accepting an invitation to attend Stanford, he signed not
to play football for a specific coach or at a specific position,
in reality he made a decision that will lead to positive lifelong
benefits.
We would advise any prospective player and his parents to
carefully weigh the advantages of a football career as well as an
educational adventure on "The Farm."
Sabrina Lovelady (#91
Michael Lovelady)
I know literally nothing about football, sports programs or
the particulars of any one Division I program, but I do know my
son. My son and his future were my only concern during the
recruiting process. Recruiting is hard on families: the
possibilities seem endless; everyone loves your son; according to
the coaches, he is the greatest. What a heady experience! My son
is a wonderful football player, but even more so, he is a
wonderful young man that needs the best opportunities to complete
his arduous journey toward manhood. Stanford has proven, from the
moment we stepped on campus, that my faith in them was justified.
Trust me, I loved TW and the staff, but more importantly, I loved
the fact that his education would not be compromised - that he is
regarded as more than just a player.
Parents, trust your instincts. My son was ready to commit
after every visit, he loved every coach, every program, every
campus we visited. It took all my "mama" powers to
persuade him to look beyond the great parties, coaches and other
heady incentives (cute girls) to more practical matters. What
really matters is if he would still feel excited about being at
the university during those long days after football season ends,
or heaven forbid, if he had to sit out due to injury. (I kept
reminding my son we are from TEXAS, you hate the cold !) Yes, the
coaching staff matters, but what really matters is that despite
the upheaval of the past several weeks, my son could not wait to
go back to Stanford. That is what I wanted for my only child.
Football glory will be his, but in the process there is a lot he
needs to learn about himself and his capabilities. I can tell you
without a shadow of a doubt that Stanford will provide him those
opportunities.
Ron & Shawna Blackhurst (#55 Cooper Blackhurst)
We have watched with astonishment and incredulity the
happenings of the past few days and weeks. It seemed as
though everything was in an uproar and that everything was
unsettled. We were concerned for the program and the
future, and we were very concerned for our son and for his future
at Stanford. We have now been able to see that there is
truly someone at the helm who knows how to take charge and make
decisions in the best interest of the University, the athletic
program, and the football team. Ted Leland is that man and
we salute him and congratulate him for his strength and courage
under fire. We are as excited about the football program at
Stanford as we have ever been and know that there is still the
feeling of solidarity to which we have become accustomed.
We appreciate and applaud the choice of coach Teevens and will
support him and his new program with all our hearts. Although we
will miss Coach Willingham and his staff, we feel confident that
the Stanford football team will continue its tradition of
excellence.
Omobola Wusu (#46
Timi Wusu)
In all things, we should give praise to God. We thank God for
these children of ours that are precious gifts from God. We thank
God for the gathering of these wonderful children to this
wonderful place called Stanford. We also thank God for all those
people that have influenced them from elementary to this point in
their lives, and for more people to come in the future.
Definitely, Tyrone Williingham has done his part. He had
made his own mark on them. To that, we should cheer for him.
For his leaving, we should rejoice with him because this is a
great chance for him. To us, it is an abrupt change. To him, it
is a miraculous blessing!
I was at the Football Banquet for the graduating seniors and
other players. Tyrone and his colleagues came back to honor our
children. I was there to witness it.
This is a new chapter in our kids' lives, and we thank
God for bringing more positive individuals to their lives. At the
Banquet, I asked most of the players about their new coach. In
fact, each and every one answered me with big bright smiles in
their faces -- "He is very good. We love him." That's
what really matters. All things work together for good to them
that love God.
Welcome Coach Buddy Teevens to the wonderful Stanford family!
Jeri Lee (#94
Austin Lee)
I just finished reading the heartfelt letters from parents of
Stanford football players. I found my own sentiments echoed
over and over. There have been nothing but positives about
Austin's 5 years at Stanford. He has the most wonderful
friends whom I feel are now my "other sons." I
cried my eyes out at the banquet, not for the end of Austin's
career at Stanford, which was wonderful for him and us, but for
the kids we love that I wouldn't be seeing, and the coaches we
grew to love who were moving far away.
We have several friends who have sons who just finished up
their football careers at other universities, and they have not
had an experience anything like ours at Stanford. Their
sons had to play with injuries that wouldn't be allowed on the
field at Stanford. The coaches were not friendly to parents
and the boys were just players, not treated personally, with
their feelings considered. Some will not graduate from
these other programs, and the football program cares little after
the years of eligibility are over. That simply does not
happen at Stanford. Also, as a coach said at the banquet,
"There are no four a.m. calls at home when you coach at
Stanford." That means a lot to me as a parent.
The boys really stick together and take care of each other.
They will remain life-long friends and their coaches will always
be there for them, even if they are no longer on the Farm.
What better testimony can we give the Stanford football
program than our well educated, well rounded, successful
sons. They will always be a credit to the university and to
their families. It just doesn't happen in the other
institutions like it happens at Stanford. We are so glad
Austin chose Stanford, and that we were allowed the privilege to
tag along for the ride!
If you are a parent or relative of a
Stanford football student-athlete, and would like to contribute
your comments to this collection, please email to me97@thebootleg.com