Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 31, 1990 TAG: 9007310176
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: ASHEVILLE, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
"This system of `testing the waters' is just going to encourage more and more players to enter the draft," argued Greg Aiello, director of communications for the NFL.
Aiello was part of a panel that included ACC Commissioner Gene Corrigan, Clemson football coach Ken Hatfield, Virginia quarterback Shawn Moore and agent Richard Howell.
The NFL, which for years had not allowed underclassmen to enter the free-agent draft except under the most extreme circumstances, this year revised its policy to allow juniors to pass up their final season of eligibility.
"The NFL wants college players to stay in school," Aiello said. "We're paying it more than lip service, but, also, we must live in the real world.
"In the real world, the other professional sports leagues have far less restrictive policies. Their rules were legally stricken down by the courts.
"In the real world, the NFL is unlikely to successfully defend a lawsuit. . . . In the real world, the last couple of years we've been forced to make many, many exceptions."
Aiello noted that, in 1989, there were 25 underclassmen who were made eligible for the NFL draft. This year, after first-year commissioner Paul Tagliabue changed the policy, there were 38 underclassmen.
Only 18 of the underclassmen were drafted.
"Personally, I'm glad to see the underclassmen being able to sign early and play in the NFL," Corrigan said. "Having said this, I look with sadness at the players who were not drafted and wonder, `How did this happen?'
"You look at Dennis Scott [in basketball] and after much study it was determined he would be in the top three picks. The comparison is with Major Harris [of West Virginia], who might have been a candidate for the Heisman Trophy."
Harris was drafted in the 12th round by the Oakland Raiders, "but," said Copeland, "we've got to find a way for a player to enter the draft and find out what his value is before he signs with an agent."
Corrigan said he had discussed the issue with NCAA executive director Dick Schultz, who had expressed some support for a policy similar to that used by baseball, in which players who have been drafted may retain their eligibility if they do not sign by Sept. 1.
"I don't think we could do it at such a late date," said Hatfield, expressing a common complaint of coaches. "If the process could be speeded up somewhat, fine."
Shannon Higgins, North Carolina's All-America soccer player, and Clarkston Hines, Duke's record-setting wide receiver, were honored Monday as women and men athletes of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
by CNB