"Knighted"/Game Ready Players-Updated April 20

[Knight Shift]

As of April 20:
Anthony Cioffi (S)
Darius Hamilton (DT)
Sebastian Joseph (DT)
Vance Matthews (WR)
----
Derrick Nelson (C)
Julian-Pinnix-Odrick (DT)
Trey Sneed (RB)
----
Quanzell Lambert (DE)
Greg Jones (OLB)
Robert Martin (RB)
Dorian Miller (OG)

 

[knight82]

Will be interesting to see who the first "knighted" quarterback will be

 

[RUsojo]

Is it bad not to knight the captains first? I guess it doesn't matter.

 

[Knight Shift]

 

[redlight123]

Silly process. What is this a pop Warner team.

 

[PaKnight]

Silly process. What is this a pop Warner team.

Is OSU?

 

[KnightsofChrome]

Silly process. What is this a pop Warner team.

No, what it does is creates and maintains a high level of competition, as well as continued pride among the players. The accomplishment of becoming "game ready," reinforces the notion of winners, which is something this program desperately needs.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Silly process. What is this a pop Warner team.

It's a fantastic process. You've got to earn your status and only our position coach can "present" you, to the HC, for the reward. You think a kid isn't going to bust his ass even harder if guys in his group are getting "knighted" and he's not?

 

[RUchip]

At first I was iffy. However, I like it as others says it makes everyone better.

 

[RUich]

Can someone be "unknighted"?

 

[_dave_]

Other teams do different ceremonial things. For example Nebraska has the black shirts that are given as rewards to people who earn a starting position on defense. Other teams give out stickers for good deeds. This is just a system to reward student athletes for doing everything that has been asked and more. On and off the field.

 

[Captain Hogleg]

Silly process. What is this a pop Warner team.

College is always a rah-rah kind of thing. It's part of what fans of the game like. The band, the pageantry, the traditions, hokey cheers, etc... If you don't like that then there is the NFL for stale, cookie cutter business first environment.

 

[beaced]

Being "KNIGHTED" is far better than staying "BEKNIGHTED".

 

[Dpgru]

Can someone be "unknighted"?

The way Ash seems to thrive on the competition thing as a motivational factor I believe that black could be back on their helmet in a heartbeat. Don't be surprised to find out that once "knighted" the expectations will be raised and they will be held to a higher standard of performance. Hope it all produces results.

 

[Abro1975]

The media is being kept very much in the dark. Kind of interesting.

 

[Rokodesh]

Can someone be "unknighted"?

they'd have to fail freshman level electives or burglarize college ave

 

[DHajekRC84]

at Temple they give you a Jersey with a single digit number. Even more prestigious since limited to 9 or 10 players. (can you wear a zero in College Football?)

 

[newwavedave1]

The media is being kept very much in the dark. Kind of interesting.

One week of practice under a new coaching staff should not produce many "headlines".

 

[knight82]

they'd have to fail freshman level electives or burglarize college ave

Or not show up for Dance Appreciation class. And Ash ain't meeting the professor in Princeton

 

[Knight Shift]

Or not show up for Dance Appreciation class. And Ash ain't meeting the professor in Princeton

Another positive thread turns negative.

 

[We Are RU]

I like this idea but I think it would be better to save it for the summer when you want the intensity to be flying high as the season nears. If a guy is Knighted now, by the time the season rolls around the honor would have worn off a bit.

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

If they suck can they demote them back down to black stripe?

 

[LC-88]

I like this idea but I think it would be better to save it for the summer when you want the intensity to be flying high as the season nears. If a guy is Knighted now, by the time the season rolls around the honor would have worn off a bit.

Maybe they get promoted to Lord of the Realm.

 

[LC-88]

Other teams do different ceremonial things. For example Nebraska has the black shirts that are given as rewards to people who earn a starting position on defense. Other teams give out stickers for good deeds. This is just a system to reward student athletes for doing everything that has been asked and more. On and off the field.

"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon." - Napoleon

 

[Rokodesh]

Or not show up for Dance Appreciation class. And Ash ain't meeting the professor in Princeton

 

[wheezer]

Other teams do different ceremonial things. For example Nebraska has the black shirts that are given as rewards to people who earn a starting position on defense. Other teams give out stickers for good deeds. This is just a system to reward student athletes for doing everything that has been asked and more. On and off the field.

---------
my dentist puts a sticker on my shirt if I behave in the dentist chair

 

[KevH]

Silly process. What is this a pop Warner team.

As an army veteran, I strongly disagree. Ritual and symbolism can be found everywhere in the military, and they go a long way in motivating the troops and inspiring confidence and pride. Awards, medals, the stripes and insignia that represent your rank... they all mean something and are instantly recognizable to your fellow soldiers. Without using words, they speak volumes about your experience, your accomplishments, your drive and dedication. When you see someone wearing a certain badge or emblem, you pretty much know what they had to go through to earn it. It's no coincidence that some of the most successful organizations in the world, from the Boy Scouts to the U.S. Army itself, use this type of symbolism. That's what I'm reminded of when I see black stripes on the helmets and the ritual of being "knighted". It gives every player something to strive for... like graduating boot camp.

 

[redlight123]

Thanks for your service to our country.
This is a football team which I cannot compare to military service or providing protection for our great nation. I would think the players should already be motivated to improve based on past performance of the fall team.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

I like the idea a lot. Besides, one would hope almost all of the upperclassmen will earn this honor before the freshman arrive for summer camp.

 

[newell138]

Silly process. What is this a pop Warner team.

Said the guy who was used to getting a trophy just for being on the team.

 

[ScarletCrimson]

This is the new coach's tactic. Not original or groundbreaking but a part of his style. Nothing to see here folks, would you prefer ice tub dance parties?

 

[redlight123]

How about the no nonsense adult approach. You are a 1st team starter or not. no fantasy land knighting crap.

 

[MadRU]

its motivational, no issue with this at all.

 

[miketd1]

How about the no nonsense adult approach. You are a 1st team starter or not. no fantasy land knighting crap.

Can you name a college football team that takes such an approach?

As a point of reference, the last two national champions are famous for their helmet stickers.

And even Saban has his players doing Pilates, theater appreciation, and karate...

 

[OntheBanks]

---------
my dentist puts a sticker on my shirt if I behave in the dentist chair

So did mine when I was a kid but I never got one.
I always got thrown out of the office and told never come back.

 

[RUich]

Players all need some kind of recognition by the coaches that they are considered valuable to the team. I am reminded of the story of Marcus DuPree with Switzer not giving him much of any even though he was shredding defenses. It was the major reason he left that program.
I also totally agree with the opinion above about the military's use of this as a motivational tool. Those ribbons on their chest mean something to the rest of the military and they get respect from the people they want it from the most. The fact that our highest honor even carries with it the very real possibility that the wearer will be saluted by higher ranking personnel is pretty big. Every player on any team wants the coaches and his team mates to recognize his efforts. I like it.

• "Although not required by law or military regulation,[104] members of the uniformed services are encouraged to render salutes to recipients of the Medal of Honor as a matter of respect and courtesy regardless of rank or status, whether or not they are in uniform.[105] This is one of the few instances where a living member of the military will receive salutes from members of a higher rank."

 

[joshk ru03]

How about the no nonsense adult approach. You are a 1st team starter or not. no fantasy land knighting crap.

Which would make sense if the players were all adults and professionals, but they are not. Motivation is one major aspect this team has lacked in past years, as well as accountability. So far it seems by the players reactions, that the endless motivation and accountability that this coaching staff has brought with them has been welcomed and beneficial.

 

[DHajekRC84]

my wife must have read this thread. I noticed a bunch of stickers on her night stand last night... :sunglasses:

 

[pmvon]

Are people really arguing about this crap? Some of you need a life.

Stick to your own profession and let Ash do his job.

 

[RM60]

How about the no nonsense adult approach. You are a 1st team starter or not. no fantasy land knighting crap.

Really? Seems to work at TOSU. What type of motivation techniques worked best on the College national championship team you played for or coached?