A story about a high school junior taking a recruiting visit to North Dakota State mentioned that he was already holding an offer from Dartmouth. But that wasn't what really caught my attention and sent me to his Twitter, where I found this:
Blessed to announce I’ve received my 1st Ivy League offer from Dartmouth 🌲 #TheWoods pic.twitter.com/wAYo8Cs5gs
— Kelby Azure (@kelby_azure) March 31, 2021
What got my attention was that Kelby Azure plays nine-man football at Hatton-Northwood High School, which listed just 24 players on its most recent roster. Also catching my eye in a different story about the high school junior was this (LINK):
College recruiters are mixed about where Azure, at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, should play in college. Some schools have said offensive line or defensive line, while others have talked about tight end or fullback.
Say what you will about nine-man football in North Dakota, Azure is an athlete. He earned all-region recognition in basketball and made it to states in golf.
The talented athlete from a school that couldn't field an 11-man team reminds me of the story of former Dartmouth linebacker Lyle Campbell '04, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker who played six-man football at Gordon High School in Texas. Campbell was member of the U.S. Navy All-America first team for six-man football and I remember then-assistant coach Pat O'Leary telling me for a recruiting story in his best Staten Island voice, he wasn't sure where the high school quarterback-linebacker-punter would end up playing but "He's a football player," and they'd find a place for him.
Campbell ended up at linebacker, making 73 tackles as a senior (second on the team) and earning honorable mention All-Ivy League honors in his final year.
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In case you got a little thirsty reading yesterday's note about former longtime Dartmouth opponent Holy Cross selling beer at football games next fall, fear not. Holy Cross may not be on the schedule this year but New Hampshire is, and the state university has a Beer Garden of its own at its beautiful new stadium. Among the rules (LINK):
* Opens when stadium gates open, and beer service ends at conclusion of third quarter
* Each patron must have a game ticket, but there is no additional cost for admittance
* Open to all fans 21-and-over with valid identification
* All guests will be required to display valid I.D. upon entry, with no exceptions
* Capacity will be limited to 430 people
* No alcoholic beverages may be taken into or removed from the premises
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You had to know it was coming.
Colleges may not be happy about Name, Image and Likeness but that isn't stopping them from finding a way to use it on the recruiting trail. To that end "Arizona Edge," "Buffs with a Brand," and "OSU Elite" are among the initiatives being set up to show high school athletes they can capitalize best on their NIL at Arizona, Colorado or Oklahoma State. Read a story headlined Amid uncertainty, schools prepare for paid athlete endorsers HERE.
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EXTRA POINT
Our local daily had a story yesterday about Hanover High School honoring a beloved teacher for 60 years of service. And at 83, social studies teacher Bill Murphy has no thoughts about leaving the classroom. (LINK)
I was a young sportswriter at the paper back when "Murph" was Hanover girls softball coach and it didn't take me long to realize the Wesleyan grad with a master's in education from Harvard and a Mel Tormé-like velvet fog voice was an uncommonly gentle man.
I clearly remember a play at second base during a game I was covering where the field umpire made an egregious call against Hanover. Murph bounded onto the infield to object and I'm not sure who was more surprised to find him out at second base – all of us who knew him, the umpire, or the man himself.
Alas, he didn't pick up the base and throw it into the outfield. He didn't kick dirt on the umpire. And he didn't swear. Far from it.
Nope. Murph shouted "Indeed."
Having had said his piece, he spun around and returned to the bench.
