You are here:

College Football/walk on to football team

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/9/2008


Question
Hello Vic,

I was recently thinking about trying to walk onto the University of Delaware's football team. I come from an athletic background, I used to run track at Delaware.I feel that I have the skills and athletic ability to excel on the college football level and potentially further with some training. I have no formal football training except for flag football leagues and regular tackle games. I am twenty one years old 6'3 190lbs.  My forty time is a 4.4 and I have great hands. Do you think if I put in the work would I be able to walk on?

Answer
Jason
The simple answer is yes.  I encourage any athlete who has the skill and desire to play a sport to pursue it.  You stated you "used to run track at Delaware"  This started the eligibility clock so you must check with your school's compliance officer to see if you still have eligibility to play.  The next thing to do is to contact the football office as I am sure you are aware and asked to be considered as a walk on this Spring.

I think if I put in the work you will be able to get a chance to walk on and how you perform in the Spring and Summer will determine if you stay on the team.
Best of luck to you.
Victor Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Vic Winnek

Expertise

Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

Experience

24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

Organizations
Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee

Publications
Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review

Education/Credentials
BA USC 1987
JD UWLA School of Law 1996
3 Years Reno Football Officials Clinic
4 Years UCLA Football Officials Camp Big 12 Mini Clinic NFL Grass Roots Clinic Aloha Clinic, Honolulu, HI West Coast Alliance Clinic

Awards and Honors
NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.