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College Football/Walk-ons and making the cut

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Expert: Vic Winnek - 6/28/2009


Question
Vic,
Currently I am in Afghanistan with the Marines as a Hospital Corpsman. My true passion is playing college football once I leave the military in 2012 at 26 years old. Im hungry for the oppertunity to walk on to any Texas, Florida or California NCAA DIV 1A team. I know the work I am going to have to put into the gym and field time; however I was hoping to know how can I get more exposure to these teams. For instance can I attend combines, write the coaches and or show up and hound them? I am willing to do anything short of stalking these guys to show case my determination and skill. Will the GI Bill (assuming your privy to the GI BILL)benefit me as a walk-on and is my age going to be a factor?
Thanks for your time Vic.
-Patrick

Answer
Patrick
Thanks for the question and thank you for serving our country!  And thanks for caring for our men and women in Afghanistan.

First, Age is not necessarily a factor [there are some NCAA rules where age 25 is a limiting age, but the school's Compliance officer and assist you with waiver and appeals for eligibility given your military service].

Your age, maturity, sense of team, leadership skills and physical Conditioning will offer programs a unique asset. You need to stress this to coaches when you write to them and talk to them.  These will be great marketing skills for you!

You know exactly what to do already, you need to contact the football programs you are interested, I'd start now. Let them know you are a Marine deployed to Afghanistan that you will be discharged in 2012 and that you are interested [hungry for the opportunity to walk-on to their team].

You will need to apply to the colleges as well but hold off until 18 months or so before you are ready to enroll.  The schools can tell you best when to apply.

My advice is don't limit yourself to schools in FL, TX or CA at the D-1A level.  

If playing college football is your passion look at other states and other Division such as D-1AA (FCS); D-II or D-III.  Don't be afraid to contact coaches and market yourself.

Unfortunately the GI Bill is outside my expertise, but I suspect it would benefit school as it should be a guaranteed source of tuition that wouldn't affect the school's endowment funds.

Keep me posted on your progress.

Vic Winnek
NCAA Football Official

College Football

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Vic Winnek

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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

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