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Expert: - 6/27/2010


Question
QUESTION: I live in Australia and still in high school (senior year) i just turned 18 and i been playing AFL and gridiron here, can a get in Div 1 college teams etc (LSU,USC,TEXAS LONGHORNS) i really want to play football in USA.

ANSWER: Matt
I am familiar with the Australian Grid Iron - excellent program and great people involved with it.  Playing college football is part of the college experience - remember those playing NCAA or NAIA football are student-athletes - Students first.  So to play at one of the schools you listed you need to apply to their admissions department and meet the academic requirements, next you have to have the athletic ability to play football.  If you do, I suggest you write to the coach explain your desire and ask to walk on or ask how you can apply for a scholarship.  You need to establish contact with them directly and apply for admission to the school.  There are many other fine football programs at other colleges through out the US.  You might want to consider a Division III, II or Div 1 FCS (the old 1-AA) school.  There is a gentleman in Melbourne, Australia who plays Grid Iron football and runs a Kicking Camp who might be a good contact for you - John Smith.  His contact info is

john@prokickaustralia.com

I suggest you apply to the schools now, write to the coaches and e-mail John Smith.  He lives in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia currently plays for one of the teams there and is a former NFL kicker.  He would be a great contact for you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks mate so i couldnt get into any of the teams .. could i try out for Wide reciever or can i just play as a kicker

Answer
College teams are always looking for good players.  But you have to remember that a college football player is a student first then an athlete.  You can't just try out for a team without going through the school's admission process first.

Once you apply to a school make sure you write the coaching staff and let them know what position you want to try out for and make sure you continue to follow up with them.  Special teams players (i.e. punters, place kickers, drop kickers, snappers) are sought after.  You are free to try out for what ever position you like.

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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.

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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

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