Football: Bellotti responds to St. Bonny controversy

Hours after St. Bonaventure football Coach Todd Therrien criticized Oregon recruiters for withdrawing a scholarship offer to defensive back Xavier Ramos after Ramos made a commitment to the Ducks, Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti responded Monday with a statement from the school.

"We acknowledge this is an unfortunate aspect of recruiting and always feel bad for any feelings that are hurt," Bellotti said. "Another young man committed to us earlier at the same position and we didn't feel we could accept both of them.

"There were breakdowns in communication resulting in the situation not handled as we would have preferred. We always feel it is best to notify all parties involved of our intentions early while they still have options to pursue other opportunities rather than wait until February when their options are limited."

Ramos committed after receiving a written offer from the Ducks. Therrien said earlier Oregon recruiters were no longer welcome on the Ventura campus.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Comments

[Oregon Fan]

Well, that was a hard lesson in business. The early bird gets the worm and looks like somebody sat on their offer too long.

Lesson: If you're a HS recruit, don't think, take your offer ASAP.

Read this: http://theducksnetwork.yuku.com/topic/2454/master/1/?page=1

[Tom]

Coach Therrien, you now have learned about the sleazy University of Oregon football program that many of the rest of us already know about.

Tom

[James Gossett]

"Our kids, when they commit, they commit," Therrien said.

Interesting quote. Congrats to St. Bonny kids for staying with the school they verbally commit to. (Who was the kids that verbally committed to UCSB but then changed his mind when UCLA came knocking?) We all know it happens all the time when kids verbally commit and then change their mind.

By the way. Didnt the running back "commit" to a different high school and then transfer? Maybe that is a different type of commitment and doesn't apply in this situation.

[Spencedogg]

I just absolutely love the comedy of comments on a LA based blog calling another football program sleazy.

I guess fans based in the city of LA, home of Reggie Bush, OJ Mayo, the handicap placard scandal at UCLA, ect, know a LOT about sleazy when they see it.

[St. Bonnie Dad]

Ya , who were the kids that commited to UCSB then went to UCLA?

[OC Fan]

The UCSB - UCLA thing was from a couple of years ago. A basketball player had verballed to play for UCSB, but the Howland wanted the player and the player took back the verbal and went to UCLA instead.

[Tfactor]

each school recruits 20 to 25 players each year looking at oregon roster they may have to many players at the postion ramos is slated to play.If a player isn't a versetile player coaches might look another way meaning the coaching staff wouldn't offer a scholarship to that player
if he has no potential of playing. I think this could be one of many reason the offer was recinded. Good luck to Ramos in sure there are others looking for players at his postion.