Most of us are only cut out to be middle infielders.
Because they will take the entire Univ. of Michigan student body to Rome. (I think...)
Alabama doesn't have to resort to gimmicks like this. We get millions of dollars in free publicity without leaving Tuscaloosa county.I think it gives them an unfair advantage in recruiting, at least until August. Not against schools like us, but smaller schools with lesser budgets.
I'll say it again, I think we need to fly up to Michigan and have our spring practice in Ann Arbor. And we need to call ESPN and CBS sports, and get 90 million dollars of free publicity!
This! The same thoughts passed through my mind. It may be that Harbaugh just isn't familiar with international travel and the requirements. Anyway, with a name like "Harbaugh," shouldn't he be taking them to Ireland? Probably a lot more of them are part Irish...
Just wait. Saban will figure out a way to milk all kinds of publicity for our program, using this trip.
You really think they are flying to Rome coach class? Charter flight over and back - guaranteed. Moderate class hotels in Rome are about $350 a day. The charter sight seeing tours are probably $50k plus a day & $50 a day to feed them is a pipe dream. They will all eat $50 dinners - then add lunch & breakfast. My guess is they spend close to a million.
Didn't think about this but there are a few NFL players that have not been able to make the London trips for "personal reasons" (I read that as would not be allowed in because of some legal issues"). Wonder if everyone has a passport already? Doubt it since the NFL has issues with that.
TBF, I would be amazed if any of them had a passport. They'd better start applying now...
It took Georgia Tech 6 months to a year to prepare to play in Ireland this year. My son is a manager for the football team. It was a logistical nightmare in so many ways. There is no way the preparation for this Rome trip just started. They've been working on it for months. There are a ton of Customs issues, passport issues, paperwork, etc... I feel bad for the people that have to make all this happen.
The coaches can tell the recruits "If you sign with us you will be going to Rome for spring practice" (or London, Bermuda, Tokyo). To a 17 y/o that sounds awesome. I know some staffs recruit that way when they have a game at Hawaii. I have a strong suspicion a rule will be put in place shortly after the trip and it should be an incredibly broad ruling since Harbaugh is figuring out ways to play the system.
