August 1, 2008
Ohio Revokes Elofson’s Scholarship Offer
gPrep has learned that Ohio University is apparently reneging on a scholarship offer to Hopkins’ incoming senior Kara Elofson. You’ll recall back in January, gPrep reported Elofson verbaled with the Bobcats for a full-ride basketball scholarship. On Friday, August 1st, Ohio contacted Elofson’s parents with its reversal, despite a promise that her scholarship would be honored by the incoming coaching staff. The news comes, as the basketball summer recruiting season is coming to an end, and Elofson has already turned down other college scholarship offers. Attempts to reach Bobcats Head Coach Semeka Randall were unsuccessful. Elofson averages nine points and eight rebounds per game. She is assigned the toughest defensive assignment, always guarding the other team’s best player. If there are any colleges still looking for great a player, Elofson is available.
submitted by Erica on Saturday, August 02, 2008 at 22:27:54 message: I think thats horrible! THat shouldnt be allowed. Shes such a good player, and already turned down other offers.
submitted by mike on Sunday, August 03, 2008 at 22:12:27 message: It is bad, but in a sad way, at least she found out what lack of loyalty and character they have now, instead of being stuck on the bench. It is late, but here's hoping she catches on somewhere better.
submitted by bkh on Sunday, August 03, 2008 at 17:46:19 message: Absolutely no integrity. She still has time and it probably better since the incoming coaching staff do not believe in her.
submitted by AM on Sunday, August 03, 2008 at 15:56:06 message: One of the best kids I have ever coached. Kara plays her best in the biggest games. Ohio's loss will be another schools gain.
submitted by Brian on Sunday, August 03, 2008 at 23:48:34 message: I feel that by being a new coaching staff they had the option to get out of their commitment to Kara in May and decided against it. Trying to get out of it in August is a decision made by a very inexperienced coaching staff and inexcusable. By doing this to a person like Kara Elofson says something about Semeka Randall's commitment to kids, and should be considered strongly when looking at playing collegiate basketball.
submitted by JS on Monday, August 04, 2008 at 11:52:21 message: Ohio has been recruiting our state for a while now. As long as Semeka Randall is there, don't bother coming back. Ohio should have been honest back in May and told her they were going to evaluate the kids who already verballed. I feel for Elofson.
submitted by Robert N on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 at 15:45:12 message: I think some people forget how many kids change their minds on their verbals and how many players transfer out after one or two years. It is ok for them to change their minds but not the new coach? Part of the business. She (Ellofson) has time to make another decision. You can't tell me Ohio was the only school after her.
submitted by MI on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 at 21:25:38 message: You always hear the girls being told "pick the school, not the coach". Well, it seems to me the school offered a scholarship and then reneged on it. Doesn't make any difference what the reason was, change in coach or whatever, Ohio U made on offer, it was accepted, then they reneged on it. I think it was made worse by waiting so long to take it away but in my opinion taking it away at anytime is dishonest - Ohio U's word is meaningless and it's obvious they don't know the meaning of the word commitment.
submitted by Mary on Wednesday, August 06, 2008 at 13:15:29 message: While it is disappointing that Ohio withdrew their offer to Elofson I don't believe it is unfair. The decision should have been made back in May and that was the big issue. In the long run both parties are better off. As a parent I want my daughter to be in a program that believes in her vs. one that does not.
submitted by Jim on Wednesday, August 06, 2008 at 18:08:43 message: If schools are going to offer verbally rather than wait until a written offer can be made, they should have the integrity to stand behind their word. The coaching change makes no difference, as the coach is a representative of the school. As our children become adults we must teach them not to trust people or institutions without a track record of honesty and integrity. Kara has my respect and encouragement to prove that Ohio University made an error in basketball judgement in addition to the obvious ethical error.
submitted by Zoli H on Wednesday, August 06, 2008 at 23:36:37 message: The player I feel for is Tina Fisher. Fisher is a stand-up kid, but she's stuck committed to an OU coaching staff that has no integrity and has purposely screwed over her AAU teammate. Oh wait, since Ohio U's word does not mean a thing, why should Fisher honor her verbal to Ohio? Tina, start entertaining offers from other schools again and on NLI signing day, when you sign with a school other than Ohio, call Semeka's athletic director and let him know the news.
submitted by ellen w on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 11:47:25 message: It's a lesson for all that college athletics is a business, and should be treated as such. Coaches are looking out for THEIR future first, and will do what is in THEIR best interest. Coaches promise playing time and on and on....Most parents are really naive when it comes to D-1 sports.
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