Going to church with recruits?

Did Auburn establish a new trend? Mark Richt is going to church with state’s No. 1 football recruit | AJC College Sports Recruiting

I would love to hear from previous collegiate SAs on this issue. Personally, I'm not sure how I would feel about someone who was recruiting me coming to my church, as the whole reason (supposedly) to go to church is to worship God, but they are there to recruit me. Then there's this in regards to Muschamp's visit:

"And the collection plate was equally surprised".

Unbelievable.

I get what you're saying, the church should be a sacred place without agendas (like getting an 18 yr old to come play football for your school!). Hey, if the NCAA allows it, and it's to your advantage, why not?

What I don't get is how uneven the NCAA policy is. A few years ago, UGA signed a kid that was valedictorian of his class. Richt said if he did end up being valedictorian, he would attend the recruit's graduation ceremony to hear the speech. The NCAA ended up saying he couldn't do that, so Richt wasn't allowed to go in the end. Huh? The kid already signed his LOI to come to UGA, what does it really matter? That's the kid's future coach that wants to attend to show support for a kid's hard work in the classroom (I mean, the point of college is an education, right?), but they have no problem with coaches going to a kid's church BEFORE they're signed to go to a specific college? Pretty ridiculous application of bylaws...

Originally Posted by tp jones

"And the collection plate was equally surprised".

Is anyone else seeing the resemblance to Cam Newton's dad's church here? How does the NCAA prohibit personal "donations" to establishments that have connections to recruits? Very easily the recruit's family or whatever can be "supported" through the "mission" of a church or something. The slippery slope is damn steep here. Does Richt now try to one-up as the plate is passed to buy his recruit?

Originally Posted by srschirm

We all know Coach Paul Johnson is a heathen, so I don't see a morning in church as a recruiting tactic for GT.

I thought PJ was gospel 'round here.

My buddy actually goes to church with CPJ. He's talked to him once or twice but doesn't think CPJ wants to talk GT football at church so he's never really mentioned it aside from a "good game" after the Clemson game.

Originally Posted by srschirm

LOL, I like that quote. It's ironic since it's almost like these kids are being worshiped.

We all know Coach Paul Johnson is a heathen, so I don't see a morning in church as a recruiting tactic for GT.

Paul Johnson and his family regularly attend the Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church on Peachtree Road in Buckhead...When we meet, we usually talk about golf or restaurants.....He will ask about Bobby Dodd or Don Shula or Chuck Noll, all of whom I played for...He is far from being a heathen but rather quick witted and a lot of fun... I personally am really tired of a negative, cry baby, bed wetting, ignorant punk with an inferiority complex talking about a friend of mine....Grow TFU or Get TFO you little asshole......