B1G players frustrated by NCAA impact on Sound Mind Sound Body camp
The reaction to Friday’s satellite camp ban ruling by the NCAA was loudly opposed by many. Players, coaches and media members sounded off on the issue.
That prompted another reaction over the weekend from B1G players.
The NCAA ruling meant that college coaches will no longer be allowed to participate at camps and clinics. One of those greatly impacted by that decision was the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in Detroit. Annually regarded as one of the top exposure camps for recruits in the country, the camp’s founder explained why the lack of coaches will cause a major drop-off in interest.
Last summer alone, the camp played host to coaches from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and more. In its 11 years of existence, more than 12,000 kids were reached by the annual event in Detroit and other locations.
B1G players, current and past, took to Twitter to share their complaints about what the NCAA’s ruling did to the exposure camp:
I'm not worried about the SEC, what about the kids that only have the resources to go to the satellite camps. SMSB did so much for so many.
— Jourdan Lewis (@JourdanJD) April 10, 2016
We can't let the NCAA do this. Everybody get #ChangeNCAA trending. They think they're hurting Coach but they're really hurting the kids.
— Jourdan Lewis (@JourdanJD) April 10, 2016
College coaches not being allowed to attended @SMSBFootball camps is taking away the opportunity for so many kids to go to college.
— Shane Morris (@ShaneMorris_7) April 10, 2016
All I got to say…. pic.twitter.com/HOVhsIJhw4
— Khalid Hill (@Thatboylid80) April 10, 2016
— Mike Weber (@mikeweberjr) April 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/J_Reschke33/status/719175383191592960
The NCAA is taking away from the greatest "exposure camp" in all of America. #SoundMindSoundBody #TheOnlyCampWhereItsFairGameForAllCoaches
— DeAnthony Arnett (@DeAnthonyArnett) April 10, 2016
Wow!!! The NCAA taking SMSB away from us? It was by far the BEST camp out here man. Provided so many opportunities for us coming up
— Lawrence Thomas (@LawrenceLThomas) April 10, 2016
The camp was set to expand to six regions over the summer with various coaches scheduled to participate. The SMSB board members are reportedly still seeking a way for college coaches to speak at the camps, but not run them.
SMSB founder Curtis Blackwell is an MSU assistant, and he’s not even sure if he’ll be allowed to attend his own camps. Even though it isn’t technically a satellite camp, coaches are still prevented from attending camps that aren’t held on their campus.
Perhaps a strong enough reaction from the players, recruits and coaches will force the NCAA to make an exception.