Captain Kangaroo Posted December 29, 2005 Report Share Posted December 29, 2005 Church chooses ToledoBy Kevin GormanTRIBUNE-REVIEWThursday, December 29, 2005 Barry Church was aware of the success that Penn Hills defensive backs enjoyed at the University of Toledo. What impressed Church most was not how his predecessors performed, but how the Rockets pursued him. Church has made a verbal commitment to Toledo, choosing the GMAC Bowl champions over Cincinnati. He also had scholarship offers from Akron, Bowling Green, Miami (Ohio), North Carolina State and West Virginia. "It was real hard," Church said. "Cincinnati was the Big East, a big bowl game and real nice facilities, but I had to look out for myself. It was real hard to turn down West Virginia because I had always wanted to go there. When they came through (with a written scholarship offer), I had already narrowed it down and didn't want to go back on my word." Church said that Toledo coach Tom Amstutz indicated that the Rockets might have a chance to move up to the Big East in two years. "So that's even better," Church said. Although the 6-foot-2 1/2, 205-pounder played linebacker at Penn Hills, he was recruited to play strong safety. Church recorded 80 tackles, eight sacks, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries this past season, earning All-Quad East, All-Class AAAA, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 and second-team all-state honors. "I looked at playing time and I thought that was the best opportunity for me as a true freshman and I took it," Church said. "They took me in the office with the head coach and said, 'You're the guy that's going to replace (graduating starter) Keon Jackson,' so I took that as an opportunity." Church joins Penn Hills inside linebacker Archie Donald in committing to Toledo. They follow a succession of Penn Hills players to choose Toledo, including former cornerback Brandon Hefflin, defensive tackle Mike Hill (who, after playing at Georgia Military Junior College, will walk-on at West Virginia instead) and sophomore Tyrell Herbert, a current starter at free safety. "I think with Tyrell at the free, he can teach me and help me out," Church said. "It's good to have a friend in the secondary. But it had a little more to do with they just did a good job recruiting me." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipsbandman Posted December 29, 2005 Report Share Posted December 29, 2005 Interesting read. As a zips fan, I would not want to see this happen for obvious reasons. The MAC would lose a good one plus we would have to compete with three BCS schools in the state of Ohio. We battle Toledo enough as it is for recruits. They would really start picking our pockets in Northeastern Ohio and Western PA recruiting. I think we can give Toledo a run for their money if we continue our progress. I'm sure our new stadium would be just as good if not better than the Glass Bowl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickzips Posted December 29, 2005 Report Share Posted December 29, 2005 All those twinkies have finally gone to Amstutz head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted December 29, 2005 Report Share Posted December 29, 2005 There is no way on God's green Earth that Toledo is going to move to the Big East. I can't believe Toledo Tom would tell such a lie to his recruits. Where would they play? How would they possibly compete in other sports? It would be a disaster for their program. Can you imagine UCONN rolling in with their basketball program and beating them 100-50 every year?I can't believe I'm about to write this, but the only program in the MAC with existing facilities to be even considered for the Big East would be Ohio. Maybe Ball State.Do schools like Toledo really want to move to the Big East and become a door mat, because that is where that train would head? Toledo couldn't win the MAC this year and the MAC Champion was beaten by an average Conference USA team. Toledo would get killed against the likes of WVU, Louisville and Pittsburgh week in and week out.I love the MAC, but any talk of teams moving up in conference is just laughable. None of the schools have the finances or talent to really move programs to that level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted December 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2005 There is no way on God's green Earth that Toledo is going to move to the Big East. I can't believe Toledo Tom would tell such a lie to his recruits. Where would they play? How would they possibly compete in other sports? It would be a disaster for their program. Can you imagine UCONN rolling in with their basketball program and beating them 100-50 every year? I hear it is a "done deal." The Seagate Center will host the Big East Basketball Tourney in 2009-2015. I agree. What a laughable thing to tell a recruit. Of course he did only say "a chance." There's technically also "a chance" that Can't State football will go 13-0 next season and win a national championship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted December 29, 2005 Report Share Posted December 29, 2005 I agree. What a laughable thing to tell a recruit. Of course he did only say "a chance." There's technically also "a chance" that Can't State football will go 13-0 next season and win a national championship. There is also a chance that Terry Pluto's hair will grow back........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckzip Posted December 29, 2005 Report Share Posted December 29, 2005 I agree. What a laughable thing to tell a recruit. Of course he did only say "a chance." There's technically also "a chance" that Can't State football will go 13-0 next season and win a national championship.There is also a chance that Terry Pluto's hair will grow back........ No there isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msopher Posted December 30, 2005 Report Share Posted December 30, 2005 There is no way on God's green Earth that Toledo is going to move to the Big East. I can't believe Toledo Tom would tell such a lie to his recruits. Where would they play? How would they possibly compete in other sports? It would be a disaster for their program. Can you imagine UCONN rolling in with their basketball program and beating them 100-50 every year?I can't believe I'm about to write this, but the only program in the MAC with existing facilities to be even considered for the Big East would be Ohio. Maybe Ball State.Do schools like Toledo really want to move to the Big East and become a door mat, because that is where that train would head? Toledo couldn't win the MAC this year and the MAC Champion was beaten by an average Conference USA team. Toledo would get killed against the likes of WVU, Louisville and Pittsburgh week in and week out.I love the MAC, but any talk of teams moving up in conference is just laughable. None of the schools have the finances or talent to really move programs to that level. As a Toledo fan, I would agree that a move to the Big East would be a disaster initially. I don't think we have the talent to consistently compete with those teams week in and week out. However, I wouldn't read too much into this. No one has heard any talks of this taking place, and we have no idea what Amstutz said to Church. I seriously doubt he told the prospect that Toledo was moving into the Big East, and if he did, it may mean something is in the works.Also, Toledo would join the Big East as a football only member, like Temple. No way the Big East allows Toledo to come into the conference with all athletic programs.I want to see more sources before I start commenting further. I don't think Toledo is going to the Big East anytime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zip-n-tn Posted December 31, 2005 Report Share Posted December 31, 2005 anything to get a player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK-Zips Posted December 31, 2005 Report Share Posted December 31, 2005 also, the MAC would not allow Toledo or any school to become a sport specific member of another conference. They would show them out of the house before they would even crack the window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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