JMU Duke Dog
December 21st, 2005, 09:09 AM
http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/ny-spgwaltney214559611dec21,0,4524441.story
Gwaltney rushing back home?
Former LI star to meet with Nassau CC, Hofstra officials soon
By GREGG SARRA
STAFF WRITER; Chris Antonacci contributed to this story.
December 21, 2005
Jason Gwaltney, the all-time leading rusher and scorer in Long Island high school football history, plans to meet with officials from Nassau CC and Hofstra University this week to discuss his likely transfer from West Virginia University.
Terry Manning, Gwaltney's coach at North Babylon High School, confirmed he had contacted and spoken with coaches at both Nassau CC and Hofstra on Gwaltney's behalf. Manning said the 6-1, 230-pound tailback, who is in the midst of his freshman year after being Long Island's most sought-after recruit in years, was expected to return home last night. Manning said he would meet soon with his former star.
"He could possibly play at Hofstra or Nassau next fall depending on his grades," Manning said. "He could also end up back in West Virginia. I don't know."
West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez would not confirm Gwaltney's departure, but reportedly said he knew Gwaltney talked about leaving the school. Neither Gwaltney nor West Virginia officials returned calls for comment.
"His options are really limited," Rodriguez told a West Virginia newspaper. "I know he'd have to go to a junior college and graduate before getting a chance at another Division I school."
Manning said there were signs Gwaltney was questioning his choice of West Virginia. Gwaltney has said he was homesick and reportedly had academic problems.
"We have to sort this thing out and see exactly where his grades are and see what his options are," Manning said. "None of us wanted it to come to this, but apparently there were some things that didn't work out. I don't know what happened - yet."
Gwaltney accrued six summer credits to lighten his class load going into his freshman year, but reportedly missed classes and study halls and may have been struggling to remain eligible.
"I really pushed Jason toward West Virginia because I felt the coaching staff was going to motivate and stay on top of him with his studies," Manning said. "He needs someone to kick him in the butt and keep him on track and I thought they were doing that. But until we know his grades, I can't tell anyone what the plan is for the future. He may very well have limited options."
Gwaltney, a two-time Hansen Award winner as Suffolk's best player, rushed for 7,800 yards and 135 touchdowns in his career as North Babylon earned two Long Island championships.
"I guess the kid is coming home," Nassau CC coach John Anselmo said. "He's a great football player, so I obviously have some interest. He's going to go through the same things as everyone else. We're in the business of trying to get everyone back on track. Hopefully, this works out well for everyone."
Gwaltney played in six games for West Virginia and rushed for 186 yards on 45 carries and scored three touchdowns. He caught four passes for 15 yards. He sprained his right knee late in an Oct. 8 win over Rutgers, his last game this season.
Gwaltney was suspended from the team on Nov. 15 when Rodriguez said Gwaltney failed to make a commitment to the team and, reportedly, missed rehabilitation sessions.
Gwaltney rushing back home?
Former LI star to meet with Nassau CC, Hofstra officials soon
By GREGG SARRA
STAFF WRITER; Chris Antonacci contributed to this story.
December 21, 2005
Jason Gwaltney, the all-time leading rusher and scorer in Long Island high school football history, plans to meet with officials from Nassau CC and Hofstra University this week to discuss his likely transfer from West Virginia University.
Terry Manning, Gwaltney's coach at North Babylon High School, confirmed he had contacted and spoken with coaches at both Nassau CC and Hofstra on Gwaltney's behalf. Manning said the 6-1, 230-pound tailback, who is in the midst of his freshman year after being Long Island's most sought-after recruit in years, was expected to return home last night. Manning said he would meet soon with his former star.
"He could possibly play at Hofstra or Nassau next fall depending on his grades," Manning said. "He could also end up back in West Virginia. I don't know."
West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez would not confirm Gwaltney's departure, but reportedly said he knew Gwaltney talked about leaving the school. Neither Gwaltney nor West Virginia officials returned calls for comment.
"His options are really limited," Rodriguez told a West Virginia newspaper. "I know he'd have to go to a junior college and graduate before getting a chance at another Division I school."
Manning said there were signs Gwaltney was questioning his choice of West Virginia. Gwaltney has said he was homesick and reportedly had academic problems.
"We have to sort this thing out and see exactly where his grades are and see what his options are," Manning said. "None of us wanted it to come to this, but apparently there were some things that didn't work out. I don't know what happened - yet."
Gwaltney accrued six summer credits to lighten his class load going into his freshman year, but reportedly missed classes and study halls and may have been struggling to remain eligible.
"I really pushed Jason toward West Virginia because I felt the coaching staff was going to motivate and stay on top of him with his studies," Manning said. "He needs someone to kick him in the butt and keep him on track and I thought they were doing that. But until we know his grades, I can't tell anyone what the plan is for the future. He may very well have limited options."
Gwaltney, a two-time Hansen Award winner as Suffolk's best player, rushed for 7,800 yards and 135 touchdowns in his career as North Babylon earned two Long Island championships.
"I guess the kid is coming home," Nassau CC coach John Anselmo said. "He's a great football player, so I obviously have some interest. He's going to go through the same things as everyone else. We're in the business of trying to get everyone back on track. Hopefully, this works out well for everyone."
Gwaltney played in six games for West Virginia and rushed for 186 yards on 45 carries and scored three touchdowns. He caught four passes for 15 yards. He sprained his right knee late in an Oct. 8 win over Rutgers, his last game this season.
Gwaltney was suspended from the team on Nov. 15 when Rodriguez said Gwaltney failed to make a commitment to the team and, reportedly, missed rehabilitation sessions.