What's wrong with this story?

[Football_Bat]

You don't even have to log in to see why this story is sorely lacking in fact-checking.

http://mckinneynews.net/news.php?nid=7372&cat=1

 

[Bob Slydell]

Well, it reads that they all signed one letter. That's what I saw that was wrong.

Did I win?!?!?!?!

 

[Football_Bat]

No. Although that is a very good catch.

 

[jlee]

instead of signing a letter of intent into the Air Force, you enlist into the service?

 

[Football_Bat]

instead of signing a letter of intent into the Air Force, you enlist into the service?

Very close.

Service academy appointments are done congressionally; you do not "sign" a letter of intent to play football, basketball, baseball, etc. at Air Force, Army or Navy.

This writer allowed his high school to stage a bogus photo-op and was utterly none the wiser.

 

[jlee]

Hmmmm, I wonder how many readers caught that in McKinney.

 

[spnited]

Hmmmm, I wonder how many readers caught that in McKinney.

none

 

[Songbird]

I wrote a story 2-3 years ago about a local kid going to the Air Force Academy, one of only 7 New Hampshire kids to get the Congressional appointment. Great kid. Going to be the general of the joint chiefs of staff one day.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

This guy started it!

http://mckinneynews.net/news.php?nid=6738&cat=1

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

None of the players is listed on Air Force's 2008 baseball roster:

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/afa-m-basebl-mtt.html

 

[Rhody31]

None of the players is listed on Air Force's 2008 baseball roster:

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/afa-m-basebl-mtt.html

Perhaps that's because they will be finishing their senior year of high school.
I'd guess - by the dates of the stories - they will be at the AFA in 08-09.

 

[hondo]

I covered a kid who played football at Navy. Instead of announcing his signing on signing day, we wrote that it was his intention to play football at Navy when his appointment came through, which it did later that spring.
And we stopped doing signing day photos when one kid, who was a 17-year-old high school senior, wanted his three kids in the picture with him-- ages 3, 2 and 1 -- found out later, three moms.
Kid never made it to the league, so I wonder how much child support they're getting from his job at Wal-Mart.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

None of the players is listed on Air Force's 2008 baseball roster:

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/afa-m-basebl-mtt.html

Perhaps that's because they will be finishing their senior year of high school.
I'd guess - by the dates of the stories - they will be at the AFA in 08-09.

Oh, yeah, that would be a good reason.

 

[BillyT]

I don't think it's bogus, and in fact it's a story that transcends sports.

Three kids from the same high school all going to Air Force. That's impressive.

Now, the question is: Where are they in the process? Have they actually signed the papers that say they are going to attend the Academy? Are they officially admitted.

The second piece is to call the coach and ask if this kids were recruited and whether he's planning on having them at fall practice. (Assuming they have it).

As done, it's not right, but I think it's a really good story.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Ivy League's similar, I think. You apply to the school, then "go out" for the team. But you don't sign anything, other than your letter of application to the school.

 

[Theoldbenchwarmer]

I was going to say that the lead read "The McKinney High trio was all smiles afterward" but in the accompanying picture they look pissed....I lose.