IMG Academy

[Hatchball]

Anyone else read this/watch this video?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2576842-americas-most-talented-high-school-football-team-img

I'm curious on some of your thoughts are on this. This is almost public vs private, but the way IMG is setup takes it to a whole different level. It's basically a full time football academy with literally no boundaries (players from 21 states and 6 countries).

 

[gametimeboys]

It's the future of athletics. There's a group trying to open a school at Mather for the same purposes. There is a baseball academy high school in Rio Linda established by Jerry Manuel. It's not very good, but these schools are beginning to show up. However, they need big pockets of money to make it.

 

[GOTF]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Hatchball]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Yeah that $70k/year tuition caught my eye. The top MBA programs in the country run about $50k/year.

 

[SPortela24]

My opinion? Sure. Its horseshit.

If you've got $71k a year to send your student to IMG Academy because theyre athletically inclined, be my guest. Drop that (almost) $400k for their high school education and in order to get them the best possible coaching and tutoring out there. I'm completely fine with that.

But when you're enticing some of the top recruits in the nation to come play for you free of charge (or for a couple grand a year), you're recruiting.

If you're going to hold a teenage LeBron James accountable for receiving some jerseys and a hummer, if you're going yo hold Reggie Bush accountable for letting a crooked give his parents a place to live then why not hold a mega corporation like IMG accountable for recruiting?

 

[HSFBFan4444]

Isn't this already happening with basketball? Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Oak Hill Academy, Montverde Academy,Findley Prep all schools that are set up like IMG? In my opinion BG is no different ... how many CA are playing on their roster right now. HS athletics aren't like they use to be.

 

[ThunderRam]

IMG has been discussed a lot on the National message board. From my understanding, they don't recruit in FLA at all. But all other States are fair game.

BTW, the academy started out as a tennis academy under the famed Nick Bollettieri back in 1978. Players like Andre Agassi and Jim Courier went there.