DL Kevon Darton earns a scholarship

[gmoney44]

I love seeing people bust their hump to earn what many take for granted.

 

[BKCuse]

Congrats to Darton this is awesome to see!

But I have to point out Cuse missed another opportunity for a great viral moment. Doing this in the team auditorium made the moment less impactful bc teammates reaction was limited by the seats and stairs.

If they did this on the field then everyone could jump up and properly mob him.

Seems like we always just miss the mark on what could be tremendous moments shared across social

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

But I have to point out Cuse missed another opportunity for a great viral moment. Doing this in the team auditorium made the moment less impactful bc teammates reaction was limited by the seats and stairs.

If they did this on the field then everyone could jump up and properly mob him.

Seems like we always just miss the mark on what could be tremendous moments shared across social

Good god, who cares?

 

[SuFTW]

Congrats to Darton this is awesome to see!

But I have to point out Cuse missed another opportunity for a great viral moment. Doing this in the team auditorium made the moment less impactful bc teammates reaction was limited by the seats and stairs.

If they did this on the field then everyone could jump up and properly mob him.

Seems like we always just miss the mark on what could be tremendous moments shared across social

Do we have to nitpick everything? It’s how Dino wanted to do it. Probably 50-100 walk ons get scholarships every year and most don’t go viral. The announcement was still shared on social media.

 

[All4SU]

I don’t know. I seem to remember a pretty viral locker room moment or two with Babers. Plus a moment with a kicker on the practice field a year or two ago. I think we’re good.

 

[BKCuse]

Good god, who cares?

It’s all about marketing folks. Since we are a little guy in P5 we need to be smart and leverage every opportunity to increase visibility of the program which helps recruiting.
Everyone loves a great walk-on scholarship moment. There is no reason with all the smart media folks on campus that we don’t execute these better because we are leaving free media exposure on the table.

 

[SuFTW]

It’s all about marketing folks. Since we are a little guy in P5 we need to be smart and leverage every opportunity to increase visibility of the program which helps recruiting.
Everyone loves a great walk-on scholarship moment. There is no reason with all the smart media folks on campus that we don’t execute these better because we are leaving free media exposure on the table.

It was executed fine. They are all not viral moments.

 

[BKCuse]

It was executed fine. They are all not viral moments.

You’re right it was executed fine… if you’re not thinking big & not looking for every competitive edge.

 

[Cuseregular]

I liked that Dino talked a bit about the DL they got on campus but couldn't close on. They only wanted to bring in a DL transfer if they could start. If they couldn't get another DL starter, they'd go with what they have. The young guys are high energy. I'm glad Darton got his scholarship as he's shown that a walk-on can thrive, an important message in the NIL era.

Hmm I smell a potential fine mess NIL collective secondary “Cuse loyal” candidate for next year!

Boy if that video is not what it’s all about following this football stuff, I don’t know what is. That’s great

 

[SuFTW]

You’re right it was executed fine… if you’re not thinking big & not looking for every competitive edge.

But it was filmed and released on social media. This was not a surprise announcement, everyone knew it was coming. What you are saying is that Dino needs to schedule things in conjunction with the PR department and have their approval, not really the way things work. The team needs to focus on football now. A staged announcement does not give a competitive advantage for the upcoming season or really for that matter in recruiting.

 

[Chip]

Have they done the same with Cooper yet?

They're both regular rotation players and they deserve it.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Have they done the same with Cooper yet?

They're both regular rotation players and they deserve it.

I believe Cooper was placed on scholarship after last season ended.

 

[BKCuse]

But it was filmed and released on social media. This was not a surprise announcement, everyone knew it was coming. What you are saying is that Dino needs to schedule things in conjunction with the PR department and have their approval, not really the way things work. The team needs to focus on football now. A staged announcement does not give a competitive advantage for the upcoming season or really for that matter in recruiting.

Sorry folks sometimes I forget not everyone understands the power of branding, marketing and PR.

But if Darton and whole team really knew before it happened then it’s a even worse job by SU than I thought - smh.

The thing is people have gotten accustomed to a certain level of entertainment/ excitement with these walk on scholarship videos. I always watch and enjoy them regardless of sport or team. So if you’re gonna do one, do a good job or don’t do it at all. Ours fell flat.

Considering we have a top flight media school on campus and an engaging, dynamic head coach who can “work a room” there is zero reason our social media videos don’t kill it.

In fact a walk on’s scholarship is a perfect opportunity to show off the Ohana family vibe Dino preaches. Every kid we recruit and their families would see a viral scholarship video. If done well this is priceless PR.

Here are the top 2 examples that come up on google: Rhode Island Hoops got 186K views & a Lamar Univ Cardinals FB video (about as random as possible) got 395K views on YouTube. We got about 7K views on Twitter because ours didn’t have any key elements for a good video

- good set up
- emotional buy in
- exciting pay off

It’s infuriating Rhody and Lamar do it better than Cuse w/ Newhouse.


Walk-ons get put on scholarship!

If you don’t think these moments impact the way recruits and families view our program and ultimately decide whether or not to play for SU then you fall into the category of not understanding the power of marketing & PR.

It’s a sorta like science or facts, even if you don’t believe in it, it’s still true.

Hopefully we do better next time

 

[SuFTW]

Sorry folks sometimes I forget not everyone understands the power of branding, marketing and PR.

But if Darton and whole team really knew before it happened then it’s a even worse job by SU than I thought - smh.

The thing is people have gotten accustomed to a certain level of entertainment/ excitement with these walk on scholarship videos. I always watch and enjoy them regardless of sport or team. So if you’re gonna do one, do a good job or don’t do it at all. Ours fell flat.

Considering we have a top flight media school on campus and an engaging, dynamic head coach who can “work a room” there is zero reason our social media videos don’t kill it.

In fact a walk on’s scholarship is a perfect opportunity to show off the Ohana family vibe Dino preaches. Every kid we recruit and their families would see a viral scholarship video. If done well this is priceless PR.

Here are the top 2 examples that come up on google: Rhode Island Hoops got 186K views & a Lamar Univ Cardinals FB video (about as random as possible) got 395K views on YouTube. We got about 7K views on Twitter because ours didn’t have any key elements for a good video

- good set up
- emotional buy in
- exciting pay off

It’s infuriating Rhody and Lamar do it better than Cuse w/ Newhouse.


Walk-ons get put on scholarship!

If you don’t think these moments impact the way recruits and families view our program and ultimately decide whether or not to play for SU then you fall into the category of not understanding the power of marketing & PR.

It’s a sorta like science or facts, even if you don’t believe in it, it’s still true.

Hopefully we do better next time

Lol, it’s a great marketing opportunity… if our target is more walk ons.
You listed 2 examples out of probably several hundred for basketball and football combined.

 

[SuFTW]

Sorry folks sometimes I forget not everyone understands the power of branding, marketing and PR.

But if Darton and whole team really knew before it happened then it’s a even worse job by SU than I thought - smh.

The thing is people have gotten accustomed to a certain level of entertainment/ excitement with these walk on scholarship videos. I always watch and enjoy them regardless of sport or team. So if you’re gonna do one, do a good job or don’t do it at all. Ours fell flat.

Considering we have a top flight media school on campus and an engaging, dynamic head coach who can “work a room” there is zero reason our social media videos don’t kill it.

In fact a walk on’s scholarship is a perfect opportunity to show off the Ohana family vibe Dino preaches. Every kid we recruit and their families would see a viral scholarship video. If done well this is priceless PR.

Here are the top 2 examples that come up on google: Rhode Island Hoops got 186K views & a Lamar Univ Cardinals FB video (about as random as possible) got 395K views on YouTube. We got about 7K views on Twitter because ours didn’t have any key elements for a good video

- good set up
- emotional buy in
- exciting pay off

It’s infuriating Rhody and Lamar do it better than Cuse w/ Newhouse.


Walk-ons get put on scholarship!

If you don’t think these moments impact the way recruits and families view our program and ultimately decide whether or not to play for SU then you fall into the category of not understanding the power of marketing & PR.

It’s a sorta like science or facts, even if you don’t believe in it, it’s still true.

Hopefully we do better next time

It was not a surprise because he played in 12 games last year and made legitimate contributions to the team. If you actually wanted the biggest impact you would have to wait until college football is underway and getting maximum news coverage. Not fair to Darton to make him wait.

 

[BKCuse]

Lol, it’s a great marketing opportunity… if our target is more walk ons.
You listed 2 examples out of probably several hundred for basketball and football combined.

No silly rabbit our targets are RECRUITS & their PARENTS who want to feel good about the university & program they choose.

 

[rrlbees]

Sorry folks sometimes I forget not everyone understands the power of branding, marketing and PR.

But if Darton and whole team really knew before it happened then it’s a even worse job by SU than I thought - smh.

The thing is people have gotten accustomed to a certain level of entertainment/ excitement with these walk on scholarship videos. I always watch and enjoy them regardless of sport or team. So if you’re gonna do one, do a good job or don’t do it at all. Ours fell flat.

Considering we have a top flight media school on campus and an engaging, dynamic head coach who can “work a room” there is zero reason our social media videos don’t kill it.

In fact a walk on’s scholarship is a perfect opportunity to show off the Ohana family vibe Dino preaches. Every kid we recruit and their families would see a viral scholarship video. If done well this is priceless PR.

Here are the top 2 examples that come up on google: Rhode Island Hoops got 186K views & a Lamar Univ Cardinals FB video (about as random as possible) got 395K views on YouTube. We got about 7K views on Twitter because ours didn’t have any key elements for a good video

- good set up
- emotional buy in
- exciting pay off

It’s infuriating Rhody and Lamar do it better than Cuse w/ Newhouse.


Walk-ons get put on scholarship!

If you don’t think these moments impact the way recruits and families view our program and ultimately decide whether or not to play for SU then you fall into the category of not understanding the power of marketing & PR.

It’s a sorta like science or facts, even if you don’t believe in it, it’s still true.

Hopefully we do better next time

Those are all nice stories but I doubt it got them a recruit because of it.

 

[BKCuse]

Those are all nice stories but I doubt it got them a recruit because of it.

I bet the kids they were recruiting were talking about that video with their teammates, families and coaches. That’s a lot of good buzz for a program. I believe all that stuff adds up.

Recruiting is a long game. Don’t underestimate the cumulative effect of social media.

If Cuse nailed it with a viral video we’d get exposure to a National audience and might end up on sports center like JoshBlack’s flip. All that stuff elevates the program.

We have Newhouse. We have an AD from ESPN. We have Dino Babers who is great on camera.

I think it’s a missed opportunity to do something cool. I hate that this was a swing and a miss. I LOVE that Darton got his scholly
I just think we can do better.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

 

[RandomGuy]

LIKE this.

By the same token. Kind of a bummer that Bolinsky's scholarship award was completely hidden, His family was forbidden to share it... :-( His family struggled with this. ( asked to not share his accomplishment-still haven't shared publicly:-( Good on Aaron for not letting that affect him. Kid just kept being himself, and earned a Wuerfful watchlist as one of the TOP community service players in the COUNTRY. (While the team NEVER officially announced his scholly) Congrats to Kevon. Accomplishment that should be celebrated. REPEAT. Should be Celebrated.

I prolly did triple back flips when Bolinsky was awarded... Just not allowed to tell anyone. :-( Screw that. He was silently awarded. (not allowed) College football politics are VERY confusing.... I suppose because folks felt we were light on D line, this was announced.(Good on Kevon) Congrats Kevon. EARNED. And ohh yeah, Congrats Bolinsky. If ya'll are looking for the kid that does the most for the community as a tailgate sponser? Good freaking luck finding someone who does more than Bolinsky. You won't. Not even close. League knew he had a scholly, and how much he silently does for the community. There's a reason he's on the Wuerfful list - He just doesn't tell anyone, because he thinks its something he's supposed to do... For once in his college career? I hope this kid gets some of the credit he deserves as a Wuerfful finalist.... Had to skip the whole scholly announcement, and still didn't miss a beat... Too bad he was denied the opportunity to announce his scholly... Those are hallmark/ESPN moments, but I guess they are picked with the most political benefit to the staff... (no disrespect to Kevon. EARNED) Just things that make you say hmm...

 

[orangepassion]

LIKE this.

By the same token. Kind of a bummer that Bolinsky's scholarship award was completely hidden, His family was forbidden to share it... :-( His family struggled with this. ( asked to not share his accomplishment-still haven't shared publicly:-( Good on Aaron for not letting that affect him. Kid just kept being himself, and earned a Wuerfful watchlist as one of the TOP community service players in the COUNTRY. (While the team NEVER officially announced his scholly) Congrats to Kevon. Accomplishment that should be celebrated. REPEAT. Should be Celebrated.

I prolly did triple back flips when Bolinsky was awarded... Just not allowed to tell anyone. :-( Screw that. He was silently awarded. (not allowed) College football politics are VERY confusing... I suppose because folks felt we were light on D line, this was announced.(Good on Kevon) Congrats Kevon. EARNED. And ohh yeah, Congrats Bolinsky. If ya'll are looking for the kid that does the most for the community as a tailgate sponser? Good freaking luck finding someone who does more than Bolinsky. You won't. Not even close. League knew he had a scholly, and how much he silently does for the community. There's a reason he's on the Wuerfful list - He just doesn't tell anyone, because he thinks its something he's supposed to do... For once in his college career? I hope this kid gets some of the credit he deserves as a Wuerfful finalist... Had to skip the whole scholly announcement, and still didn't miss a beat... Too bad he was denied the opportunity to announce his scholly... Those are hallmark/ESPN moments, but I guess they are picked with the most political benefit to the staff... (no disrespect to Kevon. EARNED) Just things that make you say hmm...

Sounds odd-Any idea why?

 

[money3189]

LIKE this.

By the same token. Kind of a bummer that Bolinsky's scholarship award was completely hidden, His family was forbidden to share it... :-( His family struggled with this. ( asked to not share his accomplishment-still haven't shared publicly:-( Good on Aaron for not letting that affect him. Kid just kept being himself, and earned a Wuerfful watchlist as one of the TOP community service players in the COUNTRY. (While the team NEVER officially announced his scholly) Congrats to Kevon. Accomplishment that should be celebrated. REPEAT. Should be Celebrated.

I prolly did triple back flips when Bolinsky was awarded... Just not allowed to tell anyone. :-( Screw that. He was silently awarded. (not allowed) College football politics are VERY confusing... I suppose because folks felt we were light on D line, this was announced.(Good on Kevon) Congrats Kevon. EARNED. And ohh yeah, Congrats Bolinsky. If ya'll are looking for the kid that does the most for the community as a tailgate sponser? Good freaking luck finding someone who does more than Bolinsky. You won't. Not even close. League knew he had a scholly, and how much he silently does for the community. There's a reason he's on the Wuerfful list - He just doesn't tell anyone, because he thinks its something he's supposed to do... For once in his college career? I hope this kid gets some of the credit he deserves as a Wuerfful finalist... Had to skip the whole scholly announcement, and still didn't miss a beat... Too bad he was denied the opportunity to announce his scholly... Those are hallmark/ESPN moments, but I guess they are picked with the most political benefit to the staff... (no disrespect to Kevon. EARNED) Just things that make you say hmm...

Politics are always tough to deal with. Congrats to Bolinsky. Its doesnt take away any of the work he's done an the impact he's made on his team mates.

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[sutomcat]

LIKE this.

By the same token. Kind of a bummer that Bolinsky's scholarship award was completely hidden, His family was forbidden to share it... :-( His family struggled with this. ( asked to not share his accomplishment-still haven't shared publicly:-( Good on Aaron for not letting that affect him. Kid just kept being himself, and earned a Wuerfful watchlist as one of the TOP community service players in the COUNTRY. (While the team NEVER officially announced his scholly) Congrats to Kevon. Accomplishment that should be celebrated. REPEAT. Should be Celebrated.

I prolly did triple back flips when Bolinsky was awarded... Just not allowed to tell anyone. :-( Screw that. He was silently awarded. (not allowed) College football politics are VERY confusing... I suppose because folks felt we were light on D line, this was announced.(Good on Kevon) Congrats Kevon. EARNED. And ohh yeah, Congrats Bolinsky. If ya'll are looking for the kid that does the most for the community as a tailgate sponser? Good freaking luck finding someone who does more than Bolinsky. You won't. Not even close. League knew he had a scholly, and how much he silently does for the community. There's a reason he's on the Wuerfful list - He just doesn't tell anyone, because he thinks its something he's supposed to do... For once in his college career? I hope this kid gets some of the credit he deserves as a Wuerfful finalist... Had to skip the whole scholly announcement, and still didn't miss a beat... Too bad he was denied the opportunity to announce his scholly... Those are hallmark/ESPN moments, but I guess they are picked with the most political benefit to the staff... (no disrespect to Kevon. EARNED) Just things that make you say hmm...

Congrats to Aaron. We can celebrate him getting a scholarship in this thread.

It is of course richly deserved. Aaron seems to never miss a snap and somehow gets in on a lot of tackles with the coverage team too. And as you point out, he is fantastic representing the program and the school off the field.

Sorry he did not have his moment in the sun.

 

[CuseLegacy]

Congrats to Aaron. We can celebrate him getting a scholarship in this thread.

It is of course richly deserved. Aaron seems to never miss a snap and somehow gets in on a lot of tackles with the coverage team too. And as you point out, he is fantastic representing the program and the school off the field.

Sorry he did not have his moment in the sun.

Aaron was put on scholarship the summer after his Freshman year. Very deserving.