Sports

As Grad Transfer is Scrutinized, SEC Might Lock out Golson

Published

11 years ago

May 14, 2015

In this Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 file photo, Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson (5) looks to a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Ralph D. Russo, ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP) — Florida State? Interested. South Carolina? Not interested. Florida? Happy to be mentioned. Georgia? Well, the Bulldogs would rather not say.

Everett Golson has become a popular man in the southeast since he announced last week he is transferring from Notre Dame.

The talented quarterback who would be immediately eligible to play seems like a perfect fit for a bunch of teams in the Deep South, but Southeastern Conference restrictions on graduate transfer could go a long way toward helping Golson make his choice.

And if college sports leaders get their way, this type of college football free agency will soon be a thing of the past.

Golson, who is from South Carolina, began his swing through the south earlier this week in Tallahassee, Florida. Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said he met with Golson on Monday. Fisher made it clear if Golson wants in on the competition to replace Jameis Winston, the Seminoles of the Atlantic Coast Conference would probably accommodate him.

Media reports had Golson in Gainesville, Florida, to see the Gators on Tuesday. New Florida coach Jim McElwain was not quite as forthcoming about getting together with Golson.

“Per NCAA rules, he’s a prospective student-athlete, so I can’t really comment on that part,” McElwain said Wednesday during the SEC spring wrap-up teleconference. “The one thing that we are doing, however, and it’s irregardless of whatever position it is, we’re always looking to help the organization fill holes where needed. Obviously, him mentioning us is something that’s exciting and at the same time, we’re doing it at a lot of different spots.”

Golson actually has not mentioned anything publicly about where he might want to transfer. And that part about the NCAA rules is not entirely true, either. Speaking publicly about Golson is not necessarily a violation. As long as Notre Dame gave permission for Golson and a school to have contact, then the coach is free to announce it to the world.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick has said the Fighting Irish are not blocking Golson from transferring to any of the schools the quarterback identified as places he would like to go. Swarbrick has declined to name those schools, but it wouldn’t be surprising if a few of Florida’s SEC rival are also on that list.

Georgia was reportedly next on Golson’s visit list, though Bulldogs coach Mark Richt took the McElwain approach Wednesday and declined to confirm any contact with Golson.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was not so shy. The Ball Coach told The State.com in Columbia the Gamecocks were not in on Golson.

It might be just as well. A unique SEC rule regarding grad transfers, who are allowed to switch schools without sitting out a season as usually required by the NCAA, could keep Golson out of the conference.

The SEC banned its schools from accepting graduate transfers in 2011 after Mississippi accepted quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who had been dismissed from Oregon’s team.

The SEC lifted the ban last year, but with restrictions that prohibited institutions from accepting players who had significant disciplinary or eligibility issues at their previous schools. The idea behind the bylaw was to keep players from running away from trouble to the SEC.

That’s not the case with Golson, but he did miss the 2013 season at Notre Dame while serving a suspension for an academic violation. An SEC school could request a waiver from the commissioner for Golson to play.

No other conference has a similar rule. Several SEC coaches said they didn’t think the rule puts the conference at a disadvantage, but Spurrier added: “As coaches we all wish we had the same rules as other conferences. I just wish we all had the same rules.”

Earlier this year, Oregon landed a possible replacement for Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota in Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams via the graduate transfer rule.

But soon the market might be closing altogether.

Conference commissioners and athletic directors all over the country have said they would like to change the rule that was first put in place to allow students to pursue graduate degrees not offered by their current schools.

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby has said the grad transfer rule “smacks of hired gun.”

“I don’t think it fits into the core values of intercollegiate athletics,” Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson said.

Coaches tend to be more open-minded.

“It gives them an opportunity educationally to get involved in a degree program that might be more beneficial to them,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “It may help them from a career development standpoint to play, whether it’s in a different style of offense or defense, or have an opportunity to get more exposure because of playing time.”

Saban’s team could probably use Golson, too.

___

Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Sale of Coliseum to African American Developers Moves Toward Completion

The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 16, 2026

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The deal includes the sale of the Oakland Arena to an unidentified third-party buyer for no less than $100 million, which Bobbitt said was one of the most important aspects of the site’s future redevelopment.

‘This is on the precipice of actually occurring,’ said Ray Bobbitt, buyers’ representative

By Post Staff

After many months of complex negotiations, the Oakland Coliseum development deal is finally nearing an agreement that will open the way for new owners – the African Americans Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) – to revitalize the sports complex and the Hegenberger Corridor in East Oakland.

On May 28, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a non-binding agreement to dispose of the County’s portion of the complex for $115 million in a deal with AASEG, with a closing date set for June 30.

“People are seeing that this is on the precipice of actually occurring,” said Ray Bobbitt, founder of the AASEG and an East Oakland native. “People feel that this needs to happen for Oakland, for East Oakland in particular,” Bobbitt said, as reported in the East Bay Times.

The agreement would transfer ownership of the 112-acre Coliseum complex property, which was owned 50-50 by Alameda County and the City of Oakland, to Oakland Acquisition Company, which is AASEG’s real estate wing.

The County’s approval marks an important step in the sale of the property, even though concerns about environmental liability remain. Under the terms of the non-binding agreement, the county will pay $115 million to Coliseum Way Partners, the corporate entity of the Oakland Athletics that had previously purchased the county’s half of the property for $85 million.

AASEG will then pay $115 million to the County in three annual payments, with 5% annual interest paid on any outstanding balance, according to the term sheet.

AASEG already negotiated a purchase of the city’s half of the property for $125 million in 2025, awaiting the sale of the county’s half.

A strong supporter of the sale, Supervisor Nate Miley said he was not “breaking out the champagne” until the sale was final. This is not perfect, but it is good.

“It’s good because the County ends up with more money,” Miley continued. “It’s good because an African American team takes ownership of the property, and they’ve got a lot of potential in terms of what they want to do with the property.”

A remaining disagreement between Alameda County and the AASEG involves environmental concerns.

AASEG wanted a “carve-out” for environmental concerns so that it would not face liability for the release of groundwater into San Francisco Bay without a permit. Obtaining a permit could be time-consuming and expensive, requiring the need for consultants, studies, and an oversight process by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board.

County supervisors unanimously supported the non-binding agreement without the carve-out, though Bobbitt said delaying or excluding the carve-out creates timing risks for the project.

“The motion is to accept the terms as presented, excluding the carve-out,” Board of Supervisors President David Haubert said. “Noting that it’s a non-binding term sheet and terms can always be discussed going forward. It’s been pointed out that that could affect the deal, timing, which we’ve been at this for nine years, but what’s a little more time?”

“The arena represents an anchor of the site,” said Babbitt. “This arena … has become a pop culture mecca, and the opportunity to enhance that and expand that is critical to the overall process.”

Speaking at the Board of Supervisors meeting, Miley explained the County’s reasoning behind some of the complex negotiations. He asked interim County Counsel Andrea Weddle:

“In layman’s term’s who’s on the hook for the environmental (cleanup)” under the current deal with the Oakland A’s?

“When the county with a former board entered in the deal with the (A’s), we took on all of the environmental obligations,” Miley said. “Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about the environmental conditions of the Coliseum.”

“If we do a deal with Coliseum Way Partners (the A’s), we remain on the hook,” she said. “If we do a deal as we’ve currently structured with OAC (AASEG), we have eliminated some or hopefully all (or) as much as we can of that liability and aligned our deal with the terms of the city.”

Bobbitt, despite his concerns, supported the nonbinding agreement. He said the public has waited nearly a decade to come to this point.

“The community support has been overwhelming,” he said. “We’ve used a lot of P-words: patience, perseverance, persistence. And we’ve just had to do it, and we understand how complex this has been.”

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

7 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

1 year ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.