Runner turns down Rhodes Scholarship to run nationals

JimG wrote:

Henry Reich is the top runner for the Grinnell XC team, and is also a top student (4.0, etc). This Saturday he was supposed to go to Minneapolis to interview for a Rhodes Scholarship. Problem is, Grinnell is running in the D3 nationals at the same time. After much thought, Reich has decided to stick w/ his team, and forego the interview, putting the group above individual acomplishments.

He wrote an amazing letter to his teammates explaining his decision - if it doesn't fire them up to each run a few seconds faster this weekend, there's no hope for human nature.

He didn't turn down the scholarship, he turned down the possibility of getting one.

tdfrs wrote:

He didn't turn down the scholarship, he turned down the possibility of getting one.

Technically correct, but that would have made an even longer subject line.

...meh, he can do what he wants... if it was me, I would have gone for the interview, though.

Hopefully he won't be regretting this later in life.

Of course, it sounds like he's bright enough that he won't be in want of scholarships in the future.

JimG wrote:

tdfrs wrote:

He didn't turn down the scholarship, he turned down the possibility of getting one.

Technically correct, but that would have made an even longer subject line.

Fair enough. I thought you were shamelessly hyping the decision. If this was a mere editorial/layout decision I am cool with that.

We're awaiting permission to post the letter on RunningTimes.com. If you read it, you'll want to go out and run a couple extra miles on the spot.

Have you heard the one about the Rhodes Scholar, the queen of england and the black penis?

well you wont on these boards because it requires a funny voice.

Dude's got a 4.0 he'll get a scholarship to any American university he wants to do a grad degree. An Oxford MA won't open as many doors as one from Harvard or MIT. Then again the beer is way better in England and there are way more French chicks to chase. He can have his pick of chicks at Oxon. cause most of the guys there are queer.

I can't remember which collegiate football game I was watching, but one of the players is up for a RS also. He also had a game/interview conflict. The NCAA actually changed the game-time and allowed the chartering of a private plane to get the youth to his interview and back to the game. Way to go NCAA, actually thinking of an athlete in other terms than $$$$$$$$$.

Wow, too bad he couldn't switch days with the guy on FSU's football team who has an interview tomorrow night. Seems Bobby B. told the guy to go. They are flying him into the game site for the second half of their Thursday night game.

JimG wrote:

Henry Reich is the top runner for the Grinnell XC team, and is also a top student (4.0, etc). This Saturday he was supposed to go to Minneapolis to interview for a Rhodes Scholarship. Problem is, Grinnell is running in the D3 nationals at the same time. After much thought, Reich has decided to stick w/ his team, and forego the interview, putting the group above individual acomplishments.

He wrote an amazing letter to his teammates explaining his decision - if it doesn't fire them up to each run a few seconds faster this weekend, there's no hope for human nature.

The interview for the Rhodes was the most difficult thing I've ever done. It was way more difficult than garnering multiple All-America awards in my sport. Luckily I didn't have to miss a meet for it, as it was an interesting learning experience. However, I think this kid made a wise choice and I would have done the same for my team. He can always apply for a Marshall scholarship and the NCAA post-graduate scholarship. The NCAA post-grad scholarship is a piece of cake to get after the Rhodes.

What would be amusing would be if his team were to completely bomb at D3 nationals.

Am I the only one that is thinking, "Dude, you are in D3!!! Take the interview!!!"?

yea you are

There's also a guy on the Yale FB team who will have to choose between The Interview and The Game vs Harvard.

I think the decision is a toss up either way. Cool that he wants to experience nats with his teammates. But will Grinnell even finish in the top 20?

donnie iris wrote:

yea you are

No he isn't.

Why is the interview only scheduled for one day? Is there no flexibility in the scheduling?

dasfdfs wrote:

Am I the only one that is thinking, "Dude, you are in D3!!! Take the interview!!!"?

Am I the only one thinking "Dude, his DIII team would perfect score your DI team!!!! Go run at nationals!!!!"?

Is it that hard to reschedule the interview?

Seems like they should allow someone with a school "obligation" to reschedule especially since athletic achievement has historically been a factor in awarding the scholarship.