'07 PA TE/DE Rob Gronkowski (Arizona signee)

[bobcat84]

Quick! Someone call his Dad and tell him to call TG Sr. Glenville needs a TE.

[osugrad21]

Link

WPIAL to rule on tight end's eligibility
<!-- icons are from http://www.famfamfam.com/lab/icons/silk/ --> By John Grupp
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, August 19, 2006

The WPIAL Board of Control will hold a hearing Monday to determine the eligibility of star tight end Rob Gronkowski, who transferred to Woodland Hills last week. The hearing, which will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the WPIAL's Green Tree offices, was announced after an investigation by the WPIAL into possible athletic intent.
"We'll get to the bottom of it," WPIAL executive director Tim OMalley said.
Gronkowski, 6-foot-6, 255 pounds, is the seventh-ranked tight end in the nation, according to rivals.com. He transferred from Williamsville North, a suburb of Buffalo, N.Y., to Woodland Hills and enrolled Aug. 11

His father, Gordon, owns a national string of physical fitness equipment retailers, including five in the Pittsburgh area, and moved with his son into an apartment in the Woodland Hills School District. O'Malley said the transfer meets the first criteria established in the PIAA by-laws -- moving with either or both parents into the school district. But he said subsequent comments by Gronkowski's father indicated possible football-related motives for the move.
"If it was motivated by considerations other than that he has business here, we need to look into it," O'Malley said.


John Grupp can be reached at jgrupp@tribweb.com

[sandgk]

Maybe his dad should just move into the Montour school district. j/k

Truthfully, there are significant diferences between the Sunseri case and this one involving Gronkowski. Sunseri's move was all about the athletics and was not a true family move. With Gronkowski, his dad wanted to do two things. Take better care of the 5 stores he owns in the area of the 'Burg and give a leg up to his son's budding athletic ambitions.

I for one see nothing wrong with that.

Did I mention before that the Pittsburgh Press is filled with big-city reporter wannabes? Their coverage on this issue is just another example.

[Buckskin86]

Published: August 20, 2006 12:10 am

TIM SCHMITT: Gronkowski deserved a better fate

COMMENTARY

Niagara Gazette

If things don’t pan out in Pittsburgh, and it’s a distinct possibility they won’t, Williamsville North football star Rob Gronkowski will be stuck without a school when the season kicks off.

Too bad.

Gronkowski is as good as we grow ’em and as Jonah Bronstein’s story explained on Saturday, sources said his departure had more to do with a possible suspension than the level of competition. The tight end has gotten offers from major players throughout the country, including Ohio State, Maryland and Arizona.

But when his father, Gordon, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “There’s just not the quality of football in the state of New York that there is here,” it might have sealed his son’s playing fate.

Gronkowski faces a blitz on Monday — a Pennsylvania athletic board will decide if he’s eligible. Pennsylvania schools don’t allow transfers for athletic purposes.

If Gronkowski was facing a suspension, his best bet would have been to serve it and move on. Colleges are still frothing to get a crack at him.

But with drama comes additional baggage. Now, if Gronkowski doesn’t get in, he’ll be forced to sheepishly return. He could go back to Williamsville North, but might try to play with a Catholic school team like St. Francis.

It’s not the way a blue-chip football recruit — something that’s scarce in Western New York — should have to spend his senior season.

http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timsc...232001059.html

[wadc45]

BSB $

8/21/06

By BK...Rob played in Woodland Hills first scrimmage. His top 6 is Ohio State, Clemson, North Carolina, Maryland, Syracuse and Arizona.

[Buckskin86]

WPIAL rules Gronkowski ineligible
Monday, August 21, 2006

By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Rob Gronkowski, a star high school football player with a lofty national reputation, has been ruled ineligible to play this season by the local governing body for high school athletics.

Gronkowski, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound senior who is a high-profile recruit and has numerous college scholarship offers, was benched by the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) today because the league claimed Gronkowski transferred from a school near Buffalo, N.Y., to Woodland Hills a week-and-a-half ago for athletic reasons.

Under Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) rules, which the WPIAL follows, a student-athlete can be ruled ineligible if he transfers schools for athletic reasons. Gronkowski, ranked the No. 2 tight end in the country by one scouting service, left Williamsville North (N.Y.) and enrolled at Woodland Hills Aug. 11. He can appeal the WPIAL's decision to the PIAA and have a hearing in front of that organization Thursday.

The WPIAL Board of Control made its decision after a hearing with Gronkowski today.

"The board felt there was substantial athletic purpose which influenced the transfer," WPIAL Executive Director Tim O'Malley said. "For that reason, we decided to deny his eligibility."

http://www.postgazette.com/pg/06233/715258-100.stm

[unionfutura]

That's par for the course for the WPIAL. I have so many words I can say right now about their "rules and regulations" but this is a family site.

[osugrad21]

Link

WPIAL benches high school football transfer

Tuesday, August 22, 2006
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
<!--BEGIN PHOTO-->







<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="145"> <tbody><tr><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Rob Gronkowski
<hr> <center>Reader Forum</center> What do you think of the WPIAL's ruling?

<hr> </td></tr></tbody> </table> <!--END PHOTO-->

Rob Gronkowski, a star high school football player with a lofty national reputation, has been ruled ineligible to play this season by the local governing body for high school athletics.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pound senior, who is a high-profile recruit and has numerous college scholarship offers, was benched by the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League yesterday because it claimed he transferred from a school near Buffalo, N.Y., to Woodland Hills High School a week-and-a-half ago for athletic reasons.
Under Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association rules, which the WPIAL follows, a student-athlete can be ruled ineligible if he transfers schools for athletic reasons. Rob Gronkowski, ranked the No. 2 tight end in the country by one scouting service, left Williamsville North (N.Y.) and enrolled at Woodland Hills Aug. 11. He can appeal the WPIAL's decision to the PIAA and have a hearing in front of that organization Thursday.
The Gronkowski case is being watched by school officials, coaches, parents and fans in two states as a prime example of talented athletes changing addresses for sports reasons.
The WPIAL Board of Control made its decision after a hearing with Rob Gronkowski, his father, Gordie, Woodland Hills coach/athletic director George Novak and co-school principal Margaret Boden. But the WPIAL's verdict is not all that unusual.
The past two school years, the WPIAL has conducted 24 eligibility hearings concerning transfer cases. Ten resulted in ineligibility. A few of those decisions have been overturned by the PIAA.
The Gronkowskis declined comment after the hearing and were unavailable for comment last night.
"The board felt there was substantial athletic purpose which influenced the transfer," WPIAL executive director Tim O'Malley said. "For that reason, we decided to deny his eligibility."
The WPIAL was not going to investigate Rob Gronkowski's transfer until league officials saw comments Gordie Gronkowski made in the Post-Gazette Aug. 13. Gordie Gronkowski said there were two main reasons he and his son moved to the Pittsburgh area a few weeks ago and rented an apartment in the Woodland Hills district. First, Gordie Gronkowski owns five G and G Fitness Equipment stores in the Pittsburgh area. Secondly, his son wanted to play a higher quality of football.
Gordie Gronkowski told the Buffalo News this weekend that his comments to the Post-Gazette were taken out of context.
"The whole thing was a setup," Gronkowski said.
The Gronkowskis elected to have yesterday's hearing closed to the media, and Mr. O'Malley said he wasn't permitted to reveal details.
But Mr. O'Malley did say the Gronkowskis gave new reasons for their transfer.
"There was a tremendous amount of information shared that certainly created some discussion, consideration and thought by the board," Mr. O'Malley said. "Clearly, there's more to it than ended up in the newspapers."
Rob Gronkowski also is an excellent basketball player, averaging 22 points a game last season for Williamsville North. He is still eligible to play basketball and any other sport, except football.
He was one of two football players ruled ineligible yesterday after hearings.
Andy Ciesielski transferred from Shaler to Hampton, but the WPIAL board said his transfer also was, in part, for athletic reasons.
Also yesterday, the WPIAL established a five-member committee to come up with a formal proposal that would change the PIAA transfer rule.
WPIAL president Rich Constantine will be the committee chairman and hopes to have a new rule presented to the PIAA in the next six months. The PIAA would have to pass the new rule on three different votes before it becomes a by-law.
In the past, Mr. O'Malley and other WPIAL officials have said the league would like to see an automatic period of ineligibility for any transfer student.
"I don't know if the answer to the transfer rule is out there or not," Mr. Constantine said. "But rather than sit back and take a back seat, let's be active. If something doesn't work, fix it."

[Buckskin86]

Published: August 22, 2006 04:24 pm

HIGH SCHOOL: Gronkowski ruled ineligible to play in Pittsburgh

By Jonah Bronstein
TheAmherstRecord.com

Rob Gronkowski now has two homes and nowhere to play.

The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League ruled Monday that Gronkowski, a Williamsville native regarded as one of the nation’s top college prospects, is ineligible to play football this season for Woodland Hills High School in suburban Pittsburgh.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end was part of Williamsville North’s football program before enrolling at Woodland Hills on Aug. 11. Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association rules, which the WPIAL follows, prohibit transfers for athletic intent. The WPIAL believed football interests may have motivated Gronkowski’s transfer, based on public comments attributed to Gronkowski and his father, Gordon.

At Monday’s closed hearing, the Gronkowskis and the Woodland Hills School District could not convince the WPIAL Board of Control that Rob enrolled at Woodland for any reason beside football.

Gronkowski and his father have moved into an apartment withing the Woodland Hills district. Gordon Gronkowski owns five fitness equipment stores in the Pittsburgh area.

A “vast majority” of the 19-member board decided Gronkowski transferred for athletic purposes, WPIAL Executive Director Tim O’Malley said Tuesday. O’Malley did not provide specific details on the hearing, citing a confidentially request by the Gronkowskis.

O’Malley said he believes the Gronkowskis will appeal the ruling to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, which oversees the WPIAL. That hearing is expected to take place Thursday.

Gronkowski is still eligible to play at North, according to Section VI chairman Chuck Funke, once he completes the required 15 practices.

But, as Greater Niagara Newspapers reported last week, sources allege Gronkowski transferred out of North because a pending school suspension would have kept him from playing in the Spartans’ first game. Williamsville district officials refuse to comfirm or deny the report.

It’s believed Gronkowski faces a three-day suspension at North, which, combined with the practices he’s missed, could delay his return until the third game of the season.

Gronkowski caught 36 passes for seven touchdowns last season, and was ranked last month by Scouts Inc. as the nation’s sixth-best high school tight end. He previously told TheAmherstRecord.com that his college choices have been narrowed to Syracuse, Ohio State, Arizona, Maryland, Clemson and North Carolina.

If Gronkowski returns to Western New York — where his family still lives — it’s likely he’ll play this season at a private school.

North coach Mike Mammoliti did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Thursday.

Gronkowski is eligible to play any sport besides football at Woodland Hills, according to O’Malley. According to Western New York High School Sports publisher Dick Gallagher, Gronkowski could have been All-WNY in basketball and baseball this season.

Contact Jonah Bronstein at 693-1000 ext. 111, or at bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com

http://www.tonawanda-news.com/sports...secondarystory

[akronbuck]

thats damn sad.

[BuckTwenty]

Extremely sad situation for Gronkowski and family. Certainly doesn't help his recruitment knowing that he's going to be out of the game for a year before he plays football again.

However, this will also help show him which schools really do want him, because it is likely that some schools may lose some interest in him over this. A good example of this is when we were recruiting Brian Hartline. He broke his leg on the first play of his first game, and we pursued him just that much harder. Ultimately, it helped seal the deal on his recruitment and he verballed to OSU. The rest is history

[BearBuck27]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

Extremely sad situation for Gronkowski and family. Certainly doesn't help his recruitment knowing that he's going to be out of the game for a year before he plays football again.

A good example of this is when we were recruiting Brian Hartline. He broke his leg on the first play of his first game, and we pursued him just that much harder. Ultimately, it helped seal the deal on his recruitment and he verballed to OSU. The rest is history

Not to get nitpicky, but Hartline committed in June at camp according to Scout. Another situation like this was David Lighty in BBall recruiting, where he tore his ACL, and Thad sealed the deal.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by MaxBuck

Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen...

And now that they've denied his eligibility, I think that aroma you smell is the suit brewing...

[osugrad21]

Link

High School Notebook: Gronkowski files WPIAL eligibility appeal with PIAA

Wednesday, August 23, 2006
By Mike White and Colin Dunlap, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Woodland Hills High School football player Rob Gronkowski has appealed his ineligiblity to the PIAA.
Gronkowski, a senior, will have a hearing in front of the PIAA Board of Control tomorrow in Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Gronkowski transferred from Williamsville North near Buffalo, N.Y., to Woodland Hills Aug. 11, but the WPIAL ruled him ineligible two days ago, saying he transferred for athletic reasons. Gronkowski is ranked by scouting services as one of the top tight ends in the country and has numerous scholarship offers from major colleges.
Any student-athlete who is ruled ineligible at the district level can appeal the decision to the PIAA. The PIAA has overturned some WPIAL rulings.
Woodland Hills coach George Novak yesterday declined comment on the WPIAL's ruling. Novak will accompany Gronkowski and his father, Gordie, to Mechanicsburg for the PIAA hearing.

[Buckskin86]

gronkowski family info

Gronkowski gets a top ACC education
By TOM BORRELLI
News Sports Reporter
8/24/2006

Talk about big shoes to fill.
Former Williamsville North quarterback Dan Gronkowski began practice atop the University of Maryland's tight end depth chart earlier this month. That's the same place Vernon Davis spent last season, where he became the first Terrapins offensive player in 50 years to be named a first-team Associated Press All-America. That was before Davis was tabbed as the sixth overall pick of last spring's National Football League draft, by the San Francisco 49ers.

"I learned a lot from Vernon, I was able to pick up plenty about the receiving part of the position from him," said Gronkowski, a 6-foot-6, 266-pound marketing major. "The guy is just a freak [physically] but he was a good guy to learn from. I really wanted him to go to Buffalo, so that was a little disappointing because I'm still a Bills fan."

Davis, who left the Terps after his junior season, was taken two spots before the Bills grabbed Ohio State safety Donte Whitner. The 6-3, 253-pound Davis led the Atlantic Coast Conference in receiving yards per game (79.2) with 51 catches for 871 yards and six touchdowns. He was so dominant that neither Gronkowski, who had two catches for 37 yards, nor any of the other tight ends on last year's Terps roster got much playing time.

"Last season when he was the No. 2 or No. 3 tight end and not playing much, he wasn't sulking," said Williamsville North coach Mike Mammoliti, who has sent four of his former players to the rosters of Division I-A schools for this fall. "When I'd talk to him he'd tell me about all the things he'd picked up by watching Vernon Davis play. He's really a special kid."

One of Gronkowski's younger brothers, Chris, is a freshman fullback at Maryland and another, Rob, is rated the No. 3 tight end recruit among this year's high school senior class according to the Sporting News. He has enrolled at Woodland Hills near Pittsburgh this season, but his eligibility is in dispute.

Older brother Gordie Jr. was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the June baseball draft after a stellar career as a first baseman at Jacksonville University. He's named after his dad, Gordon Gronkowski, who was a guard at Syracuse University.

"The unique thing about the whole family is not just the athletic side, but the academics too," said Mammoliti, whose grads on D-IA squads also include running back Chris McDuffie and offensive lineman Peter Bittner with the University at Buffalo.

"Dan is the consummate team guy," Mammoliti said. "If they said they wanted him to put on 30 more pounds and become a left tackle, he'd do it. He and his brother Chris are two of the 13 guys on the honor roll from the [Maryland football] team."

Dan Gronkowski has put on more than 30 pounds of muscle since his days as a Spartan, which included a national runner-up finish in the Punt, Pass and Kick competition when he was a ninth-grader playing quarterback on the JV team. As a senior at North he completed 122 of 207 passes for 1,407 yards and 16 scores. He's spent countless hours in the weight room and boasts the highest strength index among this year's Terps tight ends.

"Once Vernon left, we felt there would be more of an opportunity for me at tight end than at quarterback," Gronkowski said about switching positions. "I like catching passes and making plays. It's a position where you have to be tough to do the blocking and get things done."

Mammoliti believes that making the position change was easier for Gronkowski because he's such a student of the game.

"Playing quarterback helped him because he understood exactly what the tight end's role is," Mammoliti explained. "The Maryland playbook is like a phone book, it's so thick. But as a quarterback he knew what every receiver's route was on every play. Though he'd never played with his hand on the ground before, he's a physical kid and he's filled out nicely. He'll be successful no matter what he does, on the field or off."

Nobody expects Gronkowski or junior Joey Haynos, who is also battling for playing time at that position, to put up numbers that will make Terps fans forget about Davis.

"Gronkowski and Joey Haynos both block pretty well," said Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen. "Are they Vernon Davis? No. But they are two good tight ends and hopefully they can continue to improve."

Maryland started 4-2 last season but dropped four of its final five games - all against teams that made bowl appearances. After successive 5-6 seasons, the Terps are looking to capture their first bowl invitation since 2003, when they annihilated West Virginia, 41-7, in the Gator Bowl to cap a 10-3 campaign.

But going bowling isn't the ultimate goal for this season, which begins against William & Mary on Sept. 2 in College Park, Md.

"We have much higher goals," Gronkowski said. "The ACC championship is what we're shooting for, at the very least it's to be in a bowl game. We did it [won the ACC] a few years ago [in 2001] with a lot less talent, so we know we can get the job done."

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial...24/1045710.asp