[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Lets hope he gets his academics in order and gets a second chance....


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12/30/05

Gwaltney will attend Nassau

Jason Gwaltney will attend Nassau CC in the spring. Nassau football coach John Anselmo met with Gwaltney yesterday and confirmed that the only two-time Hansen Award winner, given to Suffolk's top high school football player, will register at Nassau next week.

"He's coming to Nassau and he's going to get a second chance," Anselmo said. "This is the right place for second chances. He needs 17 credits between the spring and the summer to be eligible to play football for us. He said he wants to move forward academically and I thought he was sincere. He didn't have an attitude like he was doing me a favor. He'll come in with a clean slate and put West Virginia behind him."

Gwaltney, a freshman halfback from North Babylon, scored three touchdowns in six games at West Virginia before a right knee injury derailed his season. His lack of progress in his rehabilitation and failure to attend classes prompted his transfer.

"There was more to it than the rehab and the grades," North Babylon football coach Terry Manning said. "Of course those were issues, but he was also very homesick."

Gwaltney set numerous Long Island records, including 135 career touchdowns and 7,800 yards rushing. He led North Babylon to two L.I. Class II titles and was a highly sought-after recruit.

"This happens to thousands of kids every year all over the country and you just don't hear about it ... because they're not Jason Gwaltney," Anselmo said. "He was like a rock star in high school. But when you get to the next level, it's all about business. And I told him, he's not coming in here and making us a winner. He's coming into a very successful program, that's going to win eight, nine or 10 games with or without him. So he better be serious about his grades. I'd love to see him get another chance and I'll be all over him with his classes."

The spring semester starts Jan. 23 at Nassau CC.