The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE issue of satellite camps has recently been a point of contention for the NCAA and football programmes, now the Bahamas may join the conversation and play a factor this summer.

In April, the NCAAs board of directors lifted the ban on satellite camps and the University of Arkansas was the first programme to mention the Bahamas as a possible destination to host its coaching staff at such an event.

During a Southeastern Conference coaches conference call and later at a press conference, Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema said his Razorbacks could target Europe or the Bahamas as possible destinations for a camp.

According to Bielema, his programme has been offered 84 different opportunities to hold camps in America, but international destinations like the Bahamas remain in the running.

Satellite camps allow college coaches to work as guests at camps hosted by other institutions – i.e high schools or small colleges in regions where they may not have had a recruiting presence.

The practice gained notoriety and came under fire when the Michigan  Wolverines and new head coach Jim Harbaugh conducted camps in the South and other high traffic recruiting areas.

NCAA rules previously prohibited the programmes from hosting such events beyond a 50-mile radius of their campuses, however they were still able to recruit, establish relationships and network as “guests” at other camps.

The SEC, and national championship head coach Nick Saban have previously spoken out against such camps, but with the ban lifted, SEC schools like Arkansas have now complied.

Arkansas currently plans to host camps in Houston, New Orleans, Chicago, Florida, Michigan, and Ohio.

If the Razorbacks do host a camp in the Bahamas, it could establish a pipeline for young Bahamian hopefuls to the programme and at the very least would provide elite SEC level coaching to aid  the development of the local game.

Several Bahamians played NCAA football at the FBS Division I level last season, including Alex Cooper of the Houston Cougars, Mavin Saunders of the Florida State Seminoles, Demitri Knowles of the Virginia Tech Hokies and Kato Fawkes of the Idaho Vandals.

Arkansas finished 8-5 last season and captured the Liberty Bowl with a 45-23 win over the Kansas State Wildcats.