Stevens

[ivegottabigduck]

Rumors are Hamani might take his mission...and may not come back after

[karlhungis]

That would certainly suck but that is the risk we take with recruiting the LDS kids.

[NCDucks09]

Sucky! We should have used his RS last year on the D-Line if this is the case.

[duckgrad99]

Stuff like this really upsets me. We cannot have guys that we are expecting big things from not play for one reason or another. We have seen in the past what missing a few key players can do.

[woundedknees]

I guess a lot depends on how prepared this team is at the center position. It could get ugly, but this was a known likelihood to the coaches when they recruited him.

Haloti chose not to take his mission. That is not the normal action for a young LDS player.

[ncduck]

On the other hand, if he does go on a mission and comes back to Oregon, he'll be two years more mature and his production in the class room will only increase. After my mission to Brazil, college was not only a breeze, but easier than high school.

This rumor is a two part rumor.
Will he go? We don't know.
If he goes, will he come back? We don't know.

Until he makes up his mind on wether he'll go, this is not an issue.

[pdxduck]

What is the supposed source?

[ivegottabigduck]

Well on a pay site, that shall remain nameless, a insider mod confirmed reports first posted by a current student who claimed to have heard the rumors on campus. SOmething about Hamani may not be enjoying Eugene at all and potentially may have stopped participating in football activities.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Wow that'b be pretty dissapointing if he went on a mission & incredibley dissapointing if he never came back. Kinda lame how a player can get out of a signed LOI by going on a mission.

[woundedknees]

I am not a Mormon/LDS... However I am friends with enough of them to know that this is a very personal issue to them... And can be a very life-changing experience, spiritually, emotionally, and overall maturity.

One of the things many people do not realize is that he (As well as his companion on the trip) will be supporting himself for 2 years, usually in a foreign country (In a differnet culture than he has lived in up til now, for sure.). He will learn to be stronger and more self confident.

IMO, if Stevens does take his mission, and return to the Ducks, the long-term benefits far out weigh the short-term impact...

[Quietduck]

If he is unhappy with Eugene and the Ducks then I hope he goes on his mission. I don't know what happens on a "Mission" specificly, but I know two things. First, two years can change anyones view point on whats important and he might just find that things are not as bad as they seem now. Second, if that view doesn't change I wouldn't want him playing for the Ducks as he would never live up to his promise. Better that he goes than just sit on the bench.

Quietduck

[Mops]

Its pretty much official so I am told today, but stranger things have happened. Honestly, I cant fault the kid as its his personal choice and religious reason to go on this mission.

[duckgrad99]

Its pretty much official so I am told today, but stranger things have happened. Honestly, I cant fault the kid as its his personal choice and religious reason to go on this mission.

Doesn't this leave a huge hole though, especially after the players we lost to graduation? I don't fault him, but it sucks to lose someone as talented and highly regarded as Stevens.

[dthomas=ddixon]

Its pretty much official so I am told today, but stranger things have happened. Honestly, I cant fault the kid as its his personal choice and religious reason to go on this mission.

I'm not worried about this year, usually a kid comes back alot more mature but that's my worry. Is he going to come back to the Ducks? Seems like guys always go somewhere else after their mission. Especially if they don't like where they're at like Hamani is rumored to not like Eugene.

[chapelhillduck]

So who is the center then?