Football coach Gerry DiNardo released two players from the team last Wednesday.\nOne player missed a morning workout and the other skipped too many classes.\nUnder DiNardo, about 10 athletes have left the team this season, said IU Athletic Department Spokesman Jeff Fanter.\nDiNardo has made clear what he expects of his players. He wants them to do well in school and graduate, and he wants the team to win. That means going to class and both practicing and playing hard.\n DiNardo's high standards are important to the future of the football team. The team has not been to a bowl game since 1993, when it lost to Virginia Tech in the Independence Bowl.\n Clearly the coaching philosophy at IU prior to DiNardo did not work and he's focused on implementing a system that's been successful for him in the past.\n Potential players and their parents need to know they will be joining a program that will not only demand them to excel on the field, but in the classroom. Only a small percentage of college football players go on to the National Football League. Even if an athlete is to join the NFL, the average career of an NFL player is short.\n"I think people realize the chances of going to play professional football (are small)," Fanter said. "The numbers aren't with you."\nKnowing this, it's important that football players leave school with more than memories of practice and games. School must be a part of the football program and this mentality starts at the top.\nDiNardo should be applauded for sticking to his guns and making academics integral to the program.\nThe discipline DiNardo demands of his players, if it for some reason doesn't translate to victory on the field, will undoubtedly lead them to success in other areas of life. But when a coach is demanding of his players (as DiNardo is), and has had previous success (as DiNardo has), players will follow his lead, buy into his program and embrace the winning attitude. \nThe football team was unsuccessful in the past because it lacked effective leadership. DiNardo represents strong, smart leadership and he is putting in place a recipe for success both on and off the field.\n"His goal is that our student athletes graduate and that when they walk across the stage they have a championship ring on their fingers," Fanter said.\nDiNardo's goals are not too lofty, they are realistic. Leadership and attitude can be infectious. Jump on the bandwagon now and get to know the program, because it's only a matter of time until the team's schedule gets extended into late December.
-- Michael Eisenstadt for the Editorial Board
