Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Washington Post
June 13, 2008
Pg. E7
By News Services
A Navy graduate drafted last week by the Cardinals was denied a bid to play ball yesterday and ordered to report for duty.
Mitch Harris, a newly commissioned ensign, must serve a five-year active duty commitment, Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter ruled.
"He will report to his ship as ordered," said Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a Navy spokesman.
Harris, a native of Ocala, Fla., who played high school ball in North Carolina, was selected in the 13th round with the 395th pick overall. He was the second-highest pick in program history.
Harris is scheduled to report Monday to the amphibious transport ship Ponce, which is homeported in Norfolk.
Before yesterday's decision, Harris told the Virginian-Pilot newspaper that he thought there are "different ways" to juggle military service and a sports career.
"Bottom line is, we're a nation at war and as a nation at war we believe it is inappropriate for Navy and Marine Corps personnel to be released from service obligation to play sports at a time other sailors and Marines are carrying out their service obligations," Davis said.
Winter suspended all early releases from active duty for professional sports in January 2007. Previously, officers could serve 24 months and apply for an early release to pursue "an activity with potential recruiting or public affairs benefit to the Navy and Marine Corps."
That policy allowed former NBA star David Robinson to serve two years before joining the San Antonio Spurs.
June 13, 2008
Pg. E7
By News Services
A Navy graduate drafted last week by the Cardinals was denied a bid to play ball yesterday and ordered to report for duty.
Mitch Harris, a newly commissioned ensign, must serve a five-year active duty commitment, Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter ruled.
"He will report to his ship as ordered," said Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a Navy spokesman.
Harris, a native of Ocala, Fla., who played high school ball in North Carolina, was selected in the 13th round with the 395th pick overall. He was the second-highest pick in program history.
Harris is scheduled to report Monday to the amphibious transport ship Ponce, which is homeported in Norfolk.
Before yesterday's decision, Harris told the Virginian-Pilot newspaper that he thought there are "different ways" to juggle military service and a sports career.
"Bottom line is, we're a nation at war and as a nation at war we believe it is inappropriate for Navy and Marine Corps personnel to be released from service obligation to play sports at a time other sailors and Marines are carrying out their service obligations," Davis said.
Winter suspended all early releases from active duty for professional sports in January 2007. Previously, officers could serve 24 months and apply for an early release to pursue "an activity with potential recruiting or public affairs benefit to the Navy and Marine Corps."
That policy allowed former NBA star David Robinson to serve two years before joining the San Antonio Spurs.