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Policy Gives Selvie Some Peace Of Mind

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By BRETT McMURPHY

bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: October 15, 2008

TAMPA - George Selvie figured it was better to be safe than sorry.

So before this season began, the University of South Florida All-America defensive end took out an insurance policy through the NCAA that protects Selvie in case he suffers a career-ending injury.

Players must meet certain criteria to be eligible for the loan. Once a player is accepted, the NCAA secures a loan with no co-signer or collateral required. The loan must be repaid once the student-athlete exhausts his eligibility or is injured and collects on the insurance.

If a player suffers a career-ending injury, he receives millions of dollars based on the amount of his disability insurance. If not, the NFL team that drafts the player usually repays the loan, so it's a win-win for the student-athlete.

"Somebody told me to do it, that it was a good thing," Selvie said. "They said it would help me out, so I just did it. It wasn't a big deal."

A junior, Selvie is projected as a first-round pick in April's NFL draft if he doesn't return for his senior season. He is scheduled to graduate in May.

Selvie said his insurance policy was for this year only, although he said he could renew it for another year.

CRISTI'S BACK: Six months and two days after Cristi Ecks collapsed when her heart stopped beating at a USF practice, the senior stepped back into the pitcher's circle for her first competitive softball game.

Needless to say, USF's exhibition against Manatee Community College on Oct. 3 was more than a normal fall-season game.

"She was nervous, her teammates were nervous," USF coach Ken Eriksen said. "Heck, I was nervous, but I wasn't showing it. Everyone was optimistically cautious."

The first batter Ecks faced drilled a line-drive double. Ecks then retired 11 consecutive batters, including five strikeouts. The old Ecks was back.

"There was a big release of air from everyone," Eriksen said. "It was, 'Thank goodness, she's back.'"

ODDS AND ENDS: Only 56 percent of USF football players and 42 percent of USF men's basketball players who entered school from 1998 to 2001 graduated, the NCAA reported. Both figures were lower than the national average for Division I-A football (67 percent) and Division I basketball (62 percent). ...The initial BCS football rankings will be released Sunday. USF ranks No. 21 in this week's projected BCS rankings, according to CollegeBCS.com. USF ranks between No. 20 and No. 28 in five of the six computer polls used in the official BCS rankings. ...The men's and women's basketball teams will hold their first practices Friday in the Corral. The women will practice from 5 to 7:30 p.m.; the men from 7:30 to 10. The practices are free and open to the public. Men's coach Stan Heath said he hopes to know in the next few weeks whether Maryland transfer Gus Gilchrist will be eligible to play this season.

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