Scorecard

THE GAINESVILLE PLAN

Under the pressures of college football recruiting, some high school stars have suffered nervous breakdowns and parents have complained that their sons have not been able to study or get proper rest.

None of this is going to happen henceforth at Gainesville ( Fla.) High School, which has seen almost 50 graduates get football scholarships in the past 10 years. Jim Niblack, football coach and director of athletics, has laid down some laws:

1) College recruiters will not be permitted to talk to players, either by personal visit or telephone, until after the football season.

2) Players may not visit any college campus during the season, or accept tickets to college games.

3) College alumni are barred from approaching players for recruiting.

4) Summer visits to colleges are not permitted.

The school will, however, provide recruiters with films of spring practice and an assistant coach to discuss prospects. It will also furnish academic grades, dash times and other needed data. But any college violating the rules will be put on a blacklist and aid in evaluating players will be cut off.

The plan has won full approval of players and parents. It has our approval, too. Gainesville High has arrived at a sane and fair solution at the first and most important level where recruiting excesses can be controlled.

A MOUTH BY ANY OTHER NAME