Oliviyah Edwards requesting out

#351
#351
1reVOLver said:
After much reflection, prayer, and thoughtful conversations with my family and financial advisers, I have made the difficult decision to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. I will take with me fondest memories of y'all and a ham sandwich.


Third and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Waldoboro Institution of Phrenology (hereinafter WIP) and everyone who has been part of my journey here. To Coach Baldyell and the remaining coaching staff: thank you for believing in me, for pushing me to grow as a cook. You’ve helped shape me into the athlete and student I am today, short, round, cute and hungry. To my teammates: the bonds we’ve built in the gym, on the court, and in the taverns mean the world to me. The late-night x-rated film sessions, the shared victories, and even the tough losses have created memories I’ll cherish forever. To the fans and the WIP community: your energy at games, your support through social media, and your genuine kindness have made this experience unforgettable. Thank you for embracing me and showing up every step of the way.


This decision was not made lightly. Over the past 2 days, I’ve poured everything into representing The Fighting Hamster with pride. However, after evaluating my remaining eligibility and my long-term goals—both athletically and academically—I believe it’s time for a new chapter where I can continue to challenge myself in a different environment. I’m seeking a program that aligns more closely with my vision for growth, whether that’s increased opportunities to contribute on the court, a stronger fit for my playing style, new coaching perspectives, or resources that support my development as I prepare for the next level. And let us not forget “the bag”.


I remain incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and hold no ill will toward anyone at WIP. Basketball has taught me resilience, teamwork, and the importance of betting on myself. I’m excited to explore new opportunities while staying committed to excellence in the classroom and on the court. As my Auntie Ralph was wont to say, “Béisbol hass bean veri gute to me.”


To any programs interested in connecting: I’m open to conversations and look forward to finding the right next home where I can continue competing at a high level and making an impact.


Thank you again to everyone at [Current University] for the incredible support. This isn’t goodbye—it’s gratitude for the foundation you’ve helped build. I’m eager for what’s ahead and wish nothing but success for the Hamster in the seasons to come.
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In the spirit of professionalism and good sportsmanship, I ask MS co-pilot to respond to your portal statement:

Subject: Best Wishes in Your Next Chapter
Thank you for sharing your decision and for the thoughtfulness with which you reflected on your time at the Waldoboro Institution of Phrenology.
On behalf of WIP Athletics, I want to express our sincere appreciation for your contributions to The Fighting Hamster program. Your commitment, energy, and presence have been valued by our coaching staff, your teammates, and the broader WIP community. You represented the institution with pride, and your efforts—both on and off the court—played a meaningful role in our shared experiences.
We respect the care you’ve taken in evaluating your academic, athletic, and personal goals, and we understand that the transfer process is an important step for many student-athletes as they continue to grow. While we are sorry to see you depart, we support your decision and wish you success as you pursue opportunities that best align with your aspirations.
Please know that you leave with our gratitude and best wishes. We are confident that the lessons learned here—resilience, teamwork, and accountability—will serve you well in the seasons ahead.
Thank you for being part of WIP Athletics. You will always be welcome here, and we wish you nothing but success in the next chapter of your journey.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Title]
Waldoboro Institution of Phrenology Athletics
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#352
#352
1reVOLver said:
After much reflection, prayer, and thoughtful conversations with my family and financial advisers, I have made the difficult decision to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. I will take with me fondest memories of y'all and a ham sandwich.


Third and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Waldoboro Institution of Phrenology (hereinafter WIP) and everyone who has been part of my journey here. To Coach Baldyell and the remaining coaching staff: thank you for believing in me, for pushing me to grow as a cook. You’ve helped shape me into the athlete and student I am today, short, round, cute and hungry. To my teammates: the bonds we’ve built in the gym, on the court, and in the taverns mean the world to me. The late-night x-rated film sessions, the shared victories, and even the tough losses have created memories I’ll cherish forever. To the fans and the WIP community: your energy at games, your support through social media, and your genuine kindness have made this experience unforgettable. Thank you for embracing me and showing up every step of the way.


This decision was not made lightly. Over the past 2 days, I’ve poured everything into representing The Fighting Hamster with pride. However, after evaluating my remaining eligibility and my long-term goals—both athletically and academically—I believe it’s time for a new chapter where I can continue to challenge myself in a different environment. I’m seeking a program that aligns more closely with my vision for growth, whether that’s increased opportunities to contribute on the court, a stronger fit for my playing style, new coaching perspectives, or resources that support my development as I prepare for the next level. And let us not forget “the bag”.


I remain incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and hold no ill will toward anyone at WIP. Basketball has taught me resilience, teamwork, and the importance of betting on myself. I’m excited to explore new opportunities while staying committed to excellence in the classroom and on the court. As my Auntie Ralph was wont to say, “Béisbol hass bean veri gute to me.”


To any programs interested in connecting: I’m open to conversations and look forward to finding the right next home where I can continue competing at a high level and making an impact.


Thank you again to everyone at [Current University] for the incredible support. This isn’t goodbye—it’s gratitude for the foundation you’ve helped build. I’m eager for what’s ahead and wish nothing but success for the Hamster in the seasons to come.
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A for effort. Somehow, it seems a bit insincere…
 
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#354
#354
1reVOLver said:
X comment: “We don’t care, decommit in silence instead of using AI for your “business decision” “
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Am I one of the only ones who is unsure of why we are even reading or dissecting decommit posts? I do not care what they say, do not read them, and I am certainly not going to put a child's post through any AI or Chat bot test. This is certainly not aimed at you (you are one of my faves, and we are always pretty much on the same page :)) but just in general. I just need to know who is gone and who is going where and who is coming here.
 
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#355
#355
Many, many people have asked to see the campus of the Waldoboro Institute of Phrenology.
home of the Fighting Hamster. It is pictured below. Also, too, as well, there is a lovely photograph of the site of a former Sylvania light bulb factory, now razed. It will be converted to use as a combination bocce ball court and basketball arena as soon as funding has been procured.

IMG_3896.jpegIMG_3897.jpeg
 
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#356
#356
CoryDallasLV said:
Am I one of the only ones who is unsure of why we are even reading or dissecting decommit posts? I do not care what they say, do not read them, and I am certainly not going to put a child's post through any AI or Chat bot test. This is certainly not aimed at you (you are one of my faves, and we are always pretty much on the same page :)) but just in general. I just need to know who is gone and who is going where and who is coming here.
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Just goofing off. This foray into the absurd world of AI is, for me, a jocular counterweight to the irrational exuberance of KLUTZ and the conspiracy theories that would have us believe that Tubner & Lazo overturned the government of Liz Truss.
 
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#358
#358
1reVOLver said:
Many, many people have asked to see the campus of the Waldoboro Institute of Phrenology.
home of the Fighting Hamster. It is pictured below. Also, too, as well, there is a lovely photograph of the site of a former Sylvania light bulb factory, now razed. It will be converted to use as a combination bocce ball court and basketball arena as soon as funding has been procured.

View attachment 824868View attachment 824870
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And what of their rival Bemberg U and the fearsome Nylon Knickerbockers?

1775599930403.png
 
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#364
#364
dognusty said:
What was the point to ever write in cursive? Just think about it. You could hardly read what each person wrote
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That was, in part, the point. Before the digital evolution of document signature and verification, signature (in cursive) was the unique verifier of identity. Validity of official documents was established through signature and verification of a signature's authenticity. it's like an antiquated biomarker.

Also, it's fast and efficient. No printing press or digital storage & distribution of materials meant that writing by hand was the way to record everything. cursive is faster. Necessary evil when documenting literally everything by hand and perhaps with an ink dipped quill pen or other. Now we can type or I can record you or use other means of documenting and storing verifiable information. But not always
 
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#365
#365
CoryDallasLV said:
Am I one of the only ones who is unsure of why we are even reading or dissecting decommit posts? I do not care what they say, do not read them, and I am certainly not going to put a child's post through any AI or Chat bot test. This is certainly not aimed at you (you are one of my faves, and we are always pretty much on the same page :)) but just in general. I just need to know who is gone and who is going where and who is coming here.
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This. Whatever her reasons, let her go in peace. The way things are, in a year or two she'll probably be back in the portal anyway.
 
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#366
#366
UTFranklinVol said:
I don't use these words often, but paying Dawn Staley is ******* dumb. she makes almost as much as Rick Barnes.

Let's be real, women's college basketball is a third tier sport and being "good" at it brings almost nothing to the table financially. You don't have to like it, but it's true. The same thing goes for baseball. we should never be investing heavily there until the football program is making the CFP every year.

when we have a football program that is floundering and struggles to keep up with the other power football schools we should not be wasting a dime on a sport nobody really cares about financially.
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I mean I don't really disagree.
 
#367
#367
Texas was not heavily involved in Oliviyah's recruitment the last year or so; recall it was South Carolina, Florida, LSU, and Washinton who she named as finalists before committing to Tennessee last Fall.

Over the last couple of days, all the Texas assistant coaches started following Oliviyah, her Mom, and her stepdad on Instagram; stepdad followed them all back. Texas coaches usually do that when a recruit is on campus visiting, or an upcoming visit has been scheduled.
 
#369
#369
southie said:
Texas was not heavily involved in Oliviyah's recruitment the last year or so; recall it was South Carolina, Florida, LSU, and Washinton who she named as finalists before committing to Tennessee last Fall.

Over the last couple of days, all the Texas assistant coaches started following Oliviyah, her Mom, and her stepdad on Instagram; stepdad followed them all back. Texas coaches usually do that when a recruit is on campus visiting, or an upcoming visit has been scheduled.
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I wonder if UCLA will go after her hard. They have a lot of holes to fill.
 
#370
#370
SummittSoul said:
Does having the best or highly ranked players matter? I personally think so. This is a working hypothesis and can be disproven but I am rolling with it until proven otherwise. Here's why. The best indicator I have for success at this time is the consistent recipe for past success.

Last 10 years of women's champions: (you can easily go back much further than this and it's the same exact pattern but for arguments sake)

2026: UCLA
Key Players: Lauren Betts - #1 recruit, Kiki Rice - #1 recruit

2025: UConn
Key Players: Paige Bueckers - #1 recruit, Azzi Fudd - #1 recruit, Sarah Strong #1 recruit

2024: South Carolina
Key Players: Kamilla Cardoso - top 5 recruit, Te-Hina Paopao - top 15 recruit, Raven Johnson - #2 recruit

2023: LSU
Key Players: Angel Reese #2 recruit, Flau'jae Johnson - top 25, Alexis Morris - top 10

2022: South Carolina
Key Players: Aliyah Boston - #1 recruit, Zia Cooke - #1 recruit, Destanni Henderson - top 10

2021: Stanford
Key Players: Hayley Jones - #1 recruit, Cam Brink - #3 recruit, Kiana Williams - top 10

2020: Covid

2019: Baylor
Key Players: NaLyssa Smith - #1 recruit, Lauren Cox - top 5

2018: Notre Dame
Key Players: Arike Ogunbowale - top 10, Jackie Young - #1 recruit

2017: South Carolina
Key Players: A'ja Wilson - #1 recruit. Has a statue lol

2016: UConn
Key Players: Stewie - #1 recruit, Moriah Jefferson - top 5

And from our very own Lady Vol Teams: 2008 Candace Parker, 2007 Candace Parker, 1998 Chamique Holdsclaw/Tamika Catchings, 1997 Chamique Holdsclaw, 1996 Chamique Holdsclaw, etc.

There are for sure some role players, some mid major talent, some jucos, all of that mixed in amongst the teams in these scenarios. But, the reality is, if you look at even the last decade+ of champions, every team had multiple top-tier recruits, often a #1 or multiple top 10-15 players. You don't just win with hard work and system. It's elite talent + system + development imo. I mean, we could reinvent the wheel but... not betting on it.

I want anyone who is kidding themselves that this doesn't matter to not be misled or deluded. It absolutely matters.
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You have some of the rankings wrong but you're point stands.
 
#371
#371
SummittSoul said:
Does having the best or highly ranked players matter? I personally think so. This is a working hypothesis and can be disproven but I am rolling with it until proven otherwise. Here's why. The best indicator I have for success at this time is the consistent recipe for past success.

Last 10 years of women's champions: (you can easily go back much further than this and it's the same exact pattern but for arguments sake)

2026: UCLA
Key Players: Lauren Betts - #1 recruit, Kiki Rice - #1 recruit

2025: UConn
Key Players: Paige Bueckers - #1 recruit, Azzi Fudd - #1 recruit, Sarah Strong #1 recruit

2024: South Carolina
Key Players: Kamilla Cardoso - top 5 recruit, Te-Hina Paopao - top 15 recruit, Raven Johnson - #2 recruit

2023: LSU
Key Players: Angel Reese #2 recruit, Flau'jae Johnson - top 25, Alexis Morris - top 10

2022: South Carolina
Key Players: Aliyah Boston - #1 recruit, Zia Cooke - #1 recruit, Destanni Henderson - top 10

2021: Stanford
Key Players: Hayley Jones - #1 recruit, Cam Brink - #3 recruit, Kiana Williams - top 10

2020: Covid

2019: Baylor
Key Players: NaLyssa Smith - #1 recruit, Lauren Cox - top 5

2018: Notre Dame
Key Players: Arike Ogunbowale - top 10, Jackie Young - #1 recruit

2017: South Carolina
Key Players: A'ja Wilson - #1 recruit. Has a statue lol

2016: UConn
Key Players: Stewie - #1 recruit, Moriah Jefferson - top 5

And from our very own Lady Vol Teams: 2008 Candace Parker, 2007 Candace Parker, 1998 Chamique Holdsclaw/Tamika Catchings, 1997 Chamique Holdsclaw, 1996 Chamique Holdsclaw, etc.

There are for sure some role players, some mid major talent, some jucos, all of that mixed in amongst the teams in these scenarios. But, the reality is, if you look at even the last decade+ of champions, every team had multiple top-tier recruits, often a #1 or multiple top 10-15 players. You don't just win with hard work and system. It's elite talent + system + development imo. I mean, we could reinvent the wheel but... not betting on it.

I want anyone who is kidding themselves that this doesn't matter to not be misled or deluded. It absolutely matters.
Click to expand...

We are going to get a test of this hypothesis. This season, the LVs had highly rated HS and transfer classes coming into the team which led to sky high pre season expectations and historically bad season.

What we need to believe now (I am now fully committed to the mantra) is that Kim's system simply won't work with blue chip players are very good at playing "conventional" basketball and also know that they always have other options. What Kim's system needs are 1) players who understand that Tennessee is a massive upgrade for them and that they will never do better which creates gratitude and unwavering obedience; 2) she needs good athletes but not so good that they are deeply vested in the ways playing "conventional" basketball and are willing to commit heart, mind and soul to the system, Then this collection of grateful and humble worker bees will form a hive mind of defensive intensity that will simply overwhelm those teams playing conventional basketball with All-American types. The game is basically this:

 
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#374
#374
1reVOLver said:
Many, many people have asked to see the campus of the Waldoboro Institute of Phrenology.
home of the Fighting Hamster. It is pictured below. Also, too, as well, there is a lovely photograph of the site of a former Sylvania light bulb factory, now razed. It will be converted to use as a combination bocce ball court and basketball arena as soon as funding has been procured.

View attachment 824868View attachment 824870
Click to expand...
Bravo!
 
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