well obviously respectability is something foreign to Ped State fans
In Iowa we value things like character and respect……Next time you talk to Cael ask him how he has any self respect after he stabbed his coach in the back and took his job
“Religious Mission”
- Thread starter maxpain
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In Iowa we value things like character and respect……Next time you talk to Cael ask him how he has any self respect after he stabbed his coach in the back and took his job
Agree. I won't question their religious beliefs, nor do I give two $hits what their beliefs are either way, but allowing such an exception to the 5 for 5 is ridiculous. Life is full of choices to be made, if you want to prioritize a religious mission, go for it. But it should count as a year, full stop. Ridiculous.
The bull was/is pretty religious. I could very easily see him doing a Mission if it were his 'calling'. People follow their hearts and become better for it.
If you guys dislike this, wait until Americorps starts getting used for this purpose. Because their is a "other similar related service " line that's open to be used as well.
I am high on the upside of Elijah Brown, a 2026 commit who wrestled 215 and has a ton of athletic upside if he can fill in and bulk up. May well be an under the radar future for heavyweight there.
Wh
Why can't they do their mission after their wrestling eligibility is up? This is so obvious, it is not funny.
They have their entire lives to go on a mission. Why go in the middle of your wrestling career?
I imagine it has to do with the word you chose to describe their wrestling. It is really hard to go on a mission once your career starts. Even harder once you start a family. For example, the Mormon church lists four types of missions, for two of them men must be between 18 and 25, for one men must be over 40, and the other is for any age. As a result the majority of Mormon missionaries are under 25.
That’s it I’ve had it. It’s time for Iowa to start bending the rules and not their body parts in a Brands run practice.
Recruit some Mormons then .
why is it so slimy if it's within the rules ? I only know some Mormons online and honestly, they take the religion very seriously.
I don't believe either was Mormon when they were recruited
. Also are you sure they will be going on Mormon missions?From Grok AI:I don't believe either was Mormon when they were recruited
Can any NCAA athlete take a year off with no penalty to do missionary work? Can you do it for for instance if you are Lutheran or Baptist or Methodist?:
The NCAA has strict rules about how these missions must be conducted. And it is harder for other religions to get that exemption for whatever reason. I think it's because it's more of an integral part of the Mormon faith.
No—not for any kind of missionary work, and not automatically for other denominations.
NCAA rules (Division I and II) provide a specific exception for time spent on an official religious mission. This pauses the five-year eligibility clock so the years do not count against the athlete. The exception has long existed and was retained under the newer age-based eligibility model (roughly five years of competition in a five-year window, with limited pauses). The other pauses are for pregnancy and active-duty military service. ncaa.org
What qualifies as an “official religious mission”
NCAA bylaws define it as a mission established by the religious organization of which the individual is a member that results in the person being unable to attend a collegiate institution during the mission period. The athlete generally cannot participate in organized competition while serving, or the exception does not apply. Documentation from the church is typically required, and the NCAA Eligibility Center administers these exceptions. web3.ncaa.org
It is not limited by name to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS/Mormon). In theory, a Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, or other athlete could qualify if their denomination has an equivalent formal, full-time missionary program that:
• Is an official call/assignment from the church,
• Requires full-time service for an extended period (typically a year or more), and
• Makes regular college enrollment impossible during that time.
Practical reality
In practice, the exception is used overwhelmingly by LDS athletes. The LDS Church has a highly structured, standardized full-time missionary program (generally two years for young men, 18 months for young women) that is a common religious expectation and deliberately interrupts college for many young members. Other mainline Protestant groups (Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, etc.) generally do not have an equivalent formal long-term full-time missionary requirement for young adults that precludes college enrollment in the same systematic way. Their typical “mission trips” are short-term (weeks or a few months), voluntary service or outreach projects, and would not meet the NCAA criteria for pausing the eligibility clock.
A random year off for personal faith reasons, a short-term trip, or self-directed service would not qualify. It has to be an official mission from the athlete’s religious organization that prevents college attendance.
In the case of the Penn State wrestlers, the coach’s description of them taking a “religious mission” year (with eligibility paused) aligns with this NCAA exception. It does not require the school or NCAA to identify the specific church, as long as the mission meets the formal criteria.
1. They’re not Mormons 2. Iowa had someone that went on a mission and then was a member of the team in 2019 ish (my college teammate)
From Grok AI;I don't believe either was Mormon when they were recruited
Is the Penn State wrestler William Henkel a Mormon because they said he's doing a mission this year we'll miss this season:
Yes, it’s very likely. psucollegian.com
Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson confirmed on November 10, 2026, that William Henckel (174 lbs) and heavyweight Cole Mirasola will not be on the 2026-27 roster because they are taking a year off for a religious mission. Sanderson described them as “strong men of faith” who decided to go share their faith with the world, and their eligibility will be paused so they can return later (Henckel as a redshirt freshman and Mirasola as a redshirt sophomore for 2027-28). psucollegian.com
In college athletics—especially for young men in their late teens or early 20s—a full academic year off for a “religious mission” or “mission trip” is almost always an LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints / Mormon) full-time mission. These are typically two-year proselytizing assignments for men, and it’s common for LDS athletes to delay or interrupt college sports for them. Other Christian groups do shorter mission trips, but a full-season absence that pauses NCAA eligibility fits the LDS pattern far better than alternatives.
Public reports (from the Daily Collegian, Onward State, and wrestling reporters) use the language of a “religious mission” or “mission trip” without naming the specific church, and there is no widely circulated statement from Henckel or his family explicitly confirming membership. Family background information (e.g., his parents’ wedding at Faith Church in Connecticut) points to a broader Christian/Protestant background rather than a lifelong LDS family, so conversion is possible. Still, the context of the announcement makes LDS membership the clear default explanation in wrestling circles.
In short: the mission year is the strongest available evidence, and it points to yes.
And how do you know? Did they convert? Or are they Christians who are going to be due in missionary work for the length of time that meets the NCA standards? Essentially you know nothing and just wanna be mad about this because you perceive it as giving an advantage to Penn State.
Post it again for those in the back
Oh, Cael told me to never call him again. His reaction to the fact that Natchrlman2 doesn't have any respect for him has him in a deep, deep depression.
Are they going on a Mormon mission? You never answered that
And you know nothing and said it was a Mormon mission
might be time for a bagel JoeNaive - yes and no. Doing it before they start their “careers” is not all that uncommon. Doing it in the middle of what should be your prime and having to catch up, not so common. My guess is they were compensated in more ways than one to take this for the team.
I know many Mormons in person, and yes, they take it very seriously and many have served missions. Like I said, everyone knows what this is. If you want to pretend you don’t, keep on going
Bro, they aren’t Mormon no matter how much you try to get AI to agree with you.
It's most likely a Mormon mission. It's much easier for those guys to qualify for this because it's a structured part of their faithAnd you know nothing and said it was a Mormon mission
So either way, it has to pass NCA scrutiny so if they're not Mormon or did not convert whatever mission they're going on qualifies.
Many religions have missions. Also Mormon missions are 2 years . Cael said in his press conference 1 year. See if GROK can help you with that one
And every college coach will do the same thing, its called roster management get with the program or move on.it's kind of like pissing off your prize recruit and his prize recruits brother and wonder why they left sometimes you gotta kiss ***.
Underrated post. Henckel might also never see the lineup.
Vodka needs to follow Cole and Henckel to the Congo (or wherever) to make sure they stay in compliance.
NCAA can't help but shoot themselves in the foot over and over again. The loopholes need to be addressed further. Perhaps change it so the missions have to be taken between high school and college to be exempt.
Btw, 24 team football playoffs? Wth
I guess we should not be surprised that a team full of fake religious virtue signalers would use a fake religious mission to manipulate the rules.
They probably have good sex workers where they are going.
Can someone contact Kalshi and obtain the over/under for this thread passing the Brody Grothus length. Thanks in advance
No need, just reach out to Nelson Brands.
And LDS doesn’t allow you to practice your sport during the 2 year mission…..what are the chances that’s the situation here????Many religions have missions. Also Mormon missions are 2 years . Cael said in his press conference 1 year. See if GROK can help you with that one
True, Henckle may never see the lineup with James and Duke occupying those roster spots.Underrated post. Henckel might also never see the lineup.
Vodka needs to follow Cole and Henckel to the Congo (or wherever) to make sure they stay in compliance.
NCAA can't help but shoot themselves in the foot over and over again. The loopholes need to be addressed further. Perhaps change it so the missions have to be taken between high school and college to be exempt.
Btw, 24 team football playoffs? Wth
Idk, I’m definitely in the miniority here but…. I like the new proposal for CFP. Can be a small March madness type of vibe but for college football.
My Notre Dame and IU are doing good though, so we are in the playoffs no matter what format. And I know I know, how can I root for both. My wife graduated from IU and I worked for the city of South Bend in their technical infrastructure for many years. so that’s why I’m a fan of both. Lol
IMO the religious card/mission can only be used to delay prior to starting the 5 in 5 clock. Otherwise it shouldn't be used as a cant make the lineup or get hurt prior to a deadline stunt after already being on campus for 2 or so years.
God spoke to me after it was apparent I wouldn't start. He said buy time, win at all costs and I shall be your shield.
God spoke to me after it was apparent I wouldn't start. He said buy time, win at all costs and I shall be your shield.
why do I suspect the only Cael you talk to is the poster you have of him on your bedroom ceiling?
You surely understand that even religious folks do not respect using religion as a crutch for their own personal greed/gain. It's not above questioning the good faith and timing.
Either use the mission prior to enrollment- bridge between HS to college or make it count against them if used any other time once enrollment has started. Only then would us fans respect their sacrfice.
Religion loses nothing pulling this stunt. At least if its the military exception they possibly risk their lives for the country. Henckel is certainly no Nile Kinnick or Ted Williams.
I don't doubt this at all. I also don't doubt that Ckarl laid out the fact that they aren't in the starting lineup this year and if they're going to do it, this is probably their best chance to do it while also gaining an 'extra' year.
I don't know how to feel about it. Part of me thinks it's a joke and wonder how you can go to the lengths like this to help the lineup and the other part of me is like, "damn, I wish Iowa would get creative like this."
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