Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Steve Gatena

Steve Gatena

Steve Gatena (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) (delete) – (View log)

Non-notable football player. While I am firmly on the side that WP:ATHLETE should include notable American college football players, this individual has --as of yet-- done absolutely nothing to distinguish himself other than a few high school awards that do not amount to much of anything. He has never started for USC or seen any significant playing time, which is a major blow to any notability questions. This article appears to be the work of either the subject, friend/relative, or PR firm. I especially want to see it deleted because it harms the criteria for a bonafide, notable college football athlete. His USC bio shows nothing notable (in fact, unlike key players, there is no detailed information). Delete Bobak (talk) 16:04, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

• Note: This debate has been included in the list of American football-related deletion discussions. -- Fabrictramp | talk to me 16:08, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

• Delete. I agree with Bobak's conclusion that this player fails WP:ATHLETE and probably WP:CFB's notability criteria as well. It's too bad, though. I wish some of the more notable college football players had articles this nice. JKBrooks85 (talk) 23:49, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

• Note: This debate has been included in the list of Living people-related deletion discussions. --Erwin85Bot (talk) 00:02, 11 December 2008 (UTC)
• keep No Opinion I see everyone's point. As to his playing abilities, he's a good, solid player but not a standout. If that were it, then I would agree. However, he is likely one of the few (if not the only) Division I FBS starting player who is also pursuing a graduate degree. That, in my eyes, makes him unique enough to have some notability. I think that's worth mentioning.--Paul McDonald (talk) 16:05, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

• Comment - There are more top-level D-IA players pursuing grad degrees than you realize --especially if they stay for a 5th or 6th year --some are stars who want to keep eligibility, others are students who realize their pro-careers are pretty much not going to happen. In fact: right now on the USC roster, former high school Gatorade National Player of the Year and NFL prospect Jeff Byers is an MBA student (and he has an article here). Thus Gatena isn't exceptional even on the 2008 Trojans roster. --Bobak (talk) 16:43, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

• Smackdown! woops, I blew that! I'll change my position to "no opinion" then.--Paul McDonald (talk) 18:56, 12 December 2008 (UTC)

• Keep. Why is this article even up for debate? Gatena is a very notable football player. Not only does he hold an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force but he has played at 3 different Division 1 schools and is a Master's student. This is very rare for an NCAA Athlete. Additionally, Gatena's NCAA case regarding his clock extension and two time transfer exceptions is one of the most unique cases the NCAA has ever dealt with. Furthermore, Gatena's case is used as judicial precedent for the NCAA when concerning all other relevant cases. Moreover, Gatena is listed as the all time greatest left tackle to play at Westlake High School which is a very significant award to the thousands of individuals who have been a part of that football program. Although Gatena has no significant college football awards, he is a notable college football player in many ways. Similar to Jeff Byers, he has done more academically than many will do in a lifetime let alone while playing college football. The mere fact that he is not as good as other football players should not be reason for deletion of his article. Likewise, the fact that many exceptional record breaking college football players do not have wikipedia pages should not be cause for deletion of his article. This is because it does not detract from the notability of this American Football Player. Although your opinion may be that Steve has "done absolutely nothing to distinguish himself other than a few high school awards that do not amount to much of anything" the facts listed in this article prove the contrary.

99Legend (talk) 05:01, 13 December 2008 (UTC)