Update on D-III Legislation Proposal....

Oilers Chick
11-03-2003, 10:02 PM
Adam Wodon, who's a frequent contributor to the USCHO site (in addition to calling Cornell games), wrote a great article that follows up on what's going on with the D-III Legislation Proposal to be voted on January.

For those who haven't kept up or don't know how it affects D-I Men's (and Women's) Hockey, it goes something like this.....

A wide range of reform legislation will be voted on by 400 or so Division III schools. The most controversial and the one most hotly contested issue is that of the elimination of permitting the awarding of scholarships of traditional D-III schools who "play up" in D-I in a specific sport. There are 5 such schools where Men's Hockey is a D-I sport: Colorado College, Clarkson, St. Lawrence, RPI and Union. All, with the exception of Union, offer athletic scholarships. Under the proposal legislation (if passed) these schools will no longer be able to offer scholarships to their D-I (Hockey) athletes as of the 2008-09 season. Without the ability to offer scholarships, it will be very difficult, if not impossible for these schools to compete with other D-I schools for quality student-athletes as well as maintain a competitive program. However, Men's and Women's Ice Hockey are NOT the only affected sports as D-I Lacrosse and Soccer are among the other sports that would be vastly affected by this proposal.

Johns Hopkins, whose successful Lacrosse program could be affected greatly by this legislation, has spear-headed the campaign to further the cause to try and get this particular proposal defeated. They recently put up on their website a great article (press release) expressing their views of this proposal and why/how it could have some tremendously harmful effects to not only the schools in questions, but also the communities that these schools are situated in.

Below are 2 articles that are well-worth reading to understand what affects that the proposal could have:

Adam Wodon's Article (http://www.uscho.com/news/2003/11/02_007195.php)

Johns Hopkins Press Release (http://www.jhu.edu/news/univ03/oct03/ncaa.html)

Oilers Chick
11-13-2003, 10:01 PM
Looks like the side opposing this D-III legislation proposal (or at least the part that affects schools that have D-I Hockey) has gained some serious support from D-III's FARA (Faculty Athletics Representatives Association).

You can read all about why they are throwing their support to the opponents of this legislation HERE (http://www.uscho.com/news/2003/11/13_007265.php).

David A. Rainer
01-12-2004, 12:47 PM
The vote is in, and it's a resounding...

NO


The vote to return Colorado College, Clarkson, RPI and some others to Div III status was voted down (http://uscollegehockey.com/) today, essentially saving the programs.

They voted to keep those schools in Div I hockey, but agreed to refuse other Div III schools from becoming Div I - grandfathering the programs that are already Div I.


:handclap: :handclap: :handclap:

Oilers Chick
01-13-2004, 03:00 PM
:handclap:

I'm glad it that the "grandfathered" version of the proposal passed. It's not only good for those programs, it's good for NCAA hockey in general. I'd been following this story ever since it broke back in August. I also sent an Email to the folks over at Johns Hopkins, whose great Lacrosse program would've also been affected by the legislation, to lend my support for the opposition to this legislation. Johns Hopkins (and later RPI) had really gotten the word out (and did an excellent job I might add!) about getting other D-III members to vote against this. I'm glad it that the "play up" schools will be able to keep their D-I status.