The Ivy League and Athletics

[dgreco]

The Wall Street Journal had a front page article today about the Ivy League and the fall from athletics. They talk about Football in the article also.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 15534.html

[dbackjon]

Looks like an interesting article.

[ATrain]

I've often wondered why the Ivy and Patriot leagues don't drop down to D-III (along with Centenary)?

I also think that there are plenty of academically qualified athletes who would play if they received a scholarship. Does W&M or Duke drop their academic requirements to admit athletes?

Finally, since the article mentioned it, as lacrosse becomes more prominent on the national stage, many more players will emerge and looking for schools that offer schollies, and the same thing that happened to Ivy football and hockey may happen to Ivy lacrosse.

[Ivytalk]

It's on the front page of the "Weekend Journal" section of the print version. Nothing really new, but it's discouraging. The article says that the Ivies are starting a lax tournament next year, and are considering a basketball tournament. Everything is "baby steps." Nothing about football playoffs. Even the ADs remain divided on the issue, so the future looks bleak.

[Franks Tanks]

I've often wondered why the Ivy and Patriot leagues don't drop down to D-III (along with Centenary)?

I also think that there are plenty of academically qualified athletes who would play if they received a scholarship. Does W&M or Duke drop their academic requirements to admit athletes?

Finally, since the article mentioned it, as lacrosse becomes more prominent on the national stage, many more players will emerge and looking for schools that offer schollies, and the same thing that happened to Ivy football and hockey may happen to Ivy lacrosse.

Because the Ivy and Patriot league have a long history competing at a high level in athletics and it is very important to many at these schools.

Duke and William and Mary certainly relax standards for athletes, as do PL and Ivy schools. Some do so more than others-- Duke B-ball for example makes some big exceptions

[dbackjon]

I've often wondered why the Ivy and Patriot leagues don't drop down to D-III (along with Centenary)?

I also think that there are plenty of academically qualified athletes who would play if they received a scholarship. Does W&M or Duke drop their academic requirements to admit athletes?

Finally, since the article mentioned it, as lacrosse becomes more prominent on the national stage, many more players will emerge and looking for schools that offer schollies, and the same thing that happened to Ivy football and hockey may happen to Ivy lacrosse.

The University of Chicago route - U of C is still in the Big 10 for academics, but D-III for all sports.

IVY League does well in the Olympic Sports, where most schools only offer partial schollies anyways.

And yes, as Lacrosse becomes more mainstream, look for IVY competitiveness to fade.

[Ivytalk]

I've often wondered why the Ivy and Patriot leagues don't drop down to D-III (along with Centenary)?

I also think that there are plenty of academically qualified athletes who would play if they received a scholarship. Does W&M or Duke drop their academic requirements to admit athletes?

Finally, since the article mentioned it, as lacrosse becomes more prominent on the national stage, many more players will emerge and looking for schools that offer schollies, and the same thing that happened to Ivy football and hockey may happen to Ivy lacrosse.

The University of Chicago route - U of C is still in the Big 10 for academics, but D-III for all sports.

IVY League does well in the Olympic Sports, where most schools only offer partial schollies anyways.

And yes, as Lacrosse becomes more mainstream, look for IVY competitiveness to fade.

Division III? That would suck beyond belief, and would shut off contributions from any alumni who still give a damn. Money talks, and the big endowments have been battered enough. (See article on front page of section C of today's WSJ, which discusses declining bond ratings for some Ivy schools as they try to borrow their way out of the cash crunch caused by the recession.)That will never happen. The league will keep the "happy medium" where it is now: I-A in everything except football.