LUHawker
August 3rd, 2011, 10:26 AM
No "news", but the most forthcoming information we've had from PL director Femovich on the scholarship issue.
As discussed on another post, it appears from these comments from Paul Reinhard's Morning Call blog, that Lafayette's AD McCutcheon, was, at least in part, moved to a fundraising role to find $$ to support schollies.
It does seem like the PL will ultimately get to a yes on schollies, but won't happen until late 2012. While we PL followers have openly chastised the PL prexies and leadership for shortsightedness and insularity, it does appear from these comments that they are considering how to not only hold the league membership together, but also focus on growing the membership. The long decision timeframe is painful, but these are the most encouraging remarks I've read or heard on the topic.
http://blogs.mcall.com/sports/
Here is the relevant text:
REMEMBER THOSE FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS?
Last December, Patriot League presidents decided not to act on athletic scholarships for football, so while I have Carolyn’s ear, I said, “Nice to have a year not to talk about scholarships, isn’t it?” And guess what happened. We talked scholarships.
“We always talk about it,” she said. “The key thing is the presidents decided that they were just not ready to make a decision. It is a very important decision for the league and the institutions. They came in thinking they would come to a decision but they just did not feel the time was right. I respect that and I think we all should.
“This will be a very presidentially-driven decision. They decided to give themselves two years, which is appropriate. If you turn around a year later, is anything going to be different? I’m not sure anything is going to be different two years from now either, but they want to give themselves some space without any deadline or pressure and they’ve done that. But that doesn’t mean they won’t talk about it. They have until December of 2912.”
I asked if the decision to table the vote the last time was because there was no solid consensus.
“I think they didn’t feel the readiness factor was there yet,” Carolyn said. “It wasn’t so much a formal vote as listening to each other and making a decision that was right for the group.”
I asked if Lafayette President Daniel Weiss, an outspoken opponent of athletic scholarships for football, did his “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” impression on the group and filibuster for a “no” vote.
“President Weiss has been phenomenal,” Carolyn said. “He is a very strong advocate of the league and he will continue to do that. He will be the chair of our Council of Presidents this coming July 1. He is very thoughtful, supportive of the league and wants the league to thrive.
When I mentioned that when December of 2012 rolls around, Lafayette will have a new athletic directror who may have no knowledge of the history of the scholarship issue, she said, “I think that is being handled in a proactive way. They need Bruce (McCutcheon, who will become director or athletic funding) out there working to identify new resources, and nobody knows that program better than he does. A year in transition will give them the opportunity to do it in all the right ways and I respect that.”
So, we wait, I said. And what about Fordham?
“We continue to be patient,” she said. “Change is always challenging and takes more time than we like sometimes. Fordham is hanging in. The key to the whole discussion is, both parties very much want to maintain this association. They are committed to it and we are committed to it. We simply have to find the way to do that, and if that doesn’t happen, it’s not because we didn’t try to make it work. They are a great member and we’d really like to see them continue with the league. And maybe eight, nine or 10 schools, but until we get this issue decided, we won’t move. Once that is done you can build your membership model.”
I suggested that surely it was not possible that they would put off the decision still another time in 2012 – or would they?
II don’t think so,” she said, “but stranger things have happened. We’ll let it play out and when the presidents are ready they’ll make the decision.” In the meantime, “they continue to engage with each other about what’s right for the league, and right on their campus. They were very well informed the last time with all the information and what it would cost and not cost and what it would mean in a variety of areas. It wasn’t for lack of information (that they tabled the decision). They just weren’t ready, so we’ll be patient until they say it’s time. I’ve learned to be patient.”
As discussed on another post, it appears from these comments from Paul Reinhard's Morning Call blog, that Lafayette's AD McCutcheon, was, at least in part, moved to a fundraising role to find $$ to support schollies.
It does seem like the PL will ultimately get to a yes on schollies, but won't happen until late 2012. While we PL followers have openly chastised the PL prexies and leadership for shortsightedness and insularity, it does appear from these comments that they are considering how to not only hold the league membership together, but also focus on growing the membership. The long decision timeframe is painful, but these are the most encouraging remarks I've read or heard on the topic.
http://blogs.mcall.com/sports/
Here is the relevant text:
REMEMBER THOSE FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS?
Last December, Patriot League presidents decided not to act on athletic scholarships for football, so while I have Carolyn’s ear, I said, “Nice to have a year not to talk about scholarships, isn’t it?” And guess what happened. We talked scholarships.
“We always talk about it,” she said. “The key thing is the presidents decided that they were just not ready to make a decision. It is a very important decision for the league and the institutions. They came in thinking they would come to a decision but they just did not feel the time was right. I respect that and I think we all should.
“This will be a very presidentially-driven decision. They decided to give themselves two years, which is appropriate. If you turn around a year later, is anything going to be different? I’m not sure anything is going to be different two years from now either, but they want to give themselves some space without any deadline or pressure and they’ve done that. But that doesn’t mean they won’t talk about it. They have until December of 2912.”
I asked if the decision to table the vote the last time was because there was no solid consensus.
“I think they didn’t feel the readiness factor was there yet,” Carolyn said. “It wasn’t so much a formal vote as listening to each other and making a decision that was right for the group.”
I asked if Lafayette President Daniel Weiss, an outspoken opponent of athletic scholarships for football, did his “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” impression on the group and filibuster for a “no” vote.
“President Weiss has been phenomenal,” Carolyn said. “He is a very strong advocate of the league and he will continue to do that. He will be the chair of our Council of Presidents this coming July 1. He is very thoughtful, supportive of the league and wants the league to thrive.
When I mentioned that when December of 2012 rolls around, Lafayette will have a new athletic directror who may have no knowledge of the history of the scholarship issue, she said, “I think that is being handled in a proactive way. They need Bruce (McCutcheon, who will become director or athletic funding) out there working to identify new resources, and nobody knows that program better than he does. A year in transition will give them the opportunity to do it in all the right ways and I respect that.”
So, we wait, I said. And what about Fordham?
“We continue to be patient,” she said. “Change is always challenging and takes more time than we like sometimes. Fordham is hanging in. The key to the whole discussion is, both parties very much want to maintain this association. They are committed to it and we are committed to it. We simply have to find the way to do that, and if that doesn’t happen, it’s not because we didn’t try to make it work. They are a great member and we’d really like to see them continue with the league. And maybe eight, nine or 10 schools, but until we get this issue decided, we won’t move. Once that is done you can build your membership model.”
I suggested that surely it was not possible that they would put off the decision still another time in 2012 – or would they?
II don’t think so,” she said, “but stranger things have happened. We’ll let it play out and when the presidents are ready they’ll make the decision.” In the meantime, “they continue to engage with each other about what’s right for the league, and right on their campus. They were very well informed the last time with all the information and what it would cost and not cost and what it would mean in a variety of areas. It wasn’t for lack of information (that they tabled the decision). They just weren’t ready, so we’ll be patient until they say it’s time. I’ve learned to be patient.”