For those of you not on any of the sportlists of the schools affected,
FYI, released by the SID at RPI.

Tony Buffa
RPI '64  "Recall the Dumb Proposal" :-)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2003

ATHLETIC DIRECTORS LAUNCH COORDINATED EFFORT TO ELIMINATE NCAA PROPOSAL

A coordinated effort to stop an NCAA proposal to eliminate the waiver that
allows Division III schools sponsoring a Division I sport to offer
athletics scholarships was announced today following a meeting of the
Athletic Directors from seven of the eight Institutions affected by the
proposal.

Athletic Directors from Clarkson University (Mr. Sean T. Frazier), Colorado
College (Mr. Joel Nielsen), Hartwick College (Ms. Betty Powell), Johns
Hopkins University (Mr. Tom Calder), Rensselaer (Mr. Ken Ralph), Rutgers
University-Newark (Mr. John K. Adams) and St. Lawrence University (Ms.
Margie Strait) joined in the discussion today at Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute (RPI) in Troy, N.Y. to coordinate a strategy to defeat the
proposed rule change. Mr. Nielsen and Mr. Adams took part via telephone.

The group re-affirmed the academic excellence and strong traditions and
history that have been attached to their various programs.  Discussion also
centered on the importance of these particular programs to their local
communities.  The group also focused on the importance of raising the
awareness of this issue amongst all interested parties.

"We had a very productive meeting, and are confident that we have a
strategy that will benefit all of our institutions," said Ralph of
Rensselaer.  "We are committed to working together to ensure that all
parties understand what is at stake here, and to develop alternatives to
proposals now on the table."

The NCAA proposal in question is part of a sweeping package of reforms
aimed at Division III athletic departments including adjusting playing
seasons, financial aid and recruiting.  The Council also noted that its
word was not the last on any of these proposals since the membership has
the next five months to consider the merits of the proposals, including the
amendment-to-amendment process, before it will vote on them at the 2004
NCAA Convention.  The Council further noted that it would be communicating
with the eight affected Division III institutions that give scholarship aid
in their Division I programs and receiving their feedback to its October
meeting.

The proposal, announced in August, is scheduled to be discussed at an
October meeting of the NCAA President's Council.  Unless the proposal is
withdrawn, it is scheduled for a vote by the 424 Division III Institutions
at a NCAA Convention in January in Nashville, Tenn.

CONTACT:    Clarkson University: Chris Ritter at (315) 268-6487
Colorado College: Lisa Ellis at (719) 389-6466
Hartwick: Rob Clark at (607) 431-4031
Johns Hopkins: Dennis O'Shea at (410) 516-7109
Rensselaer: Theresa Bourgeois at (518) 276-2840 or Kevin Beattie at 276-2187
Rutgers-Newark: John Stallings at (973) 353-5474
St. Lawrence: Lisa Cania at (315) 229-5567