Notes on the NCAA ruling(s):
1) This pertains not so much to hockey, so I list it first, so
you may choose to ignore it. The 'positive' ruling on limiting
practising to 20 hours a week (this means supervised workouts)
is widely bemoaned in sports like swimming/diving, gymnastics and
track and field. Most of these athletes feel the need to practise
much more than this. I hear alot about this out here in California.
I am hearing bad stuff about this rule from many very rational
students, administrators and coaches...
2) The half-of-minimum-aid provision is designed to remove any
penalties that the ruling may incur on smaller and minority
colleges. These schools would have to sponsor at least 35
grants in BOTH mens and womens sports. Apparently, this was
a sore point with said minority institutions.
3) As an unnamed small-school coach said in my paper,
for the first time this places a purely financial requirement,
instead of educational ones. Should size or quality of competition
be the determining factor in Div I participation?? Comments?
4) As has been stated over and over in the past few days, the limit
on scholarships won't affect most ECAC schools among others. It
will however affect others somewhat. Overall, I don't feel too
bad about this ruling. The limit on games will affect WCHA and
CCHA the most, but I don't really oppose this one either. Most
HE and ECAC teams play less than 34 games and get a good balance.
Oops, above when I say among others, I mean the other strongly
academic East schools...
5) This bit about non Div I schools not getting any Div I tournament $$
is the biggest crock I have seen from the NCAA (well, maybe. There
is alot to consider). Hockey is about the only sport I can think
of where non-Div I schools can field a Div I - caliber squad, and
win consistiently. These schools shouldn't be penalized for beating
the bigger schools! What is this ruling going to do (not just this
$$ part, all of it), cause the smaller schools to form non-Div I
leagues? I think everyone will be the poorer for it.
All in all, this seems par for the course for the NC2A. They get
all fired up to 'fix' college athletics, make some big rulings
(see UNLV), reconsider same (UNLV), and ignore the major problems
such as steroid/drug use, and athletic favors at ALL schools
(not just the biggies). I think the NCAA is just slightly more
effective than the old Leauge of Nations at doing it's job.
CMM
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