Question about NCAA Rules

[StillAWarrior]

OK, I'm still floating about six inches above the ground because of last night's game, but I can't stop thinking about that "extra scholarship."  I've got a question for those of you who know the NCAA rules a lot better than I.

Suppose there was a player whose parents saved and saved for his college education and are now sitting on a pretty nice chunk of money (I would think that this actually is fairly common).  Further suppose that the player is fairly confident that he will be playing in the NBA pretty soon; if not next year, maybe the year after that.  Would it be permissible under NCAA regulations for the player to go to the coach and offer to be a walk-on the following year and free up a scholarship?  In other words, pay his own way with the expectation that he will be able to repay his parents soon.


I don't think this is a very likely scenario -- but humor me.  This would be legal, right?

[bheitz]

Wouldn't that be similar to Crawford's situation playing minor league baseball?  I'm pretty sketchy on the details, but if Crawford was considered a walk-on, then I don't see how the scenario you describe would be that much different.

Also, aren't scholly's renewed/given on a year-to-year basis?

[Big Papi]

I seem to recall that UW had done that in the past but I don't know if that was recent(Chappel maybe?) or not.

[StillAWarrior]

Wouldn't that be similar to Crawford's situation playing minor league baseball?  I'm pretty sketchy on the details, but if Crawford was considered a walk-on, then I don't see how the scenario you describe would be that much different.

Also, aren't scholly's renewed/given on a year-to-year basis?

I was thinking the same thing.  The only time I can remember players paying their own way was when they played professional baseball.  If I recall correctly, I think Trajan Langdon did that at Duke (I could be wrong).  It seems the same to me.  The only real difference is that it would be the parents paying, and not the player, but I can't see how that would be a problem.

And yes, I also think scholarships are given on a year-to-year basis.  But, barring some serious problem with a player, I'd not want to see Marquette decline to renew a player's scholarship.  I can't imagine it would be good for recruiting if a school started revoking one player's scholarship so that it could bring in a new player (barring some sort of violation of team rules or some other serious problem).

[WashDCWarrior]

Still A Warrior -
You may want to send Todd Rosiak an email about this.  I'm not sure if it's a scenario he's considered, but he can probably research the feasability of doing it and ask Crean if it's a viable option.

He lists his email in his articles at the Journal Sentinel. trosiak@journalsentinel.com

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I'd like to meet the parents that are willing to give tuition money, that would otherwise be given to their kid, to a university to "free up a scholarship."

[StillAWarrior]

I'd like to meet the parents that are willing to give tuition money, that would otherwise be given to their kid, to a university to "free up a scholarship."

Like I said, "I don't think this is a very likely scenario -- but humor me."  I was just wondering about that "extra scholarship."  Either someone is not coming back, or someone is giving up his scholarship.  I don't know which it is.  I find it difficult to believe that Crean would offer an extra scholarship based upon an assumption that James will be leaving or that some unknown player will be transferring.  He must know something that we don't because if he guessed wrong or if circumstances changed, he'd be forced to renege on a scholarship offer next year or revoke the a scholarship from a current player.  I'd be really pissed if he did that -- that's not the way to run a good program.

I also note that so far very early in the season, Crean seems willing to use all of his scholarship players.  I don't see any obvious transfer candidates (and I refuse to speculate on this board).

I'm not saying that this is what's going on, but I'm at a bit of a loss to explain the extra scholarship.  I really can't imagine that Crean would offer the extra unless he was positive that someone is leaving or someone won't be using it.  So, who is it?  And why?

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Unfortunately, offering an extra scholarship is exactly what he did. I think he's assuming James will leave and/or assuming one of the recruits won't qualify. If none of this occurs, look for another "transfer."

[StillAWarrior]

Unfortunately, offering an extra scholarship is exactly what he did. I think he's assuming James will leave and/or assuming one of the recruits won't qualify. If none of this occurs, look for another "transfer."

You may be right.  We'll find out soon enough.  However, Tom Crean doesn't seem like the kind of guy who leaves things to chance.

If someone is transferring (or, as you put it "transferring"), I suspect Crean knows it already.  I'd be interested to see when the talk of Amo's transfer started last year.  I know that by the time of the first Pitt game, I already was thinking that he was a goner, and I had absolutely no inside information.  I even have a vague recollection of thinking about whether Amo's performance in Alaska would keep him around.  It was just a sense I got from playing time, etc.  I really don't have that sense about anyone on this team.  Your opinion may differ.

[Djgoldnboy]

On the other board there is talk of some academic scholarship that may be applied (for Fitz) where the student has to meet certain academic criteria...each school can offer 1 student/athlete it and it doesn't count against the total number of schollies. That's all they really say.

Not sure why it hasn't been brought up until now by one of the different sources out there (ie Rosiak, MU Staff, or "those in the know"), if that's the case it makes this whole situation a lot more clear.

[WashDCWarrior]

If that's true, it makes a lot of sense.  Much more than Crean guessing or hoping one will open up.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Yes, it is legal.  Shariff Chambliss did this at UW rather than sit out two years because he transferred within conference if I remember correctly.

Of coruse, the source of the money has to be legitimate.

[WashDCWarrior]

Like the MUScoop Scholarship Fund?

[StillAWarrior]

On the other board there is talk of some academic scholarship that may be applied (for Fitz) where the student has to meet certain academic criteria...each school can offer 1 student/athlete it and it doesn't count against the total number of schollies.

Interesting.  I've never heard of that.  There would have to be some very specific, very objective criteria for such a scholarship.  Otherwise, every team in the country would have an "extra" scholarship that didn't count against the total number.

[BlueBadgerDevil]

A recent player for Duke, Lee Melchionni, just happened to have a father who had done quite well and was President of the Duke Alumni Association.  Dad payed for the first couple years of school, then Lee got a scholarship later.  It was generally accepted that if Duke had to give away his scholarship his Dad would just continue to pay.

I think Trajan had to give up his scholarship while he was playing baseball, but was able to get it back once he stopped.  My memory is fuzzy, though.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Actually, I just read an article that said that Langdon's father was a visiting professor at Duke during his son's playing career. I assume that would take care of tuition issues. Don't children of MU professors get tuition breaks?

[ZiggysFryBoy]

DJ has a 3.2 GPA, so I would think that by that fact alone he would qualify for an academic scholarship.  Christ, I got a "leadership" scholarship for being involved in a lot of organization, etc in HS.  I think DJ would qualify a leadership scholarship, especially after whooping up on Duke's "leaders."

[bean]

Isn't it possible for one of the 2007-08 recruits to attend Prep School for a year if there are not enough scholarships available?

Perhaps Crean promised Damian Saunders a scholarship next year if one opens up, but if not; he'd have to stay in Prep School for one more year.

[herboturbo]

There's a new rule in the NCAA where if a player can mantain something like a 3.3 GPA out of 4, then the school can give him an acedemic scholarship and it would open up another atheletic scholarship for the team to use.  Each team can only give out one and its only in basketball and football, I believe.

[LastWarrior]

Actually, I just read an article that said that Langdon's father was a visiting professor at Duke during his son's playing career. I assume that would take care of tuition issues. Don't children of MU professors get tuition breaks?

I believe school is free for the children of professors and even for people that work in the MU administrative offices.  I the latter was true about 10 years ago as my friends mom worked as a secreatary... ummhhhh administrative assistant. 

[bma725]

Actually, I just read an article that said that Langdon's father was a visiting professor at Duke during his son's playing career. I assume that would take care of tuition issues. Don't children of MU professors get tuition breaks?

I believe school is free for the children of professors and even for people that work in the MU administrative offices.  I the latter was true about 10 years ago as my friends mom worked as a secreatary... ummhhhh administrative assistant. 

Tuition is free, but there are rules about how long someone has to be employed at the university before it kicks in.  It wasn't like you could hire a recruit's parent so that the player would get free tuition.  The employee had to be there for a few years before it kicked in(it was either 5 or 7 I forget now).

There are also, or at least there were, rules about what professors get it.  Associate and Assistant Professors' children were eligible, but Lecturers were not(ie people paid a certain amount per class)...I can't recall if adjunct professors children were eligible or not.  On the flip side, children of public safety or facilities services employees were part of the plan. 

[spiral97]

Like the MUScoop Scholarship Fund?

you know.. that's not such a bad idea.... and not necessarily for a b-ball athlete....