As a former player (as most of you probably are, if not current) I thought I would share my thoughts on this matter that sparks so much controversy. First of all I want to correct one misconception that most people believe is the reason for the deans and presidents of NESCAC colleges keeping their football teams from competing in playoffs. Most believe the reason is the fact that in the NESCAC academics come first and the students should be "back in the classroom as soon as possible" as some have alluded to above. Hence the presidents and deans will vote to refrain from extending the football season and allowing the teams to compete in playoffs.
However, if this were the reason then why are all the other sports allowed to compete in playoffs? Are the deans stereotyping football players as being less intelligent than their peers? I think not. One simple reason may be the fact that the NESCAC just really wants to emulate the rules of the Ivy League, although most would argue that the presidents of NESCAC colleges are a little smarter and understand the reasons these Ivy League rules exist. And in understanding this, they also believe the rules make perfect sense in a league that prides itself on the elite nature of its academics. So the reason why Ivy's and NESCAC schools alike refrain from allowing their football teams from competing in NCAA playoffs is this. When a team is playoff eligible, much more pressure is now put on the team, and the school to perform. This will in turn mean recruiting better football players. The result of this will be the lowering of academic standards for football recruits. So then, say a team does make the playoffs. There now is even more pressure to continue their streaks of success and further deterioration of the academic credentials required of football recruits is observed. This can be seen in many D1A-AA schools.
Now switching over to my opinions as a former player in the NESCAC. Do I wish I had the opportunity to compete against non-league teams and in the NCAA playoffs? Sure I do. I, along with my team worked just as hard as any other team that did receive that opportunity (as someone noted above). But again reiterating another comment above, I also believe that student/athletes that were smart enough to be admitted to a NESCAC school was well aware that their season would be comprised of 8 games and 8 games only. When I was in the recruiting process I remember the length of the season was one of the concerns I had with NESCAC schools. Did it stop me from going to one? Not a chance. Coupling the highly competitive athletics with a top notch liberal arts education was a no brainer. That is the compromise that you make. And that is the reason why the presidents of NESCAC colleges continue to keep the rules the way they are. Because they also realize the niche the NESCAC has and also the prestige associated with it. An old quote comes to mind when I hear discussions about NESCAC receiving playoff eligibility, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Although I do think it would be cool to see how NESCAC schools stock up against other leagues among division 3, I don't think it is worth the possible implications in regard to academic standards. And like I said I'm pretty sure the NESCAC is and will continue to do well in providing top notch education/athletics without having to make any drastic rule changes.
However, if this were the reason then why are all the other sports allowed to compete in playoffs? Are the deans stereotyping football players as being less intelligent than their peers? I think not. One simple reason may be the fact that the NESCAC just really wants to emulate the rules of the Ivy League, although most would argue that the presidents of NESCAC colleges are a little smarter and understand the reasons these Ivy League rules exist. And in understanding this, they also believe the rules make perfect sense in a league that prides itself on the elite nature of its academics. So the reason why Ivy's and NESCAC schools alike refrain from allowing their football teams from competing in NCAA playoffs is this. When a team is playoff eligible, much more pressure is now put on the team, and the school to perform. This will in turn mean recruiting better football players. The result of this will be the lowering of academic standards for football recruits. So then, say a team does make the playoffs. There now is even more pressure to continue their streaks of success and further deterioration of the academic credentials required of football recruits is observed. This can be seen in many D1A-AA schools.
Now switching over to my opinions as a former player in the NESCAC. Do I wish I had the opportunity to compete against non-league teams and in the NCAA playoffs? Sure I do. I, along with my team worked just as hard as any other team that did receive that opportunity (as someone noted above). But again reiterating another comment above, I also believe that student/athletes that were smart enough to be admitted to a NESCAC school was well aware that their season would be comprised of 8 games and 8 games only. When I was in the recruiting process I remember the length of the season was one of the concerns I had with NESCAC schools. Did it stop me from going to one? Not a chance. Coupling the highly competitive athletics with a top notch liberal arts education was a no brainer. That is the compromise that you make. And that is the reason why the presidents of NESCAC colleges continue to keep the rules the way they are. Because they also realize the niche the NESCAC has and also the prestige associated with it. An old quote comes to mind when I hear discussions about NESCAC receiving playoff eligibility, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Although I do think it would be cool to see how NESCAC schools stock up against other leagues among division 3, I don't think it is worth the possible implications in regard to academic standards. And like I said I'm pretty sure the NESCAC is and will continue to do well in providing top notch education/athletics without having to make any drastic rule changes.