FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

That could be, or is that how Mount Union has stayed on top in DIII?  Is this an inaccurate quote, or something that should be investicated?  I don't know, but it would answer a lot of questions.

Every school sends financial aid to the NCAA on an annual basis and has now for a few years. It would be stupid for a school to give improper awards to student-athletes knowing they are audited.

[Pat Coleman]

So the ESPN folks who say that the D3 athletes receive not scholarships  are correct.

They cannot receive any form of financial aid based solely on their athletic ability.

[Raider 68]

That could be, or is that how Mount Union has stayed on top in DIII?  Is this an inaccurate quote, or something that should be investicated?  I don't know, but it would answer a lot of questions.

All D3 schools abide by strict rules on grant-in-aids including Mount Union. The reason Mount Union has stayed on top is more about the program, the tradition, the coaching staff and the attraction by a good players who want to be part of a top program and compete beyond the regular season.

Any D3 program has a tough time against other D2 programs and maybe even some D1 programs, since they cannot offer those athletes a dollar for dollar scholarship/aid package.

[WallyFS4]

Anyone that is, or has been involved with DIII athletics knows what the correct answer is.  There are no scholarships based on athletics.  I just ask the question about what someone else reported.  It was reported as a football grant.  Just thought this might answer some questions.  As with most top programs, there are always questions on how they stay on top.

[wally_wabash]

Anyone that is, or has been involved with DIII athletics knows what the correct answer is.  There are no scholarships based on athletics.  I just ask the question about what someone else reported.  It was reported as a football grant.  Just thought this might answer some questions.  As with most top programs, there are always questions on how they stay on top.

Couldn't it just be that the team(s) on top are just better than the teams chasing them?  Does it have to be that a team that excels is cheating? 

[WallyFS4]

Better get some chap stick Wally.  You really need to quit your sucking up.

[formerd3db]

Indeed, I would agree with WallyFS4 that it would be stupid [I'll add dangerous as well] concering potential audits if any school granted improper aid to student-athletes.  However, I will say, that I do know of a couple of small colleges in DIII (which I will not name) that did routinely find ways to have their athletes somehow qualifiy for grant-in-aids and other financial assistance in their packages - their athletes always received more aid than was offered to those same recruits by other similar schools.  Admittedly, this was several years ago and I am not sure if that still occurs there, however, it did happen (and it was legal i.e. they found legal loopholes to do it).  

[smedindy]

Anyone that is, or has been involved with DIII athletics knows what the correct answer is.  There are no scholarships based on athletics.  I just ask the question about what someone else reported.  It was reported as a football grant.  Just thought this might answer some questions.  As with most top programs, there are always questions on how they stay on top.

Couldn't it just be that the team(s) on top are just better than the teams chasing them?  Does it have to be that a team that excels is cheating? 

It depends! Ask any D-1 football fan about their arch rival! 

[smedindy]

Found this on the Grunge Report (the alumni directors blog at the Wabash site).

http://www2.wabash.edu/blog/alumni/2010/02/post_32.html

Anyone who remembers Mike Funk playing receiver knows how special of a player he was. He was also a stellar baseball player, too. He's going through a lot right now according to the article, which has a special appearance by some familiar poster.

[Joe Wally]

Wabash signed a LB, 5-10, 210 by the name of Blake DeAngelo from Dade Christian in Fla.

Another signee, another youtube clip.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Ss5dfC9ig

What did they sign?

There was an article in a local paper (see below), with big picture included, of a Mount Union "prospect" signing his LOI.  I'm still trying to figure out exactly what he signed.  Maybe the college provides some letter to satisfy the ego of the "recruit" and their family.  However, a D-III player is not committed until they show up for practice!

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_168224.asp

My apologies for the use of the sloppy language.

[wally_wabash]

Better get some chap stick Wally.  You really need to quit your sucking up.

I'm not sucking up.  I'm pretty far from a Mount Union apologist, but if they were cheating, don't you think, in this day and age where literally everybody with a webpage, an agenda, and some spare time is an investigative reporter, that if Mount Union was cheating somebody would have found it by now?  They've been excellent for almost 20 years.  Nobody in D-III football, nay, D-III athletics, has more eyes on them than Mount Union football does.  If they were cheating, somebody would have found it. 

The money card and the admissions/academics card are weak.  Unless somebody knows that they are playing outside of the rules, I think it's pretty unseemly to just fling accusations.  And I'd say the same no matter who the subject was...even the you-know-who's from the south. 

Couldn't it just be that the team(s) on top are just better than the teams chasing them?  Does it have to be that a team that excels is cheating? 

It depends! Ask any D-1 football fan about their arch rival! 

I know you're tongue-in-cheek here, but it is worth noting that game is completely different between D-I and D-III.  D-III coaches don't make millions....the risk-reward just isn't worth it in our game. 

[BashBacker#16]

Smeds,

Thanks for posting that about Mike Funk.  I noticed a former Ohio Wesleyan player even signed his Guestbook on Caring Bridge - very cool sign of support.

This next week (starting 2/15) will be the toughest as he goes through what is called "Conditioning" in preparation for the Bone Marrow transplant.  Thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated...

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelfunk/mystory

WAF!
BB16

[Raider 68]

Better get some chap stick Wally.  You really need to quit your sucking up.

I'm not sucking up.  I'm pretty far from a Mount Union apologist, but if they were cheating, don't you think, in this day and age where literally everybody with a webpage, an agenda, and some spare time is an investigative reporter, that if Mount Union was cheating somebody would have found it by now?  They've been excellent for almost 20 years.  Nobody in D-III football, nay, D-III athletics, has more eyes on them than Mount Union football does.  If they were cheating, somebody would have found it. 

The money card and the admissions/academics card are weak.  Unless somebody knows that they are playing outside of the rules, I think it's pretty unseemly to just fling accusations.  And I'd say the same no matter who the subject was...even the you-know-who's from the south. 

Couldn't it just be that the team(s) on top are just better than the teams chasing them?  Does it have to be that a team that excels is cheating? 

It depends! Ask any D-1 football fan about their arch rival! 

I know you're tongue-in-cheek here, but it is worth noting that game is completely different between D-I and D-III.  D-III coaches don't make millions....the risk-reward just isn't worth it in our game. 

Well said Wally!

[FightinScot]

 However, I will say, that I do know of a couple of small colleges in DIII (which I will not name) that did routinely find ways to have their athletes somehow qualifiy for grant-in-aids and other financial assistance in their packages - their athletes always received more aid than was offered to those same recruits by other similar schools.  

I've felt this way for a while now, it just seems like many student-athletes get grants that non-athletes don't get... That being said, I haven't seen any blatent cases of guys without the grades getting the money- I'd bet its more of a case of extra-curriculars playing the "tie breaker" between an athlete and a non-athlete when schools have to choose who gets a grant.

[Mr. Ypsi]

However, I will say, that I do know of a couple of small colleges in DIII (which I will not name) that did routinely find ways to have their athletes somehow qualifiy for grant-in-aids and other financial assistance in their packages - their athletes always received more aid than was offered to those same recruits by other similar schools.  

I've felt this way for a while now, it just seems like many student-athletes get grants that non-athletes don't get... That being said, I haven't seen any blatent cases of guys without the grades getting the money- I'd bet its more of a case of extra-curriculars playing the "tie breaker" between an athlete and a non-athlete when schools have to choose who gets a grant.

Perhaps.  But in the financial aid audit, if athletes and non-athletes are not within 4% (I believe that's the number) of one another overall, the school has some 'splainin' to do.

Undoubtedly there is some wiggle room in there.  An unscrupulous school could perhaps sneak in extra aid to 'stars' and 'screw' the bench-warmers to get the averages OK, but I'd bet some scrubs' parents would blow the whistle, if so.