FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[jknezek]

At public schools it can be difficult to get into all the classes you need for your major in only four years. Generally not an issue for privates.

Agreed. That's why the "within 6 year" measurement was used for the public schools. It's really just food for thought. I don't think there is much doubt having young men with an extra year under their belts, whether structured with the football team or just those who show the commitment to work out on their own for an entire year, is probably advantageous. How advantageous? I have no idea. I suspect less than having a large and active JV program, but that's just my guess.

[D O.C.]

I'm wondering if that 6 year time frame is including graduate courses such as Master of Sports Medicine.

[jknezek]

I'm wondering if that 6 year time frame is including graduate courses such as Master of Sports Medicine.

No. A four year degree in a given time span is how it is measured.

[WW]

Regardless, there is no point in greyshirting at many schools. You are going to graduate before you get to that 5th year. But at public schools, it is harder to graduate in 4 years and greyshirting, especially with the roster limits in the WIAC and NJAC, becomes an intriguing option. Is it worth it? I have no idea.

I don't know that it's harder to graduate from a public school in 4 years. I think that statistics show a higher graduation rate for private schools because they weed out the students that would drag that average down with their tuition/scholarship structure.

"Is it worth it?" Hmm. You're a recruit and the reality you're presently faced with in the WIAC is accept the grayshirt season and have a realistic chance to compete for a national championship. OR.... attend a WIAC school that doesn't demand a grayshirt season and have the opportunity to play sooner, and graduate in four years. What do you want from your collegiate athletic experience?

[jknezek]

Regardless, there is no point in greyshirting at many schools. You are going to graduate before you get to that 5th year. But at public schools, it is harder to graduate in 4 years and greyshirting, especially with the roster limits in the WIAC and NJAC, becomes an intriguing option. Is it worth it? I have no idea.

I don't know that it's harder to graduate from a public school in 4 years. I think that statistics show a higher graduation rate for private schools because they weed out the students that would drag that average down with their tuition/scholarship structure.

"Is it worth it?" Hmm. You're a recruit and the reality you're presently faced with in the WIAC is accept the grayshirt season and have a realistic chance to compete for a national championship. OR.... attend a WIAC school that doesn't demand a grayshirt season and have the opportunity to play sooner, and graduate in four years. What do you want from your collegiate athletic experience?

Generally most people say that you can't get the classes to graduate from a public school in 4 years very easily. I don't know. I do think that schools like CWRU and W&L serve different students than public schools, so that is part of it. But the sheer number of private schools in this country tell you that many will compete with the same kids as public schools. I freely admit I only applied to Rutgers as a last case option, the only public school I applied to. It just wasn't the experience I wanted. I know people, especially now that I live in AL, that will only apply to Alabama and Auburn because that is the experience they want.

Like I said, I'm not judging greyshirting. The ability to do it at some schools is probably an advantage for those schools, but I think playing regularly for say UMU's or W&J's JV teams is probably better at preparing you for a couple years of college ball than just being given unmonitored workouts to do for a year but holding on to an extra year of eligibility. I could be wrong. Greyshirting still gets you 4 years with the coaches after. And anyone who does a greyshirt year with commitment is probably a darn good young man to have on the team.

DIII is a huge and diverse variety of schools. Lots of different competitive advantages for lots of different schools. Greyshirting is just one of many.

[wally_wabash]

DIII is a huge and diverse variety of schools. Lots of different competitive advantages for lots of different schools. Greyshirting is just one of many.

All of the applause.  The top tier D3 teams don't all look alike.  They've all got their pros and cons and the best of the best have figured out what those pros are and how to leverage them to maximum benefit. 

[emma17]

Jk and WW, thanks for the interesting stats and objective approach.

WW, you use the phrase "demand a greyshirt season".
I don't get this. As I understand it, the coach would simply tell the freshman athlete that he either won't make the team or if he does make it, he won't really play. The coach can then explain the concept of greyshirting, but where does the "demand" come in? Is the coach telling the student-athlete that if he wants to make the team as a sophomore, he better commit to attending school for at least 4.5 years?

[merlecanlas]

"greyshirting" at a UW state school costs the kid $4-8k, try that at a private school $15-20k.  No advantage there.  Nope.  That recommend workout plan gets awfully costly at a non state school

[Pat Coleman]

Aside from the financial aid, which has a way of leveling that off quite a bit.

[WW]

Jk and WW, thanks for the interesting stats and objective approach.

WW, you use the phrase "demand a greyshirt season".
I don't get this. As I understand it, the coach would simply tell the freshman athlete that he either won't make the team or if he does make it, he won't really play. The coach can then explain the concept of greyshirting, but where does the "demand" come in? Is the coach telling the student-athlete that if he wants to make the team as a sophomore, he better commit to attending school for at least 4.5 years?

Yeah, they make it pretty clear. There is no "option" to join the team as a freshman. I can't speak for all the WIAC schools but I'm very familiar with the process for three of them.

[merlecanlas]

Aside from the financial aid, which has a way of leveling that off quite a bit.

financial aid to medicare, probably a 6th year class at UW-O

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Aside from the financial aid, which has a way of leveling that off quite a bit.

My wife graduated from Mount Union in 1997.  Just finished paying off her student loans this past summer. Financial Aid = Huge Student Loan Debt

[Pat Coleman]

Aside from the financial aid, which has a way of leveling that off quite a bit.

My wife graduated from Mount Union in 1997.  Just finished paying off her student loans this past summer. Financial Aid = Huge Student Loan Debt

I understand that -- we're still paying off my wife's, too. But financial aid packages also include non-loans as well.

[edward de vere]

It's criminal what's happened to the cost of a college education.  It didn't use to be that way, as those of us of a certain age know.

I could go on a very loud and profane rant but . . . I won't.

[DBQ1965]

It's criminal what's happened to the cost of a college education.  It didn't use to be that way, as those of us of a certain age know.

I could go on a very loud and profane rant but . . . I won't.

I'm guessing the tuition/room/board/books numbers disproportionately exceed the salary numbers over any given period of time.