MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Gregory Sager]

I'd be interested to know what you base that opinion on considering his actual words say this:

"As of right now though, I definitely want to use that fifth year."

Knightmare is correct.

A lot can change between now and then, though. Calvin is an expensive school, and if there's no compelling academic reason for Brink to attend Calvin for a fifth year, the family bank account might outweigh his urge to put on a Knights uni for another year. This could be one of those situations in which Calvin's lack of graduate programs could prove to be a handicap to getting a fourth season out of a player who missed a year on the court that he nevertheless spent in the classroom working towards his bachelor's degree.

[KnightSlappy]

I'd be interested to know what you base that opinion on considering his actual words say this:

"As of right now though, I definitely want to use that fifth year."

Knightmare is correct.

A lot can change between now and then, though. Calvin is an expensive school, and if there's no compelling academic reason for Brink to attend Calvin for a fifth year, the family bank account might outweigh his urge to put on a Knights uni for another year. This could be one of those situations in which Calvin's lack of graduate programs could prove to be a handicap to getting a fourth season out of a player who missed a year on the court that he nevertheless spent in the classroom working towards his bachelor's degree.

Although, he could just save one fall and spring class for that fifth year. That way he would "only" need to pay for about three credit hours per semester that final year.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Not to bring the ongoing conversations to a halt, but I want to share a story the D3 community should know about. You actually may have heard the story on the front page of D3hoops.com, but just in case:

A Goucher basketball player has been paralyzed in a freak accident. He was wrestling around with a friend one morning in his dorm building when he landed on his neck. The entire story is here.

He was released from the hospital to the Kennedy Krieger Institute for rehab shortly after that article was posted last week. However, over the weekend he was sent back to the hospital when he apparently had trouble breathing. Now he awaits a return to the rehab facility, probably any day if he hasn't been released already.

Please keep Damone Brooks, his family, the Goucher basketball team(s), and Goucher community in your thoughts, hearts, and prayers. The family certainly needs help with medical bills as well, so if you feel inclined, please consider them as well.

To follow his progress online, click here.
And to consider a donation, click here.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

[Roundball999]

I'd be interested to know what you base that opinion on considering his actual words say this:

"As of right now though, I definitely want to use that fifth year."

Knightmare is correct.

A lot can change between now and then, though. Calvin is an expensive school, and if there's no compelling academic reason for Brink to attend Calvin for a fifth year, the family bank account might outweigh his urge to put on a Knights uni for another year. This could be one of those situations in which Calvin's lack of graduate programs could prove to be a handicap to getting a fourth season out of a player who missed a year on the court that he nevertheless spent in the classroom working towards his bachelor's degree.

Although, he could just save one fall and spring class for that fifth year. That way he would "only" need to pay for about three credit hours per semester that final year.

It seems that according to the NCAA eligibility rules:  "Division III student-athletes must be enrolled in at least 12 semester or quarter hours, regardless of an institution's own definition of "full time.""

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Eligibility/Remaining+Eligible/Academics

[KnightSlappy]

I'd be interested to know what you base that opinion on considering his actual words say this:

"As of right now though, I definitely want to use that fifth year."

Knightmare is correct.

A lot can change between now and then, though. Calvin is an expensive school, and if there's no compelling academic reason for Brink to attend Calvin for a fifth year, the family bank account might outweigh his urge to put on a Knights uni for another year. This could be one of those situations in which Calvin's lack of graduate programs could prove to be a handicap to getting a fourth season out of a player who missed a year on the court that he nevertheless spent in the classroom working towards his bachelor's degree.

Although, he could just save one fall and spring class for that fifth year. That way he would "only" need to pay for about three credit hours per semester that final year.

It seems that according to the NCAA eligibility rules:  "Division III student-athletes must be enrolled in at least 12 semester or quarter hours, regardless of an institution's own definition of "full time.""

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Eligibility/Remaining+Eligible/Academics

Ok, so looks like he would have to be full-time in the fall, but his spring could be one class. Athletes in their final semester only need to take what's required to earn their degree.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Yes - final year student-athletes are not punished by having to take extra classes just to play the sport - as long as they are in good academic standing!

[hopefan]

I'd be interested to know what you base that opinion on considering his actual words say this:

"As of right now though, I definitely want to use that fifth year."

Knightmare is correct.

A lot can change between now and then, though. Calvin is an expensive school, and if there's no compelling academic reason for Brink to attend Calvin for a fifth year, the family bank account might outweigh his urge to put on a Knights uni for another year. This could be one of those situations in which Calvin's lack of graduate programs could prove to be a handicap to getting a fourth season out of a player who missed a year on the court that he nevertheless spent in the classroom working towards his bachelor's degree.

Although, he could just save one fall and spring class for that fifth year. That way he would "only" need to pay for about three credit hours per semester that final year.

It seems that according to the NCAA eligibility rules:  "Division III student-athletes must be enrolled in at least 12 semester or quarter hours, regardless of an institution's own definition of "full time.""

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Eligibility/Remaining+Eligible/Academics

Ok, so looks like he would have to be full-time in the fall, but his spring could be one class. Athletes in their final semester only need to take what's required to earn their degree.

I was surprised to learn 2 seasons ago that if a student athlete graduates in DECEMBER, condensing their 4 year degree into 3.5 years, they can play that 8th semester while taking NO classes.  Fontbonne women had at least one and maybe 2 players that did exactly that in 2010-11 season. 

[KnightSlappy]

I'd be interested to know what you base that opinion on considering his actual words say this:

"As of right now though, I definitely want to use that fifth year."

Knightmare is correct.

A lot can change between now and then, though. Calvin is an expensive school, and if there's no compelling academic reason for Brink to attend Calvin for a fifth year, the family bank account might outweigh his urge to put on a Knights uni for another year. This could be one of those situations in which Calvin's lack of graduate programs could prove to be a handicap to getting a fourth season out of a player who missed a year on the court that he nevertheless spent in the classroom working towards his bachelor's degree.

Although, he could just save one fall and spring class for that fifth year. That way he would "only" need to pay for about three credit hours per semester that final year.

It seems that according to the NCAA eligibility rules:  "Division III student-athletes must be enrolled in at least 12 semester or quarter hours, regardless of an institution's own definition of "full time.""

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Eligibility/Remaining+Eligible/Academics

Ok, so looks like he would have to be full-time in the fall, but his spring could be one class. Athletes in their final semester only need to take what's required to earn their degree.

I was surprised to learn 2 seasons ago that if a student athlete graduates in DECEMBER, condensing their 4 year degree into 3.5 years, they can play that 8th semester while taking NO classes.  Fontbonne women had at least one and maybe 2 players that did exactly that in 2010-11 season.

Huh. So that might mean he could take one class in the fall and none in the spring?

I'm not sure. But he definitely wouldn't need to go full-time for both semesters of the fifth year. And it all depends on whether or not he's finished with his degree after four years.

[Happy Calvin Guy]

So that might mean he could take one class in the fall and none in the spring?

I'd bet we could even offer him a full tuition scholarship for that no-class spring semester. 

[Stinger]

I'd be interested to know what you base that opinion on considering his actual words say this:

"As of right now though, I definitely want to use that fifth year."

Knightmare is correct.

A lot can change between now and then, though. Calvin is an expensive school, and if there's no compelling academic reason for Brink to attend Calvin for a fifth year, the family bank account might outweigh his urge to put on a Knights uni for another year. This could be one of those situations in which Calvin's lack of graduate programs could prove to be a handicap to getting a fourth season out of a player who missed a year on the court that he nevertheless spent in the classroom working towards his bachelor's degree.

Although, he could just save one fall and spring class for that fifth year. That way he would "only" need to pay for about three credit hours per semester that final year.

It seems that according to the NCAA eligibility rules:  "Division III student-athletes must be enrolled in at least 12 semester or quarter hours, regardless of an institution's own definition of "full time.""

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Eligibility/Remaining+Eligible/Academics

Ok, so looks like he would have to be full-time in the fall, but his spring could be one class. Athletes in their final semester only need to take what's required to earn their degree.

I was surprised to learn 2 seasons ago that if a student athlete graduates in DECEMBER, condensing their 4 year degree into 3.5 years, they can play that 8th semester while taking NO classes.  Fontbonne women had at least one and maybe 2 players that did exactly that in 2010-11 season.

Back before the K Plan calendar change, many K players didn't take classes but were in an internship (obviously counted towards college credit). My entire Jr. season, I went to work from 7am - 3pm and then right to the Rolla Dome.

[HopeConvert]

I'd be interested to know what you base that opinion on considering his actual words say this:

"As of right now though, I definitely want to use that fifth year."

Knightmare is correct.

A lot can change between now and then, though. Calvin is an expensive school, and if there's no compelling academic reason for Brink to attend Calvin for a fifth year, the family bank account might outweigh his urge to put on a Knights uni for another year. This could be one of those situations in which Calvin's lack of graduate programs could prove to be a handicap to getting a fourth season out of a player who missed a year on the court that he nevertheless spent in the classroom working towards his bachelor's degree.

Although, he could just save one fall and spring class for that fifth year. That way he would "only" need to pay for about three credit hours per semester that final year.

There are, of course, opportunity costs to consider.

[knightvision]

I heard a 2012 Calvin grad lamenting that now that he had graduated Calvin saw fit to increase their academic merit awards.  Curious if anyone had heard the same--and whether other MIAA schools were making any changes to increase scholarship dollars available.   

[realist]

I heard a 2012 Calvin grad lamenting that now that he had graduated Calvin saw fit to increase their academic merit awards.  Curious if anyone had heard the same--and whether other MIAA schools were making any changes to increase scholarship dollars available.   

That decision was made public some time back.  Calvin (historically) had a policy of being very egalitarion when it comes to awarding available funds to perspective students.  It is no secret that Calvin's fr. classes the last 4-5 years have been down, and part of the feedback the school received (from prospects going elsewhere) was  that Calvin wasn't matching up well with some of it's competiton for students.  The decision involved loosening the purse strings, and being more generous with the awards as a means to attract the best students.  The grants or awards for this years incoming class had more large numbers.  Did it work?  According to what I learned on campus several weeks ago the number of incoming fr. confirmed so far is up from previous years.  It also is pointed out that the incoming class will have the highest test scores, and grades of any class in Calvin history.  One comment I heard seemed to indicate that these more highly qualified potential students actually had lower financial needs overal then the stucents Calvin had
historically attracted.  I took that to mean the families of the better prospects also had better personal finances. 
The wheels of change can turn painfully slow at Calvin at times.  Quite a few donors have been pushing (the College) to take a more aggressive stance to attract the best students for some time now.  Based on the experience this first year using the new method I expect it to be expanded going forward.  I know this does nothing for recent grads, and probably little for most students already on campus, however, the college could not let low recruitment numbers continue.

[knightvision]

I heard a 2012 Calvin grad lamenting that now that he had graduated Calvin saw fit to increase their academic merit awards.  Curious if anyone had heard the same--and whether other MIAA schools were making any changes to increase scholarship dollars available.   

That decision was made public some time back.  Calvin (historically) had a policy of being very egalitarion when it comes to awarding available funds to perspective students.  It is no secret that Calvin's fr. classes the last 4-5 years have been down, and part of the feedback the school received (from prospects going elsewhere) was  that Calvin wasn't matching up well with some of it's competiton for students.  The decision involved loosening the purse strings, and being more generous with the awards as a means to attract the best students.  The grants or awards for this years incoming class had more large numbers.  Did it work?  According to what I learned on campus several weeks ago the number of incoming fr. confirmed so far is up from previous years.  It also is pointed out that the incoming class will have the highest test scores, and grades of any class in Calvin history.  One comment I heard seemed to indicate that these more highly qualified potential students actually had lower financial needs overal then the stucents Calvin had
historically attracted.  I took that to mean the families of the better prospects also had better personal finances. 
The wheels of change can turn painfully slow at Calvin at times.  Quite a few donors have been pushing (the College) to take a more aggressive stance to attract the best students for some time now.  Based on the experience this first year using the new method I expect it to be expanded going forward.  I know this does nothing for recent grads, and probably little for most students already on campus, however, the college could not let low recruitment numbers continue.

Thanks realist--I wasn't aware there had been an announcement of these changes.  After my exchange with the grad, I did go look and noticed the "new higher scholarship amounts" tag on the website but wasn't sure how much of an increase the amounts reflected.  It will be interesting to see if this has a measurable effect on Calvin's ability to attract student-athletes...

[realist]

kv  My eyes sort of glassed over when they mentioned the speciific numbers, but I recall hearing that the more prestigious awards (like presidential scholarships) at Calvin were lagging behind many other schools.  If the athlete has the academics the new amounts might have an impact, but the guidelines are pretty specific.