Lehigh Sports Forum

Now some serious talk about granting another year of eligibility to senior athletes affected by the virus cancellations. Welcome back J. Kutler.

Can't do it for the seniors at the service academies. Lots of schools still require students to graduate in eight semesters -- can't do it for those guys. The guys who come back are the ones who can handle graduate school and put whatever else they were planning on doing on hold for another year.

Going to make for crowded wrestling rooms -- extra seniors back along with the incoming freshmen. Is the NCAA going to grant waivers to 9.9 as well? An awful lot has to be worked out.

In JK's interview right before EIWAs he mentioned how he has a job lined up after graduation and how he's looking forward to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYI6lPp ... e=youtu.be

So even if an extra year is granted, don't be surprised if all don't take it.

... sounds like he is ready to begin his career after college.

There will be big shoes to fill in the lineup next year.
D3

The NCAA should pro rate and expand the scholarship cap.

A lot of these guys also burn out on top of it.

Perhaps Cerniglia committed to Navy because of his great relationship with Sharratt. Would sure like to see him in Brown and White along with Lawrence as they will make each other better as they sort out their college weights. Also Crookham is such a great catch to keep that local flavor here in the Valley.

Keep in mind, like all of their press releases last week, the NCAA made the announcement about extending Spring sport eligibility WITHOUT consulting the membership body. I find it hard to understand how universities will fund an extra year for Spring athletes. I don’t believe an extra year for Winter sports will ever become a reality.

The NCAA is sitting on a mountain of cash that they could use to fund the added scholarship cost. On the other hand schools saved a bundle in unspent travel costs that will they likely be able to carry over into fiscal 20/21.

mookie wrote: ↑Sun Mar 15, 2020 3:13 pm The NCAA is sitting on a mountain of cash that they could use to fund the added scholarship cost. On the other hand schools saved a bundle in unspent travel costs that will they likely be able to carry over into fiscal 20/21.

The NCAA pays for the athletes travel as I recall. Not sure about coaches. Around 2000 I tried to show the NCAA Championships rep how to save a lot of travel money so they could add kids to the event again. They pay for full fare flights so that if someone lost early they could change the flight at no additional cost. This made sense for events like the College World Series. This made no sense for wrestling. Pretty much none of them could leave before Saturday and most of those that could stayed to watch the finals anyway. For those that chose to leave they could buy a new ticket.

mookie wrote: ↑Sun Mar 15, 2020 3:13 pm The NCAA is sitting on a mountain of cash that they could use to fund the added scholarship cost. On the other hand schools saved a bundle in unspent travel costs that will they likely be able to carry over into fiscal 20/21.

That mountain of cash you are referring to comes from the contract w CBS for the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, which did not take place.