Big Ten guarantees 4-year schollies to all athletes (should UTEP?)

[FeralFelidae]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...rantees-four-year-scholarships-for-all-sports

So there was discussion in one of these threads awhile back that almost all NCAA schollies are renewed on an annual basis; the NCAA allows schools and players to negotiate four-year schollies, but these are almost always the result of injuries or special circumstances.

But the Big Ten does guarantee four-year schollies to all its athletes. The whole Vassar situation at Northwestern makes much more sense in this context.

So... Given UTEP's problems with turnover in basketball, would it make sense for UTEP to start offering four-year scholarships to its athletes? It would help protect both the school and the athletes and perhaps strengthen their commitment to each other.

Of course, if some of the turnover in Floyd's basketball program is by design (oversigning, running players off, etc.), then maybe the current administration wouldn't want this kind of commitment. But I think UTEP's basketball would have been buttressed by more stability, perhaps the kind of stability that four-year scholarships would provide. What do you think?

 

[MinerInWisconsin]

Interesting question. On the one hand a coach, any coach, wants to get rid of under achieving athletes, especially if they have an attitude or do not put forth a solid effort. Maybe a deal both sides live up to the 4 year plan but milestones must be met.

 

[FeralFelidae]

Interesting question. On the one hand a coach, any coach, wants to get rid of under achieving athletes, especially if they have an attitude or do not put forth a solid effort. Maybe a deal both sides live up to the 4 year plan but milestones must be met.

In the case of Vassar and Northwestern, the university is continuing to pay for a four-year degree but he's no longer on the team (by Northwestern's choice) and doesn't count against the athletic scholarship allotment. As long as he didn't break any team rules and remains in good standing, the university is committed to paying his way, but he's doing no harm to the team. He's free to transfer but has chosen to remain and take advantage of the education opportunity.

So if a player at UTEP just somehow does not at all work out, UTEP wouldn't be obligated to carry them as dead weight on the team, just to honor the four-year academic agreement.

 

[MinerManiac]

I can guarantee that the current UTEP coaching staff would not go for this idea. They over recruit by design. Of course many of us, including myself, hope that this current staff isn't with us much longer.