Multiyear scholarships plan moves on

[Trophy Hunter]

This is good news for players, in that coaches will have to do a better job recruiting 4 year players, rather than disposing of kids along the way as many do now. It will likely also cut back on the rush to early verbals.

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story ... alls-short

Barely...

excerpts:

The NCAA said Friday that 62.1 percent of 330 Division I schools called for an override during an online vote this week, falling just short of the 62.5 percent majority needed. Some 90 percent of the Division I membership voted...

The rule was put in place last October, giving schools the option to offer multiyear scholarships instead of those that need to be renewed annually. It took effect immediately and a number of schools confirmed on the Feb. 1 national signing day they would be giving out scholarships that no longer have to be renewed annually, including Ohio State, Auburn, Michigan, Michigan State, Florida and Nebraska...

The new rule would allow scholarships to be awarded for as little as two years, for junior college transfers, or as long as four or five years for incoming freshmen.

In recent years, annual scholarships have come under more scrutiny, including a preliminary inquiry from the Justice Department that did not go any further. The scholarship change has many supporters, too, including some who are regular critics of the NCAA.

"I've always said we should give multiyear scholarships, and not that those can't be taken away, but right now the athlete has no rights," David Ridpath, past president of The Drake Group, said in October. "The coach can cancel those for any reason, and the reason usually is they find a prettier girl to bring to the dance."

Another controversial proposal -- the $2,000 stipend for scholarship athletes to cover miscellaneous expenses -- is still under review. Options are expected to be discussed in April.

[AlwaysImprove]

The rule is that schools can optionally provide multiyear scholarships. NCAA was voting to pull that rule, and the vote failed by only 2 votes. In other words, 2 more votes and D1 schools would not be allowed to offer multiyear scholarships.

Big 10 has decided to provide multiyear scholarships. If you are a parent don't believe for a second that your kid is too good to get cut. If you get a chance at a multiyear scholarship, take it.