Regardless of the season, college sports march on. This week, topics like scholarship status. diversity and younger coaches came to the forefront.
As snow falls for much of the country, the heat from various hot topics keeps the college scene buzzing. With no true offseason, college sports carve out more than just a niche spot in the American viewing landscape. Snow, sleet, frozen roads will never deter the schools and conferences from giving their all to provide a quality product.
No Gray Areas
Last week, conference commissioners met in Phoenix for the NCAA National Conventions. One of the main points solidified, spelling out that no Division 3 school would offer athletic scholarships. Now, for a quick second, that floored me. Why wouldn’t schools want to open their recruiting base? When that quick second dissipated, reality and clarity set in. Division 3 schools emphasize the student part of student-athlete. These schools do not bend or manipulate admission standards for anyone, regardless of athletic talent. In a world where the transfer portal serves as an academic bus pass, Division 3 schools rightfully articulated their stance. Playing a sport at that level remains extracurricular and not a career focus. Walking across a stage, shaking hands, obtaining a degree is the ultimate goal. While many conferences are looking into NIL, hitting the books stays at the top of the list, and not just to maintain athletic eligibility.
Actions Behind Words
We live in an era of misdirected backlash. For the longest time, some less-than-enlightened people rebel against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Unfortunately, colleges and conferences fell right in line with this thought. Ask yourself, why the SEC, that pulls in truckloads of money via Black athletes won’t hire a Black head football coach. Only five Black men can ever claim that distinction. DEI is thrown around as a buzzword by some without any intention of working to achieve movement. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) leads the way. On their website, the PSAC lays out what they do, their goals and work still to do. In an earnest way, the PSAC opened doors to all, instead of perfunctory attempts. My hope is that every other conference follows suit. Don’t just speak up during Black History Month and go silent for the rest of the year.
Familiar Style Leads to Winning
If you have to wear glasses to read this or turn the car radio down to look at street signs, we’re the same age group. With that said. the Gannon University plays with the abandon of those early 90s UNLV team. That is to say, while the Golden Knights do lead the NCAA by scoring 108.4 points per game, the ability to force turnovers stands out. The breakneck style of play usually features a complete lack of defense. However, 217 steals jump right off the page. Seven Gannon players average one steal per game, led by sophomore guard Derrick James’s 2.7. Gannon can outshoot anyone. During the playoffs, that defense will pay dividends.
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Youthful Revolution Benefits Everyone
During the 15-25 minutes per episode that my podcasts last, I engage with members of the collegiate athletic sphere. One trend that needs applause is the infusion of younger coaches. Now, some of these leaders accept tough coaching jobs, in locations unaccustomed to success. As a result, the build and process teem with early defeats and frustration. Yet, in setting a foundation for the future, these coaches continue to open doors. Similarly, some veteran coaches see their younger colleagues as inspiration. In a world where some just coach out the string until retirement, watching a younger coach inspires the veteran to implement new techniques to reach their players. Granted, stubborn relics from a bygone era still exist and always will. Yet, undeterred, the future of sport continues to thrive.
Cathedral Basketball
Five days ago, eight Landmark Conference basketball teams played at the legendary Palestra in Philadelphia. For ninety-seven years, the Palestra continues to feature college basketball. The Landmark Conference enjoyed a full day of hoops at the historic venue. Imagine playing baseball or Fenway Park, riding a horse at Churchill Downs, or running across the pitch at Sandygate Stadium. Memories of legends built these arenas. Now, those legends ove again welcome the Landmark. While college teams played in historic facilities before, this felt different. Not every conference can claim they sent that many teams to South 33rd Street to lace up the sneakers to compete. With this successful event, Landmark Conference Katie Boldvich and her staff deserve credit for setting the bar for special events. When the conference returned to the cathedral, eye continued to widen.