(10-03-2023 05:08 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  Any idea why Defiance was unhappy with NCAA D3?

It’s only a guess, but I’d say they are not necessarily unhappy with D3, but as an institution trying to get numbers up and stabilize themselves financially, they think being able to offer athletic scholarships will be a better recruiting method for them.

NAIA recruiting is less constrained versus NCAA, being able show that a kid is getting actual scholarship money for a sport they are dedicated to is an advantage as well. Although there isn’t necessarily a difference in what an NAIA school could offer financially versus D3, but (to me at least) the difference in perception to a recruit is at least noteworthy.

But I think it’s a signal of a shift in mindset of the administration that recruiting and athletics needs a little more at the forefront of things because the institution is at risk if they do t start making tough choices. And getting more serious about bringing in more athletes has to be a big part of that when enrollment is so low and your accreditation is also an issue.