OT - Maryland announces "lifetime degree guarantee" for student-athletes

Submitted by EastCoast Esq. on

Our newest B1G brethren (and co-holder of the "UM" shorthand) has just announced that it will guarantee student-athletes aid in earning a degree even if their athletic eligibility runs out before they graduate.

This is big for two reasons:

-1) Most student-athletes are on 1-year scholarships, which means that an injury or even poor play can result in them having the financial rug pulled out from under them. This guarantee is not only equivalent to a multi-year scholarship, but actually extends for a player's lifetime.

-2) Relatedly, this means that a guy who leaves early for the pros could still come back after his career is over and finish his degree without cost. That's a big deal for some athletes who either miscalculate their draft potential or get injured before they earn real money.

As the article mentions, other Big 5 conference schools will likely follow suit in the near future in order to gain an advantage / not fall behind in the recruiting process.

Link: http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/19/maryland-announces-lifetime-degree-guarantee-for-athletes/

 

One thing I am curious about, though, is whether the scholarship continues even if a player is cut "for-cause" (to borrow an employment phrase). For instance, would C'sonte York continue to be eligible for the lifetime guarantee? Or is there some exception if the kid royally screws up and/or commits a serious crime?

MGoBender

August 19th, 2014 at 1:10 PM ^

All for it and would love to see UM make the move.

I'm assuming there's some stipulations with academic and conduct standing, but assuming all that, definitely want to see UM get out in front with this.

FormerWolv

August 19th, 2014 at 2:49 PM ^

UM does do something similar. Scholarship amount cannot be reduced for 4 years. It can be raised, and then lowered, but both parties must agree. 

 

It's one of the reasons some of the smaller teams at UM sometimes struggle. A large scholarship (IE a 80% or full ride) to a player that ends up not producing. It's dead weight, and you cannot reduce it. 

James Burrill Angell

August 19th, 2014 at 4:16 PM ^

Very nice in theory. Certainly in a vacuum its a great idea.

 

That said, here's the race to take advantage of these new rulings that I feared. To do this, the athletic departments are going to free up the cash. That means either that ticket prices are going up or sports are going to get cut (non-revenue sports for the Universities that keep football and, as Hawaii demonstrated, it likely means others will cut football.

 

I get why people like Brian have been cheering the Power 5 and the Ed O'bannon decision (and others like it). But the vacuum this has created is going to create quite a few casualties on the way to figuring out how this will all pan out. 

justingoblue

August 19th, 2014 at 1:16 PM ^

Not saying he shouldn't be having his priorities straight now, but if Cardale Jones is out of football and without a degree at 22 this would be much more useful to him down the line than a Zoltan Mesko type who, at eighteen, did indeed come to play school.

08mms

August 19th, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^

It seems like a great idea to me.  During your playing career you take one hard class a semester and then fill the rest of your random requirements, and then when you are done and/or when you wash out of the pros in the first couple of years, you come back and goes full-throtle into biochem or engineering or the B-School.

MGoBender

August 19th, 2014 at 1:27 PM ^

Eh, I don't know if that's the route to go.

Maybe 1 real class during fall, but a regular load during winter and spring.

I think the goal would be to come as close to finishing your bachelor's as possible.

I was at a talk given by Ron Enlgish and he said that his goal at EMU was for every athlete to that stayed for 5 years to get their master's degree.  With summer and spring classes, you can take light loads during football season and still finish two degrees in 5 years.

That should be the goal.

Erik_in_Dayton

August 19th, 2014 at 1:23 PM ^

I have to believe that a great many athletes - for a wide variety of reasons - don't obtain degrees before they leave school but later wish they could go back to do so.  And I've never understood why you necessarily had to use the academic scholarship that you earned by playing a sport while you were playing the sport. 

mgohusker

August 19th, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^

I thought Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Illinois and TSIO had been offering 4-year scholarships for athletes for a while (since 2012 when the NCAA started allowing it).  

This is something that Delany has encouraged.

Indiana announced they would adopt the practice a few months ago.  



Not sure about Purdue, Minnesota or Rutgers.

Mr. Yost

August 19th, 2014 at 1:42 PM ^

...sure universities and certain admin will benefit, but finally a move that truly does help the student athlete.

I wonder how many kids will now leave early knowing they can always go back and get their education.

LSAClassOf2000

August 19th, 2014 at 1:55 PM ^

Again, student-athletes will be permitted, at no cost to them, to return to the university and obtain their degree at any point in their life. Previously, and as is the case all across the country in every sport, Maryland student-athletes were offered one-year scholarships, which were subject to renewal every year.

I think this is a fantastic development and I would hope that this becomes a thing around the country really, at least where it is feasible for the school for as many as possible should have this opportunity available. Actually, as someone said above, it seems like it might be especially valuable for those who left early perhaps so they can be just that much better off once their pro career (if that's why they left) is over. I never completely understood why the rule has traditionally been that you have to use the scholarship you earned all in one shot basically and that it ceases to exist if you leave early - you earned it and should have access to the balance of it should you come back. This change will benefit a lot of people, I would think. 

Ali G Bomaye

August 19th, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^

I think the school could still kick you out if you screw up.  They say the guarantee only applies if you exhaust your athletic eligibility, get injured, or leave the university in good academic standing.

Spunky

August 19th, 2014 at 2:14 PM ^

I actually wouldn't be opposed to C'sonte returning later in life to complete his degree if necessary (I assume he'll transfer, continue to play, and earn his degree elsewhere, though). Perhaps a former player who is older, wiser, and experienced removal from the program could have some influence on keeping future Michigan players from making similar mistakes.    

Tuebor

August 19th, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^

In reference to the C'sonte York situation.  The 4 year scholarship is only valid if you maintain good standing with the University.  I'm pretty sure committing Felonious Assualt could get you expelled and thusly negate your scholarship contract.

olsont

August 19th, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^

The only downside I see is it will be less of a choice for people leaving for NFL or other because they can just come back to school. But overall I've advocated for this for a while. I thought u of m offered 4 year scholarships

wolverinebutt

August 19th, 2014 at 6:12 PM ^

This is great idea and I hope Dave Brandon jumps in quickly.  

My son was a small D1 school track guy(Javelin).  He had a health incident(food reaction) and ER visit after a meet out of state and in that other state.  The school would not cover his medical expenses because it did not occur during the track meet.  I am lucky to have good health coverage, but what if I didnt? 

These schools do need to do more for their athletes.  My son was invited back to be honored at a BB game half time for being all conference and he boycotted the event.  He wrote the school and said he would never go back until they change the health coverage.