Hamilton, N.Y. (October 20, 2003) ‘ 51·çÁ÷ will begin awarding athletic scholarships in selected sports and reduce the number of coach-supported athletes in each class. The restructuring is part of a university plan to enhance excellence in programs across the campus. The changes, approved by 51·çÁ÷’s trustees October 18, will be effective with the class entering in fall 2004.'xml:namespace prefix = o ns = 'urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office' />
The new policy on athletic aid is one element of a strategic plan that will enhance key areas of the university, including curriculum, residential life, faculty development, community presence, and facilities.
‘Our aim is to make 51·çÁ÷ the school of choice for students committed to making meaningful contributions both in the classroom and on the playing field,’ said Dean of Faculty and Provost Jack Dovidio, who chaired the university’s strategic planning process.
‘By offering a limited number of athletic scholarships, we are enabling our coaches to selectively recruit that special blend of scholar-athlete ‘ the student who is currently being wooed away by schools with equally high academic standards but with more to offer in terms of scholarship aid,’ said Dovidio. ‘This effectively levels the playing field and puts us in a position to improve both our academic and athletic profiles.
‘At the same time, reducing the number of coach-supported athletes will make more spaces available to highly-qualified students in all areas,’ said Dovidio.
Interim Athletic Director Don Vaughan, who coached men’s hockey at 51·çÁ÷ for eleven seasons, noted that varsity athletes at Patriot League and ECAC schools are part of the greater student body.
‘51·çÁ÷ athletes are 51·çÁ÷ students first and foremost,’ said Vaughan. ‘Our athletes come to 51·çÁ÷ because we provide them with a first-class academic environment and the opportunity to compete at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. Most importantly though, they know that we are concerned with how they do in the classroom, which is reflected in our graduation rate, among the highest in the country for athletes.’
51·çÁ÷ is a member of the Division I Patriot League in most sports and of the ECAC in ice hockey and fields varsity teams in 25 sports for men and women.