Hofstra Dropping Football?

[bandl]

How are the CAA teams that have both of these teams on their 2010 schedule going to fill these games? It's not unprecedented, so could they schedule CAA teams that are not already on their schedule as OOC games? I want to say Delaware did this most recently, but I'm just guessing...

[mcveyrl]

How are the CAA teams that have both of these teams on their 2010 schedule going to fill these games? It's not unprecedented, so could they schedule CAA teams that are not already on their schedule as OOC games? I want to say Delaware did this most recently, but I'm just guessing...

I've gotta think the whole conference schedule would have to be re-done. Which they were going to have to do anyway.

Tom Yeager's on the phone with every AD right now: "Okay. If any of you fuckers are planning on dropping football in the next month, go ahead and do it."

[bandl]

How are the CAA teams that have both of these teams on their 2010 schedule going to fill these games? It's not unprecedented, so could they schedule CAA teams that are not already on their schedule as OOC games? I want to say Delaware did this most recently, but I'm just guessing...

I've gotta think the whole conference schedule would have to be re-done.

I'm sure there is some CAA shmo who will pick apart the CAA schedule and figure out all the possibilities. I don't like getting reamed in the ass, so I'm not going to do it

[mcveyrl]

I've gotta think the whole conference schedule would have to be re-done.

I'm sure there is some CAA shmo who will pick apart the CAA schedule and figure out all the possibilities. I don't like getting reamed in the ass, so I'm not going to do it

Yea, I was thinking that everybody could play an 8 game schedule and just miss one team, but I don't even know if that would work (I think the Big 10 did it) but I'm not willing to go through and make the changes.

[danefan]

Official Statement:

After a comprehensive review, the Board of Trustees has, at my recommendation, voted unanimously to eliminate our intercollegiate football program in order to redirect those resources toward academic initiatives and need-based scholarships.

This decision is not a budget reduction, but rather a strategically driven reallocation of resources. We have no plans for any further major changes to our Division I athletics program, which we believe is an integral part of a fully textured university experience. We will continue to host 17 intercollegiate sports and to continue to invest significantly in our athletics program. However, at the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA) level, football could not attain significant national recognition, and it has had low student, community and media interest, attendance and financial support. In addition, the football program, the largest of the athletic programs, is by far the most expensive. In the end, we could not continue to justify the expense of football compared to the benefits it brought to the University.

This was a difficult decision, undertaken after a thorough review of all aspects of the issue. After much discussion and analysis, we believe with certainty that it is the right choice for Hofstra University. This strategic decision to reallocate resources is based on our academic mission and priorities, and our vision of attaining recognition as one of our nation’s leading universities. Investment in academic initiatives and need-based scholarships is warranted for the long term benefit of our students and the University community.

Simply stated, academic excellence has been and will continue to be our highest priority. Hofstra has made significant strides in the past decade, dramatically improving the credentials of entering classes, adding new professorships and chairs, creating national centers such as the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency and the National Center for Suburban Studies, and establishing the Hofstra University School of Medicine in partnership with North Shore- LIJ Health System. Hofstra’s potential is limitless, and there are many exciting and new possibilities for the future, including enhancements to our hard science and engineering programs, including new graduate programs, as well as new programs in public health and other health related fields.

Our first priority, at this time, is to work with the 84 football student-athletes to ensure that they manage this transition in whatever manner is most comfortable for them. We hope that they will continue to make Hofstra their academic home, and will fully honor their scholarships so they can complete their degrees. However, we will also understand if they decide to transfer to continue playing football while attending school. Whichever they decide to do, we will provide the necessary assistance. We are grateful to all of them, and to our coaching staff, for their dedicated efforts for our University. All of our students and alumni are valued members of the Hofstra family, and we respect and honor the contributions of our football student-athletes over the years.

If we are to continue our momentum and strive to become one of our nation’s best institutions of higher education, standing for excellence in every way, we must invest in academics and programs in which we can compete at the highest level. It is more essential than ever that we invest our resources wisely, and consider fully how we meet our mission as a university.

Sincerely,
Stuart Rabinowitz
President, Hofstra University

http://www.hofstra.edu/home/News/news_u ... 20309.html

[Col Hogan]

I've gotta think the whole conference schedule would have to be re-done.

I'm sure there is some CAA shmo who will pick apart the CAA schedule and figure out all the possibilities. I don't like getting reamed in the ass, so I'm not going to do it

Travis likes doing schedules...maybe he can get a job figuring out next years CAA schedule...

[JMU DJ]

I'm sure there is some CAA shmo who will pick apart the CAA schedule and figure out all the possibilities. I don't like getting reamed in the ass, so I'm not going to do it

Travis likes doing schedules...maybe he can get a job figuring out next years CAA schedule...

Hopefully he could put together a better one than our AD did this year.... I saw a proposed schedule for next years that wasn't the one Travis has over here.... I was horrified.

[andy7171]

Towson isn't going anywhere. Our president is fully behind football. He fired our old coach, bought out two years and hired first class replacement. For those who saw Towson play this year, they didn't lay down like they did in '08.
Plus we've got a new stadium and turf.

I've said this before, with all the talk of CAA teams moving up to FBS along with App. State and a few other SoCon teams, the surprise would be if Towson didn't (foolishly) jump with them.

This past year was all about running off the players with losing attitudes. Four players quit the Tuesday before our last game.

And remember, this is only our second year at the full 63.


Sucks to be UB right now. I feel bad for him.

[DukeJack]

Travis likes doing schedules...maybe he can get a job figuring out next years CAA schedule...

Hopefully he could put together a better one than our AD did this year.... I saw a proposed schedule for next years that wasn't the one Travis has over here.... I was horrified.

The one where we end the season in Maine? Yeah, not thrilled about that one either, I always liked having the Towson bye the last week of the season.

And with 10 teams now, assuming URI doesn't drop, why wouldn't everyone play a 9 game conference schedule? Too hard to buy out some teams or are some clinging too tightly to their DII games?

[danefan]

So now with 4 NE teams left, do you think the chances (a) increase, (b) decrease or (c) stay the same, that the CAA North breaks off? There are no longer any Full CAA members playing football North of Delaware.

A league with Albany, SBU, CCSU, Fordham, UNH, URI, Maine, and UMass perhaps?

[mcveyrl]

So now with 4 NE teams left, do you think the chances (a) increase, (b) decrease or (c) stay the same, that the CAA North breaks off?

A league with Albany, SBU, CCSU, Fordham, UNH, URI, Maine, and UMass perhaps?

I think it's more likely, although I don't know the actual probability. I think Fordham's probably advocating for it. Keep in mind that those are all football affiliates in the North, so they don't need to worry about other sports or offending the conference.

[mcveyrl]

Towson isn't going anywhere. Our president is fully behind football. He fired our old coach, bought out two years and hired first class replacement. For those who saw Towson play this year, they didn't lay down like they did in '08.
Plus we've got a new stadium and turf.

I've said this before, with all the talk of CAA teams moving up to FBS along with App. State and a few other SoCon teams, the surprise would be if Towson didn't (foolishly) jump with them.

This past year was all about running off the players with losing attitudes. Four players quit the Tuesday before our last game.

And remember, this is only our second year at the full 63.


Sucks to be UB right now. I feel bad for him.

Man, when you polish a terd you scrub the shit out of it, huh?

[JMU DJ]

Hopefully he could put together a better one than our AD did this year.... I saw a proposed schedule for next years that wasn't the one Travis has over here.... I was horrified.

The one where we end the season in Maine? Yeah, not thrilled about that one either, I always liked having the Towson bye the last week of the season.

Yeah, with the bye week between URI and @ Maine late in November, along with the gauntlet in the middle of the year... again.

[EPJr]

An Open Letter to the Hofstra Community:

After a comprehensive review, the Board of Trustees has, at my recommendation, voted unanimously to eliminate our intercollegiate football program in order to redirect those resources toward academic initiatives and need-based scholarships.

This decision is not a budget reduction, but rather a strategically driven reallocation of resources. We have no plans for any further major changes to our Division I athletics program, which we believe is an integral part of a fully textured university experience. We will continue to host 17 intercollegiate sports and to continue to invest significantly in our athletics program. However, at the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA) level, football could not attain significant national recognition, and it has had low student, community and media interest, attendance and financial support. In addition, the football program, the largest of the athletic programs, is by far the most expensive. In the end, we could not continue to justify the expense of football compared to the benefits it brought to the University.

This was a difficult decision, undertaken after a thorough review of all aspects of the issue. After much discussion and analysis, we believe with certainty that it is the right choice for Hofstra University. This strategic decision to reallocate resources is based on our academic mission and priorities, and our vision of attaining recognition as one of our nation’s leading universities. Investment in academic initiatives and need-based scholarships is warranted for the long term benefit of our students and the University community.

Simply stated, academic excellence has been and will continue to be our highest priority. Hofstra has made significant strides in the past decade, dramatically improving the credentials of entering classes, adding new professorships and chairs, creating national centers such as the Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency and the National Center for Suburban Studies, and establishing the Hofstra University School of Medicine in partnership with North Shore- LIJ Health System. Hofstra’s potential is limitless, and there are many exciting and new possibilities for the future, including enhancements to our hard science and engineering programs, including new graduate programs, as well as new programs in public health and other health related fields.

Our first priority, at this time, is to work with the 84 football student-athletes to ensure that they manage this transition in whatever manner is most comfortable for them. We hope that they will continue to make Hofstra their academic home, and will fully honor their scholarships so they can complete their degrees. However, we will also understand if they decide to transfer to continue playing football while attending school. Whichever they decide to do, we will provide the necessary assistance. We are grateful to all of them, and to our coaching staff, for their dedicated efforts for our University. All of our students and alumni are valued members of the Hofstra family, and we respect and honor the contributions of our football student-athletes over the years.

If we are to continue our momentum and strive to become one of our nation’s best institutions of higher education, standing for excellence in every way, we must invest in academics and programs in which we can compete at the highest level. It is more essential than ever that we invest our resources wisely, and consider fully how we meet our mission as a university.

Sincerely,

Stuart Rabinowitz
President, Hofstra University

http://www.hofstra.edu/home/News/news_u ... 20309.html

[danefan]

BTW, this is also the nail in the coffin for Patriot League scholarships, IMO.

If two private schools in the Northeast can't handle the financial aspects of 63 scholarships, why in the world would Patriot League presidents vote to follow them down that path?

[andy7171]

Man, when you polish a terd you scrub the **** out of it, huh?

I didn't expect to win one game this year the way Ambrose ran all the players out in the spring.

All I'm saying is TU is planning on building several new dorms and increasing the enrollment from 19,000 to 26,000 over the next 4-5 years. A new basketball only arena and new field hockey only field and possibly upgrading the soccer stadium. And with 3 addition phases to Unitas Stadium yet to be built. You don't throw all that kind of money around without being behind your athletic programs. President Caret has said he wants Towson to be to Maryland as Michigan State is to Michigan. And he said it at Rob Ambrose's introduction last winter.

[danefan]

Man, when you polish a terd you scrub the **** out of it, huh?

I didn't expect to win one game this year the way Ambrose ran all the players out in the spring.

All I'm saying is TU is planning on building several new dorms and increasing the enrollment from 19,000 to 26,000 over the next 4-5 years. A new basketball only arena and new field hockey only field and possibly upgrading the soccer stadium. And with 3 addition phases to Unitas Stadium yet to be built. You don't throw all that kind of money around without being behind your athletic programs. President Caret has said he wants Towson to be to Maryland as Michigan State is to Michigan. And he said it at Rob Ambrose's introduction last winter.

No way Towson drops football. That's a sparking new stadium. No way.

Hofstra had the facilities, but don't forget they were starting to show their age quickly. There is a reason they didn't replace the broken video board or update any of the press boxes.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

I had thought URI was a program headded in the right direction, but now nothing would surpise me. Where is cobblestone when you need him.

I think this is just the start of a major shake up in foot ball in the north east.

[JMU DJ]

Where is cobblestone when you need him.

Trying to find Bobbo

[bobbythekidd]

Where is cobblestone when you need him.

Trying to find Bobbo

He found me already.

[danefan]

I had thought URI was a program headded in the right direction, but now nothing would surpise me. Where is cobblestone when you need him.

I think this is just the start of a major shake up in foot ball in the north east.

Thats what I thought as well. Also, by the comments that Cobblestone posted in the last few weeks, I thought the same.

Who knows. Hopefully its really just a rumor. Losing another northeast FCS playing school would be really really bad. Especially a public school, which have all weathered the storm so far.

[AZGrizFan]

No joke - just heard from a good source that URI may be next in the very near future.
I hope not.

I may be wrong occasionally. And Z may be wrong occasionally. However, I can't imagine we've ever both been wrong at the same time.

Boy, if that ain't the motherfuckin' truth.

[AZGrizFan]

How are the CAA teams that have both of these teams on their 2010 schedule going to fill these games? It's not unprecedented, so could they schedule CAA teams that are not already on their schedule as OOC games? I want to say Delaware did this most recently, but I'm just guessing...

How about they fill them with EACH OTHER?

Novel concept, I know...but something to consider.

[93henfan]

Damn! What is the CAA going to do? Pretty soon, they're going to be down to 9 teams, they're going to have to go back to one division, and they're all going to have to play everybody in their conference......JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER FCS CONFERENCE.

And it's the PATSIES that are folding like cheap pianos.....the HORROR!!!! If Towson and Rhode Island go next, the CAA is gonna be a fuckin' bloodbath!

Who are you kidding? It already is a bloodbath. This just culls the herd and makes it even tougher.

[DukeJack]

How about they fill them with EACH OTHER?

Novel concept, I know...but something to consider.

Dammit Z, read shit!

And with 10 teams now, assuming URI doesn't drop, why wouldn't everyone play a 9 game conference schedule? Too hard to buy out some teams or are some clinging too tightly to their DII games?