Patriot League Presidents Endorse Change in Football Athletic Aid Policy
Merit aid awards to be permissible with class entering in fall of 2013
The Patriot League Council of Presidents—including Holy Cross’ president Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J.— endorsed a policy that will allow athletic merit aid for the sport of football, beginning with the class entering school in the fall of 2013, it was announced on Feb. 12.
In making the announcement, Fr. Boroughs said: “I join with the other presidents of the Patriot League in supporting the carefully-considered decision to allow merit aid for football student-athletes. The presidents believe that this move is in the best interests of our League’s practices, stability, and overall goals. It is a decision that is consistent with Holy Cross’ long-held emphasis on upholding the highest standards in both academics and athletics.”
The recently completed 2011 football season marked the 25th anniversary campaign for Patriot League football and its programs have successfully competed in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Along with Holy Cross, Bucknell University, Colgate University, Lafayette College and Lehigh University are founding members of the Patriot League that sponsor football. Fordham University and Georgetown University compete in football as associate members. The other full members of the League are American University, U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. These institutions are among the oldest and most prestigious academic institutions in the nation.
Read the entire story on GoHolyCross.com
Related Information:
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- Telegram & Gazette, Feb. 14: “Holy Cross to offer football scholarships”
- Inside Higher Ed, Feb. 14: “Then There Was One”
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Great decision. Athletic excellence and academic excellence are not mutually exclusive. I would have never attended HC (’87) but for the football related scholarship I was awarded. I was accepted by Ivy League schools and the choice of a free great education from HC was better than a “not free” Ivy League education. Go HC!
The move to provide merit scholarships for football is a positive and bold move for the Patriot League.
Providing some scholarship will not – in my opinion – water down the academic achievements of the student-athletes. And with tight control, the league will not tolerate the abuses found in some of the larger football programs.
However, scholarships will help make the league more competitive.