RCNJ

Mark Samitt '84 wrote, "We need Rensselaer alumni to volunteer to be part of this year’s New Jersey Phonathon team. This year’s phonathon will take place on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 from 6:00 to 9:30pm at Langan Engineering in Elmwood Park, NJ."

"Following a brief training session and light dinner, the alumni volunteers will be asked to make calls on behalf of the Rensselaer Annual Fund and to reconnect with fellow alumni."

"Please join us. If you are interested in becoming part of the phonathon team, please contact Catharine Potvin at potvic@rpi.edu or (518) 276-2564. Hope to see you at the phonathon!"

Posted by Dave Aiello at 5:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday, we reported that the NCAA Division III Presidents' Council proposed the elimination of athletic scholarships at Division III schools that play one or more sports at the Division I level. This proposal, if it passed, would affect the Rensselaer Mens' Ice Hockey Team, and 11 other athletic teams at 7 other colleges or universities.

Today, the RPI Athletic Department issued a statement from President Shirley Ann Jackson in response to that proposal. The statement reads as follows:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute strongly opposes the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) proposal to eliminate the awarding of athletics aid by Division III member institutions in sports classified in Division I. If it is approved, this proposal could place Rensselaer’s well-respected hockey tradition in jeopardy, and hamper the ability of ice hockey players to receive the benefits of a Rensselaer education. Rensselaer has a fabulous tradition in ice hockey. It has sent a number of players to the National Hockey League (NHL), and has been inspirational and satisfying for our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

The NCAA President’s Council recommended the proposal apparently in the belief that reforms are needed in Division III athletics to address the ongoing relationship between athletics and education. At Rensselaer, we scrupulously maintain a balance that encourages our hockey players to perform at optimum levels in academics and on the ice. These players truly represent the highest values of the scholar-athlete. Their grades, graduation rates, and their overall achievements in life are a testament to the success and integrity of our program. In short, Rensselaer already adheres to the spirit of the Division III philosophy, and, as such, is a credit to the NCAA.

In our view, the NCAA should not punish the multi-divisional schools to address Division III concerns. Rather, the NCAA should consider conducting audits of all Division III institutions. Rensselaer’s program would easily withstand such scrutiny.

We are proud of our athletic programs, our players, our fans, and our long tradition of Division I men’s ice hockey, which we intend to continue at Rensselaer as we support all of our athletic programs at the highest possible levels. Rensselaer will engage in a vigorous and sustained effort to defeat the NCAA President’s Council’s proposal.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

USCHO.com reports that the NCAA Division III Presidents' Council has proposed eliminating scholarship awards at Division III schools that "play up" to Division I in one sport. Among the schools that would be affected by this proposal is Rensselaer, one of four Division III schools that play up to Division I in mens' ice hockey that also grants scholarships.

This proposal is subject to a final vote at the next NCAA convention in January 2004. According to the article, "Should the legislation pass, the options for {RPI, Colorado College, St. Lawrence, and Clarkson} would be to continue playing in Division I without scholarships, move to Division III, or move the entire athletic program to Division II or I."

Union College is the only Division III school playing up to Division I in ice hockey that does not grant athletic scholarships.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 8:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)