Recently the NCAA proposed a rule that would stop allowing Division III schools to provide scholarships to athletes who play in Division I sports. Such a rule would compromise the quality of the men’s hockey program at over a dozen schools, including RPI. Without being able to provide scholarships to student-athletes, it would be much harder to attract the talented players that our program has seen in the past.
There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding this proposal, and close to 6000 people have signed an online petition to block its passage. Dr. Jackson has also issued a statement against the proposal, supporting the current rules. Though it came late in the debate over the issue, she should be applauded for standing up for RPI and athletics.
However, we worry her statement may be falling on deaf ears. All too often ruling bodies of different organizations seek feedback from the groups they oversee, only to ignore the input when making their final decision. Many times, students have seen this happen at RPI. Those who speak out against proposals need to do more than just issue statements to have their voices heard.
Dr. Jackson and the athletic department need to set an example and do more to keep this rule from passing. There are many different paths that can be taken in order to defeat this proposal, including creating collaborations with other schools in a similar situation—Clarkson and Saint Lawrence are two nearby schools that will be affected—by taking advantage of local and national media to get the story out. In creating a more collective and public voice, they can assure they will be listened to in the appropriate circles.
The hockey team is one of the roots of deep traditions at RPI—including pep band, hockey line, and Big Red Freakout. Many alumni have fond memories of hockey games, and most current RPI students have at least attended one game. Many even have season tickets. Hockey is a large part of the RPI experience and it needs to be preserved.
