Hartford moves from D1 to D3. Athletes protest

I missed that story that they were moving down.  Thanks for posting.  I know several kids who have played there and know of at least one who is committed, but I think he's a high school 2021.

I wonder what the legal ramifications are for 2021 athletes that signed NLI’s only to have the athletic department move from D1 to D3.  Hartford might have to honor the scholarship for a year, I’d think.

edited to add:  I doubt Baseball or Softball gave out too many scholarships at Hartford, but I’m sure Basketball and women’s volleyball gave out some.

This move is particularly disappointing for the men’s Basketball team, which made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 2021.

Every sport is moving to D3 at Hartford, not just one or two teams.

Doesn't take effect until 2025, so presumably they honor scholarships.

And University of New Haven is vying for a move the other way, D2 to D1. At Hartford Coach Blood had offers to go elsewhere as he really built that program from the ground up. Needless to say, if another offer comes calling (which I suspect won't be long), he's gone.

How many other schools will follow as a way to lower expenses?  COVID hurt many budgets.   Most schools loose money on sports.  Things could get interesting.  I'd wager a lot of AD's are watching to see how Hartford cards in the press and in alumni support ($).

@bandera posted:

How many other schools will follow as a way to lower expenses?  COVID hurt many budgets.   Most schools loose money on sports.  Things could get interesting.  I'd wager a lot of AD's are watching to see how Hartford cards in the press and in alumni support ($).

Agree Bandera.  When I saw this in the paper the other day, my first thought was that this is probably the first of many more to come.

This is silly, why do we accept nonsense like this?

They don't play for or represent Hartford? That's exactly what they do. They use the facilities, they live on campus, they're enrolled in their classes. If they had such an issue with this, why not forfeit the season?

What they should have protested was their record. Their best season in the past ten years was 10 wins. If all of these sports were putting up 40 win seasons and regularly winning conference titles there wouldn't be a second thought. But when you win 25% of your events, things like relegation from the administration happens. They decided they couldn't/didn't want to be be competitive at the D1 level so they're going to stop funding losing programs. Why is that such an issue?

I see people pointing to the basketball team making their first tournament. They finished middle of the pack in their conference and struck lighting by winning the conf tournament. All that to get blown out in the first round. Not grounds for keeping a program. 1st tournament appearance is never indicative of a strong athletic dept.

Imagine coaching and recruiting there the next couple of years.  Tough to get talent given what the future holds.  I agree with Ripken, I'd be surprised if Coach Blood doesn't pursue another opportunity in the near future.

If it doesn't take effect until 2025, any athlete currently at the school will be done by then....so why are they making such a big deal about it?  HS kids who have committed should be the ones complaining...as it may too late for them to find another place.

@Buckeye 2015 posted:

If it doesn't take effect until 2025, any athlete currently at the school will be done by then....so why are they making such a big deal about it?

Guessing that, having invested a lot of hard work, sweat, blood and tears, they care about the future of the program.

@bandera posted:

How many other schools will follow as a way to lower expenses?  COVID hurt many budgets.   Most schools loose money on sports.  Things could get interesting.  I'd wager a lot of AD's are watching to see how Hartford cards in the press and in alumni support ($).