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Post by huntington fan on Mar 22, 2007 7:51:43 GMT -5
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Post by rubalamp on Mar 22, 2007 8:13:15 GMT -5
Someone needs to send that to Chris Kramer!
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Post by huhoosier on Mar 22, 2007 8:21:18 GMT -5
I am the only one who needs an account to view this? Forgive me if I don't want to pay to read the higher education chronicle...
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Post by huntington fan on Mar 22, 2007 8:23:17 GMT -5
Here's the article in case it is password protected:
What Led a Top NCAA Athlete to Transfer to an NAIA Program
By BRAD WOLVERTON
Jessica Richter remembers the many luxuries of playing NCAA Division I basketball at Syracuse University: taking chartered flights, eating filet mignon on road trips, signing up for tutoring sessions even though she never needed academic assistance.
But after her freshman season, she grew weary of life in a top program. She says coaches routinely criticized players' shortcomings and seemed more interested in winning games than getting to know players off the court. The plethora of rules in the National Collegiate Athletic Association made basketball feel like all business and no play.
The frustrations led her to transfer. With her talent — she averaged 13 points a game in 2004-5, making her one of Syracuse's leading scorers — she could have gone anywhere she wanted. But she did not want to sit out a season, and NCAA rules require players to lose a year of eligibility when they transfer to competing NCAA institutions.
By moving to a program in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, however, Ms. Richter could play right away. So she transferred to Vanguard University of Southern California, in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Ms. Richter chose Vanguard because it is a faith-based institution, giving her plenty of opportunities to explore her Christian beliefs. And she liked its history of basketball success. The women's team regularly beats top NCAA Division I programs. This year it took down the University of Oregon, which played in the 2006 NCAA women's basketball tournament.
More Practice, More Fun
Now, after two seasons in an NAIA program, Ms. Richter finds that the less-restrictive environment suits her style. The Vanguard team is allowed to practice together year-round, spending as many hours on the court as necessary. (NCAA programs are limited to 20 hours of practice per week during certain months.)
Her Vanguard team practices more than her Syracuse team did, but she says she still has time for outside activities.
"We have other stuff besides basketball — school and other social functions," she says. "But basketball is fun, and we're committed to it, and we enjoy putting our time into it."
Ms. Richter also appreciates the time her coach spends with players away from the gym. Russ Davis, Vanguard's head women's basketball coach, regularly goes out to dinner with groups of players, getting to know them as individuals as much as athletes.
"He's very much about the relationship part of our experience and considers us his family," she says. "That helps us on the court because he knows different people need to be coached different ways."
The approach has helped the team shine. This year Vanguard went 28-0 during the regular season, entering this week's NAIA tournament as the top seed.
Ms. Richter also had a breakout season, averaging 21 points a game and winning conference Player of the Year honors.
She has no regrets about leaving the NCAA limelight, even though her days of playing on national television and flying on private jets are over.
"I'm much happier now," she says. "I have a coach and professors who really care about me, and my life is a lot less stressful."
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Post by knaveljm on Mar 22, 2007 8:49:50 GMT -5
Working in a D2 athletic department now, I see the stark contrast between the emphasis on athletics from D2 to NAIA now. It really is a different standard and I believe that the NAIA has a niche to market itself to student-athletes based on that emphasis. Even at the D2 level, so much more is expected out of the student-athletes as far as practice time goes than at the NAIA level. It is difficult for the borderline student to keep his/her head above water academically at a D2 institution. Thankfully, at Mercyhurst, which is a pretty highly respected academic institution, most borderline students don't get into the school, which makes it a bit easier for the athletes, who are good students.
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Post by QuietCop on Mar 22, 2007 22:59:50 GMT -5
Someone needs to send that to Chris Kramer! I think he would be a good fit at HU. I will make a couple calls.
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Post by rubalamp on Mar 22, 2007 23:33:58 GMT -5
He will have to make up his mind quick...we are getting some exciting players coming to campus for visits soon!!!
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Post by Loucks on Mar 23, 2007 9:57:32 GMT -5
He's a JR. He's got some time to decide.
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Post by huisrealgood on Mar 23, 2007 11:06:36 GMT -5
He's a JR. He's got some time to decide. I'm pretty sure rub was referring to Chris Kramer.
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Post by Loucks on Mar 23, 2007 11:16:01 GMT -5
Oh... sorry. I didn't follow.
That'd suck if HU got Kramer. Luckily, he's a happy Boilermaker.
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Post by huisrealgood on Mar 23, 2007 11:22:52 GMT -5
He's happy now and I certainly wish him the best at Purdue. However, with the recruiting class they are bringing in, he may get the Bobby Frasor treatment. Remember that kid at UNC? He was their starting PG last year as a freshman, but this year he was injured early on and Ty Lawson took his starting spot and now Frasor is getting mop-up minutes and may transfer at the end of the year.
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Post by Loucks on Mar 23, 2007 11:35:58 GMT -5
Well, since rules are rules... if Kramer transferred, you got Stoffel... we get Kramer.
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water
Open Gym Stud
Posts: 135
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Post by water on Mar 23, 2007 12:15:38 GMT -5
Word on the street is Wesleyan got a D1 Transfer
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Post by moosehead on Mar 23, 2007 14:55:10 GMT -5
Fogler from Fort Wayne Dwenger is going to go to Air Force, and concentrate on Football. It was in the paper this moring, I know USF was after him hard. But when you have a chance to go to Air Force I think you take it. hopefully he has a great football career there.
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Post by rubalamp on Mar 23, 2007 16:23:08 GMT -5
The IWU D1 transfer is Spencer Harris...To be honest, after looking at his stats the season he played at Tennessee Martin, I am not too impressed. I don't think he will even make the starting 5 there. I am sure he will be a nice player, and will be apart of the rotation, but I am not sure he will be as big of an impact as Hubertz will be...
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