Redshirts no longer an option

by Sara Lupu
Staff Writer

The National Collegiate Athletic Association recently had its National Convention in January, where rules and regulations of Division III athletics were updated and changed. One of the changes that may catch more interest than others from athletes and coaches is the elimination of the practice of redshirting athletes.

“Redshirting” is a term that is common and understood among most college athletes, but may be foreign to others.

The practice of redshirting is easily explained as a student-athlete who practices with the team, but does not participate in athletic contests for that season. When this happens, the athlete does not lose that year of eligibility, but does receive the benefits of coaching and a year of practicing with the team.

“Redshirting is not that common of a practice for SCIAC, so the new legislation should not be that big of a change for our conference,” said Kelly Beck, Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Sports Information Director.

With 413 institutions voting at the convention, the legislation was changed with a 249 majority vote for the change, 163 against it and one abstention.

“Redshirting just was not within the Division III philosophy of having student-athletes get their degree in four years, and the cost of an extra year at a small private college just doesn’t make any sense,” said Assistant Athletic Director Rex Huigens.

The change in legislation states: “This legislation eliminates the practice of ‘redshirting’ and is consistent with the Division III philosophy that the highest priority is placed on the overall quality of the educational experience and successful completion of all students’ academic progress.”

“I did support the change along with our conference,” said Athletic Director Chris Ragsdale. “To say that this benefits all student-athletes all the time would not be correct, but ultimately this will work out for the best interest of the student-athletes.”

Cases vary from athlete to athlete when it comes to the decision of redshirting.

Redshirting this past fall volleyball season for freshman Allison Dahlgren was a decision she made when she joined the seasoned squad comprised of 10 returners.

“Most freshmen don’t really get to play much, and to lose a year of eligibility sitting the bench kind of stinks,” Dahlgren said. “Redshirting gave me a year to improve my skills without losing the year, and I don’t regret my decision at all.”

At first, it may seem like a rash choice to take away the decision of spending an extra year in college for athletic purposes from the athlete, but in the bigger picture it is a step towards evening out national competition within Division III.

“Ultimately I don’t think this will affect our athletic program here at La Verne,” Ragsdale said. “The interesting thing will be what we do from a recruiting standpoint, especially when we have a large number of returning athletes on a specific team.”

According to Ragsdale, the schools that may take the biggest hit with this rule change will be many of the Wisconsin schools and other state funded schools in Division III where paying for a fifth year is not as big a financial burden.

Many of these schools have incorporated junior varsity programs that allow athletes who are not getting playing time on the competing varsity level to still compete. Competition usually happens with other J.V. programs in the area or conference, and in some cases with junior college teams.

This change will not end all five-year cases with student-athletes because it does not stop students from choosing not to participate for an athletic season and starting their eligibility the following year.

Redshirting for medical reasons is still legal in Division III institutions, allowing an athlete who was not able to participate for the season due to an injury or other medical reason cleared by doctors and trainers to keep that year of eligibility.

The new legislation goes in to effect in August 2004.