Messages

Now I understand! Thank you, valp094 and vu72! Where can I buy season tickets? For the first time in a long time, Crusader fans have another sports team to be proud of. 2014 was just the beginning of an exciting, remarkable transformation. VU will rule the PFL!

I would argue that volleyball, both soccer teams, baseball and softball have all been reasons to be proud of Crusader athletics as they've all be at the top or near the top of the Horizon League in the past 5 years, but it nice to have an improving Football team.

What I should have written is, "have yet another sports team to be proud of". Actually, I'm sure most of us were proud of the players during our less-than-stellar football years. Winning league championships, of course, always makes pride a bit more meaningful ... and contagious.

Let me give this a try.  The PFL is non-ATHLETIC scholarship, in the same way the Ivy League is non-ATHLETIC scholarship.  That doesn't mean the players are paying their own way--completely, but rather that they are in line with other students applying for scholarships, academic or need based.  Remember that something like 93% of Valpo students receive grants.

And, to avoid getting into trouble like Jacksonville, the aid received must be "blind" to athletic ability.  The aid given is based on: (a) financial need; and/or (b) academic prowess.  Jacksonville had to forfeit their season and league championship this year because the aid provided football players was tied to their ability--at least that was the allegation that resulted in the institution forfeiting their games and the conference championship. So, in the PFL, if your program follows the rules, you wind up with a football team chock full of kids who are hard working students that, in all likelihood, said no to scholarship opportunities at lesser academic institutions in favor of investing in an education at more academically prestigious universities.  These are kids you want to root for.

Now I understand! Thank you, valp094 and vu72! Where can I buy season tickets? For the first time in a long time, Crusader fans have another sports team to be proud of. 2014 was just the beginning of an exciting, remarkable transformation. VU will rule the PFL!

Welcome aboard, Oghbeicae9.  Are you, per chance, related to OB1Canobie?    Some history: Under the previous regime (that went 3 and 41), the recruiting classes averaged around 30.  Last year, Cecchini's staff, understandably, got a late start and signed around 20 and then lost a few between signing and the start of camp.  This year their goals are a larger class and retain a greater percentage by preseason camp.  The obvious turn around that occurred in 2014 should help the staff achieve those recruiting goals, not to mention make Valpo more attractive to more talented players than in the past.

Thanks for the hearty welcome, VULB! I'm not related to OB1Canobie but I sure do like his user name!

Excuse my ignorance as a casual Crusaders fan, but could you please explain the PFL's "Non-Scholarship" policy? Does that mean all players are "Walk Ons" since no financial aid is provided? Are the players required to fund their own ride, either through family contributions or loans/grants? Isn't that policy a recruiting disadvantage since almost every other FBS/FCS conference offers scholarship money?

New member here! How many more recruits are needed to complete the 2015 class? Looks like 2 or 3 additional RBs would be a good idea?