At a minimum, we should have Men's Soccer, as it is sponsored by the MVC. Men's Tennis is not sponsored by the MVC, so that makes more sense, even though we were very successful in the sport.
To this day, I cannot comprehend the logic applied to axing those two sports at a time when enrollment was starting to tail off. In speaking with Mike Avery, he told me one of his primary responsibilities was to recruit a full roster (24+) every year. He had a couple of Full Scholly Equivalents to distribute among the players but all were tuition-paying students (subject to financial aid qualifications, of course, like any other student). Despite one of the lowest budgets in the HL as well as the MVC, his players, year in and year out, exemplified the competition, community, classroom ethos. Though not a perennial league champion, MSO was perennially competitive and would frequently push FBS soccer teams to their limits —always on the road, of course, because no one wanted to come to Valpo.
On a smaller scale (~10 on the roster), MT was even better on the competitive side and their team GPA was always impressive.
Yeah, it was only about 34 male student slots, but 34 is still 34 more than zero.
I think part of the issue was Title IX, which requires equitable opportunities for male and female student athletes. This includes both the financial spending such as coaches salaries and travel on the respective sports, yet more importantly, the financial assistance and scholarships have to be in proportion to the athletic participation.
I'm wondering whether or not Louth is still around because maybe Roger has convinced him/convinced himself, that Louth, at 6'9" 240# can be the big body in the middle we have lacked for years. He got very little playing time because Roger needed to keep Cooper on the floor. I think at a minimum, we will see a lot more of him on the court, otherwise, why would he still be here?
I'm wondering whether or not Louth is still around because maybe Roger has convinced him/convinced himself, that Louth, at 6'9" 240# can be the big body in the middle we have lacked for years. He got very little playing time because Roger needed to keep Cooper on the floor. I think at a minimum, we will see a lot more of him on the court, otherwise, why would he still be here?
Louth's profile is Sepp. If he can/could play he should have been on the floor at times for Sepp.
Shaw is in the portal, so my guess is that Louth is just evaluating what happens at Valpo in new players, before testing the portal.
