[Reilly1017]

[url]https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31402209/hartford-athletics-transitioning-division-division-iii[/url]

I don’t have a strong opinion on this because I don’t really know how it positively or negatively impacts the school or students but seems odd to jump from D-I down to D-III

[robr2]

I'm guessing that the study noted in the article found that it made little difference. They could save $10 million annually by going to D3 and few really care.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by robr2

I'm guessing that the study noted in the article found that it made little difference. They could save $10 million annually by going to D3 and few really care.

One thing I doubt the study took into account was how desirable being in a D-1 school is to prospective students. It doesn’t look good that the school is doing this to save $9 million and it might turn off kids if they do, especially after being in it’s first tournament this year. Is the school that strapped for money? What will be cut next? That has a negative effect that really can’t be measured. Jay

[Reilly1017]

School has 6500+ enrollments at $40K+ tuition. Is it possible 200 less kids come here because it’s not a D-I school? I suppose it’s possible, that wipes out the saving right there

[robr2]

Originally Posted by JayCT

One thing I doubt the study took into account was how desirable being in a D-1 school is to prospective students. It doesn’t look good that the school is doing this to save $9 million and it might turn off kids if they do, especially after being in it’s first tournament this year. Is the school that strapped for money? What will be cut next? That has a negative effect that really can’t be measured. Jay

I'm sure it was considered as these decisions aren't taken lightly. I'm guessing that a smaller school like UH, being D1 matters mainly to potential athletic recruits. This statement says a lot:

Originally Posted by Board Chair David Gordon

“A move to Division III will allow the University to further strengthen the academic, co-curricular, and wellness experience for all students. While we know this decision will disappoint some members of our community, we remain confident that this shift is in the best long-term interests of the institution and all its students,"

IOW - we can take that $9 million plus a year and spend it on all students making it more attractive to prospective students. It's a small school without the resources to make a big splash in D1. They might as well go D3, focus on the total student, and become a better school.