College sports landscape spurs Saint Francis University to leave Division 1

Key Concepts

• Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL): A policy allowing college athletes to profit from their personal brand.
• Division 1 (D1) vs. Division 3 (D3): Different tiers of college athletics in the NCAA, with D1 generally having higher athletic and financial stakes.
• Transfer Portal: An online database allowing student-athletes to publicly declare their intention to transfer from one NCAA college or university to another.
• Reclassification: The process by which an athletic program moves from one NCAA division to another.
• First Four: A play-in round for the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament.

St. Francis Red Flash: A Final Season in Division 1

The St. Francis Red Flash men's basketball team is currently in the midst of their final season in NCAA Division 1. This decision by the Catholic Franciscan University, with an enrollment of under 2,000 students in Loretto, Pennsylvania, is a direct response to the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies and the transfer portal.

Underdog Success and Cinderella Run

Despite being the smallest Division 1 school in the NCAA, located about 1.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, St. Francis has a strong athletic tradition, boasting 69 Northeast Conference titles across 22 programs. The men's basketball team achieved significant national attention last year with an improbable Cinderella run. Starting the season with a 10-17 record, they secured a six-game winning streak, culminating in a surprise Northeast Conference tournament title. This victory automatically qualified them for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991, where they competed in the First Four against Alabama State in Dayton, Ohio. The team, which was picked last in their conference that year, persevered through early failures, a testament to their resilience.

The Impact of NIL and the Transfer Portal

The decision to move to Division 3 was heavily influenced by the financial and competitive challenges posed by recent changes in college athletics.

• Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL): While NIL has created new financial opportunities for athletes, it has also created a disparity. For high-profile athletes, NIL deals can be lucrative, involving endorsements like Gatorade commercials. However, for athletes at smaller schools like St. Francis, NIL opportunities are often on a smaller scale, such as deals for merchandise like hoodies. The university noted that there are not many sponsors in their rural location for NIL deals, though about 15-20 students are currently involved in some capacity.
• Transfer Portal: The ease with which student-athletes can now enter the transfer portal has made it difficult for smaller schools to retain talent. Coaches at St. Francis observed that athletes often stay for only one or two years, developing their skills before moving to other institutions. This dynamic makes it challenging to build a consistent program when athletes are more transient.

The Reclassification Decision

The university's board of trustees directed St. Francis to begin the reclassification process to move from Division 1 to Division 3. President Father Malachi Vanassel explained that while Division 1 athletics had previously served as an enrollment driver, the increasing costs and competitive pressures made it unsustainable for a small, private Franciscan Catholic school.

• Financial Implications: Division 1 athletics often involves offering scholarships to most, if not all, athletes. In contrast, Division 3 does not offer athletic scholarships, significantly reducing the financial expenditure.
• Recruitment Differences: The type of player recruited differs drastically between D1 and D3 due to the absence of scholarships in D3.
• Student Athlete Experience: The university cited that new developments in college athletics were impacting the student-athlete experience, making it difficult to remain competitive and sustainable in Division 1.

Reactions and Transitions

The announcement of the reclassification came as a shock to the men's basketball team, just a week after their tournament triumph. Players and coaches expressed devastation and surprise, as the news was delivered via email. As a coach, the priority was to do what's best for the players. While some players moved on, a good group of returners remained. The university acknowledged the empathy for students who chose to transfer due to the change, and facilitated their process.

A New Chapter and Honoring Tradition

The move to Division 3 marks a new era for St. Francis athletics, a program that has produced notable athletes like NBA stars Norm Van Lear and Kevin Porter, and Hall of Famer Maurice Stokes. The decision highlights the broader challenges faced by smaller institutions in a multi-billion dollar entertainment industry.

For the current men's basketball team, the final season in Division 1 is about aiming for a repeat of last year's success and honoring the program's tradition. They are focused on playing with resiliency and making this final chapter a memorable one, celebrating the athletes who have contributed to the program's success.

Conclusion

St. Francis University's decision to transition from Division 1 to Division 3 athletics is a pragmatic response to the significant financial and competitive shifts in college sports, driven by NIL and the transfer portal. While the team is experiencing a final, celebrated season in Division 1, the move signifies a strategic pivot to ensure the long-term sustainability and a different kind of student-athlete experience for the institution.