RMCJACKETS come in at #25 in the D3Football preseason poll......That's fair... Pedro always plays things close to his chest anyways. We will see how good we really are in week 2 when #4 JHU comes to the COTU for a HUGE GAME!! I was surprised nobody else in the ODAC got any votes- disappointed NOT SURPRISED! We never as a conference get many votes but honestly, how we have performed in the playoffs as a conference besides RMC HAS BEEN DISMAL AT BEST!! HSC, ROANOKE, W&L, and Bridgewater should be competitive as usual!! Roanoke is a WILD CARD! They could surprise, as could HSC..... THATS WHY WE PLAY THE GAME!! 🐝🐝🐝🐝GO JACKETS!!🐝🐝🐝

Quote from: Kuiper on July 15, 2026, 08:15:09 PMWithout commenting on the pros and cons of NIL in DIII as a policy matter, I can say as a legal matter students in DIII have a right to NIL.  The same legal rulings that opened the door for NIL at DI, which allow student-athletes to earn money for their NIL the same as non-student athletes, apply equally for DII and DIII.  The House Settlement was specific to DI, but DIII schools already can and do have NIL collectives (discussing Centre and Marietta in an article interviewing Maryville's AD).  D3s can't offer athletic scholarships under NCAA rules (which itself could be subject to legal challenge), but they can characterize the money as for advertising etc.

In reality, however, it's still pretty rare and most DIII NIL is either branding/advertising by an individual student-athlete or an open endorse model, which is basically an NIL marketplace platform.  Since someone upthread mentioned Randolph Macon, though, they do have something called the Center of the Universe (COTU) that is just for Randolph-Macon Men's Basketball players.  This article describes it.

Yes I got the invite on this- actually its why I started this thread- but it also made me wonder as an alum who contributes to both the Mens basketball program, the Football program,and other sports(YJ Club allows you to direct where your $$ goes)whether the next email I get is going to come from the Football program or another sport?This is exactly my point-whether or not it is LEGAL isn't the question-if its legal in D1 or D2 it has to be legal in D3 technically. I actually like the concept Buzz has brought forward-to help Seniors who have proven themselves already within the program but it really doesent address the problem of "pay for play" which most certainly will creep in at some point-IE- to induce kids to ENTER the program. It really proves a point that this entire NIL deal has NOT and WILL NOT be good for college athletics! The transfer portal has been an even worse problem because a lot of college coaches are abandoning traditional recruiting techniques and just getting new kids through the portal. Why would a coach take a chance on a kid coming straight out of high school when he can pick up a kid who's already been through a year or so and showed what he can do? For a coach its a better idea BUT it hurts guys like Josh Merkel who develops his kids more slowly and prides himself on developing a "family" type concept where building relationships over years predicates continuity within his program. Thats why Buzz's idea may work for us but it remains to be seen. I'm sure he( Coach Merkel) doesent like the concept but realized that at some point it was going to happen anyways so get ahead of the game with their own concept of it. I guess I'm just not liking how this is evolving but there's really nothing to do but watch how it all plays out.

One thing I can say at RMC is that sports, at all levels,are an important part of the experience, from the intermurals to the varsity experiences! We regularly have big crowds at ALL of our Football, Men's Basketball , and baseball games for men and our women's softball and basketball programs, as well as lax, field hockey, men's and women's soccer games, just to name a few are attended not only by parents and other athletes but also students, alumni, and residents of the immediate COTU( "Center of the Universe" local Ashland and greater Richmond community)as well! I live almost 2 hours away in Hampton Roads and regularly travel with other alumni, my wife, and friends to football, men's and women's basketball, and baseball games not only to spectate but to take my 95 year old 2nd cousin ( former RMC Football and baseball star- Class of 1958- he served a few years in the Navy before attending RmC) to games with me and my wife! It's always a big fun party for us!! I get to see old friends and frat bros and love the Ashland area! It must be different at RMC but to that end it's well supported- we just  don't have the financial power schools like W&L do! I'm 66 and an avid member of the Yellow Jacket Club but don't live in the immediate area but I would be on campus a lot more if I was local. I just hate to see money - even though it's always been there in more subtle forms- taking over sports and ruining the spirit of D3 sports in a more major up front way. I wish the NCAA  could find a way to regulate it a bit more to make it more fair for everyone! One thing we've been able to do at Randolph- Macon College and I know this is true at many other institutions- we have always found a way to BALANCE excellent athletic programs while not sacrificing academic EXCELLENCE!! We pride ourselves in graduating our kids and turning out ladies and gentlemen prepared for the REAL WORLD academically and ready to contribute to society as a whole as well rounded ladies and gentlemen!! GO JACKETS!!🐝🐝🐝🐝

Quote from: jknezek on July 15, 2026, 03:22:42 PM

Quote from: rmc1982 on July 15, 2026, 02:33:10 PMDidnt know where to post this so I did it here so as to address "the elephant in the room". Whats the liklihood of and the degree to which the NCAA is going to allow NIL for D3 sports?? I know its being discussed at a number of D3 schools, and whats there to stop the schools with huge endowments from basically turning D3 into a full scholarship entity for the kids some schools really want. For example- whats to stop high power and big endowment schools from luring some D1 and D2 talent thats maybe not getting playing time at a D1 or D2 to come play D3 football and ruin the integrity of D3 by PAYING THEM? The whole thing just seems unfair and gives advantage to schools with bigger endowments or alumni with deep pockets. Sooner or later the NCAA is going to have to face this head on or this is going to turn into a bidding war!


"We're completely surrounded-Excellent!...Now we can attack in any direction!'....Chesty Puller, USMC

There are NIL deals in D3 already. The playing field in D3 has always been... tilted? depending on a school's desire to succeed at sports and monetary strength. Just look at the Learfield Cup standings. Other than Wisconsin-LaCrosse, you have mostly elite private schools with huge endowments dominating the top 20 rankings.

Maybe not the big 3 sports, but most D3 sports are dominated by those types of schools. If they choose to find a way to put NIL to work, they will simply continue to dominate, though they may make a bigger dent in football. Or maybe it will be the large state schools, with tons of alums, who can even the field? I don't know. But you can't pretend that D3 is flat playing field now. It's not, and never has been. The only real rule is "no scholarships."

Ok Jknezek- Youre a W&L guy and an ODAC guy. Take W&L for example- Largest endowment in the ODAC( and one of the largest IN THE COUNTRY) at Give or take a little over $2 BILLION vs RMC's $222.5 Million. Just the INTEREST on that $2Bil is (at 5%) a little over $11 Million. Thats enough to get a few "ringers" as long as they can cut it academically. We at RMC can't compete with that unless we have alums to "pony up" the $$$. Now in the other side of the coin we have Roanoke, a new football program in the ODAC and climbing fast- they may not have a huge endowment but they've got Va Tech a few miles up the road and Brian Stinespring as their coach( a VT guy) It is EASY for him to pick off some D1 kids who aren't playing At VT and put them in a Roanoke uniform and you've got an instant contender. Can't blame them for that but thats how it seems to be working- But give Roanoke an influx of NIL $$ and you have an even bigger issue compared to everyone else.Same with us at RMC- everybody is racing toward the MONEY MONEY MONEY at breakneck speed with no end or constraints in sight and its a race to the floor! I'm not inferring W&L is doing this now but THEY COULD if they wanted. It creates an unfair advantage.Now I'm not stupid enough to say that it isnt happening now- with some constraint it absolutely IS but take away all the "rules" and its gonna be a race to the cellar for D3 Sports. We've always had a core group of basketball alumni at RMC( and most of them are SAE brothers of mine-thats how i know) that have not controlled but have an awful lot of interest and influence in our Men's Basketball program- that's how we always seem to have great coaches and a Top 10 Mens basketball program every year. Success breeds success....but add in NIL $$$ and it quickly will spin out of control without constraints-THATS MY POINT! Where does it stop? Unless the NCAA intervenes at some point its only going to get worse. For now, however, it looks like its going to be "we have to do it because everyone else is". Look at who we compete against for players now- CNU( State school with lots of alumni) Mary Washington- the same, and all of the other ODAC Schools. To compete we're going to have to do SOMETHING in order to stay competitive- which for now will mean NIL in some form!

Didnt know where to post this so I did it here so as to address "the elephant in the room". Whats the liklihood of and the degree to which the NCAA is going to allow NIL for D3 sports?? I know its being discussed at a number of D3 schools, and whats there to stop the schools with huge endowments from basically turning D3 into a full scholarship entity for the kids some schools really want. For example- whats to stop high power and big endowment schools from luring some D1 and D2 talent thats maybe not getting playing time at a D1 or D2 to come play D3 football and ruin the integrity of D3 by PAYING THEM? The whole thing just seems unfair and gives advantage to schools with bigger endowments or alumni with deep pockets. Sooner or later the NCAA is going to have to face this head on or this is going to turn into a bidding war!


"We're completely surrounded-Excellent!...Now we can attack in any direction!'....Chesty Puller, USMC

Didnt know where to post this so I did it here so as to address "the elephant in the room". Whats the liklihood of and the degree to which the NCAA is going to allow NIL for D3 sports?? I know its being discussed at a number of D3 schools, and whats there to stop the schools with huge endowments from basically turning D3 into a full scholarship entity for the kids some schools really want. For example- whats to stop high power and big endowment schools from luring some D1 and D2 talent thats maybe not getting playing time at a D1 or D2 to come play D3 football and ruin the integrity of D3 by PAYING THEM? The whole thing just seems unfair and gives advantage to schools with bigger endowments or alumni with deep pockets. Sooner or later the NCAA is going to have to face this head on or this is going to turn into a bidding war!

Yeah the ball just didn't drop for us but credit to CNU for taking it to us early. They closed off our 3 point shooters and made shots inside and that was the difference. Good luck to the Captains the rest of the way!

Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on March 11, 2026, 06:59:32 PMUnused ticket alloments have to be returned by noon Wednesday, so this afternoon is when they know how many will be left for purchase.  I guess both schools sold theirs out easily.

CNU is only an hour down I-64 so I'm quite sure they snapped all of theirs up! They're just as rabid about their team as we are about ours! 45 minutes up I95 Mary Wash is too.....and thats a GOOD THING!

Quote from: y_jack_lok on March 11, 2026, 04:08:57 PM

Quote from: rmc1982 on March 11, 2026, 03:51:57 PMJust got a memo from YJ Club.....GAME FRIDAY IN CRENSHAW IS SOLD OUT ALREADY!

CNU could well be bringing a good crowd.

We were only allotted 50% of the tix so I assume the other 50% were snapped up by The Captains! I got that from YJ Club officials.

Just got a memo from YJ Club.....GAME FRIDAY IN CRENSHAW IS SOLD OUT ALREADY!

Found out this am from one of my frat bro basketball alumni buddies that Delani Hammonds has a groin injury and probably won't play tonite either. Will find out if it's season ending tonite. Such a shame too- he's been playing so well all year, but injuries and playing through them are part of the game. I remember well a couple of years ago when Jabril Robinson was out for the playoffs and it hurt us. Hopefully the other guards will pick up the slack to pull us through. At least that's one
Position we're pretty  deep!

Tigerfan- I'm not exactly enamored to be facing Guilford, even though its in Crenshaw! This ia a CLASSIC "Trap Game"- They ALWAYS seem to play us tough, they can score ALOT of points in spurts, and we're heavily favored.This can be a recipe for disaster! If we jump on them early and get them down then MAYBE they fade away but if we let them hang around and it gets late in the ballgame thats when we tend to lose! Hope I'm wrong but HaSA'S Quakers are DANGEROUS!!

#1 Team Montclair St, got beat by TCNJ.....which means now WE will have the bullseye on our back as long as we win at Bridgewater Saturday night. Don't like to be in this position....everybody gunning for us....Oh well....Could be worse!

Quote from: Tigerfan on February 18, 2026, 03:19:11 PMAre you giving 18.5 points & how much are you willing to wager?

Oh I'm DEFINITELY not agreeing with D3Datacast! I think they're CRAZY! Like I said before, Crenshaw is good for 5-10 points on a GOOD NIGHT but remember this is a 5pm start which means some working Alums can't come, the baseball/ softball / lacrosse kids are still at or just getting over practice,and some other students are gonna have to either go to the game and miss dinner or go out after or to the cafe..... lots of bad variables that could affect attendance because of the start time! Less students means LESS CRENSHAW CRAZIES! I think 1- 15 points is reasonable....: 18.5 is RIDICULOUS!

D3 Datacast has us with a 95% chance of winning and the line is 18.5 points! I know Crenshaw is worth 5-10 points usually but i dunno about that many! They predict the score will be 75-57....WOW