If a school wishes to add a DI-FCS program, then it may
not need to add enough women's sports to offset the 63 scholarships. The school can choose to cut men's program(s). Something else to consider is that a school may chose to go the non-scholarship route or partial scholarship route in football. FWIW the Pioneer Football League (PFL), which is 1 of 2 DI-FCS football only conference (the other being the Missouri Valley Conference), and the Ivy League are the only 2 DI football conferences that don't offer athletic scholarships in football. FWIW Presbyterian is leaving the Big South as a football member and joining the PFL in 2021 because it wants to participate in non-scholarship football.
While the Patriot League has decided to go the limited scholarship route in football. At least that is what I read when the conference decided to offer athletic scholarships in football a few years ago and I don't believe the circumstances have changed. I don't remember if the Patriot League gave the option to its football members to continue playing non-scholarship football (if so desired) or not. Also, I am not sure if the Patriot League is giving its members the option to offer 63 scholarships in football (if desired) or not.
So small schools like Longwood may have options if they wish to sponsor DI football.
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In response to this post by mrcaniac)
Posted: 11/04/2019 at 09:20AM