Reinstatement of Adams’ Huffer no surprise

While Adams State’s margin of victory over Western State at last weekend’s Rocky Mountain Shootout was a bit deceiving -- Western was without Tyler Pennel, Tyler Rasmussen -- a much-debated recruit made his ASC debut.
Australian Craig Huffer was third man for the Grizzlies, eighth overall. (And the 3:36 performer says he’s not good at cross!)
Huffer, olderyounger brother of ASC’s Dean Huffer (73rd at the Shootout), has been criticized for making money on the track, and subsequently entering the “amateur” world of the NCAA. A school press release said Huffer “had to go through a lengthy NCAA reinstatement of amateurism process.” Huffer also said "the conditions of my reinstatement will place long-term financial strain on me and my family.” It appears he wants to run with his brother and for Adams State.
I hadn’t heard of the NCAA’s reinstatement process, although I had heard of Georgia wide receiver AJ Green earning reinstatement after selling jerseys. He repaid about $1,700 and was benched for awhile.
But reinstatements apparently are common.
The NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatment apparently hears 1,000 similar requests each year, with “99 percent of these requests result[ing] in the student-athlete being reinstated.”
What isn’t debatable is the impact Huffer will have on the D2 world -- and Adams State’s chances of winning an eighth D2 title and 20th overall national team championship.

NCAA's Cragg betters odds of Adams State three-peat

An NCAA appeals committee granted Luke Cragg (Adams State) an extra year's eligibility.

Cragg petitioned the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, which recognized injuries in 2006 cross country and 2008 outdoor track seasons. He also redshirted in 2005-6, obstensibly while at Leeds University (England) in his hometown. Cragg will get a season of cross and outdoors, but not indoors.

For a team greatly depleted by the loss of last year's top three (Aaron Braun, Brian Medigovich and Reuben Mwei), it is a huge gain. Cragg was 11th in Evansville.

Although Adams State returns Anthony Gauthier (10th in Evansville), Nate Sellers (19th), middle-distance stud Andrew Graham and Edwin Cruz (5,000 and 10,000 outdoors qualifier), I don't expect 23 points in Louisville this fall.

D2 track and field committee to change member

The D2 track and field committee -- yes, those responsible for choosing the 16, 17 or 18 qualifiers per race for nationals -- has an opening. The college administrator or coach must come from the East region, which means media relations chief Adam Siepiola (Adelphi) must be departing. The new member is likely to be a coach, according to the NCAA presser. Here's the current roster, which appears to be a pretty good cross-section of the D2 world, including reps from St. Augustine's, Grand Valley, Central Missouri and Western State.

St. Augustine's gets a little cross country help

I nearly put this on the Hot/Not list, but it's not clear how I feel.

The NCAA awarded 18 grants to institutions, paying about 2/3rds of a full-time assistant coach position. The grants represent the best of the NCAA: "to address access, recruitment, selection and long-term success of women, ethnic minorities and other individuals."

It's just too bad that mega-outdoor champ St. Augustine's needs help with their cross country program. (The position also includes track and field duties; Texas A&M-Kingsville got a similar position.) And I'm slightly appalled to know that a hard-working assistant (who must give up most weekends, too) might earn only $24,000 for the job.

But, in the end, Division II is far better off having a robust St. Augustine's in its ranks. Any look at a World Championships or Olympics start sheet is evidence of that.

Abilene Christian sanctions stick

The Abilene Christian football team must give up some past wins, after their appeal of NCAA sanctions failed.

What does this have to do with the distance program? As part of an investigation last year, ACU has given up almost two track and field scholarship and has or will reduce the number of foreign athletes on their squad.

According to this story, track and field coaches improperly accepted cash and gifts to host holiday functions and to provide travel for international athletes, and some junior college athletes (and would-be recruits) were given housing perks and free shoes.

Conincidentally (or not), former head coach Don Hood left the program for a high school job.

While giving up track scholarships was OK, giving up football wins mostly stuck in the school's craw. That prompted the school's appeal.

While I wasn't completely aware of the infractions until now, I think it unlikely the sanctions will adversely affect ACU's 'cross squad, judging by their roster. And their coach remains. But we'll find out soon.

Simon Fraser in, Malone out

The powers that be (technically the DII Membership Committee) have decided that Simon Fraser of Burnaby-way, B.C., will be the first Canadian member of the NCAA.

Unfortunately for D2 distance running fans, Malone wasn't accepted to begin its two-year candidacy period. Simon Fraser won't be gunning for Chico State and Alaska-Anchorage in regional cross championships until 2012.

Interestingly, the NCAA fired off two more press releases after their decision, clarifying "membership expectations" for new members and for Canadians. I imagine there were some upset athletic directors and college presidents clamoring for clarification. And acceptance into the DII ranks wasn't welcomed by all, judging by this story about Sioux Falls.

Looking at that criteria, it would be interesting to note where Malone (and McKendree, for that matter) came up short. The criteria include obvious ones like financial aid for athletics, facilities, academic accreditation. There's also more subjective measures like strategic plan, financial model, feasibility. And if you're wondering who made the decision, here's a roster.