More Patriot League

Statements from the PL presidents regarding the implementation of football scholarships.

Lehigh President Alice Gast:

Today the challenges of recruiting student-athletes in football and scheduling football contests against schools sharing our values and stature has made it necessary to seek a more flexible approach to awarding financial aid. At Lehigh this flexibility will be administered within our current budget with no changes in admissions policy. By rising to these challenges and increasing flexibility, we can strengthen the Patriot League for the future and sustain the ability to make collegiate athletics all that we believe it can be. We value the Patriot League and we are proud to be able to make it stronger.”

Not yet, but soon-to-be Frequently Asked Questions, including:

How will this decision impact the image of Patriot League football both on a regional and national basis?

With athletic merit aid, we see the opportunity to enhance non-League scheduling with attractive and academically-minded institutions, which in turn will help to increase the visibility of Patriot League schools. It will also open up the opportunity to schedule teams that in the past would not have scheduled a Patriot League institution.