Welcome Zach Laput!

[MrMac]

Sounds like a Superhero in the making.

[stevelee]

If Zach becomes US President someday we will brag for decades about his attendance at Davidson ... even though he enrolled for only one year.

I bet we'd brag about him even if he just became a US Senator or a cabinet secretary. Looking forward to seeing him play and what he brings to the team.

I was just bragging on a press secretary at lunch today, in the context of the announcement on campus that I skipped.

[ScootCat]

Laput’s video here, plus his scoring stats, suggest a shoot first point guard mentality. Anyone have a contrary view?

[wildforthecats]

Laput’s video here, plus his scoring stats, suggest a shoot first point guard mentality. Anyone have a contrary view?

Think JAG.

[85Wildcatsky]

One year does not make a Davidson College student athlete.

We have joined the one and done club.

[Acorn]

Will the College announce what kind of student Laput will be? Bentley described him as a senior; he was enrolled there for four years; and he has one year of eligibility remaining. But I haven’t seen it confirmed that he will graduate. I don’t like the idea of one-year players, but what makes me more uncomfortable is having nondegree-seeking students (and a certificate is not a degree). So here’s hoping Laput will be at Davidson for one year as a super-senior, I guess.

[RichmondCat]

Gibson Jimerson, in his 6th season at SLU, will also be working towards a certificate. He will turn 25 during the season.

“Jimerson will play a sixth year at SLU and after finishing his MBA next month. Next academic year, he’ll focus on earning a certificate in organizational leadership.”

https://www.stltoday.com/sports/college ... eee6d.html

This is the competitive landscape Davidson finds itself in at the moment as a result of the extra year granted athletes due to the pandemic. Zach has only played three years of college ball because his school didn’t play one full season due to the pandemic. Next season will be the sixth that Jimerson has suited up and played games for SLU. I am very happy Zach will be a Wildcat next season. I might pursue one of those certificate courses in retirement. Maybe play some intramural card games.

[Acorn]

Davidson has always found itself in a competitive landscape where some programs take student-athletes who could not have met Davidson’s admission standards, have players take coursework that is much easier than what’s on offer at Davidson, and have pushed up against (and even skirted) various NCAA/conference/institution rules about academics and athletics. Some things are more important than the MBB’s W–L record. And Davidson’s struggles on the court the last two years had little to do with the changes to the competitive landscape and a lot to do with the fact that the roster went from one of the best-shooting squads to one of the worst.

I thought our collective pride in Davidson was due to its commitment to (and indeed promotion) of high principles, values, and standards. I didn’t realize it was mere rank tribalism.

[collegecoach8502]

It's a new era in college athletics and for Davidson College. I believe he will be receiving a certificate. I think the college will look at each athlete as a case by case situation and make their decision accordingly. Welcome Zach.

[cat44]

Davidson has always found itself in a competitive landscape where some programs take student-athletes who could not have met Davidson’s admission standards, have players take coursework that is much easier than what’s on offer at Davidson, and have pushed up against (and even skirted) various NCAA/conference/institution rules about academics and athletics. Some things are more important than the MBB’s W–L record. And Davidson’s struggles on the court the last two years had little to do with the changes to the competitive landscape and a lot to do with the fact that the roster went from one of the best-shooting squads to one of the worst.

I thought our collective pride in Davidson was due to its commitment to (and indeed promotion) of high principles, values, and standards. I didn’t realize it was mere rank tribalism.

+1

[ScootCat]

Where might we learn more about the Davidson certificate program? Is it detailed on the website, and how many different types of such certificates are offered?

[bvgerd]

For me, it all depends on how players embrace Davidson's values. If a player comes in and fully engages in the community both academically and otherwise beyond basketball Ill gladly welcome them, even if its just for one year. I certainly think most would agree that Davidson as an institution would place a high degree in value in continued education and learning, even if it is for something less than a second degree.

[wildforthecats]

For me, it all depends on how players embrace Davidson's values. If a player comes in and fully engages in the community both academically and otherwise beyond basketball Ill gladly welcome them, even if its just for one year.

Exactly

[RichmondCat]

For me, it all depends on how players embrace Davidson's values. If a player comes in and fully engages in the community both academically and otherwise beyond basketball Ill gladly welcome them, even if its just for one year. I certainly think most would agree that Davidson as an institution would place a high degree in value in continued education and learning, even if it is for something less than a second degree.

Agreed!

[Waitress]

Where might we learn more about the Davidson certificate program? Is it detailed on the website, and how many different types of such certificates are offered?

Here's one, maybe? https://hurthub.davidson.edu/applied-en ... rtificate/

Maybe we'll learn about the development of more traditional curriculum-based, regular-class certificates that have the same rigor as majors and minors, just with fewer electives.