The best option: Going back to Division II

"Moving Back to Division II will be a huge mistake."  

Those were words my predecessor Steven Gaither used to describe our return to the CIAA in our Feb. 25, 2009 issue.

I'm sorry Steven, but I don't agree.

Mr. Gaither, a 2009 WSSU graduate, is not the only person who has expressed those feelings at the "return."

I have heard students make similar comments.

As for WSSU falling behind our biggest rivals, N.C. Central and N.C. A&T that is a moot point. The Rams were victorious against both teams.

Gaither also said that as our competition level dropped, so will our chance to recruit on the same level as N.C. A&T and NCCU, another false prediction.

The Rams had one of the most successful recruiting classes this past season, with wide receiver Tehvyn Brantley winning CIAA offensive rookie of the year.

When we were attempting to go Division I, we couldn't even get an honorable mention for a post-season award.

Another concern Gaither expressed was that the University needs to be sure the step isn't a backwards one.

 I think what he meant was by WSSU going back to Division II, we could get left behind by our closest competition because we are not competing on the same level.

In fact, our competition does not appear to be ready for the teams in their own conference, let alone the competition that WSSU has faced this season.

The Athletic Department struggled raising money in Division I; therefore, the move back to Division II is just what the WSSU athletics needed.

Hiring Bill Hayes to fill the athletic director position made raising money a non-issue.

Everyone knows that with winning comes money and with money comes scholarships and with scholarships comes better players.

Losing in a bigger conference does not help with attendance. It will only continue to hurt the advancement of the department.

As far as the competition goes, I know we were facing teams like Hampton and S.C. State it will be hard to imagine going back to the Virginia State's and Livingstone's. I look at it like this: CIAA teams carry more of a history with rivalries and we can always schedule NCCU and N.C. A&T for our non-conference games. That way we can keep the rivalry games that the students have come to love attending and learn more about those they did not know about.

The next time the Rams want to make a move to Division I, let's just be better prepared so they do not embarrass themselves AGAIN!