[81alum]

Without lobbying for the merits of a four year scholarship, knowing that they existing through the turbulent 60s does change my perspective on history a little.  All those athletes who protested in various ways, whether Tommie Smith or John Carlos, or the previously mentioned "Black 14" who were kicked off the Wyoming football team for wearing black armbands in protest of playing BYU in 1969--or numerous others--all did so knowing that even if they lost their place on their team that they would be able to finish their education.  I had previously assumed that these activist athletes all jeopardized their scholarships by protesting, but it appears not to be so. 

Switching tacks, and appearances to the contrary, Stanford does not go by a five year rule. 

Stanford’s commitment to its student-athletes on athletic scholarship is that each student graduate in four years.  Fifth-year aid is not guaranteed for any student without prior written approval from the Athletic Director.

First of all, we are fairly unique in that we graduate pretty much all of our athletes after four years, and so any student using a fifth year is going to need to be in an MA program.  But admissions to MA programs is not guaranteed, nor is there even any special handling for early decisions etc. as there is for undergraduate athletes.  Also keep in mind that Stanford's choice of MA programs is somewhat limited--many departments do not admit MA candidates but only PhD candidates.  Let's say that Sara James had been eligible for a fifth year and wanted to study to be a nurse practitioner here rather than at Columbia.  Stanford does not have a School of Nursing.  So the choices for an MA may simply not be there for some students--and a typical MA program could take 2 years anyway.  So not an ideal solution for every student.

Finally, coaches sometimes just decide to use the scholarship on a new recruit, and they are perfectly entitled to do so under the rules.  Amy has said this very openly and to public audiences about WBB--a fifth year is awarded strictly on the basis of the best interest of the team.  There is no entitlement, and sometimes a fifth year has not been forthcoming, as with Michelle Harrison.  Sara Boothe would have been eligible for a fifth year but does not seem to have sought one--but we cannot (and should not) know the circumstances of that decision.  Also remember that Ruef had to take a job and earn her own tuition money until a scholarship unexpectedly became available for her (she kept the job--to her credit.)  The general rule--and I agree with it--is that Stanford will help you earn a 4 year degree at the world's most selective university--but the team does not owe you more than that, even if injury robs you of a playing season.  If you want more than a degree, then you will have to prove that you can really help the team. 

The last time that unequivocally  happened in WBB, by the way, was with Melanie Murphy who was a redshirt senior in 10-11--back in the days when we had a dearth of ball handling guards.  Jeanette Pohlen played out of position quite a bit as point guard that year, Lindy LaRocque was no ball handler, Grace Mashore got almost no playing time, Hannah Donaghe had been hobbled by injuries, Toni Kokenis and Sara James were incoming freshmen and Tara had no idea what they would be able to do, and so Mel was given the fifth year.  I remember quite a bit of suspense among the fans as to whether Mel was going to get that year.  Frankly, I do not remember what academic program she studied in her fifth year.

[81alum]

Without lobbying for the merits of a four year scholarship, knowing that they existing through the turbulent 60s does change my perspective on history a little.  All those athletes who protested in various ways, whether Tommie Smith or John Carlos, or the previously mentioned "Black 14" who were kicked off the Wyoming football team for wearing black armbands in protest of playing BYU in 1969--or numerous others--all did so knowing that even if they lost their place on their team that they would be able to finish their education.  I had previously assumed that these activist athletes all jeopardized their scholarships by protesting, but it appears not to be so. 

Switching tacks, and appearances to the contrary, Stanford does not go by a five year rule. 

Stanford’s commitment to its student-athletes on athletic scholarship is that each student graduate in four years.  Fifth-year aid is not guaranteed for any student without prior written approval from the Athletic Director.

First of all, we are fairly unique in that we graduate pretty much all of our athletes after four years, and so any student using a fifth year is going to need to be in an MA program.  But admissions to MA programs is not guaranteed, nor is there even any special handling for early decisions etc. as there is for undergraduate athletes.  Also keep in mind that Stanford's choice of MA programs is somewhat limited--many departments do not admit MA candidates but only PhD candidates.  Let's say that Sara James had been eligible for a fifth year and wanted to study to be a nurse practitioner here rather than at Columbia.  Stanford does not have a School of Nursing.  So the choices for an MA may simply not be there for some students--and a typical MA program could take 2 years anyway.  So not an ideal solution for every student.

Finally, coaches sometimes just decide to use the scholarship on a new recruit, and they are perfectly entitled to do so under the rules.  Amy has said this very openly and to public audiences about WBB--a fifth year is awarded strictly on the basis of the best interest of the team.  There is no entitlement, and sometimes a fifth year has not been forthcoming, as with Michelle Harrison.  Sara Boothe would have been eligible for a fifth year but does not seem to have sought one--but we cannot (and should not) know the circumstances of that decision.  Also remember that Ruef had to take a job and earn her own tuition money until a scholarship unexpectedly became available for her (she kept the job--to her credit.)  The general rule--and I agree with it--is that Stanford will help you earn a 4 year degree at the world's most selective university--but the team does not owe you more than that, even if injury robs you of a playing season.  If you want more than a degree, then you will have to prove that you can really help the team. 

The last time that unequivocally  happened in WBB, by the way, was with Melanie Murphy who was a redshirt senior in 10-11--back in the days when we had a dearth of ball handling guards.  Jeanette Pohlen played out of position quite a bit as point guard that year, Lindy LaRocque was no ball handler, Grace Mashore got almost no playing time, Hannah Donaghe had been hobbled by injuries, Toni Kokenis and Sara James were incoming freshmen and Tara had no idea what they would be able to do, and so Mel was given the fifth year.  I remember quite a bit of suspense among the fans as to whether Mel was going to get that year.  Frankly, I do not remember what academic program she studied in her fifth year.