What this thread lacks is a voice from someone who has no stake in the NCAA system at all. Even the brojos (actually, especially them) have an interest in the whole deal:
They ran for HS team(s) to get noticed by recruiters (recruiters don't peruse road results and track competitions are difficult to access without school affiliation)
They competed and used all the elegibility they could in the NCAA
Some self-esteem is (even years later) connected to running for a school: conference titles, team titles, PRs set while there, etc.
They currently coach, formerly coached, and/or want to coach for some NCAA affiliated program.
If none of the above describes you - and rest assured it describes 99% of the MB audience (the only posters here who have absolutely nothing to do with any NCAA program are those who couldn't get in on it but did try to) - then you may feel like I do.
I don't, didn't, and did not try to run for any NCAA member school. As a result, I had no need to run for my HS team as appearing in results accessible by recruiters was not a priority in the least. I realize that no one else on this forum is described by these facts, so I'm the only one who can lay down an objective opinion. I simply have no love for the NCAA. I literally have no dog in the fight.
So here's the deal: any school is welcome to offer scholarships to anyone elegible to participate (ie cannot have accepted prize money but could have taken free gear). These can be anyone they damn well feel like giving the dough to. The fat aunt of the ADs girlfriend to get paid back for all the great holliday dinners. The coach's wheelchair-bound next-door-neighbor's grandpa who didn't throw rocks as the young coach ran by. A shockingly unathletic kid who has great academic potential but can't cash in on it, prompting everyon of campus to feel sorry for her.
These programs also have the right to give these checks to someone on a trial basis - ie for less than 5 years. "Hey junior, you've got one season to win a conference title for us, then you can stay. If not, you're out.". Totally fine. It's their money. You are not owed any of it. Your buddy's neice is not owed anything. In fact, they're welcome to not give out a dime in scholarships. If you want to participate, walk on. I'll go one step further: they are allowed to not have a team at all. Don't have to hire a coach, build facilities, get insurance to cover inevitable mishaps, etc.
Why all the whining on the boards whenever a school cuts the program all together? Who cares when someone you've heard of get a scholarship cut? Are schools obligated to do anything? Are they even obligated to exist? Are you the same crowd that freaks out when the only grocery store in a poor neighborhood decides to pull up stakes? Do you all feel that the world owes you an education, a living, health care and transportation?
Get a grip on reality and get a life folks. About the only thing in the whole cosmic order of the universe less significant than who won an NCAA meet is who won the National Scabble tournament. You people (yes, I include LRC staff) are an embarrassment to the sport. This thread is truly a joke.