That’s the policy for this current academic/athletic year. I think next year’s policy isn’t officially out yet. Original JOC article referenced redshirting saying,
“Richmond will continue with 63 scholarships and will keep redshirting players, said Huesman.”
I imagine this is something we discussed before making the move to PL for football as non-medical redshirting is something we heavily rely on.
Puzzling and disappointing to UR in the last few years has been CAA Football’s expansion strategy.
richmond.com
That’s not a direct quote. Interpretation by JOC. In fact I think instead of “will keep” he should have said “wants to keep” redshirting.
I’d like to have more direct clarity from UR and/or Pat League. It was asked by JOC in original presser but ignored. The answer we got was more philosophizing not that non med redshirting was allowed.
Think this part from different article goes into it a little deeper…
Heppel said the Patriot League does have fifth-year players. That supports Richmond’s desire to redshirt mostly younger Spiders on a regular basis. “Richmond was obviously comfortable with our approach,” she said.
UR coach Russ Huesman made it clear Tuesday that redshirting is a major component of Richmond’s program.
“Recruiting high school players, redshirting them, developing them, bringing them back for their fifth years, all of those things are extremely important here, and we want to continue to do that,” Huesman said.
"Conversations between the Patriot League and William & Mary have been going on for decades."
richmond.com
Clearly our desire. And Pat League does have 5th years. tho a little disingenuous by commish to say that if they only come from medical or exceptions not normal athletic development ones.
Honestly I thought they already allowed regular redshirting but bylaws explicitly say otherwise. Also Heppel comment re “comfortable with our approach” implies the Pat League approach was different than what we’re used to.
Maybe bylaws r changing as I agree I’m sure it was discussed. It’s clear what we desire. But I’m skeptical we can operate exactly as we want re: shirts. Idk. It deserves more explanation. Also, how we adhere to the league’s Academic Index stuff is a separate concern too.