SJSU Football Gains Scholarships

The number of football scholarships now available to San Jose State has increased, due to the academic progress of players as measured by the Academic Progress Rate scores, the SJSU Athletic Department announced today.

Inside Sparta reported after a recent spring practice that San Jose State athletic department sources said good news was coming regarding the current sanctions levied on the football program. Today, that news was made public as the department announced the number of annual scholarships the football coaches may offer prospective student-athletes increased to 21, from 19 in 2008-2009. Under NCAA rules, the maximum total allowed to an institution without any restrictions is 25.

Also, the total number of players allowed on scholarship increased to 75, from 72 allowed in 2008-2009. At the current time the number of scholarship players on the roster is 71.

"“The NCAA sees the cultural change throughout our entire athletics department and believes in San Jose State, its student-athletes and its academic mission,” SJSU Athletic Director Tom Bowen said.

The athletic department reported all 16 varsity programs achieved or exceeded the 925 mark, with four programs - baseball, men’s cross country, women’s golf and women’s volleyball - scoring a perfect 1000.

The increase in football scholarships will help the program attract more high-caliber players. With approximately 22 seniors now in their last year of eligibility, that leaves the football program with their full available number of grants to offer (21), with five remaining to offer current members of the team not on scholarship. Inside Sparta was told unofficially at a recent spring practice that, in fact, five scholarships would be awarded to current walk-on members of the team.

The program is on track to regain its full complement of football scholarships in two years. "On the department's present course, football should be at 25/85 after two more (2011) NCAA APR annual reports," SJSU Sports Information Director Lawrence Fan told Inside Sparta.

For the complete story, please visit SJSUSpartans.com

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