The value of that is huge, especially in comparison to an out-of-state kid going to Louisville, or similar....meaning out-of-state when viewed from Kentucky. The degree might mean more in-state, but in Ohio it doesn't mean a lot while a ND degree is powerful anywhere you go.

Now, certainly not every family can swing 35K per year, but overall the value of the offer is significant at that level.

but not everyone, especially elite athlete types look at it that way...especially given where the program currently resides

program going now. Preseason #1, won a Natty recently. They are every bit as expensive as ND, now granted they are in a better weather situation, but academics and cost of attendance is about the same.

Up until 15 yrs ago Vandy was a nothing program at the same time ND was a top 10-15 program. They got the right coach and institutional support...Vandy also has much better financial aid program and I'd bet that most on their roster are getting substantial aid...Vandy like ND, is a private institution and can do whatever they want w financial aid...if ND wanted to they could...but they don't so they won't

or Florida still have to pay the 35k? From a strictly talent standpoint does it make sense to recruit more regionally? Penn State has the same problem with their baseball team in my view. They cast a wide national net when there is abundant talent in the surrounding states. Trying to convince warm weather kids to attend a northern baseball school doesn't make much sense to me. It would seem that the local schools would have a huge advantage in this regard.

I just think we would be more successful recruiting kids from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, etc. From a purely recruiting standpoint does this make sense?

It's very possible that a can't miss kid from California or Texas is given more of an athletic scholarship while the local kid gets more of an academic scholarship.

My mind is fuzzy on this but I could have sworn I read years ago that after a year on campus, the athlete is considered a resident of the state and then can get the state discount.

I know this is the first time I've ever heard of them taking jucos...the other thing that goes against them is comparatively shitty facility; I've been to many college venues over the past couple yrs and considering the resources ND has, the facility is a joke...it's not just recruiting, it's a total program commitment issue