What a great idea for Davidson to be able to give their students a trip to Detoit. It might be the first trip and only trip for some the kids from the small NC school to head to Detroit. Plus I wouldn't question what they do with their money after I found out about the Davidson Grant. Pretty impressive program. Here is their website about the program: http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x29226.xml

I have to admit, I was the first one to be critical of Davidson's decision to shoulder ticket costs. It just didn't sit right with me that a college would devote that much money to getting their student body to one game. So, I did a little research and discovered the Davidson is one of the few private colleges that has found a way to graduate its students debt free. That's right, no loans to pay back after graduation. Of course that means students have to participate in work-study programs, but that seems a small price to pay for a free education. When I was in college I worked two jobs just to have enough money to pay my room and board. I still have $40,000 in loans and I would have loved the opportunity to pay off school early. So, I say great job Davidson. Your kids work hard and if you can find a way to pay for it without sacrificing the money spent on education...they deserve the break.

@JM - Davidson is considered an elite school (sometimes referred to as the Princeton of the South). Let's look at their SAT scores and other data:

Verbal over 700: 42%
Math over 700: 41%

Verbal over 600: 89%
Math over 600: 93%

Admissions: 3,895 applied, 1,185 admitted, 461 enrolled

Cost: $38,784 includes full-time tuition ($29,119), mandatory fees ($1075), and room and board ($8590)
Students Applying for AID: 728
Students Judges to Need Aid: 593
Percent of Need Met: 100%
*Percent receiving Pell Grants: 7%
Largest Minority Group: African American, 7%

Source: http://education.yahoo.com/college/facts/6040.html
* A very rough measure of economic diversity from http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/libartco_ecodiv_topschools_brief.php

Let's compare that with, let's say, WVU, a school from one of the poorer states and a recipient of BCS largess:

Verbal over 700: 1%
Math over 700: 3%

Verbal over 600: 13%
Math over 600: 20%

Admission: 12,047 applied, 11,040 admitted, 4,828 enrolled

2006-07 Cost (in state): ~11,000
Students Applying for AID: 13,274
Students Judges to Need Aid: 10,007
Percent of Need Met: 88%
Percent receiving Pell Grants: 25%
Largest MinorityGroup: African American, 3%

Source: http://education.yahoo.com/college/facts/9696.html
* A very rough measure of economic diversity from http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/libartco_ecodiv_topschools_brief.php

I think it is safe to say that many, if not all, of the students at Davidson have had least one travel opportunity in their lives. And it is more than likely they have gone to a city with more appeal and attraction than Detroit.

It is also just as safe to say that a vast majority of the students at WVU have not had these opportunities.

So which school would be a better steward of their students by paying their costs to attend the games?

All this being said, if Davidson is using the money they are getting from the tournament for this, than power to them. Instead of throwing all back into athletics, they would be spreading the wealth among the whole student body.

Christopher,

Actually with the numbers you provided of how many students apply for aid from each school are relatively the same percentage. I don't quite equate test scores to wealth. There a lot of rich kids that aren't too bright so maybe they are not at Davidson. Have you ever been to Davidson? I grew up in the area and trust me, Detroit is much different than their surroundings. I would say both schools’ students could benefit from the opportunity. W. Virginia isn't too poor – it has a $380 million endowment. You did point out though that Davidson does have some very good SAT averages.

Great story for Davidson but hardly unique. WashU did this for students who wanted to travel to the men's basketball Final Four last week.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=12370644174

Of course, it was Division III, so I guess it doesn't count.

I'm from NC and to be honest...Tobacco Road gets stale after awhile. We've got some great private colleges from DI-DIII here in the state and it's not every day they get a trip to the big dance. If they have the endowment, I say go for it! It may be a lifetime before Davidson makes a return trip deep in the tournament, never mind just getting a bid. I hope everyone who wants to experience this level of play gets the opportunity if they want it. Go Cats!

With all of the pub that Davidson is getting this week, they'll very well make up the cost of sending students to detroit. They'll be likely to get some more donations from alumni and increased enrollment in the next couple of years from students who have now heard about the school and want to go there.