David Saur

Bryson’s Dad • Head Coach @ChathamWBB

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

"Hey Siri, play Trophies by @Drake" 🏆 #d3hoops

[Eli Hershkovich @EliHershkovich]

A compelling perspective on the fifth-year debate within Division 3:

“I think it keeps coming back to the Division III model philosophy. … And in 2026, that can be updated.”

More from @CoachDavidSaur (@chathamwbb):

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

Let's go!! ⚫️🟣

[Bob Quillman @BQuillmanQcast]

The Q-cast is in agreement with @chathamwbb head coach @CoachDavidSaur. We will record Wednesday evening.

This will be the third off-season episode featuring the @PAC_Athletics. 🔥

#d3hoops

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@CoachCarLRC lol 50% then, point still stands. Just like some schools can get in below 2.0 gpa kids, some schools have a super high level academic major, some have small class sizes, everyone has their niche. And everyone has something to complain about in regards to what they don't have!

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

Bob, I have a ton of respect for you and appreciate all you’ve done for our sport. I’ve valued the dialogue. My last point - grad students are a major part of the academic landscape today. We can’t hold onto outdated definitions of a “student-athlete.” DIII should evolve with it.

[Bob Quillman @BQuillmanQcast]

I'm influenced by what I witnessed during the 4 years of the Covid extra year...and no, not really related to the team I root for.

.@IWUBasketball is a successful program that recruits really well every year, develops players, and does a nice job reloading.

The Titans did very well during those 4 Covid extra year seasons:
-Won 3 CCIW titles
-1 Elite 8
-1 Sweet 16

That was in a CCIW and D3 landscape where IWU faced a lot of opponents with 5th year players...while IWU's top players went on play grad years at the D2 level. All 5 were D2 starters.

The team I root for will be fine no matter how the 5 & 5 goes...because the program is really strong.

My opinion is influenced by watching schools with a lot of resources load up on grad transfers during those 4 seasons...in a way the average D3 school simply could not. (And no, IWU is not an average D3 school. IWU is a D3 power. During most of those 4 years, the Titans were on the same level, or higher, as the schools with a lot of 5th years.)

But that extra year set up a really clear divide during those 4 seasons and an enormous competitive imbalance across the division in general.

As a Division III basketball fan - who spends a lot of time supporting Division III basketball as a hobby/passion - I just personally think setting up D3 for that kind of competitive imbalance is a bad idea.

Most importantly, I think Division III is meant to be about the "student" part of student-athlete first. And I think 5 in 5 is 100% about the "athlete" part first. I like the current Division III philosophy and want to keep building around that.

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@coachwcabrera @ExamineBaseball My man Cabrera good seeing you couple weeks ago

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

It’s a no-brainer for D3. Many students already need extra time to graduate because of major changes, double majors, etc., and many others are going to grad school anyway. It eliminates the need for waivers and gives more student-athletes the opportunity to keep playing D3 ball!

[Bob Quillman @BQuillmanQcast]

There will be a lot of conversation about this at the Division III level before it has a chance to be adopted.

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@JeremyRNewell Totally agree - massive difference in "levels" of D3 with respect to resources

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@JeremyRNewell 71% of D3 has grad programs! But I feel you. Great discussion

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

Absolutely! I am all in. Would be an honor to hop on and chat with you.

[Bob Quillman @BQuillmanQcast]

Well maybe we can break it all down on the Q-cast sometime? Open invitation to join me for a discussion on all of this.

#d3hoops

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

Bob, I’m curious if your perspective is influenced at all by rooting for a school that doesn’t offer graduate programs? That’s not the reality for most of us at this level, as roughly 71% of Division III institutions offer graduate-level programs of some kind.

[Bob Quillman @BQuillmanQcast]

Because there are scholarships in D1 and D2.

And in D3, where there are not scholarships, most kids are not going to pay to play a 5th year...when they have already graduated...and there is no grad program.

That is why the talking point is completely different.

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@kenny_zuckerman @BQuillmanQcast Bingo Kenny.

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@edmathey47 Bingo, over regulate young adults and families that are plenty educated enough to make their own decisions on education / continuing their athletic careers.

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@ExamineBaseball Logistics of what? Simple 5 for 5. Clean and easy.

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@ExamineBaseball Nick, no one is forcing them to use that year. Options my man, give them the same options all other level student athletes have.

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

This is facts

[Lethal Shooter @LethalShooter__]

Being around undisciplined people will cost you. Iron sharpens iron.✅

[Nic Rush @nic_rush26]

Just over two weeks out from our Summer Prospect Camp! Already have players from 7 different states & Canada headed to Pittsburgh to spend the day with the Cougs! Great chance to see what our program is all about

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. Thank you Drew!

[Drew VonScio @drewvonscio1]

@BeSeenHoops1045 @CoachDavidSaur @TheRealStraw10 Nobody is saying that 🤦🏼‍♂️ Coach Saur is saying it should be a conversation between the student athlete and his/her family, not between the student athlete and the NCAA.

It’s none of the NCAA’s business if student does/doesn’t use the 5th year for whatever reason they choose

[ChathamMensLacrosse @ChathamMensLax]

Chatham Athletics golf outing on Sept. 21st at Fox Chapel Golf Club. Consider being a sponsor to support Chatham Athletics! https://t.co/PJNu7EY6Zk

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@CoachLandoOTOD @InsiderExposure @chathamwbb @BatsonBBall My man!

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

From the home of Kenny Anderson/Rafer Alston/Lamar Odom ➡️ Cougar Den 🟣⚫️

[InsiderExposure @InsiderExposure]

🚨Transfer News🚨

Former Queens College (DII) guard Daja White has committed to @ChathamWBB & @CoachDavidSaur!

The 5’7 South Jamaica Queens, NY native averaged 14 PPG, 4.3 RPG & 3.1 APG at Queens after a yr at Hostos CC where she was NJCAA 1st Team All-American & Region XV POY

[David Saur @CoachDavidSaur]

@ZacSnyder @JeremyRNewell @BQuillmanQcast I think we are all missing the plot here, it gives a student athlete the choice to continue doing what they love (if it fits their academic/career path!). No one said they have too but let's not limit the opportunity for our (D3) athletes, since all other levels have adopted.