Title: The Fall of Division I: How Rice Contributed to Robert Morris University's Downfall Fade in: EXT. ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY - DAY A group of college students walk across campus, chatting and laughing. A few athletes carrying bags and equipment head towards the athletic facilities. CUT TO: INT. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S OFFICE - DAY JOHN - the athletic director of Robert Morris University - sits at his desk, looking at a piece of paper. JOHN: (to himself) This can't be right. The door opens and KAREN, the associate athletic director, steps in. KAREN: Hey John, what's going on? JOHN: Karen, check this out. (hands her the paper) KAREN: (reading) "Robert Morris University's Academic Progress Rate is below the minimum threshold required to participate in NCAA Division I championships." JOHN: Exactly. We're not going to be eligible for any postseason games next year. KAREN: How is that possible? We've been working so hard to keep the athletes on track. JOHN: Apparently, our men's basketball team was hit hard by this. And you know what happens when a Division I team can't make it to the big dance. KAREN: We lose revenue. JOHN: Bingo. That's why we need to make some tough decisions. CUT TO: INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY The university president, DR. SMITH, meets with John and Karen to discuss the issue. DR. SMITH: I understand that we're in a difficult situation, but what can we do about it? JOHN: Well, one option would be to drop down to Division II. We'd have more leeway with the APR requirements and could compete for championships again. DR. SMITH: What about our reputation? We've been a Division I school for over 30 years. KAREN: We could actually spin it as a positive thing. Say that we're focusing on the student-athlete experience and not just chasing the glory of Division I status. DR. SMITH: Hmm, I see your point. But how do we make up for the lost revenue? JOHN: That's where Rice comes in. We've been spending a lot of money on travel for our teams, and playing against these big Division I schools isn't doing us any favors in terms of wins or exposure. We could schedule more regional games and save on costs. DR. SMITH: I think we have a plan, then. We'll drop down to Division II and rebrand ourselves as a school that values academic and athletic success equally. CUT TO: EXT. BASKETBALL COURT - DAY The men's basketball team practices, with a new determination. COACH: Okay guys, listen up. We might not be Division I anymore, but that doesn't mean we can't be champions. We're going to work hard and show everyone what it means to be a Robert Morris Colonial. FADE OUT.