Marshall has a "special student" program that let's the kids go to school, take classes and "prove" that they can "succeed" in a university environment. They are not part of any athletic program until they at least are enrolled in the school for at least two semesters. There is a maximum amount of classes you can take before you can apply to have your status changed with the school. Once you are a regular student then you go on scholarship as a full-time athlete. Pretty smart if you ask me. Kids skip prep, are enrolled in a university. James Madison, my alma mater, had a similar program, but I don't remember it being used by athletes. What I'm curious about is how is the tuition and room and board paid for? I'm sure the coaches through intermediaries are involved in their diet at the dining hall, their weight training at the student weight room and have an array of suggested class curriculums.