Congratulations to the Warhawks on a nice comeback.  Good luck in the Stagg Bowl.

Quote from: 02 Warhawk on October 28, 2009, 03:42:24 PM
wow...didn't expect to see UWW 4th in the West. I guess you can contribute that to our weak schedule and nobody wanting to play us outside the WIAC in DIII.

Maybe that'll change if we beat UWSP and UWL

Wins over UWSP, Oshkosh and UWL will bump that SOS number up pretty good.

Quote from: PointSpecial on October 24, 2009, 05:01:42 PM
Pointers beat the La Crosse Eagles 26-14.  Point beats LaX in back to back years for the first time since 1962-63.

It's time to put Larry Terry on the hot seat.

Quote from: Raider 68 on October 23, 2009, 03:49:42 PM

Quote from: WSUFan on October 23, 2009, 02:59:33 PM

Quote from: Just Bill on October 23, 2009, 11:29:12 AM
If I recall correctly, Mount Union and UW-La Crosse played an NCAA playoff game at Camp Randall Stadium.  I'm guessing it was in 1994 or 1995 and I think the reason was UW-L's field was too muddy and Camp Randall was the only artifical surface possible at the time.  I lived right across the street at the time and remember seeing a bunch of football fans entering the stadium, and I had no idea what the event was.  That was before my D-III elightenment.

1996

WSU,

Mount Union has played Wisc. La Crosse 4 times:

1992  LAX wins 29-24
1995  LAX wins 20-17
1996  MUC wins 39-21
2003  MUC wins 39-14

Had to have been 1995

I thought the 1995 playoff game was in Alliance?  I'll go look it up, but 1996 sticks out to me.

Quote from: Just Bill on October 23, 2009, 11:29:12 AM
If I recall correctly, Mount Union and UW-La Crosse played an NCAA playoff game at Camp Randall Stadium.  I'm guessing it was in 1994 or 1995 and I think the reason was UW-L's field was too muddy and Camp Randall was the only artifical surface possible at the time.  I lived right across the street at the time and remember seeing a bunch of football fans entering the stadium, and I had no idea what the event was.  That was before my D-III elightenment.

1996

Quote from: BoBo on October 21, 2009, 01:28:34 PM
Bad news doesn't get better with age...and this is certainly bad news. In making this announcement, I find it interesting the WIAC commissioner hasn't made any comment (that I'm aware of) about the protocol for determining the scheduling of the NC games each year. I guess it would have to be a 7 year round robin. But, I'm curious how they intend to make the match-ups.  Under the status quo, I'm not sure if there is a team eager to play UWW twice in a season.  He indicated in the Madison.com article that it might only be a temporary condition, provided the economy picks-up. That makes the first year or two extremely important for a lot of teams.

I would think it's the job of the WIAC head office to try to turn this negative situation into a positive ~ if that's at all possible. I believe it is. If I had any pull, this is what I would propose initially: 

I would have a WIAC football extravaganza at Camp Randall, one of the first 3 weeks of the season. Of course it would require the Badgers to be on an away game. Four games, all eight teams involved, in one incredible day of football ~ all on a neutral field. Each game would be counted in the conference standings. Later in the season, the second game, the non-conference one, would be played at various campus stadiums. I wouldn't expect 80,000 spectators like a Badger game. But, I could see maybe 20,000-25,000 people. It would be the greatest day of DIII football, maybe ever on one field, on a single day. If I were the commissioner, my first telephone call today would be to Barry Alvarez to secure the use of Camp Randall.  Next, I'd be pounding the pavement getting a title corporate partner(s) for sponsorship. Long story short, it would be a great day of football and make a lousy situation somewhat palatable.

Thoughts?   

I'm sure this process had been on the table for some time as the commissioner has had to listen to AD's who've had to listen to coaches about scheduling.  My guess is it has come to the forefront with pressure to cut budgets.  I doubt UWL would pass on a chance to play UWW twice.

I like the idea of playing at Camp Randall... reminds me of the border battle against the NSIC.  Tailgating, followed by four games and an evening ending at Lucky's.

Quote from: The Roop on October 21, 2009, 12:44:18 PM

It's also worth noting that while D3 ALLOWS 10 games, it does not REQUIRE a 10 game schedule. Why not play only 9 games and save even more money. 1 less win doesn't hurt like an extra loss would. Based on some of the comments made in the article it sounds like the WIAC is more consumed with post season bids and potential national championships than it is about the conference itself.

UW-L played a 9 game schedule several times since 2001... two of those seasons included only 3 home games which is why they picked up FCS opponents for a payday.  Yes, they are public schools... money which comes from taxpayers and with everyone cutting budgets, I think it's a fair assessment for the WIAC to look at less travel across the country by flight during the regular season.  If the prerogative was post-season bids, this would have been done a long time ago.  I'd much rather see my team travel to UMHB or Linfield rather than playing MWC or CCIW teams... but, when you're accountable with public monies it doesn't make sense.

Quote from: The Roop on October 21, 2009, 12:44:18 PM
If you ask me that really isn't in keeping with the "Spirit of D3". I've felt that way for a long time and am glad they are finally admitting it themselves. Now before people assume I am wanting them in D2, I'm not. This scheduling issue seems to be a football only problem. Not sure why it's up to the rest of the schools in the region to solve it for them.

You're right, it is mostly a football issue.  It speaks for itself if you think about it... compare it to basketball and the comparative travel costs between the two.  I don't really feel it's in the spirit of D3 to have to shortchange your players one game per season because you can't find a D3 opponent willing to play you.  On the other hand, is it really in the spirit of things to schedule a lesser opponent and not give your kids a challenge to face a better team?

Either way, a second game between La Crosse and Eau Claire would mean less travel costs and more revenue as well as stiffer competition than say Knox could provide.

Quote from: scottie on October 20, 2009, 09:24:50 PM
A compelling argument.  A DII opponent would probably pay decent money for a game, although some may be worried about playing a team from a larger school.  Something to consider....

p.s.  The map paints quite a picture.

Hence why UW-L picked up games with FCS opponents North Dakota and South Dakota State the last few seasons.  On the other hand, when Winona State's program improved, they dropped UW-L since a loss would kill their hopes for a DII at-large bid and a win did them no good in obtaining an at-large.

Quote from: K-Mack on October 08, 2009, 11:14:18 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on October 07, 2009, 11:03:53 PM
Getting there.

You should see an MWC game this weekend. If you're ever going to, now is the time.

Quote from: HSC85 on October 08, 2009, 04:52:32 PM
Keith,

Great capsules on each conference.  It looks like many of the races are playing out like the predictions in Kickoff '09.

Thanks. I never know how useful that column is to readers; do people only care about their own team's conference, or do they want to be able to look in on races in other conferences without having to invest a lot of time following them.

Ultimately, I feel some of the latter which is why I do it.

Next week back to big ideas & interviews.

We usually get enough information from you guys... but, this is kind of like icing on the cake, so to speak. We don't have to peruse each message board and figure out how the conferences are going, we get a nice, clean wrap-up from your end!

And please, keep picking UW-L to get upset... I kinda like flying under the radar in the WIAC   

UW-L leads Missouri 'Rolla' 21-0 at the half.  Eagles have held the Miners to three first downs, 17 rushing yards and 43 yards passing.

Quote from: wildcat11 on September 25, 2009, 12:01:57 PM
Most DI boards = PBR
D3boards.com = Fine Wine

Sales of PBR are up more than 25 percent from this time last year.  But, it's not due to the price, since PBR is more expensive than Keystone, Busch, Natural brands and even Miller High Life.

QuoteTeams like UWW (due to their recent national success), and to a lesser degree UWL and UWSP, don't go out trying to schedule 3 easy NC opponents.

I'm only taking exception to the 'lesser degree' portion here in terms of what it's referencing.  National success or scheduling cupcakes?

Going back to 1999, UW-L has only been able to schedule 6 DIII non-conference opponents... Hardin-Simmons (2), Howard Payne (2) and Illinois Wesleyan (2).  Not for lack of effort on their part.  They played twelve DII teams in that same period, not all against teams I would call suspect... Northern St., South Dakota (2), Winona St. (3), UMD (2) and Washburn (4).  Four games came against NAIA teams Azusa Pacific (3) and St. Francis.  Three other games came against transitional I-AA programs in North Dakota and South Dakota St., including a victory over South Dakota St.  The other game was against Drake, not sure if they were DII or I-AA at the time.

In a discussion a few years back with the UW-L athletic director, he said he had plenty of 'thanks, but no thanks' calls from DIII programs and a few discussions with some 'better' DIII programs, but nothing came about due to travel concerns.  UW-L already had travel commitments to Texas twice and Azusa, CA and wanted the home game first.  From 2004 to 2006 the Eagles had 10 home games and 17 road games.  I assume this is why they scheduled games at SDS and UND, for some gate revenue.

Not sure who the teams were they couldn't agree to terms with... but, in the current economic times, I don't think the scheduling is likely to improve in terms of travel.  It would be nice to have a better DIII team to play against every year, but you take what you can get.

Quote from: BoBo on September 20, 2009, 12:04:06 AM
Are you watching Oxy/Linfield?  I'm glad more and more schools are doing these webcasts.  The game is pretty competitive, but IMO, at this point in the young season, neither team looks very impressive.  Oxy's done nothing to excite me.  Take a look.

Thanks for the link. The webcast is pretty good, even in full screen mode. I've always enjoyed Linfield and their fans.

Quote from: BoBo on September 19, 2009, 10:36:29 PM

Quote from: OzJohnnie on September 19, 2009, 06:06:08 PM
I see that UWW managed to avoid losing this weekend.  Your team can't hide from non-conference opponents forever, you know.  If you manage to make the playoffs, you'll have to play someone from outside the WIAC.

Yea, they took on the upset-minded "open date," a team that gives most teams fits.  In recap, the Warhawks offense executed to perfection, a well conceived game plan. An opportunistic, smothering defense held the visitors under all season averages to keep the 'hawks at 2-0 for the season.  When final scores of other games of interest started rolling in during the 4th quarter...well let's just say, there were only smiles all around...and leave it at that  .  UPS comes to the Perk next saturday for more of the same  .

UW-L also dispensed of "open date" with no problems.  Any word, other than the score, on Missouri S&T and Stevens Point?  Word... as in, are they an average DII team?

As a former UW-L guy... just wanted to extend my congrats to Mt. Union for another championship 
You guys have another incredible team!  Congrats!