Just picked up one of these bad boys....not sure if it actually supports D3 athletics or not but figured my boys would like this.

http://teespring.com/D3Athlete

Just picked up one of these badboys.

http://teespring.com/D3Athlete

Quote from: Gregory Sager on February 21, 2013, 03:49:09 PM
Trevor Popp is 5'6 and weighs maybe 140 pounds soaking wet. He looks like a tagalong kid brother right out of Hollywood central casting. I've seen more threatening-looking boys than Trevor knocking on doors trying to sell popcorn to earn a Boy Scout merit badge.

Tim Urbanowicz was 6'4, 190, and Ryan Miller was 6'0, 180. The only action that Trevor Popp should've been able to provoke in either one is gales of laughter. When it comes to mixing it up with Trev, it's all on them.

And if this is related to the WC @ NPU fiasco of two years ago, D3Vike11 is exactly right: Desmond Cato of Wheaton started it by coming in spikes up.

Quote from: D3Vike11 on February 21, 2013, 03:45:21 PM
And then the following week Miller tried to start a fight against Elmhurst on a play at the plate...

Oh, but he can't possibly be guilty of any sort of misbehavior, because he plays for Wheaton, right?

I think anyone who played against Trevor Popp or Ryan Miller can agree that they were both mouthy.

And if I can remember correctly, the players at Wheaton did laugh about Popp running his mouth.

Quote from: Ralph Turner on June 02, 2012, 01:14:01 PM

Quote from: The General Public on June 02, 2012, 12:50:14 PM

Quote from: Ralph Turner on June 02, 2012, 09:00:19 AM
Coach Driggers' resignation and move to ETBU article in Notables, June 1, 2012.

From the article...

Accomplishments as head coach...

QuoteDriggers served at the helm of the Thunder program for the past four years. His .531 winning percentage at Wheaton is the highest in school history, and his 86 career wins in those four seasons is the third-highest total in school history. During his tenure, Driggers guided Wheaton to three of the four 20-win seasons in school history.

The Thunder baseball program set 16 team records in the past four years, including the school's single-season record for victories with 24 in the 2010 season.

About the fundraising...

QuoteWith Driggers' leadership, Wheaton has completed the first two phases of building Lee Pfund Stadium at Legion Field, the first permanent home for Wheaton baseball since 2008. The completed portion of the stadium includes artificial turf, lights, dugouts, fencing, a suspended cable backstop and a wall as part of the backstop. Fundraising is ongoing for the next phase of the project, which includes chairback seating for 242 spectators, a pressbox, restrooms, a locker room and a concession stand.

There's more than one side to every story. A public press release from a school website is generally not the place to get the real information.

That 2010 team was 19-6 before going 5-10 to end the season and miss the tournament. So yes...24 wins is nice but could have, should have been much better.

Also regarding the statement made earlier about good teams not needing motivational "pep" talks. From what I have heard, from people on that team is they were given some very interesting "motivational" speeches at that time. None of which had any pep, motivation, or constructive criticism. Being told their season was over with 8 games left and 2 conference series remaining

Again, I heard this third hand but from a number of reliable sources.

Players ultimately are to blame for the play on the field but when that is coming from your leadership...there is a bit of an issue.

This suggests that there is a considerable faction in the Wheaton family who are glad for the change at the top, and that change has not come too soon.

With the changes in the facilities, the next coach has something on which to build and make his mark.

You are starting to get closer to the truth.

Quote from: Ralph Turner on June 02, 2012, 09:00:19 AM
Coach Driggers' resignation and move to ETBU article in Notables, June 1, 2012.

From the article...

Accomplishments as head coach...

QuoteDriggers served at the helm of the Thunder program for the past four years. His .531 winning percentage at Wheaton is the highest in school history, and his 86 career wins in those four seasons is the third-highest total in school history. During his tenure, Driggers guided Wheaton to three of the four 20-win seasons in school history.

The Thunder baseball program set 16 team records in the past four years, including the school's single-season record for victories with 24 in the 2010 season.

About the fundraising...

QuoteWith Driggers' leadership, Wheaton has completed the first two phases of building Lee Pfund Stadium at Legion Field, the first permanent home for Wheaton baseball since 2008. The completed portion of the stadium includes artificial turf, lights, dugouts, fencing, a suspended cable backstop and a wall as part of the backstop. Fundraising is ongoing for the next phase of the project, which includes chairback seating for 242 spectators, a pressbox, restrooms, a locker room and a concession stand.

There's more than one side to every story. A public press release from a school website is generally not the place to get the real information.

That 2010 team was 19-6 before going 5-10 to end the season and miss the tournament. So yes...24 wins is nice but could have, should have been much better.

Also regarding the statement made earlier about good teams not needing motivational "pep" talks. From what I have heard, from people on that team is they were given some very interesting "motivational" speeches at that time. None of which had any pep, motivation, or constructive criticism. Being told their season was over with 8 games left and 2 conference series remaining

Again, I heard this third hand but from a number of reliable sources.

Players ultimately are to blame for the play on the field but when that is coming from your leadership...there is a bit of an issue.

Quote from: BigPoppa on May 31, 2012, 09:46:24 AM
I think you are confusing a pep talk with coaching. They are two very different things.

Exactly right Big Poppa.

Recently heard Mike Gaski may be in the running after his departure from UNC Greensboro.

http://uncgspartans.com/sports/bsb/2011-12/releases/201205266zx1b5

Quote from: Ralph Turner on May 29, 2012, 09:21:08 PM

Quote from: The General Public on May 29, 2012, 01:57:43 PM

Quote from: Ralph Turner on May 28, 2012, 11:21:18 PM

Quote from: norfrank on May 28, 2012, 11:03:52 PM
a glimpse of why to come in just a matter of time

Lee Driggers has accepted the position of head coach at East Texas Baptist University.

4 years of work and nothing but steps backward as far as the product on the field. I guess he got the field built but woop te doo.

From what Wheaton had to what he has attained this far, I would say "woop te doo", too.

I went to the Wheaton web site to look at the facilities that Wheaton has.

McCully is spectacular for football and track and field.

King Arena is one of the finest in the country for basketball, volleyball and wrestling.

I quote the website about Joe Bean Stadium.

QuoteThe Wheaton College men's and women's soccer programs play their games in one of the finest facilities in all of NCAA Division III.

Here is what they say about Chrouser Natatorium.

QuoteIn addition to providing recreation and fitness opportunities for Wheaton's students, faculty and staff, the Chrouser Natatorium is home to the competitive swim and water polo teams at the college, plus the local high school and USA Swimming Club programs.  It the annual site of the Wheaton Invitational for Swimming and Water Polo and the bi-annual site of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Swimming Championships.

The natatorium houses a 61 foot wide by 110 foot long pool, with a flow-thru moveable divider which enables multiple configurations for programming.  The eight lane racing course can be set at 25 yards or 25 meters of total deep water for swimming or water polo competition.  The pool water is temperature and chlorine regulated by a computerized filter system, with rough water during competition being minimized by triple lane lines.

Tennis is workable with 6 lighted courts.

When Coach Driggers left McMurry for Wheaton, he was leaving a facility that has hosted the West Regionals on two separate occasions and going to essentially "nothing" by Wheaton standards.

With a Wheaton endowment of 6 times that of McMurry, he thought that he could begin to get baseball up to Wheaton standards. He has gotten the field turf this year, after 3 seasons of trying.

Please listen to this 2-minute video.

Next Wheaton needs seating, press box, dressing rooms and rest rooms!

Honestly, please grade Wheaton baseball facilities relative to the rest of the college.  What do you get, a C minus?  How many other CCIW baseball facilities are worse than Wheaton's and who are they? Getting to this point must have been like pulling eye teeth.

Coach Driggers has hosted a Regional, been the chair of the West Regional Evaluation committee, and won conference championships.  He has credentials.  The last time I spoke with family members in 2009 and then 2010, he was happy.

Maybe the next coach will get a more favorable reception or a more successful response of support from the Wheaton community.

The product on the field is a reference to the record of the team not the turf that is on the field. Thank you for a senior research paper on the facilities at Wheaton College though.

No coach could have gotten a more favorable reception than him when he arrived. However, after under performing for 3 straight years it is time to be excited about a change. I know that you are a Driggers Disciple so there is really no point in debating his success but I am going to try.  He "has" been successful elsewhere and maybe that is a problem with your blindness. He achieved great things elsewhere but at Wheaton he didn't get anything done. I am speaking from a wins perspective, a conference tourney perspective, a real results perspective, and not a HE BUILT A FIELD!!! perspective.  He was able to raise funds for a field, but once again who cares when the team isn't winning. Ask those Elmhurst fans, players and coaches who got to taste the conference tourney this year after consistant losing seasons...would you rather have a new field...or would you rather make the conference tourney?

No alumni, fan, or player will say they want a new field over on the field success and the fact of the matter is 3 straight years of missing the tourney is not achieving anything. Yeah Wheaton hasn't made the tournament on a regular basis but after two straight years in it, including making it to the championship game the 2nd of those two years, to not making it 3 years in a row is once again, not achieving anything. On the same accord, he took that team who made the conference tournament championship game, lost 1 relief pitcher from that team, and they missed the tournament the next year suffering a huge collapse at the end. Can you blame everything on the coach...absolutely not. But it stems from the top down.

Ralph you say that he has been happy coaching at Wheaton, you should have come to a game at Wheaton and then tell me that with a straight face. He walked around with his head down constantly complaining about players. That doesn't sound like someone who is happy. As norfrank said, I went to several games over the past 4 years and I don't think I saw him give a sign more than a handful of times. The players may as well have been out there on their own. You can speak to his achievements elsewhere and thats great. But if you were to look objectively at his achievements at Wheaton College from a success standpoint (Success=conference tourneys not building a field), how would you say he did?

Quote from: Ralph Turner on May 28, 2012, 11:21:18 PM

Quote from: norfrank on May 28, 2012, 11:03:52 PM
a glimpse of why to come in just a matter of time

Lee Driggers has accepted the position of head coach at East Texas Baptist University.

4 years of work and nothing but steps backward as far as the product on the field. I guess he got the field built but woop te doo.

Quote from: Ralph Turner on April 29, 2011, 11:42:47 PM

Quote from: mr_b on April 29, 2011, 11:14:08 PM
Ralph, I agree -- the best way is to ignore the rankings and take care of business on the field.

I think that NP has a real chance this year!

The CCIW is very tough.  I have followed Coach Driggers since he arrived, and it has been tough to get his team going. 

The CCIW is a tough conference but him getting "his team" going has nothing to do with it. I seem to recall you predicting 3 or 4 years until a conference championship by Driggers/Wheaton.  It's not going to happen.

Wheaton had a successful year his first year.  A successful first half his second year, followed by a collapse of astronomical proportions. And his third year, Wheaton might have a successful last series due to the fact that they play Elmhurst.  His fourth year, I don't see it getting any better.

I have seen many worse teams (talent wise) at Wheaton over the past 10 years, but this team is right down there with the worst of them.  Take out those fluff wins during spring break and this team is well under 10 wins on the year.

Quote from: Thunder11 on April 20, 2011, 11:40:27 PM

There are sure a lot of definitive "nots" and statements in your opinions "The General Public" (unless you have a clear view of the future?) and analysis. You may well end up being right about Wheaton, but fortunately they still have to play the games. And by the way who are the top 4 most talented teams in the conference. That is right, no one knows yet do they. For sure Wheaton is the 6th best team in the conference as of today. I guess we will all have to let the young men we root for, play it out on the field. One game at a time..... starting tomorrow!

Step 1...Complete.

Wheaton loses to NCC 4-2 throwing Martin...

Quote from: Gregory Sager on April 20, 2011, 06:12:23 PM

Quote from: norfrank on April 20, 2011, 06:08:10 PM

Quote from: Thunder11 on April 19, 2011, 10:55:40 PM
First time poster here, after avidly reading your wonderful informative posts the last several years. Thank you all! As a Chicagoland resident, I have enjoyed watching the emergence of Wheaton baseball the last 3+ seasons in this great CCIW conference. I have had the privilege of watching most of the Wheaton (IL-WI) games as my soon to graduate son has played for the Thunder now for his 4th season.

Yes, the Thunder are a long shot for 4th slot into the CCIW tourney, but "norfrank" lets wait and see how the NCC series turns out this weekend before declaring their CCIW chances over. The rotation of Martin, Rahn and Golz (listed in order of the quality of their performances)has rounded into shape. It appears that Dennison may be moving into a relief role which he has done well in recently, after a series of dissappointing starts. The Thunder offense can rival any in the league, and is coming to life. The key may likely be the Thunder's ability to stop giving away outs against quality teams (both miscues and errors)since the defense has often shot the pitching in the foot. By the way ask any objective IWU fan or Coach Martel how close Wheaton was to sweeping that series. At the very least, Wheaton needs to take both the NCC and NP series and probably sweep one of them. No small task, since yes, both of those teams are quite good again this year. We are capable to do it, of course so are they. Having seen the whole Augie, IW and Carthage series, I am sure Wheaton has the talent to be one of the top 4 teams - let's see if they continue to play like it their last 9 conf. games. By the way I predict and hope that Augie, Carthage & the Titans will battle for the top 3 spots and being tourney host.

As time allows in next the week, I will share more observations about Wheaton's season, and why I think they can be a better team next year regardless how well they finish out this season - unless of course we pull out a "miracle on the diamond" as IWU did last year.

Again thanks to the providers and posters of this D3baseball forum!

interesting, but tainted, points of view. Wheaton does not have a shot at the playoffs. You talk about sweeping NCC or NP.

Since NPU plays Wheaton in the last series of the regular season, the Vikings could be in the middle of a win-or-die dogfight for a CCIW tourney berth at that point. And that would make it that much tougher for Wheaton to sweep NPU.

The season is over for Wheaton.  They will not make the playoffs, they will not sweep or take the series from NPU or NCC. They will also not sweep Elmhurst. 

Right now they have one pitcher who has preformed consistently throughout the year in Martin.  Besides that, they don't have the pitching or the hitting to win the games they need to.  They do not have the talent of one of the top 4 teams in Conference and I think Big Poppa is right when he says they are right where they need to be in 6th place.

The best team statistical team Wheaton had in the past 10 years was in 2008, so I will compare this years stats to that year.  (The most talent they have had was last year)


2008- AVG- .355  HR- 25 Runs- 342 OB%- .440 SH- 20 SB- 80-97
2011- AVG- .317  HR- 25 Runs- 222 OB%- .401 SH- 8   SB- 25-31


All other categories on the offense are pretty comparable but these show a shift in the emphasis of the team.

They have become a strictly homerun seeking team.  There is no longer an emphasis on moving runners around, going for the extra base, or moving the runner over.  They live and die by the long ball.  Because of that they aren't scoring as many runs and despite much better pitching numbers they can't win games.  They are in 6th and will finish no better than 5th.

Quote from: thunder38illini on January 27, 2011, 02:03:31 PM

Xxxxxxxx is going to have to take a big step forward to ace this pitching staff.  Scouts are understandably drooling over his size as they would with any 6'7" lefty that can walk and chew gum at the same time but he needs to step up and lead this pitching staff or it might be another situation where Wheaton is going to have to score massive amounts of runs to win ball games.

GOOD LUCK!

Quote from: droppinbombs47 on May 02, 2010, 09:37:42 PM
In other news, does anyone think Stephen Strasburg I mean Mike Giovenco is going to win his 3rd consecutive CCIW pitcher of the week ?? 

And you go even further to prove your unintelligence.  Congrats!

my post got tied up in my quote...heres my piece..


Greg,

I have not been on here lately but thanks for the defense. Its good to see that some on here have a reading comprehension level greater than 6th graders.  I guess it was a pretty complex sentence for North Central alum/current students.