FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[Captain_Joe08]

I am just saying why couldn't a football team be at a higher division but still have the rest of the sports lower?  Unless there are rules against that.

There are rules against that.

You can't just pick up and move football to another level -- you have to move all 20-some sports.

Ugh learned that one the hard way on twitter.....To be the team at the top you have to beat the team at the top.

[Captain_Joe08]

Here is how the Nath-con football teams have fared the last five years since the conference has backed football.

Overall

1. Concordia Chicago 37-14 (.725)
2. Benedictine 30-22 (.577)
3. Wisconsin Lutheran 28-22 (.560)
4. Aurora 28-23 (.549)
5. Concordia Wisconsin 23-27 (.460)
6. Lakeland 21-30 (.412)
7. Rockford 5-45 (.100)
8. Maranatha 4-46 (.080)

Conference Record

1. Concordia Chicago 26-9 (.743)
T-2. Benedictine 22-13 (.628)
T-2. Concordia Wisconsin 22-13 (.628)
4. Wisconsin Lutheran 21-14 (.600)
T-5. Aurora 20-15 (.571)
T-5. Lakeland 20-15 (.571)
7. Rockford 4-31 (.114)
8. Maranatha 2-33 (.057)

Out of Conference Records

1. Concordia Chicago 11-5 (.688)
2. Aurora 8-8 (.500)
3. Benedictine 8-9 (.471)
4. Wisconsin Lutheran 7-8 (.467)
5. Maranatha 2-13 (.133)
T-6. Concordia Wisconsin 1-14 (.067)
T-6. Rockford 1-14 (.067)
8. Lakeland 1-15 (.063)

Probably the most improved team over the last five years is Concordia Chicago. Before the Nath-Con came to be they were struggling just to win one or two games a season. Now under Coach Priess that program is now one of the perennial contenders in the conference. The next best improved team is Wisconsin Lutheran. Their stay in the MIAA was not pretty (9-41 during their membership in the conference). Coach Miller has that program taking the next step to winning a conference title.

[lem4094]

I know that CUC will be losing some skill and line positions this year.  It seems that the latter is more dificult to fill for teams.

I do have to say with my limited viewing of the conference this past year the top 3 for next year, barring transfers and ineligibility, would be CUW, WL and CUC, in that order.  I would put my money on WL to have the slight lead because of their running game and those boys BRING THE WOOD!!  I was very impressed with their hitting and tackling.  Will be interesting.

[mattvsmith]

Often as I read these boards on my iPhone I accidentally hit the wrong link with my fat fingers. Just now I landed on a page from Sept 2007 on which there was a viscous series of posts about how Benedictine needs a new coach, while others defended BU and the coach.
I now notice that above a poster gave results for the last five years and Benedictine is tied for second.
Honest question: Was the 2007 critic way off base, did BU improve, or did BU get a new coach that improved things (i.e. the critic was right)?

From my very perspective, it looks like BU has gone just fine.

[Gregory Sager]

Jon Cooper has been the head coach at BU since 2005, so the 2007 critic was way off base.

[mattvsmith]

Jon Cooper has been the head coach at BU since 2005, so the 2007 critic was way off base.

That's what I thought. Thanks for the verification.

[WLCALUM83]

Here is how the Nath-con football teams have fared the last five years since the conference has backed football.

Overall

1. Concordia Chicago 37-14 (.725)
2. Benedictine 30-22 (.577)
3. Wisconsin Lutheran 28-22 (.560)
4. Aurora 28-23 (.549)
5. Concordia Wisconsin 23-27 (.460)
6. Lakeland 21-30 (.412)
7. Rockford 5-45 (.100)
8. Maranatha 4-46 (.080)

Conference Record

1. Concordia Chicago 26-9 (.743)
T-2. Benedictine 22-13 (.628)
T-2. Concordia Wisconsin 22-13 (.628)
4. Wisconsin Lutheran 21-14 (.600)
T-5. Aurora 20-15 (.571)
T-5. Lakeland 20-15 (.571)
7. Rockford 4-31 (.114)
8. Maranatha 2-33 (.057)

Out of Conference Records

1. Concordia Chicago 11-5 (.688)
2. Aurora 8-8 (.500)
3. Benedictine 8-9 (.471)
4. Wisconsin Lutheran 7-8 (.467)
5. Maranatha 2-13 (.133)
T-6. Concordia Wisconsin 1-14 (.067)
T-6. Rockford 1-14 (.067)
8. Lakeland 1-15 (.063)

Probably the most improved team over the last five years is Concordia Chicago. Before the Nath-Con came to be they were struggling just to win one or two games a season. Now under Coach Priess that program is now one of the perennial contenders in the conference. The next best improved team is Wisconsin Lutheran. Their stay in the MIAA was not pretty (9-41 during their membership in the conference). Coach Miller has that program taking the next step to winning a conference title.

All-time NAthCon in-conference records:   As just noted above, 2 thru 6 are separated by only 2 wins.

Other related data:

Year:                           Playoff rep:                        Non-conf. record*

2008                             Aurora                                   2-1
2009                             Lakeland                                0-3
2010                             Benedictine                            1-2
2011                             Benedictine                            1-2
2012                             CUC                                      3-0

(* --excluding 1st round NCAA playoff losses).

(Side note:  Last weekend of '09 season, if looked on paper as if CUC had the best shot at the bid, needing only a win vs. Benedictine. The Cougars lost to the Eagles by a point while Lakeland shut out Aurora to get the bid and finish on top in a tight race to the finish that year).

[RFMichigan]

Concordia-Chicago's Lonnie Pries has resigned per the CUC's website to "pursue other opportunities".

I would like to be the first on this site to thank Coach Pries for everything he has done for the Concordia community and his players. He is certainly going to be missed and difficult to replace.

Cougar fans, you may now COMMENCE PANIC.

[WLCALUM83]

Concordia-Chicago's Lonnie Pries has resigned per the CUC's website to "pursue other opportunities".

I would like to be the first on this site to thank Coach Pries for everything he has done for the Concordia community and his players. He is certainly going to be missed and difficult to replace.

Cougar fans, you may now COMMENCE PANIC.

There is  NAthCon's gridiiron equivalent of the news on Bielema leaving the Badgers   

Regardless of who takes over for Pries, the CUC/WLC rivalry will remain interesting. The Cougars had had the Warriors' number the last couple of meetings.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Anyone word on where Pries is going? Seems like an odd time to bow out, but leaving on top as they say, might not be a bad move.

[WLCALUM83]

Haven't heard anything yet.  (Went back to the last time CUC played Adrian, sounds like the Cougars gave your Bulldogs all they could handle in a tight one, eh?)

[lem4094]

Anyone word on where Pries is going? Seems like an odd time to bow out, but leaving on top as they say, might not be a bad move.

Pries has accepted the AD and HC football position at Concordia-Ann Arbor.  I believe they are NAIA.  Regardless, I thank him for what he did and wish him the best in his new positions.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Anyone word on where Pries is going? Seems like an odd time to bow out, but leaving on top as they say, might not be a bad move.

Pries has accepted the AD and HC football position at Concordia-Ann Arbor.  I believe they are NAIA.  Regardless, I thank him for what he did and wish him the best in his new positions.

Yeah, just go the scoop on that myself. They are a new NAIA program only around for a few years and have had little success so far. Best of luck there, NAIA scholarships, shaping a program and being AD had to be the allure.

[RFMichigan]

I'm in shock.

The thought that he would go to CUAA crossed my mind for about 10 seconds. Then I thought to myself that that would be like taking a helicopter to get to the Titanic.

Two thoughts: 1) If Coach Pries can get that program in Ann Arbor turned around, they should just hire him at Eastern Michigan or Colorado or some other dumpster fire.

2) If there is anyone who can turn a program around, it's Lonnie Pries.

Third (late) thought: (Conspiracy Theory) CUAA is now controlled by . . . Concordia-Wisconsin. This is nothing more than a plot to get Pries out of the NAC so that CUW can attempt to climb back to the top of the conference! What an evil, brilliant plan!  . . . sort of.

[Captain_Joe08]

I'm in shock.

The thought that he would go to CUAA crossed my mind for about 10 seconds. Then I thought to myself that that would be like taking a helicopter to get to the Titanic.

Two thoughts: 1) If Coach Pries can get that program in Ann Arbor turned around, they should just hire him at Eastern Michigan or Colorado or some other dumpster fire.

2) If there is anyone who can turn a program around, it's Lonnie Pries.

Third (late) thought: (Conspiracy Theory) CUAA is now controlled by . . . Concordia-Wisconsin. This is nothing more than a plot to get Pries out of the NAC so that CUW can attempt to climb back to the top of the conference! What an evil, brilliant plan!  . . . sort of.

LOL! 

WLC won't let that happen on their watch (especially in Women's Basketball!  )