FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[muzzman]

Old 40

AU looks strong next year may return 16 starters

[muzzman]

Congrats yo AU's Matt Meyer AP 2nd team ALL AMERICAN and D3 2nd team ALL AMERICAN!

[Wags40-LC]

Dear NAC message board,

I am John Wagner. I played for the Lakeland College Muskies this season and I am proud to say I will graduate in May from that fine institution. I want to take this time to say thank you to all who have contributed to the IBFC and this season of the NAC. I feel everything in my life has gone to plan and I want to the thank God for allowing us to have played to this great game and to grow as individuals.

I recently have been invited to the tryout for the United National Gridiron League. It hopes to be a feeder for the NFL and other professional football organizations. Former teammate MacArthur White has also been invited. I will give all my effort, energy, and desire on these days. I will represent my family, my loved ones, my town, my former coaches, players, teams, conferences, and leagues.
Positive thinking and strong beliefs have changed my world and I will continue to progress my life forward. Gratitude and respect have been vital to the development of my abilities and the person that I am. I feel although I came for a small high school and college, I still have the abilities and motivation it takes to excel.

After seeing the Whitewater and Mount Union game, I took an even firmer stance that the players/coaches in those games aren't much different as players and coaches throughout the conferences in D3 or D2 football. The reason those teams and those colleges have had such success is because they put it together. They reached their potential and continued to build, avoiding setting barriers.

What I am saying is we aren't all so different. I smashed Derek Stanley, a wide receiver from Whitewater who is getting a lot of playing time for the Rams. I tackled Justin Beaver, the 2007 Heisman of D3 football, several times in the three times we met. If my 6'2" 195lb self can rack up 397 total tackles in four years from Linebacker and do what I did, most any other player can also have success.

The key is to have dedication, desire, and respect. The work doesn't have to be hard unless it is made that way. Make the workouts an empowering experience. Each day, get better. Have a positive attitude. Make choices that will benefit your well-being. Help those close to you and appreciate them and get them to push as hard as you by giving encouragement and incite. Positively affect the ones around you.

So after my rant, I forgot my intention was to say CONGRATS to this Conference, AU, Matt Meyer and those who helped impact his life. Being an All-American is a great honor. Honestly, I would trade any personal award or recognition for team success, which AU did have this season. All-American seemed more of a goal set by others for me, I apologize for not reaching that goal.

Lakeland needs to get together. The good thing for Lakeland next year is to set a goal to improve and I feel is very attainable for the guys coming back. Not just record wise, but also for individuals to step up and take responsibility. Lakeland has so much potential and heart. In order for the team to improve is to have more commitment for the guys to "get it together", setting the ultimate goal and having each individual put their efforts towards that goal. I know AU, Concordia, and CUC will have their say but that's what's great about competition. LAKELAND HAS WHAT IT TAKES.
Thanks for reading along. I wish you all a Happy Holidays. Good Luck, best wishes, and God Bless.

John Wagner

[Wags40-LC]

Former Lakeland Wide Reciever MacArthur White was drafted yesterday by the United National Gridiron League.

http://fans.ungleague.com/article.php?article_id=4

[Wags40-LC]

UPDATE:

DAY 2 of the online draft for the United National Gridiron League

Billy Hughes-Lakeland Punter

Mike Renaud-Concordia Punter
http://fans.ungleague.com/article.php?article_id=14

John Wagner- Linebacker
http://fans.ungleague.com/article.php?article_id=15

[WLCALUM83]

Wags-props to you and all the other NAthCon draftees--nice opportunity when you can get it.

[old 40]

Long time since our board has been going. What does anyone hear about recruiting? I hear AU and CUW are burning it up and will have over 55 freshman for 2009 season. A coach from the CCIW told me he has seen Rockford all over the place. Should be another year where AU cruises but I think there will be a couple of suprises.

Two big questions. Can BU break into the top 2 or 3? Will CUC be able to get in the top 2-3 teams? Looks like CUW and Lakeland have tough non conference schedule again this year.

Anyone here about any NAC teams currently not playing football starting up?  Lets get the NAC talk going. I hope we can get some Rockford folks on it this year.

[hickory_cornhusker]

I've heard the president at Marian wants to add football. She wants to add two sports. They are adding women's hockey for next year. With the expense of another hockey team plus the field they just built for baseball and another field they would have to build for football I don't see it happening anytime soon if it would happen. However I don't know what sport they would add.

[old 40]

After reading the article on CC dropping football, which is a school that seemed to have good financial backing, dropping football and speaking with a couple of the NAC head coaches today. I think we will see more of this over the next few years. We all know that a couple of the NAC schools are struglling finacially or have struggled lately. The question is will the NAC be looking at  a team or two that will drop football? I am sure that the  NAC coaches and adminstators are looking very closely at their budgets and enrollments for next year. I would hate to see this young conference suffer a lost of a team.

I am curious what any of you think or have heard about concerns on any NAC team dropping Football. The economy is putting alot of pressure on all of our families and I think many are looking at public universities because of cost, especially room and board. I beleive our NAC schools are being crunched hard and if enrollments dip and financial packages are not as attractive  as the lower cost state collleges then we may see some programs dropped.My kids are looking at JC's for the first time instead of 4 year schools because I can't afford full boat private tuition, room and board.

I hope the pell grants continue to increase and the banking world will be able to make college loans so we can get our kids the education they need.

Curious on other parents thoughts. I hope some of you contribute your thoughts.We have to find a way to keep D3College and  football affordable so our kids have that great learning foundation to face this cruel ass world we all live in.

[oldnuthin]

After reading the article on CC dropping football, which is a school that seemed to have good financial backing, dropping football and speaking with a couple of the NAC head coaches today. I think we will see more of this over the next few years. We all know that a couple of the NAC schools are struglling finacially or have struggled lately. The question is will the NAC be looking at  a team or two that will drop football? I am sure that the  NAC coaches and adminstators are looking very closely at their budgets and enrollments for next year. I would hate to see this young conference suffer a lost of a team.

I am curious what any of you think or have heard about concerns on any NAC team dropping Football. The economy is putting alot of pressure on all of our families and I think many are looking at public universities because of cost, especially room and board. I beleive our NAC schools are being crunched hard and if enrollments dip and financial packages are not as attractive  as the lower cost state collleges then we may see some programs dropped.My kids are looking at JC's for the first time instead of 4 year schools because I can't afford full boat private tuition, room and board.

I hope the pell grants continue to increase and the banking world will be able to make college loans so we can get our kids the education they need.

Curious on other parents thoughts. I hope some of you contribute your thoughts.We have to find a way to keep D3College and  football affordable so our kids have that great learning foundation to face this cruel ass world we all live in.

The nice thing about having kids the more you have in  college, the more money the kids receive. I am hoping that the economy will turn so when they graduate, i will be able to help them repay their loans. Being unemployed also makes the university more generous with existing students.

[RFMichigan]

After reading the article on CC dropping football, which is a school that seemed to have good financial backing, dropping football and speaking with a couple of the NAC head coaches today. I think we will see more of this over the next few years. We all know that a couple of the NAC schools are struglling finacially or have struggled lately. The question is will the NAC be looking at  a team or two that will drop football? I am sure that the  NAC coaches and adminstators are looking very closely at their budgets and enrollments for next year. I would hate to see this young conference suffer a lost of a team.

I am curious what any of you think or have heard about concerns on any NAC team dropping Football. The economy is putting alot of pressure on all of our families and I think many are looking at public universities because of cost, especially room and board. I beleive our NAC schools are being crunched hard and if enrollments dip and financial packages are not as attractive  as the lower cost state collleges then we may see some programs dropped.My kids are looking at JC's for the first time instead of 4 year schools because I can't afford full boat private tuition, room and board.

I hope the pell grants continue to increase and the banking world will be able to make college loans so we can get our kids the education they need.

Curious on other parents thoughts. I hope some of you contribute your thoughts.We have to find a way to keep D3College and  football affordable so our kids have that great learning foundation to face this cruel ass world we all live in.

The nice thing about having kids the more you have in  college, the more money the kids receive. I am hoping that the economy will turn so when they graduate, i will be able to help them repay their loans. Being unemployed also makes the university more generous with existing students.

The news that Colorado College dropped football is not surprising in and of itself with the economy being what it is. Some mitigating factors in their decision to drop the sport that were mentioned in the article, however, were quite telling. I guess when you are trying to fund a dI sport (hockey) as they are and spending upwards of a million dollars to do it, your other athletic programs may well take a hit. In addition, when your closest conference rival is 600 miles away and you're flying everywhere, that is really going to add some dollars to your athletic budget. (A side note: Why are there no dIII football playing schools in the Mountain Time zone? Are all the small schools playing NAIA?)

With a child attending a NAC school, I am certainly aware of economics and the cost of attending a private college! I've recently wondered what the financial benefits or drawbacks there are of athletic programs in small schools. Do the extra 60 or so students that are attending the college to basically play football (i.e. those who wouldn't be there if it weren't for football) add or detract to the bottom line; in other words does their tuition offset the cost to operate a football team?  I've heard some things relating to small schools giving athletic money in basketball, but football is probably a whole different animal.

There has to be a formula or ratio of some type which takes all the variables and sorts it out and indicates if a program is financially feasible. (If there is a book or article out there somewhere that outlines the finances of SMALL COLLEGE athletics, I'd like to see it. )

[old 40]

Wow, long time without any action on the NAC site. I hope all is well with everyone. Looks like it is only 2 months away from reporting time.

Well what is going on around the league. I was at a HS passing league and heard alot of good things from some AU players. Sounds like they have another big time QB transferring in with a big strong class of Freshmen. AU should be the hands down leader in the league this season! Another unbeaten NAC record!

Whats going on at the other schools? Any news? I would suspect that CUW will be back this year in a big way. Based on their web site it looks like they have changed OC. Does that mean a change to a wide open offense?

I expect BU to step up big and I think CUC, WLC or Rockford will have a break out year and challenge. Any news in Lakeland or MBC (hope they get an incresae in players this year).

I hope everyone has a good summer and let us know whats going on with your teams.

[old 40]

Pat,

When will the 2009 preview be out? Every year it just gets better. Can't wait.

[old 40]

CUW's new web site looks great. I would say the best in the league. Looks like they are back. A huge recruiting class of 60, per the article on the football website and it also states they have 60 returners. That is a big squad. The Head guy came from Carthage where he was very successful and it looks like he has the touch for recruiting. They will be one of the front runners with AU this year.

I hope our NAC folks come back to the site. Anyone hearing anything?

[RFMichigan]

(I posted this on the NAC basketball board, but I'll put it here as well.)

Seeing that we're in the summer "dead period", I'll throw out a few questions.

1) Do many of the NAthCon schools put out a summer release of their incoming recruits for football? When does the info come out for most schools; when the rosters are released in the fall? Other than relying on WLCALUM83's info, (Thank you, WCLALUM83) I'd like to get some information.

2) I was talking to my brother who lives in the west suburbs of Chicago (and who knows nothing about the conference but a little about Aurora because of his close proximity to the campus and CUW because his nephew considered going there) and was mentioning the "strong" athletic schools in the NathCon. I said, although a number of schools have individual sports in which they are traditionally strong (Domincan in men's soccer, CUC in baseball, etc.), Aurora and CUW seem to be pretty good from top to bottom in all sports. His reply was that he was surprised that Aurora and CUW were even in the NAthCon; that there would be a better conference suited to their overall athletic "excellence". Hmm.
     A few thoughts came to mind. If an AU or CUW wanted to change conferences, are there any in the region that they could get into if they really wanted to? Is this a situation where they like being a big fish in a relatively smaller pond? Where do economics come in? Or would AU or CUW struggle athletically in the CCIW or Midwest Conference?
     Let's get some summer banter going!