FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[d3fan1515]

I agree, I would hate to see tuition get to the 50K range, I think that would spell bad news for a lot of small schools!

[NCF]

I agree, I would hate to see tuition get to the 50K range, I think that would spell bad news for a lot of small schools!

That might signal the end of the four year university as we now know it.

[d3fan1515]

Clutch, has the locker room renovation began yet? Or are they thinking more late April?

[d3fan1515]

Im sure each team is in the middle of spring ball right now, how is each team doing? I have yet to get to a BU practice, but i am determined to get out there sometime before spring ball is over! Any updates?

[d3fan1515]

I will answer my own question... The locker room renovation at BU has begun!

[hickory_cornhusker]

Maranatha will be playing their last NAthCon season in 2012 as they will be leaving the conference in all sports during the summer of 2013.

http://northernac.org/releases/20120517mbbcw

They will remain a Division III member.

[WLCALUM83]

Maranatha will be playing their last NAthCon season in 2012 as they will be leaving the conference in all sports during the summer of 2013.

http://northernac.org/releases/20120517mbbcw

They will remain a Division III member.

I guess they figured it was best to "pull back" a little. The school turned down an opportunity to join the NAthCon/MIAA challenge in football-- the Crusaders weren't that strong in football.

Their strongest sport the last few years has been women's volleyball, (which has made the NAthCon post season tournament the last couple of years and even got an in-tournament upset or two now and then.) Their women's hoops squad improved its' in-conference record quite a bit last season--

It'll be interesting to see how many (if any) current in-conference rivals Maranatha keeps scheduling after next year   (as has been previously noted, most of their more consistent success has been in the NCCAA.)

[d3fan1515]

I wonder if the conference will try and add another school???

[WLCALUM83]

I wonder if the conference will try and add another school???

Depends on how badly the conference needed to. (I don't think it's necessary to maintain bids for NCAA tournament eligibilty -- Pat's in a position to speak to that specifically).

Cardinal Stritch and Mt. Mary could be possibilities (both in the Milwaukee area) from a geographical standpoint.

(11 schools on the men's side after next year-)

[hickory_cornhusker]

I wonder if the conference will try and add another school???

Depends on how badly the conference needed to. (I don't think it's necessary to maintain bids for NCAA tournament eligibilty -- Pat's in a position to speak to that specifically).

Cardinal Stritch and Mt. Mary could be possibilities (both in the Milwaukee area) from a geographical standpoint.

(11 schools on the men's side after next year-)

I think if the NAthCon wanted to expand it would be a school with football to help bolster the football numbers since they are at the minimum for having an AQ right now. Mt. Mary is a women's college so they are no help. Cardinal Stritch hasn't even talked about adding football (they have no outdoor fields, baseball plays at their home games at Waukesha Tech, almost 30 minutes away) so they are no help in the short term.

[old 40]

Just a thought but I think the NAC'S only hope for a new team is to have one of the current co-ed schools step up and start football. Dominican would be great as they are very competitive in other sports and located near CUC. What a rival game that would be. The only other likely choice would be Marian. I don't think MSOE would do it as they are a city school with not much room for growth. I hope someone steps up. Any other thoughts from the NAC folks.

In news on the recruiting front from your schools. I hear AU has had a boatload of recruits on campus and they think their new players and transfers are going to be better than last year. Maybe the coaching change will help them get back to the top.

I only got to see AU play 2 games, younest son at St. X, but I think they can be more competitive this year. I think BU, CUW, WLC and CUC fight it out for the gold. I like BU, with a load of Seniors, but I think CUW and WLC as early favorites also. CUC has the good QB but will their Defense be Great. Anyone else with thoughts

[d3fan1515]

I have heard that BU is bringing in a lot of incoming FR and transfers for this upcoming year...  Rumor has it, around 60 new players total! The only question mark for BU going into the fall is who is going to play QB??? I think there are 2 current players that are going to fight for that position this upcoming fall, but im not sure what they are bringing in at the qb position, I dont think they would start a FR, but maybe a transfer could add some more competition and depth at the QB position!  I have heard that they are focusing on OL/DL, you can never have enough quality depth at that position at this level!

As for a favorite for this fall, I think that the conference is wide open.. I could see quite a few teams in the hunt for the Conference Championship! I think this is going to be a very competitive season in the NAC with WLC, CUC and BU being my favorites going into the season.

[WLCALUM83]

2012 Schedule is up:

http://northernac.org/sports/fball/2012-13/schedule

[WLCALUM83]

News on a coaching development at Lakeland:

http://lakeland.edu/athletics/muskienews.asp?article=9196

[d3fan1515]

BU began putting new field turf down. can't wait to see the finished product!