FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[old 40]

WLCALUM83;

Thats a valid point. I think you should address the NAC WBB commissioner on that. Football got the AQ apparently because of a loop hole that the NAC football commissioner found and petitioned the NCAA and it was granted.

Personally it is good for the conference Football teams.


Pat, what have you heard? Also have you heard about any repositioning of the NAC and SLIAC from the North(NAC) to the West or South(SLIAC)? IMO they will stay in the North.

[Pat Coleman]

I haven't heard anything but this is usually the time of year such things come out.

Why football? Remember, now the conference actually exists and has existed for two years whereas the conference didn't exist before its first year of basketball.

[WLCALUM83]

How much has that loophole been used previously? (The schools need not be named.)

(I'm not bringing this up to try to cry foul, --even without the AQ, NAthCon has had men's soccer and MBB and WBB teams qualify for D3 tournament berths anywyay. I was surprised when I heard the loophole even existed--that's why I'm asking.)

[Pat Coleman]

I don't think it's even a loophole.

[hickory_cornhusker]

The rule just says that the conference has to have been in existence for 2 years. It never mentions that the conference has to have had the sport for 2 years.

[Ralph Turner]

The rule just says that the conference has to have been in existence for 2 years. It never mentions that the conference has to have had the sport for 2 years.

Precisely!

That is how the Dixie IAC (now the USA South) got its AQ in the first season that it sponsored football.

[WLCALUM83]

The rule just says that the conference has to have been in existence for 2 years. It never mentions that the conference has to have had the sport for 2 years.

Ah ha! That explains that!

[fishguy]

I spoke to someone on the email list - the NAC commissioner did confirm that the NAC will have an AQ beginning this fall. So the NAC champ will be automatically in the playoffs beginning this fall.

[old 40]

fishguy;

Any word from your sources about Lakeland's recruiting class? What is their team going to be like next year? I think they return a few defensive starters. Some AU folks think they will be OK, appanently they have alot of speed.

It's only 2 months until the fall camps begin. Any thoughts from other NAC fans?

[Warrior4life]

I suppose it is nice to get an automatic bid. However, being an 8th seed and having to play Mt or Whitewater doesn't seem like much of a reward. Personally, I would like to see D3 use a ranking system like D2  instead of an giving automatic bids. That way good teams from really good conferences would still have a chance. I just hate to see the little sisters of the poor get beat by 50 in the first round.

[hickory_cornhusker]

But that would take the equal access to the championship for every school. How do you know for sure that the NAthhCon champion won't be able to beat Mt. Union or Whitewater unless they meet on the field. By going to the ranking system it ensures more competitive first round games but you run the risk of leaving out a team from a weak conference who could actually win the national chhampionship. I'd rather have the blowouts knowing that every team had an equal chance of making it to the playoffs.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Plus, every once in a while, 'David' DOES slay 'Goliath'!

2007, round one: #8 NC Wesleyan 35, #1 W & J 34.

[Ralph Turner]

I suppose it is nice to get an automatic bid. However, being an 8th seed and having to play Mt or Whitewater doesn't seem like much of a reward. Personally, I would like to see D3 use a ranking system like D2  instead of an giving automatic bids. That way good teams from really good conferences would still have a chance. I just hate to see the little sisters of the poor get beat by 50 in the first round.

Welcome Warrior!

D-III has been there and done that!

In 1998, the last year of the old system, there were five undefeated teams in the South and a 6th, Hardin-Simmons, had one loss to D-II Midwestern State TX.  Two worthy teams stayed home including HSU.

The access is the key.  Win your conference.  You get in.  If you are one of the best four teams in that part of the country, then you will get to have a home game, unless you are in Texas in which case the NCAA will pair those two teams in the first round. Please read the history of the Texas sub-bracket.

[old 40]

Warrior4life;

IMO the play off bid is the reward for winning the conference. D3 does not have the plethera of bowls that exist in D1. Conference champions may come from so-called weak conferences but they were not weak in their own conference. The D3 reward is a big deal for the D3 player no matter where they are from, IMO. It is a chance to experience a top shelf experience, something like a bowl game. IMO a conference champ wants to play the best from a competitive point. Remember if you are going anywhere you will have to face the top teams, so a first round meeting is OK IMO. I would not favor another plan than the one that exist today. I do realize that it should be tweaked to make sure some independent teams or some strong conference runner ups are included.

A while back Aurora was a 7 seed and had to play a 2 seed Wooster and it was a Great game. Aurora took the challenge as to be a Champ you have to play the best. The point is not all the so-called sisters of the poor get waxed in the first round.

I think if you look at CUW and Lakeland's schedule the last couple of years they are playing VERY difficult non-conference games to prep for the playoffs. IMO, they want a shot at the best teams.

On another note about the AQ. Many teams use this as a recruiting tool especially when they are recruiting a kid who is looking at a school that does not have a AQ. It happens more often that you would beleive,IMO.

[Warrior4life]

Well I guess if thats what it takes to stir the pot around here I will continue to express my opinion.  Believe me when I tell you, I don't need a history lesson when it comes to D3 football. I know there have been great games in the early rounds. I know that everyone who plays wants to compete against the best.
Since you mention it, lets look at Lakeland. Probably the best team in the NAC. However, in the past 3 years they have lost to Whitewater 3 times and have been outscored 189-33. I understand that is against one of the best teams in the country. Then again they have not been able to beat Carthage in that 3 year span either. So if this is the best team in the NAC ,  what does that say about the rest of the league.
So I don't believe that the NAC should recieve a AQ. A team like Stevens Point, who would destroy any team from the NAC, might not get in get in because they play in an elite conference. How is it fair to those kids? Should they go play for weaker teams because they might have a better shot at the playoffs?
Anyway thats my opinion and you can like or not like it.

MAN THIS IS FUN, you guys are great.