FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

I hope there will be 10,000-13,000 in Wisconsin.

Personally, I think that would be great, and the Perk can hold that many...realistically, I don't think so.  Even with UW-La Crosse (which is only 3 hours away) in town, the most they ever got was just under 10,000 last year on a mild fall afternoon.  Wabash would have to really travel well to approach that.  I'm thinking 6,000 would be more likely this week (that's if the weather holds out).  Good luck to those traveling to Wisconsin.

[BashBacker#16]

Some post game comments after a great weekend.

- I thought the Wabash fans traveled well (long drive) and it was actually a lot of fun in the stands.  I thought they were in to the game and at times pretty loud.
- the group of fans hanging over the rail were pretty darn funny all day long - "Johnny Law" (the Case Security dude) was just itching for a reason to whip out his gun and start firing rounds...  He was just as entertaining.
- It was and is an excellent facility but odd lay out with the parking garage (which the top level was closed!) and the dorms surrounding the field.
- I thought Bash came out and set the tone early.  Case's first firstdown didn't come until the 2nd Q which was key.
- Luckily the Bash D line came to play and had Whalen running for his life all day long.  The 4th & 25 conversion was just an unbelievable play by him.  I thought the D got after it all day long which was great to see.
- Singfield dropped a for sure 6 points on that INT but it great to see some Frosh seeing the field and gaining valuable playoff experience
- The Bash WR Corps is just rock solid.  How about Russell's TD catch (see Bash website) - going up to get it, Graham was steady as usual, Liska was a nice target and ran hard after the catch, and how HUGE was Banach's catch & run in the 4th!!!  Bart Banach has really stepped up for a solid senior year.
- I like the kicking chores with Finley punting, Oehler handling FGs and PATs, and Whitehead kicking off.
- a guy that we typically do not mention a lot (not sure why) but is playing very well now is Free Safety Chad Peterman.  He is playing very physical and now has 6 INTs to lead the secondary.
- How crazy is the Matt Hudson story?  You can't give him enough kudos for what he's done stepping in for Dustin Huff this season.
- Not sure on the RB rotation but it certainly looked like Evan was dinged, in fact, he came off and signaled for CP.  I assumed that's why he didn't get as many touches.  I am very glad it wasn't anything serious and he came back strong.  I do like the quarter rotations and would think CC would stay with one if they were hot.  Sobecki has really run strong the last 2 weeks - he had some bruising runs Saturday bouncing off guys for good yards.

So, with 24 seconds to play in Game 1 vs. Franklin on September 8, up 35-33, seeing D Huff being carted off the field, would anyone have guessed we would be making travel arrangements to Whitewater, WI for the Elite 8???  I'll take it.  Credit CC, his staff, the Senior leadership, and this '07 team...

Kind of a funny story that comes to mind considering Bash will be facing All American Running Back Justin Beaver this weekend...  When my son was about 2 or 3 years old, my wife and I thought we'd spend the day at the Indianapolis Childrens Museum.  We noticed that the IMAX theater was showing a film/documentary on Beavers -  ("The Biggest Dam Movie You Ever Saw").  We thought he'd enjoy it.  We actually thought it was pretty cool until he started getting scared during the underwater scenes and the darkness.  Soon, he was in tears, trying to bury his head behind me, squirming in fear, trying everything to hide his eyes...and kept saying..."NO MORE BEAVERS, NO MORE BEAVERS!!!"  9 years later, this Saturday, he'll be in Whitewater WI watching the NCAA Quarterfinals between Wabash & Wisc-Whitewater...I just hope it won't be the same reaction 

[scotty]

Some post game comments after a great weekend.


- Not sure on the RB rotation but it certainly looked like Evan was dinged, in fact, he came off and signaled for CP.  I assumed that's why he didn't get as many touches.  I am very glad it wasn't anything serious and he came back strong.  I do like the quarter rotations and would think CC would stay with one if they were hot.  Sobecki has really run strong the last 2 weeks - he had some bruising runs Saturday bouncing off guys for good yards.

Oh really. Good luck this Saturday. Hope it isn't the "PC/CP" thing to do.

[bashbrother]

I checked out the photo album from the UWW / NCC game and it looks like the field up at Whitewater has a nice bank of visitor stands right behind the visitor bench.  Very cool.  I also saw that the stated attendance for the game was under 3000.   Hopefully that was because of the holiday.  A stadium that large and an Elite 8 Playoff  game deserves a big crowd.  I know the Wabash faithful will show up in a big way next week.  Being just about a hour from the West side of Chicago can only help.

[Li'l Giant]

Kind of a funny story that comes to mind considering Bash will be facing All American Running Back Justin Beaver this weekend...  When my son was about 2 or 3 years old, my wife and I thought we'd spend the day at the Indianapolis Childrens Museum.  We noticed that the IMAX theater was showing a film/documentary on Beavers -  ("The Biggest Dam Movie You Ever Saw").  We thought he'd enjoy it.  We actually thought it was pretty cool until he started getting scared during the underwater scenes and the darkness.  Soon, he was in tears, trying to bury his head behind me, squirming in fear, trying everything to hide his eyes...and kept saying..."NO MORE BEAVERS, NO MORE BEAVERS!!!"  9 years later, this Saturday, he'll be in Whitewater WI watching the NCAA Quarterfinals between Wabash & Wisc-Whitewater...I just hope it won't be the same reaction 

I'm sure he'd be thrilled to hear you sharing this story. 

[BoBo]

I checked out the photo album from the UWW / NCC game and it looks like the field up at Whitewater has a nice bank of visitor stands right behind the visitor bench.  Very cool.  I also saw that the stated attendance for the game was under 3000.   Hopefully that was because of the holiday.  A stadium that large and an Elite 8 Playoff  game deserves a big crowd.  I know the Wabash faithful will show up in a big way next week.  Being just about a hour from the West side of Chicago can only help.

bashbrother, there is plenty of visitor seating behind the visitor bench. As I mentioned previously, UW-La Crosse in the WIAC, and additionally St. Johns are two of the better traveling teams in the area.  They nearly fill the visitor side when they play at the Perk.  The attendance last sat was held down because of Thanksgiving.  UWW, otherwise known as Suitcase U, clears out on weekends (it's very close to the large population centers of Madison, Milwaukee and about 90 miles from Chicago), but more so during the holiday because the Resident Halls close. This weeks game should pick up due to the students being around campus.  But, most of the NCAA games have lower attendance than the regular season due to the fact that students have to purchase tickets during the playoffs.  They get in free, with a student id during the season.  A couple sponsors have purchased 1000 tickets for this game to give away to students, so hopefully a better than average turnout will result.  Plenty of room for tailgating, too, next to the stadium.  Hope you have a good experience.

[bashbrother]

Thanks BoBo......  Is there one big parking lot? or a couple.  What time do they usually allow people to set-up?   Does campus security allow a decent tailgate to take place?    Gotta stay warm some how.

[wally_wabash]

Are you making it up this weekend bashbro?

[bashbrother]

Yes....

Need to find some winter close.  It's 76 degrees down here in Florida right now.  Whiskey can only do so much. 

Flying into Chicago on Friday afternoon and driving up.

[BoBo]

Thanks BoBo......  Is there one big parking lot? or a couple.  What time do they usually allow people to set-up?   Does campus security allow a decent tailgate to take place?    Gotta stay warm some how.

I guess you only have to worry about the cold weather coming from Florida. There are multiple parking lots, but one large parking lot just south of the stadium should fit your requirements.  I don't know if tailgating was born in Wisconsin, but they think they have perfected it - I don't think you'll have any trouble setting up a decent tailgate. You'll have many neighbors on gameday.

[BashBacker#16]

BashBro,

Great to hear on your travel plans.  I assume you'll have a wingman or two?  I hope so.

BoBo - any suggestions on hotels and/or good restaurants/pubs for Friday night?  Should we stay in Whitewater or surrounding?  Is FatJack's a fun place?  Any help would be great.  Thanks.

[BoBo]

Since I'm not currently a WW local, I will put out word on the WIAC board for someone who is...they will be able to hook you up with the details.

[smedindy]

Unfortunately, I have client review this Saturday and I can't make it. Alas...

[Li'l Giant]

Smed, you going to be able to check the board? I'm going to be sending text message updates to other absent Wallies. If you need updates let me know.

[UWWFan]

Since I'm not currently a WW local, I will put out word on the WIAC board for someone who is...they will be able to hook you up with the details.

Saw this one on the WIAC board and figured that I could chime in since I am a student.

For hotels there is the Super 8 on the east side of town and and Americinn on the west side. Unfortunately, neither are real close to the stadium but it's a realatively small town too. As for bars, the Mad Boar is pretty good, it's downtown off of Center St, a couple businesses down from that big mural (once you get there you will see it). As far as FatJacks I admit that not many students, including myself, go there so I can't give a fair assesment there.

For food, we don't have a wide selection, Novak's off of Main St. is our traditional family restraunt. Randy's by the Super 8 is pretty good, it has a bar too, I think, I've only been there once and it seemed a bit ritzy. Ummmm otherwise Janesville is about 20-25 minutes away and they are a much bigger city with restraunts of all sizes Famous Dave's (BBQ) and Fudrucker's (1/3 -1 pound burgers) are pretty good there and there is even a Chuck E. Cheese. If you're in the hotel looking for good Pizza Rosa's is the way to go, they also have a pretty darn good selection of other foods but they are delivery only but I highly recomend ordering from there.

I'll check back in in a couple of days if you have any more questions I'd be more than happy to help ya'll out.

Almost forgot you may want to check out the Duck Inn, it's about five minutes south of Whitewater on Hwy 89.

Sorry about the spelling, I am a secondary ed. major, so I really don't have to worry about it.