FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

frank:
Is that good?!!

[wabndy]

From the looks of it - I seriously doubt the college invited the Glee Club out to give Mummert a warm sendoff.  Nor am I expecting any piece of campus to be named in his honor. 

Why the devil would Bambrey replace someone who was at the beginning of the week his subordinate?  Is this a demotion, voluntary career change for Bambrey, or has he been dispatched to fix something?

So what's the scoop from those LGs "closer to the situation?"

http://www.wabash.edu/news/displaystory.cfm?news_ID=5909

[LGHistorian]

In an interview in the The Paper of Montgomery County Tom Bambrey said his apppointment came quicker than anyone expected including himself.

I do not have any inside info but there is no indication this is an "interim" assignment. I would have to think that Wabash is wanting a different approach, perspective, direction or all of the above for the athletic department.

Wabash's previous AD was easy going and seemed to be one that didn't set up a lot of rules, restrictions and such. The early stories coming out of Wabash after Mummert was hired was that he caused a little turmoil with his new policies and requirements of the coaches. I am not saying this had anything to do with what's going on today, just giving you a little background into the last time Wabash changed athletic directors.

We will see.

[BashBacker#16]

No real insight here other then I think its a critical time for the Wabash Athletic department with new coaches (including Coach Raeburn in football) along with Coach Johnson - Track (retired) and Coach Petty - Basketball (retiring soon), etc.  Then, throw in the massive athletics facilities upgrade...which starts this Summer.

Bash recruiting class sounds like it will be in the mid 40's and definitely some quality talent.  Kudos to the staff in making serious progress given the circumstances with CC leaving...  I think we have 5 Indiana All Stars, the stud QB from Texas, the OL from Springfield, OH, a RB from Ft. Wayne...those are probably the highlights.

Last, congrats to Adi Pynenberg for "cleaning up" at Wabash graduation - Frank H. Sparks Award - for All Around Student Achievement.  100% class act on and off the field!  Who will wear #40 next year?

[bashbrother]

Brings up the question;  Has Wabash ever retired a jersey for any sport?

Adi was incredible from the day he set foot in C-Ville.

16 - Thanks for the recruiting insight.   August isn't that far away.

[wab64]

   Last weekend was a memorable day for STUDENT-athletes. Adi Pynenberg, in addition to 3 All-American mentions, defensive player of the week/year, all-conference, all-region, and the Sparks award, received his degree, cum laude. Brian Hilts and Justin Sparks- no strangers to all-conference and all-region awards- also graduated cum laude. Andy Deig, the unsung linebacker, was MAGNA cum laude! Quite a memorable performance, off the field, by these four gentlemen.

     I do think #40 should be retired. Adi should dye his hair, grow it long, be issued a new number and identity, and play for 4 more years

[gobash83]

I am not completely sure, but I believe Pete Metzelaars basketball jersey may be retired.  I don't know about any other ones, though.

While I appreciate the sentiment behind the notion of retiring jerseys, I would prefer that we keep the numbers active and keep a living history of the players who wore that jersey.  It is my understanding that is how Notre Dame does it.  There is something to be said for a receiver with the Wabash 1 jersey and, now, a linebacker with the Wabash 40 jersey to share in the history of their predecessors.

[LGHistorian]

Bashbrother-

  Metzelaars basketball jersey #10 was retired at basketball banquet immediately following the National Championship season and hangs inside of Chadwick Court.
  A possible, although unlikely, reason his football number was not retired was because someone stole his home #88 jersey his senior season so Pete wore #88 on the road and #99 at home.

[wabashcpa]

3) the swamp where Chester Marcol used to kick his FG's and extra points into at the one end of the field

You just had to bring up Chester Marcol, didn't you?  I can still see that S.O.B. catching his own blocked kick and running it in for a TD to beat the Bears.  The Bears got a little payback later that season with a narrow 61-7 escape.  But that's a name that will forever live in Bears infamy.

[wabashcpa]

Who will wear #40 next year?

My vote would be nobody.

[wab64]

3) the swamp where Chester Marcol used to kick his FG's and extra points into at the one end of the field

You just had to bring up Chester Marcol, didn't you?  I can still see that S.O.B. catching his own blocked kick and running it in for a TD to beat the Bears.  The Bears got a little payback later that season with a narrow 61-7 escape.  But that's a name that will forever live in Bears infamy.

        I second your chagrin, CPA. It was a monstrosity!!! Forced to live among Packer backers my entire working life, I truly enjoyed the 61-7 game. The best part was watching the Bart Starr show on local TV Monday night, listening to him talk about the "effort". I spent the week shouting "Suck it up-Packerbackers". High point of life among the gloomy shade of the Northern pines.

[bashbrother]

I like the way the #1 is held to a higher standard and those that are chosen to wear it know the responsibility.

But, I would be in favor of putting the #40 on the wall for at least a year.   Then bring it back the following year or when the right player develops.   Doing this, would establish the #40 on defense in the same light as the #1 on offense.

[bash06]

I agree that jersey numbers should be earned not retired. I believe it adds more to the tradition and the lore of players past and benchmarks for the players in the future to reach and pass

[Mr. Ypsi]

If Metzalaar's (football, at least) number has not been retired, how could any number be justified for retirement?

[LGHistorian]

I attended that banquet where the basketball team was honored and Metzelaars' number was retired.  I must admit that although it did cross my mind that it might be something really special for Pete's number to be retired I then thought there have been other great teams in Wabash's past. The 1982 National Championship team was proclaimed Wabash's "Fifth Wonder Five" so there were four other basketball teams that accomplished great things.  And there have been other great athletes at Wabash that played 3 or 4 sports like Pete Thorn who earned 16 letters in 4 sports. Metzelaars only played 2. So, it was still somewhat surprising to me that they did actually retire #10.

Believe me I was happy it happened but I am not sure it should become a new honor for a Little Giant athlete.  This is what the Wabash Athletic Hall of Fame is for and Adi Pynenberg will surely be in there faster than you can say "Wabash Always Fights!" when he becomes eligible.