FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[sigma one]

Mr. Ypsi:  you know, it's curious that I hear of and watch more and more division III players trying to stay on their campus or close by during the summer so that they can use the weight facilities and be together to work out, to throw and catch, etc.  Not all, but it seems like more than just a few years ago.  There was just something recently about Wittenberg players remaining on campus and going 7 v. 7 v. Mt. Union.   
     I do know that there are more summer jobs on campuses and student-athletes try to get them.  Or they try to find jobs nearby. 
    A while back, I noted on the Board about the trickle down from the "big boys."  This staying around is one more indication of how ultra-seriously players take the game.  Makes for better play in the fall.  But,, as with specializing at earlier ages and the pressure from coaches to concentrate on one sport, I 'm not sure . . .I do love to see the results on the field though.  Maybe it's all of us, along with some coaches, parents, and society as a whole, who are partly at fault as we exert fanthusiasm. 
     The horse left the barn in D III a long time ago. 

[wally_wabash]

Weren't these practice limits part of a response to a rash of well-publicized heat related medical emergencies maybe 10-12 years ago?  I think that may have been the start of the big push that we've had on player safety. I think the next step is. and the PAC-12 is already doing this independent of the NCAA's rules, to limit contact in practice and reduce the number of cumulative hits players absorb.

Mostly, I think we've moved past the run 'em 'til they drop, junction boys kind of mentality when it comes to this game. You can be tough and prepared without mandated suffering.

[bashbrother]

Mostly, I think we've moved past the run 'em 'til they drop, junction boys kind of mentality when it comes to this game. You can be tough and prepared without mandated suffering.

Being a product of this suffering at Terre Haute North in the 80's,  Coach Kennedy did turn many of us into Men with his "Work Camp" mentality... I actually thank him for it today.   Those were different times.  These days with player safety and the demand on student athletes in the classroom being at a premium.. it is different. 

[sigma one]

With the focus on one-sport participation, are any of us doubtful about player preparation these days?  They seem to be motivated and in shape.  I don't know how to compare eras when it comes to conditioning, I do know we have learned a ton about how to condition athletes.  Remember the days of no water on the practice field (except for the coaches).  Over the weekend, though, I read an article about  knee and other injuries where some docs think that early specialization helps contribute to repetitive injuries because many kids no longer play multiple sports and so are not using their muscles in the variety of ways that different sports demand.  I don't know what to make of that.  I've also heard that living most of their lives in air conditioning (including in locker rooms) makes players more likely to experience a heat-related problem when they put on pads and go out into 90+ degree heat for several hours..  I don't knw what to make of that either. 

[bashbrother]

One can also add the "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" dynamic into this discussion.   This can be somewhat countered by the fact that safety equipment has advanced greatly as well over time.   The concept of "specialization" contributing to increased repetitive injuries is an interesting one. 

[wally_wabash]

Journalism on who DePauw's starting quarterback might be. 

If you're short on time and want a quick summary here you go....they don't know yet. 

[BashDad]

So much ugly.

[smedindy]

Frankly, some of the old techniques are long gone, for good. Because they didn't record the issues - who knows how many long term injuries and brain-related affectations occurred because of dehydration and concussions?

I do think we over-specialize our youth. I played every sport in season - not very well mind you - but I gave it my all. I also swam at the neighborhood pool and played a mean game of kick-the-can. I'd never think to play football in June - that was baseball season. Hoops was winter unless I went to the summer camp Paul Curtis put on at C'ville.

As to practice and class dates - what happens if a college is on the quarters system? Our fall quarter doesn't begin until late September.

[smedindy]

"Murray will serve as a resident adviser this year, so he's missed practice time with training...'

Only in D-3, folks. Student-athletes fully participating in the life of the institution. Think Johnny Manziel is going to be an RA at aTm?

[ExTartanPlayer]

Mr. Ypsi:  you know, it's curious that I hear of and watch more and more division III players trying to stay on their campus or close by during the summer so that they can use the weight facilities and be together to work out, to throw and catch, etc.  Not all, but it seems like more than just a few years ago.

I also have mixed feelings about this.  Pros and cons on both sides.

I lived on campus the summer before my senior year.  About two dozen of my teammates (mostly upperclassmen) had stuck around for the whole summer and I'll say that we had absolutely outstanding workouts together; the varsity weight room was open from 6-8 PM on weekdays, so we all got home from our summer jobs, got a bite to eat, headed to the gym, and got after it for two hours: lifting, plyometrics, some skill work. I was always a dedicated lifter in the offseason, but I'm sure that being around my teammates inspired me to take it up a notch and work harder on some of the "extras" (plyometrics and skill work) that I may not have done otherwise.  No doubt about it: I was in the best football-playing shape of my life after spending that summer, and I'm sure my classmates felt the same.  So strictly from a football-preparation standpoint, there's a big benefit to having some core upperclassmen stay around and work out together all summer.

On the other hand: I would hate for kids to give up a plum internship, or miss out on a great study-abroad experience, or something else of that ilk solely to live on campus to be better prepared for football season.  It worked out for me (and the others in the group described above) because most of us found quality summer jobs that worked to benefit our career as well, but several guys took a great chance to work on Wall Street or in Chicago or in Washington DC for the summer and ultimately launched great careers in their chosen fields as a result.  The problem comes if a kid passes up a great career/life opportunity to be a campus weight-room monitor for the summer just for the sake of "being around" when he could have done something more productive for his "life."

[wally_wabash]

As to practice and class dates - what happens if a college is on the quarters system? Our fall quarter doesn't begin until late September.

Ok, so here it is from the D3 manual:

17.9.2.1 First Practice Date. A member institution shall not commence official preseason football practice sessions for the varsity, junior varsity or freshman team before the date that will permit a maximum of 25 practice opportunities (see Bylaw 17.9.2.1.1) before its first scheduled intercollegiate game or before the Friday before Labor Day if the institution's first contest (game) is scheduled for the Thursday before Labor Day. (Revised: 1/10/89, 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, 1/12/04, 1/9/06 effective 8/1/06)

17.9.2.1.1 Practice Opportunities—Football. In football only, to establish the starting date for preseason practice, the institution shall count one practice opportunity for each day beginning with the opening day of classes and one practice opportunity for each day classes are not in session in the week of the first scheduled intercollegiate contest (see Bylaw 17.9.3). Next, the institution shall count practice opportunities on an alternating basis in a two-one-two-one format (i.e., the first of the remaining days is counted as two, the next day is counted as one, the next as two, etc.) up to and including the 20th opportunity. Finally, the institution shall count one practice opportunity for each of the five days before the day of the 20th opportunity. The institution shall not count any days during the preseason when all institutional dormitories are closed, the institution's team must leave campus and practice is not conducted. (Adopted: 1/12/04)

I feel like there's probably an easier way to explain that, but I think the basic idea is that you get to start no sooner than you can cram in 25 sessions given that:
- no two-a-days during the first five days of the practice season
- no two-a-days once classes start
- no two-a-days on consecutive days

Your coach needs to be a math major to figure out when you can start practicing.  Wabash has that part  covered. 

The language for Division II is a little cleaner...you can't start practicing until 21 days before your first game or seven days before classes start, whichever is earlier. 

[Bishopleftiesdad]

OWU announce their Recruiting class.

http://www.battlingbishops.com/news/2013/8/13/FB_08132013.aspx?path=football

It is interesting that they did it on video but I would have also liked a text list. It is harder to look the players up when you have to keep pausing the list.
I believe I counted 4 QB's and a WR transfer from Kent state.

[bashbrother]

OWU seems to have between 50 - 60 recruits coming in (Rough count of the scroll) which is a very strong class.   Still cannot get over how small Wooster's incoming class was.   The Bishop program is buzzing right now.  Glad to see it.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Count is 65. Breaks down like this:
   Offense      Defense
QB   7                   LB   13
OL   12                 DL   7
WR   12                DB   9
RB   4      
TE   1      
Total   36                    29

Not surprised with the number of QB's with Mason being a senior.

You can see the whole list here:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1OZ2Cm11CDANzhOa2w5NnpGUGc/edit?usp=sharing

There are several transfers as well:
Miami -2
Mount Union - 1
Kent state - 1

By state
CA-5
FL - 4
KY - 1
MI - 1
CT - 1
PA - 1
NY - 1
NJ - 1
MO - 1
WA - 1

[Dr. Acula]

That's great to see such a big class for OWU.  The transfer from Mount, Aaron Viscounte, is a local kid from N. Canton.  He was a very nice player in HS and he's a strong kid.  Hopefully he can help them on the DL.

I noticed one of the QB's is Dominick Orsini from Hoban.  He's a dual threat guy.  He's good sized at 6'3" 195, but he can really run.