FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

To my knowledge, none of the NCAC schools are cheap.  Just for fun, I'm going to look up current tuition/fees for the top half of the NCAC (sorry, Kenyon):

OWU - $35,830
Witt - $34,596
Wabash - $32,116
Wooster - $35,500
Allegheny - $35,300

It's all pretty comparable.  Wabash is a little lower, but not substantially so IMO...and Wabash isn't really competing directly with OWU for football recruits anyway.  There could be a significant change to the actual cost of attending each institution based on how each school doles out aid (I know Wabash is outstanding with financial aid...never could have attended if they weren't).  If OWU is particularly stingy with aid and the out-of-pocket cost of attending OWU is subsequently much higher than the other schools in the area, it could make a difference.  

[formerd3db]

smeds:
That is true.  However, for many of people (although obviously not all), the aid that they qualify for is very minimal.  I'm sure you are well aware of this, yet just because a school gives out a high overall % of aid does not equate to a large amount for everyone (however, every little bit doesn help, so I don't mean to bash that aspect).  For players from Michigan, why should a prospective recruit go to an Ohio school (like OWU) when they can go to Hope, Albion or Alma for example for $10,000 less per year and get at least the same quality education at those schools that they could get in Ohio? (unless, of course, there is some particular program or other tie to an Ohio school that person desire and/or has).  Besides, at least for now, they can also have a better chance on playing for a winning team in those MI schools and having a chance at participating in the playoffs as compared to OWU.  

[formerd3db]

Thanks for the current update info Wally.  It thus appears that Hope, Albion, et al are catching up somewhat with the those schools as far as increased tuition (just 3 years ago when we were looking for our daughter, it was indeed a $10,000 difference).  Hope will be just over $30,000 next year (Albion and Kazoo are slightly higher as I recall without checking right now); Alma traditionally has been next with the remaining MIAA schools down the price list a bit.  Cost are, however, continuing to increase every year as we all know (aid not necessarily so).

[smedindy]

Of course not, but at least here we give all of the aid a person is qualified for. I really don't think OWU is recruiting in Michigan, as there are a plethora of players in Ohio that are available. So OWU is competing with Wooster and Witt for players and they all cost the same.

I'm sure they're also competing with OAC schools, and I don't want to throw out the academic card, but I think the student who is seriously considering and can thrive at OWU may not be looking at Mt. Union, per se.

Here at Wabash, we recruit in Texas and Arizona pretty heavily, because they're basically untapped for D-3 schools like Wabash, and we do try to hit Cincy and Chicago heavily.

It seems to me that the NCAC teams with the most out of state players are schools like Kenyon, Denison and Oberlin. Just an observation.

[oldguy]

I agree with SmedIndy,

I don't think money has anything to do with it.  OWU is in a great recruiting area with a large pool of talent.  Also, they continually have solid defenses, but poor offenses.  This tells me that quality defensive recruits are attending OWU more than quality offensive recruits.  Personally, I don't blame them. 

I think the proof is in the pudding.

[aueagle]

I can always rely on the Men of Wabash for strong feedback-I don't have to like it, but I do respect it. Hey, I don't like the Wing, but I gotta live with it. As Wally said: "It's the scheme." Re: Recruiting. The Bishops need to overhaul their process. In a hot-bed of talent that is Ohio/Pa/WVa ( Jr!!), the Bishops should be loaded. OWU use to pull Cleveland kids all the time, not anymore. The program is at a crossroads; facilities/players/coaching/support from the University & community. I look for change in the program, something I've stated for over a year. former3db: ProGrass is a synthetic that is sand & rubber infilled. NFL/college/HS have it in use. Astro Turf is the first & only antimicrobial synthetic (bacteria/foul odors/germs are eliminated. All are synthetics- similar w/different idea. I trust all teams are healed from last season & getting stronger & faster with spring coming. Remember last years discussion on "spring ball?" Nothing like a football practice without a football. GO BISHOPS

[formerd3db]

smeds and oldguy:

You both obviously know more about OWU and the Ohio recruitment aspects - I don't dispute that.  I was just inquiring about the those aspects of facilities and $ for OWU in your area.  For them, as you have explained, it perhaps is not the issue.  With all due respect, I will disagree, however, that at other schools, facilities and aid do make a difference in many instances.  I agree about OWU not recruiting Michigan, however, my point was relating that, indeed, there are some players from Michigan who do look at Ohio schools on their own (i.e. making the initial contact as opposed to being recruited) and it is without question that facilities and aid may may a difference in their decision (again, putting aside any family ties, playing time/roster considerations, and specific academic tracks the prospective player may be looking at).  So while it may not pertain to OWU from the Ohio standpoint as you both point out, it does occur the other way.  I've seen it happen.

[smedindy]

But I think aid is pretty generously given at most NCAC schools, though. I know it is at Wabash. We give everything a student is eligible for. Some schools don't do that.

[frank uible]

Ohio Wesleyan ought to have the basis for recruiting contacts in Michigan. I believe that Hollway probably was born in Ann Arbor, his father having played at U/M and also having been an assistant coach there during the 60s before moving on first to the Vikings as an assistant and then to the Cardinals as HFC. His grandfather was longtime HFC at Ann Arbor Pioneer HS (the football stadium there is still named Hollway Field). Ann Arbor Pioneer plays very competitively with a tough State of Michigan schedule - although in my opinion tough in the State of Michigan is not the same as tough in Stark County or Hamilton County or even Cuyahoga County.

[aueagle]

I looked at the All-MIAA team: All were from Michigan except the 1st & 2nd team punters ( both from Ohio) vs the ALL-NCAC team: All from Ohio except - One from Illinois/Mass/Miss. Two from Fla & go figure NINE from Indiana. Granted, the NCAC has representation from Pa/Indiana, where the MIAA is all-inclusive. Frank: Coach "H" should have a pipeline into Michigan. That's only part of the problem. Being an Ohio boy, I hear ya on the Stark/Hamilton/Cuyahoga-don't forget Geauga/Lake, etc....GO BISHOPS

[smedindy]

Well, the MIAA does have Wisconsin Lutheran and Tri-State, though.

[oldguy]

I know this is the football board, but I was able to make it to Salem to watch Witt in the national championship this past weekend.  It was a tough loss, but I was extremely proud to be a Tiger. 

It was nice to see Witt and the NCAC in general get some national recognition.  I hope some NCAC football teams can start going far in the football playoffs.  It sure can energize a university and a conference.  The support for Witt in Salem was tremendous. 

P.S.  Is it football season yet? 

[aueagle]

Congrats to the Tiger basketball team on being the 2nd BEST in D3! A great run for Wittenberg. oldguy is right: Good for Witt/Good for the NCAC. Our conference has had some outstanding basketball teams in National Champions Wittenberg-1975 (?), Ohio Wesleyan-1988, and OWU's womens National Runner-up team of 2001. GO BISHOPS - GO NCAC

[formerd3db]

I see where Ohio Wesleyan beat Hope in baseball twice on Sat over the weekend down in Florida.  Oops, sorry, I forgot there is a baseball board to post this on!  Anyway, good start of OWU, not so good for Hope.

[BashBacker#16]

Congrats to Witt on their Hoops season.  I thought Witt or Wooster would go very far in the NCAA playoffs - they were very impressive teams!

Any recruiting scoop from anyone (that you would share)  We still have a few weeks before it is crunch time for D3 but a lot are starting to commit at this point in the recruiting season.  I'm still hearing good things from Crawfordsville - RELOAD!  Wabash Always Fights!

Bash did lose one to DePauw last week...Lawrence Central QB, Spud Dick.  I can see the Wabash Monon Bell T-shirts now...  - man I hope he starts!!