FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[kcreds]

The previous 3 posts were all very valid points that I agree with.

[WallyFS4]

I believe spring ball is valuable.  With all the off season conditioning.  It gives the players a chance to see what they are working for.  It also gives them a break from regular conditioning.  I think it will gives the players motivation to continue their summer workouts.  I think most DIII players workout on their own during the summer.  Any kind of motivation to work, can only payoff in the fall.  I just would like to see all levels to be able to have the same spring rules.  As always.

WABASH ALWAYS FIGHTS![/size][/font]

[oldguy]

I believe one reason D-1 schools do spring games is to gain some more exposure in the off-season.  The smaller D-1 schools then must do it in order to "keep up with the Jones's."  Plus, on that level, most players are getting their education payed for and football is kind of like their "work study," in a way.  This means they have more responsibility towards football.  Also, due to the amount of money involved, there is a lot more pressure on the teams, coaches, and programs to get better and put the best product on the field possible.  Its a different mentality.

Look, truth be told, I don't have a problem with spring practices and even a game.  I just don't think they are as important or necessary on the D-3 level for several reasons.  You guys have all given good arguments for it, I just don't think its a big deal, that's all. 

[Superfoot Wallace]

Or a summer trip to another country.  Seems Thiel's rise benefited from a game in Toronto.

Think the  Case representative brings up an interesting point.  While a summer trip to play a game and squeeze a few practices in doesnt constitute a study abroad experience in the traditional sense, the exposure to another country and culture does speak to this part of the liberal arts experience.

Strange havent seen the NCAC venture into this territory, would think this is a natural fit.

Memory or research might be failing on this point.  Wasnt Wabash pursuing something abroad?

signed,
St Anthonys College

[wabco]

Wabash went to Europe for a 10 day trip ending in a football contest about 3 years ago and this summer the team members who elect are going to Panama and environs ... again with an emphasis on experiencing the area and people and ending in a football game.  It is a really fine opportunity and I believe about 40 players participate (obviously no incoming Frosh and the outgoing Seniors do not ... so you can see ... a goodly amount of the "available team" does take advantage of the opportunity).

I believe they are able to practice in pads for two weeks prior.

[wabco]

I believe - from what I hear - Wabash is having a fine recruiting year.  I do not know if such events as being able to relate to a recruit that during his tenure he will have this opportunity for a trip including football to a foreign country weighs in the decision to attend or not ... but I suspect it does not hurt.

Does it provide some sort of fall season preparation head start?  I suspect not.

Just a darn nice experience to provide.

[sigma one]

Hello, all.  I am a new on the Board.  A comment about spring football.  I appreciate all the fine arguments in favor of a "non-traditional" spring practice season for DIII.  I believe  one reason the NCAA is cautious about the activities of spring ball is that there are on many campuses a touchy faculty--and they are suspicious of football dominance. (Probably why the NCAC practiced in spring 2005 without a football.)  OK, what about other sports?  Enough to say that for some faculty football is not like other sports.  Faculty suspect football occupies too much time and that football coaches are always selfishly trying to find new ways to dominate a student-athlete's time and energy.  Further, some believe that a non-traditional season, and particularly in football, violates the "spirit" of DIII.  No one had posted this perspective, but I think it relevant.

[kcreds]

Gosh, to be able to play football overseas would be a great experience and it probably does have an affect on recruiting. I for one am jealous. I believe it can have an advantageous affect on the team for the fall. How could it not?

sigma one, a very good point but why allow it at all if that is the case and the faculty wants to protect the schools DIII integrity? I for one can tell you and the faculty at OWU, that Jr. didn't choose OWU mainly for the academics and they wouldn't be getting his high dollar tuition a year if it wasn't for football. Do they think he is going to study between 4:15 and approximately 6:00 every other day? What is he going to do the rest of the evening? He is in college for gosh sakes, I think he can handle it. He is going to be conditioning during that time anyway. Trust me you are not the target of this post. The real target is the faculty that you are speaking about. I know the way it is set up now is probably a compromise between coaches and faculty but what the faculty don't understand is that the coaches can have an influence over the players and their dedication to academics if they have the opportunity.  Okay I am off my soap box. No matter what, Goooooo Bishops! 

[sigma one]

Point well taken about why have it at all.  Speaking to that question, some will recall that just two years ago, I think it was, that the NCAC presidents (no dout in part at least reflecting the opinion of voices on their campuses as well as their own thinking) almost passed the idea of prohibiting any spring practice even though the NCAA had instituted the five week spring practice opportunity in Division III.   At that time the NCAC presidents said no footballs allowed in the spring.  Even practices as they were permitted this spring in full compliance with NCAA regulations were allowed, if memory serves, for this year only, with another decision coming following the spring and after consultation with faculty athletic representatives (FARs at each NCAC institution) and others.  I believe that NCAC football student-athletes. were this week asked to fill out an online survey about spring practices. 











sion I.

[kcreds]

sigma one, thanks for the insight. I have had the athletics versus academic debate with college deans before and there is no convincing them that athletics is an intregal part of the college experience for athletes. I believe it prepares them for life situations and builds character, not to mention the doors it opens through alumni and athletic supporters. That is reality whether they want to buy into it or not.

[bashbrother]

kcreds -

You may not be able to convince these college deans about much..... even though at some schools, with a small overall enrollment (Wabash)  Athletics is partially responsible for a decent percentage of that enrollment. 

[kcreds]

bashbrother, no doubt in my mind. Abolish athletics in these schools and you will see the enrollment go down and the alumni would jump stiff legged. OWU is well respected for their academic traditions but they also have rich athletic traditions that makes up their heritage. Look at all the money donated by alumni to spruce up the athletic facilities nationwide. If there was no athletics at a particular school, would they still get those donations for other areas? My opinion is, no.

sigma one, I spoke to someone about those surveys and he received one. He also commented on the survey that they should be able to practice the same way as Division I.

[Hawk1404]

I think that D3 should be allowed to have a full spring practice schedule. Most D3 schools let their athletes play a fall and a spring sport...what is the difference. Spring ball is only 15 practices...3 or 4 at most a week...and shorter than practice during the season. Along the line of D3 trying keep their academic integrity I think that is BS. A lot of D1 schools have as good or even better academic reps and they allow their football teams full spring practice. What is the difference?

[Pat Coleman]

More important: What's the difference between 16 football practices (that's the max, pretty sure) and baseball, which gets nine fall games?

[formerd3db]

That's right Pat.  There's that "hypocrisy thing" again!  If fall practices (and in some instances scrimmage games) are allowed in DIII for some sports such as baseball and softball, then they were right in allowing limited spring football practice.  What's the difference?!  They can't make the argument about academic time "missed" because it won't wash with that situation any way any of them want to "spin it".