FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

What pisses me off is the money they BURNED on athletic facility upgrades when the money could have been used elsewhere on campus. I do not have a problem with $$ being spent on athletic programs (I teach at Mount and the facilities are amazing) but if you are going to do it then bring in full time coaches, recruit, build a program and win some games - or at least be competitive.

Jackpot.  Doesn't make sense to build nice things and then not spend to have full time curators of those programs.  Why swallow the cow and then choke on the tail?

Coaches aside, they seem to have success in other sports that may be related tangentially related to the athletic complex upgrade (soccer and volleyball) and their basketball team is no longer a joke nor an automatic win. Again, wellness may have been a major factor since that facility encompasses a fitness center, aerobics, racquetball  and an indoor track.

Which I'm still flummoxed as to why they don't offer track.

There's a lot less investment in soccer and basketball and volleyball in pretty much every way.  Fewer players to manage, fewer student-athletes to recruit, fewer positions that need specialized coaches, equipment and travel costs are significantly less.  Hiram football, and I know that the expenditure and construction of facilities isn't all about football, but Hiram football would have been better off with the grass field, a really good riding lawnmower, and enough coaches with enough time and money to recruit and prepare a team to be successful. 

[smedindy]

Right, I agree with that on football. You need to invest. But I think the facility and the football program are separate funding issues. They needed the facility for the entire program and campus. Now, they have to deal with the specifics of one sport. Spend all your money on football and everything else goes to waste.

At Wabash, we didn't do the football field upgrade until well after the Allen Center was completed. And that facility helped the entire campus.

[Desertraider]

You are all right and wrong - not that I want to ride the fence or anything. Hiram did not have an anonymous donor for the complex - it was the College allocating funds and raising additional funds for that purpose. They did upgrade the complex - and they tied it into the football facility. I agree they needed to upgrade as all students benefit from that. However, Soccer and Volleyball were decent programs before all of the upgrades. Hiram made the NCAA playoffs in Mens Soccer 2 or 3 times when I was there and was regularly at the top of the OAC. Basketball since D3Hoops has records has been competitive, and was that way when I was there. The point is that the programs that were "okay" are still "okay" - but too make the upgrades and then "choke on the tail" (as was stated) doesn't make sense. Hiram has made no progress in football since 2008 - that is 4 full classes of recruits with no progress in terms of wins/losses and they are not even competitive.

[smedindy]

Normally, it's not just 'one' donor that makes a facility. It certainly wasn't that way at Wabash. It was tied into an entire comprehensive campaign. Of course, it was named for the lead donor of the campaign as a whole. (Not every school has a T. Boone Pickens.)

The issue is prioritization, especially in this philanthropic environment. Donors had more limited funds to give to their favorite institutions, so they had to prioritize. There's only so much to go around and you have to start broad before you start to narrow focus. Not privy to Hiram's fundraising data or spending priorities, my assumption is that they had to make some tough choices. But if I recall, their endowment was near the bottom of the NCAC schools so there's not a lot of money rolling around there.

I just saw an article in 2009 that they had administrators take a pay cut and have a hiring freeze. It reported their endowment at $77 million but that was before the market cratered. That certainly could have affected whatever plans they had for, well, anything.

I know it's frustrating but not every school has the funding that some of us take for granted. Without those monies, it's hard to do everything you want or most things. So you do what you can for the greater community and then go from there. At least they didn't cut the program.

Maybe they should have kept the name: Western Reserve Eclectic Institute

[wally_wabash]

Interesting stat time...and I think this is a red flag for OWU fans.  OWU has been in the red zone 31 times this year, tied for the league lead with Wabash as it turns out.  However, 18 of those 31 trips into the red zone have ended with field goal attempts (12 makes on those field goals, btw).  OWU has just 12 TDs on those 31 red zone trips.  By comparison, Wabash has 19 TDs on 31 trips and Wittenberg (who has been the best red zone team in the league) has 20 TDs on 29 trips. 

OWU's challenge over the next month is going to be figuring out how to get 6 when they get close.  It gets tricky down there when you can't/won't run. 

[BashDad]

I'm watching the CWRU / Wooster game on YouTube. Both teams look pretty friggin' good despite their records. Makes me want to reconsider, however slightly, some of my conviction regarding the flavor of the month over there in Delaware.

And if anyone thinks Saturday is just going to be a cake walk for the LG's, I suggest you follow this link and go to the 37:15 mark. Just do it. Please.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vqmu4t_K10&feature=relmfu

Barnes is a stud when he's not making the decisions of a high school sophomore.

EDIT: Here's the direct short-cut. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vqmu4t_K10&feature=relmfu#t=37m15s

[BashDad]

Billy Beecher, CWRU's backup QB, had 70+ yards on 12 carries against Wooster running read-option. Bodes well for the Bash offense. He looked good.

[bufordscot]

During my time at Wabash, at Tommys you could buy a case of long necks for $6 ... if memory serves ... out of Tommys back door with no TSI pat down.  Our house converted a Coke machine to offer Budweiser ("The King of Beers") for $.50 a bottle.  You got $.02 per empty bottle and $.50 for the case delivered back to Tommys through the same back ... and could be refilled for an add of $5.  The per case profit (diminished somewhat by breakage) permitted the investment to MERV the Budweiser for use at parties and other events in addition to making sure the Coke machine was always full.  The enterprise was man-ed, of course, by designated Rhynies (freshmen to you noit familiar with the nomenclature).  A well oiled machine ...   

Now back to discussions of that other well oiled machine:  the Wabash Little Giant football team.

I'll show my age.  During my time at ONU Busch Beer was $.99 a six pack in returnable longneck bottles.  We weren't interested in profit or sharing; we just drank it.  Might be why I didn't last there too long.

[BashBacker#16]

Nike,

I am going to respectfully disagree on the Sutton comments.  They did have some other players for sure (Cline, the LB from Florida, the big D-lineman - Kearney, Drushal at OT, the WR that also punted, etc.) but Tony Sutton made those teams!!!  Dude was very very good and probably a once in 20 year kind of player.  Schmitz is 2-10 against Wabash, his 2 wins = Tony Sutton's Junior and Senior years.  He truly was a game-changer.  Back then fast forward, would anyone have predicted Wooster would not have any more wins against Wabash?

Bishopleftiesdad - I wouldn't say baseball is typically Wooster & OWU these days??  I think OWU has definitely slipped over the years and other programs like Wabash and Denison have made big strides.

[BashBacker#16]

Bishopleftiesdad - sorry one more post; just looked and Wabash took 3 of 4 from your guys last year and I believe beat a lefty pitcher in one of those 3 wins.   

...back to football. 

BashDad - agree, Wabash will need to come to play.  We'll need to keep Barnes in check for sure with lots of heat and good coverage on the Woo receivers.

[sigma one]

I'm with BadhDad and #16.  A few pages back I remarked on Wooster's close calls this year.  You could look at their losses and say that one or two playes in each game were costly to them.  This is the case in many close losses for anyone and is so for them this year.  Their biggest worry has been holding the football.  If they can play relatively mistake free on Saturday, they can make a game of it.  While Wabash continues to improve, they are not generally an offensive machine.  Take out some long runs by Belton, and look at the rest of the production.  Wabash is relying on the run, so their receivers' numbers are down.  We don't really know,, in fact, what will happen if they are forced to throw more into a strong defensive secondary.  If Woo can stop the run, they can get the ball a few more times.  If it's true that Belton suffered a concussion last week, will he play?  His back up can do the job, but the LGs will be a different team without that Belton threat to run, both in designed situations and off the scramble.
     Weather is forecast as sunny and breezy.

[smedindy]

One key is that Wooster has fumbled 17 times this season (lost 10). That's almost three per game. Wabash has only fumbled nine times (lost four). The Scots can't put the ball on the ground.

[sigma one]

Wooster has also thrown four interceptions.  By the way, no jinx, no jinx, Belton has thrown one interception in 142 attempts, that v. Hanover in game #1. 
     I am surprised, because I thought otherwise (don't know completely why), but 5 of Wooster's 6 opponents have exceeded their average rushing yardage per game v. the Scots.  I know there are a lot of factors when one starts playing this kind of numbers game (maybe most telling that some teams have been playng from ahead v. Woo).  Only Allegheny was under.  Here are the + numbers:  St Vincent by +52; Wittenberg by +79; Denison by +49; Case by +14; Hiram by +53.

[nike]

Nike,

I am going to respectfully disagree on the Sutton comments.  They did have some other players for sure (Cline, the LB from Florida, the big D-lineman - Kearney, Drushal at OT, the WR that also punted, etc.) but Tony Sutton made those teams!!!  Dude was very very good and probably a once in 20 year kind of player.  Schmitz is 2-10 against Wabash, his 2 wins = Tony Sutton's Junior and Senior years.  He truly was a game-changer.  Back then fast forward, would anyone have predicted Wooster would not have any more wins against Wabash?

Bishopleftiesdad - I wouldn't say baseball is typically Wooster & OWU these days??  I think OWU has definitely slipped over the years and other programs like Wabash and Denison have made big strides.

Bashbacker#16,
I agree that Sutton was a special player. No question about that.  But the players around him that you mentioned and others were also very good.  I have watched them in the years since and the overall level of talent has dropped off considerably.  We have had good players(and good kids, by the way), but none approaching the level of a Glum or Chamblee or Belton or other impact players on offense or defense that Wabash has had whose names you would know better than me.  Why else do you and Witt compete every year for the NCAC championship?  Certainly coaching is important.  But a huge part of coaching is recruiting.  I see some of your players as freshmen and know that they are going to be special and are going to get better every year. Just do not see that here.
We were hoping Sutton's senior year of winning the NCAC and going undefeated(still remember the drunk Carthage fans cursing our players and vomiting over the railings in the tournament--probably because we lost) would bring in a big group of top flight players and begin a string of very successful seasons.  Did not happen. 
We still enjoy the bagpipes leading the team down the hill, however.
Hope they give you a good game on Saturday.  See you in Delaware.

Also, will make it a point of catching a baseball game when OWU is in town this spring.

[Bishopleftiesdad]

Bishopleftiesdad - sorry one more post; just looked and Wabash took 3 of 4 from your guys last year and I believe beat a lefty pitcher in one of those 3 wins.   

...back to football. 

BashDad - agree, Wabash will need to come to play.  We'll need to keep Barnes in check for sure with lots of heat and good coverage on the Woo receivers.

Yup on 2 if the three earned runs on Homer by Holms, Great player not sure if they will be able to replace him. I would say that wasn't a bad outing for a freshman, in his first conference start. Come over to the baseball board next spring and we can discuss it then.  He may have lost that one but he had a great year. At least both teams took 2 from DePauw....