FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[ExTartanPlayer]

Here's what the big(gest) problem is--or so it seems.  Some years ago Kenyon feared for the safety of its players due to squad size and the quality of the players they were putting on the field.  Now we are talking about Oberlin.  While the two situations are not exactly the same, there are some commonalties--at least we have not yet heard from Oberlin about their concern for safety.  But teams are not even in camp yet.  Kenyon has bounced back because they looked at their program and decided to put in some support.   Even so, until last year they had gone more than two years without a win.  It took time. (At least they were not back to saying that they had safety concerns.)
     From time to time we have discussed commitment to athletics, and specifically to football.  Words like "tolerate" have been tossed around.  An athletic program, and specifically a football program, cannot be competitive--or safe, if you don't really care how often you win or stay close--without some conscious level of institutional support.  Neither Kenyon nor Oberlin it seems is to go to a system like the one used in NESCAC.  That's an OK decision, but Oberlin has to realize that football is not the same as other sports--in which Oberlin has had some success.  Football:  players run into one another, violently.  Even subtracting students in the music conservatory, Oberlin probably enrolls 2000+ students.  Sixty on a football team would not seem too much to ask. (Even though they probably have trouble recruiting into their environment.  Not a criticism, just a statement of reality.)   
     This year, Oberlin is particularly depleted.  That small squad size last year (but larger than this year's squad) included enough senior talent  to have them end up with 4 wins.  Not even .500, but a good year nonetheless--beating Wabash makes those four wins seem like more for their coaches and players, I'll  bet. A better year than, for example, at DePauw and Wooster.   That's just the kind of result that leads some people (administrators?) to say, "Well, we are doing just fine."  I'm on the side of believing/hoping Oberlin will survive this year, but I do share the injury concern because so many (quality) players graduated.  Remember that a about 25% of the team will be freshmen; are they yet ready to be on the field v. other teams?  The answer should be obvious.  I hope someone in the Oberlin administration is reading this discussion, or someone who talks to them tells them to pay attention (maybe they already are, at least I hope so).  Oberlin:  you are potentially placing your athletes at risk.  You are also perhaps damaging the prospects of other schools in the conference if you have to forfeit games.  But your chief concern should be the welfare of YOUR athletes.  You have a terrific head coach.  It seems that Jeff accepts his circumstances; he has been there for some years. And good for him--and you.  You are smart people,  so you can surely find a way to give your football student-athletes and your coaches the support they deserve.   Please.

This also was an excellent post.  I have little to add, just wanted to give credit where it is due.  +K

[wally_wabash]

I'm certainly aware that this is probably going to be a lean year for Oberlin.  I've gone on record as predicting just one win for Oberlin this year.  But I've seen Oberlin have rosters of 40-ish kids too many times now to let myself fall into the trap that they can't get through a season.  Coach Ramsey knows what he has and he's been doing it long enough to know how to manage his roster and get to the finish line.  And win some games along the way also. 

[smedindy]

Ten years ago Oberlin was a Hiram - the good teams just had to show up and they won. Now, not so much. They have to give some effort.

Look at the players Oberlin put on the All-Decade team - they had a great showing especially considering their issues.

[waf56]

For the past 6 years Oberlin has been such an interesting team. They always had some great players, but not enough depth to compliment them. They were a tough team to put away, always seeming to nip at the superior team's heels until attrition finally got to them. I never, NEVER expected them to beat Wabash or Witt, but out of the "lower" side of the NCAC, they would have been my pick to upset one of the big dogs. They needed the stars to align, and they did (to bad it happened against Wabash and not Witt )

Sadly, with this recruiting class and the graduation of key players, things are not looking up for the Yeomen this year.

[wally_wabash]

Oberlin was 2-8 and not particularly competitive on the scoreboard when Josh Mandel and his group of seniors were freshman.  The highs and lows of the recruiting cycle tend to manifest themselves a bit more with smaller rosters.  Oberlin is going to be fine. 

[DPU3619]

DePauw's new field will be known as Nick Mourouzis Field, as it should be.  A fine job by whoever made that decision. Here's the release.

[wally_wabash]

You guys are starting to make me uncomfortable with the number of things you're doing right down there recently.  Knock it off already.   

[Li'l Giant]

DePauw's new field will be known as Nick Mourouzis Field, as it should be.  A fine job by whoever made that decision. Here's the release.

I have always had a lot of respect for Coach Mourouzis. I only ever spoke with him once, during Bell Week, for The Bachelor. Very gracious dealing with a kid from the enemy school. He deserves the honor.

Y'all got any update photos of the new field, Wes?

[bashbrother]

Wes -

Happy to see all of the positive developments down at Depauw.    I can only imagine how happy you and all the other Depauw faithful are right now.   

[sigma one]

DePauw's first five games are Sewanee--away--(I have always like the real name, the University of the South.); then Wittenberg, Kenyon, Denison, Oberlin.  Sewanee was 3-7 last year.  Is it possible that they start 4-1?

[Pat Coleman]

DePauw's first five games are Sewanee--away--(I have always like the real name, the University of the South.);

Hmmm -- Sewanee.edu doesn't seem to agree on "the real name" part.

http://www.sewanee.edu/

[smedindy]

Read the first line here: http://about.sewanee.edu/

"Known familiarly as "Sewanee" by its students, faculty, staff and friends, The University of the South offers an unmatched educational experience. "

It no doubt has confuzzled scribes, mediots and AP score reporting drones.

[smedindy]

DePauw's first five games are Sewanee--away--(I have always like the real name, the University of the South.); then Wittenberg, Kenyon, Denison, Oberlin.  Sewanee was 3-7 last year.  Is it possible that they start 4-1?

Possibly, yes. Heck I'd put it at 60/40 for 4-1.

It's a lot more fun to have a competitive DPU for sure. Makes the vitriol sweeter when they can fight back.

[jknezek]

DePauw's first five games are Sewanee--away--(I have always like the real name, the University of the South.); then Wittenberg, Kenyon, Denison, Oberlin.  Sewanee was 3-7 last year.  Is it possible that they start 4-1?

Possibly, yes. Heck I'd put it at 60/40 for 4-1.

It's a lot more fun to have a competitive DPU for sure. Makes the vitriol sweeter when they can fight back.

I don't know much about DePauw but Sewanee has been getting better the last couple years. Their record regressed a bit last year, but the team looked better in the two games I saw (loss to W&L, win over Birmingham Southern) compared to the game I watched the year before. They may lose half or more of their games again, but I don't think they are a "blowout" team the way it went for a while.

Of their losses last year, W&L went to the playoffs, Maryville won by 7, Willamette won by 4, Centre by 3, Millsaps by 14, Rhodes by 4, and Trinity by a ton. So they got beat pretty good by W&L and Trinity, both respectable teams, and were in every other game they played.

[wabco]

You Go .... University of the South