FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[bashgiant]

Let us hope Oberlin decides to keep the somewhat forward momentum. I have a feeling Ramsey did all he could there, and will be missed.

I agree.  Perhaps he simply got tired of fighting "against the grain".  I also hope that they will continue to move forward.  The Oberlin program has been in this situation several times before and actually much worse than at present (remember when it was almost dropped back in 1979).  However, if schools like Olivet and even Eureka can do it (and, of course, Kenyon), there is no reason that Oberlin can't.  I do hope they don't give in and choose the "Swarthemore Debacle".

I don't think Oberlin football is in a life support situation.  The school recently got a sizeable gift, at least some of which has been earmarked for revovations at Savage Stadium.  Lights, locker rooms, press box, synthetic turf...they intend to give it a pretty comprehensive overhaul and turn that space into a multipurpose venue for outdoor sports. 

The facilities are definitely a positive step.  I hope they also find some dollars to help Oberlin locate, target, and successfully recruit student athletes- travel budget, an extra full time assistant or two.  We'll see what happens, but I remain optimistic about the future of Yeomen football.

Speaking of synthetic turf, it seems like the NFL and quite a few D1 colleges are reverting back to natural grass. I believe that the new synthetic turf has to much grip and the leg injuries(mostly knee and ankle) are more frequent and severe. I realize the synthetic is more durable and in the long run cheaper to maintain but is it worth what seems like more frequent and severe injuries? I would like to see more natural grass as I think it would cut down on injuries and who doesn't like a good old fashion mud bowl! I have no statistics to back up my theory so maybe I'm way off base on this subject. With that said I was wondering what everybody else thinks. Natural or synthetic turf and why.

[sigma one]

Over a number of years, studies have shown two things, as I am aware.  Some earlier studies of injuries grass v. turf showed no increase in the number and severity of lower-limb injuries on new-style turf (that is, not the Old "Astroturf" rug).  Several recent studies, however, have shown that the number of ACL injuries, and ankle injuries too I believe, are more likely to occur on artificial surfaces with infill--the kind of surfaces that are now in their third or fourth generation.  Take your pick on the studies and who initiates them.  I'm on the side of the science that indicates there are more lower-leg, NON-CONTACT injuries on turf.
     One area now being developed or studied, perhaps already down the road a fair way, are the types of competition shoes that could reduce the number of lower-leg injuries caused by increased friction ("stickiness") on the turf surfaces now in use.  It's probably safe to say that athletes and schools should choose their shoes based more on some kind of responsiveness to the new surfaces rather than on the fancy look of the shoes.
     I'm not aware of many DIII schols returning to grass.  In fact, the trend looks like it continues to go in the other direction, toward installing turf fields that can be used for multiple sports.  It's far easier to maintain, say, a field that is used by the football and soccer and lacrosse teams--both men's and women's sometimes--than it is to maintain grass fields, and sometimes multiple grass fields.  A quick look shows that fewer than 60 DIII football surfaces are still grass.  I don't know of, but my knowledge may be faulty,  any DIII programs returning to grass for perceived reasons of safety.
     Oberlin will be the last of the 10 NCAC schools to put in turf on their stadium surface.  And again, most schools in the NCAC play multiple sports on their "football" fields; hence the proliferation of differently-colored lines to mark boundaries of the various sports.  It may be that Wabash is the only NCAC school to play only football on its "football field."  I'm not positive about this, but I've noticed a multitude of lines on the surface of other fields when I've seen football games there.
     Odd, isn't it, that the trend has gone toward turf, and pretty fast, both out of the cache of saying we play of an artificial surface (we're modern or up to date--recruiting and all that), and for economic reasons.  Just this past weekend, look at the comments the Bethel grass field engendered, none of them positive that I read. 
     As new technologies come forward to improve the way artificial surfaces play (and everyone agrees that today's turf surfaces are far superior to those of a decade and more ago), perhaps we will see an even more grass-like surface that evens out the injury situation.  I wonder too whether with so many different companies manufacturing turf at different price points what influence the quality of turf has on injuries:  just a thought.  Certain turf surfaces certainly feel and play differently.  As an example, Wabash was careful when picking its turf to examine many kinds of surfaces and to pick the one the coaches thought best for the players. But different schools have picked other manufacturers, probably believing that the one they chose is the best one for their competitiors, and also within what their budget would bear.
     

[Pat Coleman]

Let us hope Oberlin decides to keep the somewhat forward momentum. I have a feeling Ramsey did all he could there, and will be missed.

I agree.  Perhaps he simply got tired of fighting "against the grain".  I also hope that they will continue to move forward.  The Oberlin program has been in this situation several times before and actually much worse than at present (remember when it was almost dropped back in 1979).  However, if schools like Olivet and even Eureka can do it (and, of course, Kenyon), there is no reason that Oberlin can't.  I do hope they don't give in and choose the "Swarthemore Debacle".

I don't think Oberlin football is in a life support situation.  The school recently got a sizeable gift, at least some of which has been earmarked for revovations at Savage Stadium.  Lights, locker rooms, press box, synthetic turf...they intend to give it a pretty comprehensive overhaul and turn that space into a multipurpose venue for outdoor sports. 

The facilities are definitely a positive step.  I hope they also find some dollars to help Oberlin locate, target, and successfully recruit student athletes- travel budget, an extra full time assistant or two.  We'll see what happens, but I remain optimistic about the future of Yeomen football.

Speaking of synthetic turf, it seems like the NFL and quite a few D1 colleges are reverting back to natural grass.

Which NFL teams?

[bashgiant]

Let us hope Oberlin decides to keep the somewhat forward momentum. I have a feeling Ramsey did all he could there, and will be missed.

I agree.  Perhaps he simply got tired of fighting "against the grain".  I also hope that they will continue to move forward.  The Oberlin program has been in this situation several times before and actually much worse than at present (remember when it was almost dropped back in 1979).  However, if schools like Olivet and even Eureka can do it (and, of course, Kenyon), there is no reason that Oberlin can't.  I do hope they don't give in and choose the "Swarthemore Debacle".

I don't think Oberlin football is in a life support situation.  The school recently got a sizeable gift, at least some of which has been earmarked for revovations at Savage Stadium.  Lights, locker rooms, press box, synthetic turf...they intend to give it a pretty comprehensive overhaul and turn that space into a multipurpose venue for outdoor sports. 

The facilities are definitely a positive step.  I hope they also find some dollars to help Oberlin locate, target, and successfully recruit student athletes- travel budget, an extra full time assistant or two.  We'll see what happens, but I remain optimistic about the future of Yeomen football.

Speaking of synthetic turf, it seems like the NFL and quite a few D1 colleges are reverting back to natural grass.

Which NFL teams?

San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, Arizona, Kansas City, Cleveland, Green Bay, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Washington, Philadelphia, Denver, Jacksonville, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Pittsburgh all play on natural grass. 
I don't know if they have always had natural grass, but, they haven't switched to synthetic turf. Guess I miss spoke. Maybe it is more in the MLB that they are switching back to natural grass.
Any way some go to great lengths to have natural grass.

The Cardinals Stadium features the first fully retractable natural grass playing surface built in the United States. Designed by CMX Sports Engineers, the retractable playing field is situated on 19 million pound tray that sits on 13 rails. The tray is layered starting with the grass on top which sits on a foot of sand. Under the sand is the plumbing for the grass and under the plumbing is the tray liner that prevents the water for the field from leaking into the wheels and engines. The tray is driven by 76 one horsepower engines and it takes the engines approximately 65 minutes to move the tray. An opening on the southeast side of the stadium allows the playing field to move to the exterior of the building so the entire natural playing surface can be exposed to daylight when it is not in use. This unique design element prevents the problems that have plagued the grass at Chase Field and saves an estimated $50 million in cost. With the field in the outboard position, the 158,000-square foot floor is unencumbered by the turf and features a built-in utility grid. (Source: Wikipedia)

[sigma one]

The NFL and MLB can afford to play on grass.  Money is no object.  They can pay for maintenance and to resod their fields at will.  They rely on subsurface systems to keep thier fields in prime condition.  They employ platoons of workers to that end.   They only play one sport on the surface.  The "major" colleges can do the same things.  Do I recall correctly that a few years ago, a midwest school resodded in the middle of the season after their field got torn up?     
     As I mentioned before, DIII schools don't have such luxury.  I can say for a fact that several years before it put in turf Wabash resodded the entire football field in the late spring, and the estimate was that it would take 6-8 weeks for the surface to be well-knit. The cost was something in the mid to high 20s range.  Two early-season rainy games and he field was torn up again.  It's not like there was a whole maintenance crew to work on the field for hours at a time.  Once torn up, the field waits until the following spring for any meaningful repair.  Recall years ago when every field was bare down the middle by late in the season, and any precipitation made the game different than it would otherwise have been.  I do lament seeing muddy uniforms though, and the elements being more of a factor--the way the game was originally developed.  But watching Bethel and NCC on Saturday made me sorry that under those circumstances the teams could not showcase all their talents.  The cold is one thing; a field that makes it difficult to stand up is quite another given the way we have come to expect the game to be played in the modern era of predominantly turf or specially-maintained grass fields.
      Time marches on.  We no longer jump center after every basket.  We no longer run on cinders (how I miss hearing that crunch).  We play with a more streamlined football.  ETC.  Heck, we don't even play with wooden bats.  Again, the pros do, can afford to, thank goodness.  Ping, or whatever sound the new composite bats make, doesn't compare to that solid crack off a real bat.  (I've gone on too long already.)  New times, new conditions;  improvements?  That will always be a debate.   
     

[smedindy]

All - Region! http://www.d3football.com/awards/all-region/2013/d3football-all-north-region-2013.pdf

First Team:

Wabash - DE Cody Buresh, LB Nate Scola
Wittenberg - OT Aaron Coeling, S Mark Swope
Wooster - ST Shawn Bowman

Second Team:

Wabash - K Ian MacDougall, P Cam Sobleski
Wittenberg - WR Brendon Cunningham, ST Victor Banjo, LB Spencer Leno
Wooster - RB Sean Hackel
OWU - DE Jonathan Valentine, TE Calvin Cagney

Third Team:

Wabash - OT Mark Riffle
Wooster - S Brandon James

Interesting: Wilmington (0-10) landed a first teamer in WR Jeremy Duncan. A sophomore, he caught 70 passes for 1184 yards and eight TDs for a team that completed only 178 passes and 17 TDs.

[bashbrother]

Congrats to all NCAC players selected...  I personally believe R. Florence deserved 3rd team, but I know it was a full region at that position...

[ScotsFan]

San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, Arizona, Kansas City, Cleveland, Green Bay, Chicago, Houston, Miami, Washington, Philadelphia, Denver, Jacksonville, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Pittsburgh all play on natural grass. 
I don't know if they have always had natural grass, but, they haven't switched to synthetic turf. Guess I miss spoke. Maybe it is more in the MLB that they are switching back to natural grass.
Any way some go to great lengths to have natural grass.

Yeah, those teams you listed have always played on grass and haven't made the switch to the synthetic turf.  Although, Cleveland plays on dirt painted green by the end of the season... 

[Pat Coleman]

Interesting: Wilmington (0-10) landed a first teamer in WR Jeremy Duncan. A sophomore, he caught 70 passes for 1184 yards and eight TDs for a team that completed only 178 passes and 17 TDs.

The OAC named him their receiver of the year. Hard to ignore something like that.

[Wfaf1234]

First Team:

Wabash - DE Cody Buresh, LB Nate Scola
Wittenberg - OT Aaron Coeling, S Mark Swope
Wooster - ST Shawn Bowman

Second Team:

Wabash - K Ian MacDougall, P Cam Sobleski
Wittenberg - WR Brendon Cunningham, ST Victor Banjo, LB Spencer Leno



So I don't mean to look down on the return kid from wooster, and since I'm new to all this, how are they selected. Since bowman wasn't even ncac first team. How did that work? Also, any surprises besides Florence? I thought one, if not both Wabash special teamers could have been 1st. When does all-American stuff come out?

[smedindy]

They are nominated and selected by the staff here. Conference awards, etc. don't add into it because various conferences have various methods and use various collections of stats to make their awards.

Bowman wasn't nominated for being a returner, since he didn't return kicks. Special teams doesn't necessarily mean return man.

[Pat Coleman]

Nominated by SIDs and voted on by SIDs and D3football.com writers and editors.

Indeed, there is a return man category and a special teams category. Guys in the ST category are there because they blocked kicks or something similar.

[HScoach]

Interesting: Wilmington (0-10) landed a first teamer in WR Jeremy Duncan. A sophomore, he caught 70 passes for 1184 yards and eight TDs for a team that completed only 178 passes and 17 TDs.

The OAC named him their receiver of the year. Hard to ignore something like that.

And we're still scratching our heads over that selection.   Should have been Greenwood from JCU.

But then again, the OAC also saw the wisdom of Co-selections for Coach of the year, Assistant Coach of the year, D-lineman of the year and at 1st team QB.    Not the best All-OAC selections ever.

[wally_wabash]

First Team:

Wabash - DE Cody Buresh, LB Nate Scola
Wittenberg - OT Aaron Coeling, S Mark Swope
Wooster - ST Shawn Bowman

Second Team:

Wabash - K Ian MacDougall, P Cam Sobleski
Wittenberg - WR Brendon Cunningham, ST Victor Banjo, LB Spencer Leno



So I don't mean to look down on the return kid from wooster, and since I'm new to all this, how are they selected. Since bowman wasn't even ncac first team. How did that work? Also, any surprises besides Florence? I thought one, if not both Wabash special teamers could have been 1st. When does all-American stuff come out?

All-Americans are generally announced during the extensive Stagg Bowl pregame show.  So I'd look out for that next Friday. 

[smedindy]

Interesting: Wilmington (0-10) landed a first teamer in WR Jeremy Duncan. A sophomore, he caught 70 passes for 1184 yards and eight TDs for a team that completed only 178 passes and 17 TDs.

The OAC named him their receiver of the year. Hard to ignore something like that.

And we're still scratching our heads over that selection.   Should have been Greenwood from JCU.

But then again, the OAC also saw the wisdom of Co-selections for Coach of the year, Assistant Coach of the year, D-lineman of the year and at 1st team QB.    Not the best All-OAC selections ever.

Still, considering the companies he keeps, that's an outstanding season. Not all of the best players play for the best teams.