FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[wabco]

If my ability to run the calculator has not failed me, that works out to be about 14% of the Wabash student body is out for football.  When you then add cross country (25+), fall baseball, and soccer (25+) along with trainers and other support student personnel ... it is better than 25% playing / involved in intercollegiate sports the day school opens. (Then basketball etc. add additional persons as there time opens.)

Is that the same sense you get from other NCAC schools?

[BashBacker#16]

Looks like one of my personal favorites has been updated...Wooster's 2006 Player Profiles.     If they play to their potential, looks like they will have at least 13 All Americans this year..."according to the coaching staff."  I actually teared up reading Shafer's and am surprised Schmitz didn't reference the likes of Otto Graham, Fran Tarkenton, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, and of course, John Elway.  They have numbers in the senior class but many of those guys haven't exactly been regulars in the starting line up.  It also seems like a lot of position changes on both sides of the ball.

Some of my other favorite comments:

"outstanding competitor"
"the whole package ... great athleticism, size, intelligence, and attitude,"
Very intelligent player
Described by the coaching staff as "one of the hardest workers on the team" and "with outstanding speed"
An All-American candidate, if he stays healthy
"outstanding athleticism"
"really stepped it up as a blocker"
to All-American candidate Justin Schafer
Could conclude his career as the best quarterback in school history
potential to become "an all-region and All-American player,"
"as tough as they come and a tremendously hard worker,"
Will form one of the most explosive defensive end combinations in the region

[wally_wabash]

Let's not forget these gems...

"Plays bigger than he is"
is coming off "impressive spring practices"
is coming off "impressive spring practices" (yes, it was used twice, on consecutive bios!)
"phenomenal hands"
"has really come on"
"is never late for practice"

Ok, I made that last one up.   

Wooster's bios are always a good read during the dog days. 

[lancer98]

Everybody's profiles/previews sounds overly optomistic.  Although I have to agree Woo does go a little overboard with some of there comments.  Some of the comments never make sense going all the way back to when I played.

I wonder who writes these? I am assuming the SID does with some input from the coaching staff. 

I do like how they try to at least give some originality to each player's profile instead of just listing facts and stats about them though.

[BashBacker#16]

The Wabash roster has been updated...I cannot believe the size of some of these guys - the Frosh linemen are massive.  There are a lot that look to have added pounds over the off season.  The starting O-line will be as big as advertised depending on who wins those positions.  They could go 6'3 294, 6'3 300, 6'4 274, 6'0 278, and 6'6 275 across the front.  I don't think we Wabash has ever been that big up front.  Add the TEs in Nelson 6'3 247 and Litska 6'4 254... 

There are a lot of others that stand out as well - Lang, Kraft, Banach, Deig, Anderson, Gardiner, on the D side...

Here is is... http://www.wabash.edu/sports/football/roster

Thanks to B Harris for the updates....

[formerd3db]

Bashbacker#16:

That is great to see.  Sounds like Mount Union's line size from the 2001 Stagg Bowl year and Alma's from the early 1990's.  Also, will any of the new frosh linemen have a chance at some P.T. this year?

[BashBacker#16]

Former D3DB,

It would be very tough.  3 of the 5 are returning starters (2 - 1st Team All NCAC) - the Center position is open and the Guard but there are 4 guys (returnees) who would appear to be the front runners - all with good size. 

Of the Frosh:  Ault is listed at 6'4 294 and was a state finalist in wrestling - I don't know about him on the football field but that is some size and you would think would have pretty good feet.  Skip Tokar is listed at 6'7 308 and was an Indiana All Star.  Evan Isaacs (6'3 263) from North Central H.S. is another solid player.  A lot can happen between now and the 1st game but as you know, there is a huge jump from HS to college ball.  I'd think the returning guys would  have a pretty big advantage.

Wally & Co. - think back to our O-line in 2002 (vs. Mount Union) - remember how thin we were and the difference in size compared to now.  Night & day...

[bashbrother]

BB16 - Looks like Hilts lost a little weight.  I would have thought that he would be closer to 3 bills this year.  His frame could definately support it.

The center spot will be a key fill.  What a job Jake did last year. 

I am in a panic this year without my inside source.  Stay in touch. 

[wally_wabash]

Interesting poll question on the front page about roster size limits. 

What about roster size minimums?  In the spirit of fairness and competition, I would think that making programs maintain an adequate roster size is just as important as a roster size ceiling would be.  I'm not sure what that minimum number would be...we've seen teams playing in this conference with rosters of under 40 and by the end of the year even under 30.  This year Oberlin is listing 43 players in their media guide.  That's about as low as I think a collegiate football roster should be.  We've seen how unfortunate it is for teams that play with such low roster numbers...Oberlin and Kenyon both recently took leave of the conference because of this.  The Lewis & Clark situation from last year was awful.  I think if a school wants to sponsor an NCAA sport (of any sort) that school ought to be obligated to support it properly.   

Do you think it would be right for the NCAA to legislate something like that amongst it's member institutions? 

[kcreds]

It is indeed a sad day in our household. Jr. has a bulging disk in the lower lumbar part of his back and he will probably have to take the whole season off.    He hopes at the very least he can play next year. More importantly he is worried about how it will affect his goal to get into federal law enforcement. Unknown how it happened, could be genetic but no one in our family has back related issues. First injury in his life that has prevented him from playing. Hopefully therapy can heal it.

Good luck to the Bishops this year and I hope they can bring it home!

[firstdown]

BB16

I know that its early, but how is the team looking in the early days of practice?

[WittFan]

For the first time in God knows how long, somebody isn't giving Wittenberg a first place vote simply because they are Wittenberg.

When was the last time someone gave Wittenberg a first place vote simply because they were Wittenberg?

[wabco]

creds

Sorry to hear of your son's injury.  It is a bitter pill to swallow ... however, he can be of significant assistance to the coaches and an inspiration to the team by "staying out there" and helping in ways he can.

PLUS ... you speak of a career in federal law enforcement ... not sure what area you are speaking ... certainly the physical situation will be of concern ... however, given a period of healing and a good health pronouncement ... followed by a year or so to prove it out ... he should not find himself outside his chosen field.

Remember, that is why his school is special ... nothing changes ... except he is not playing football.  He gets well, he still is a part of the team, he does well in school ... and his vocation is still out there. 

My interest will be the post you make in a few years that your son is a federal law enforcement officer.  Get well bro.

[wabashcpa]

It is indeed a sad day in our household. Jr. has a bulging disk in the lower lumbar part of his back and he will probably have to take the whole season off.    He hopes at the very least he can play next year. More importantly he is worried about how it will affect his goal to get into federal law enforcement. Unknown how it happened, could be genetic but no one in our family has back related issues. First injury in his life that has prevented him from playing. Hopefully therapy can heal it.

Good luck to the Bishops this year and I hope they can bring it home!

Sorry to hear it - here's to a full recovery.  If it doesn't work out on a federal level, we have plenty of crime here in Indianapolis to fight.

[scotty]

kcreds, tell him to observe, observe, observe...many years ago i sat for 6 months from the dugout...really helped me "understand" the game...you know the cloud/silver lining tale...good luck...