FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[WittFan]

Wooster is committed to its academics, as I am sure many other schools are. This academic pursuit also keeps them from bringing in players with lower academic scores such as the 17 on the ACT's that will pass at Mount.

Do you have any sort of data to back this up, or are you running on the assumption that dominant football inherently involves academically challenged kids? 

I agree that there are many factors besides academics that contribute to success.  There are a whole lot more Division III schools out there with lower admissions standards than Mount Union who haven't had near the level of success.

So i don't believe dominant football inherently involves academically challenged kids, but I do believe the ability to recruit a sufficient number of talented athletes is critical to putting together a dominant program. The Bell Curve tells us that any population of sufficient size tends toward the average.  Therefore, most talented athletes are average students.  They aren't "academically challenged," but they aren't honors students either.  A school that can draw from students who score 17 and up on the ACT could have twice as many talented athletes to draw from as a school that can only recruit students who score 19 and up on the ACT.

That being said, I do believe there are enough student athletes out there who excel both in the classroom and on the field to sustain the top teams in both the OAC and the NCAC.  So I don't think it explains why the top third of the NCAC cannot beat the top third of the OAC.  But there are A LOT of football playing colleges in this part of the country, and eventually the talent pool at the smartest end of the acedemic bell curve does dry up.  IMHO this is the main reason the bottom two-thirds of the NCAC cannot consistently compete.  And this lack of competitiveness in conference play is the biggest factor in explaining why the top teams in the NCAC cannot get over the OAC hurdle.

Of course this is just my opinion.  I could be wrong.

[smedindy]

Smarties or not, some people are going to go to go play at the better program all things being equal.

I think it's up to the Denisons, Earlhams, and Hirams of the NCAC to differentiate themselves when they recruit. I mean, most all kids accepted to those schools could be accepted everywhere in the NCAC. So I think those schools really need to bring out the academic differences to other NCAC schools. (I am sure many of those accepted at Wittenberg would be able to attend Kenyon and Oberlin - so I'm not going to be a snob about it - face it...we're not dealing with Tick Tock Tech here...)

Also, there aren't many NCAC schools where football is ingrained in the culture. I think that's more prevalent in the OAC. So a kid with a great SAT score and in the top 5% of his class that comes from a big time program in Indiana or Ohio (but not D-1 caliber) may want to go to a winning program that has support. Again, I think the lower rungs of the NCAC need to help the football team in intangible ways as well, but that may take a while to build.

Face it, you take a recruit who is on the fence to a game at Hollett, not even Homecoming or the Bell Game, and you have 4,000 or so fans in the stands and a lot of hoopla, that kids going to be impressed. Take them to a game at Hiram, maybe not so much except he says "I can play TODAY for these guys."

[Superfoot Wallace]

wittfan,

dont know if the problems with the bottom two thrids are a result of the talent pool drying up or just a hard sell considering theyll likely get their lunches handed to them by the preemineet rocktrolls in the conference with little chance for retribution.

the uaa seems to have better parity and a team in the final national ranking. even though the other wally in the conference doesnt like the scheduling agreement, the ncacs bottom third if not whole would do well to look into the uaa business plan as a template.

might be the lack of parity that makes the uaa sell different than that of the ncacs premiere academic insitutions.

maybe the ncac should give the bottom three teams in the conference a token that they can use to play a teamof their choice under some optimized rules: limited substitution, placing the ball where it comes to rest and requisite four yards behind the line of scrimmage before a forward pass.

in a similar vein of nostalgia, am not in line with those calling for a division one playoff.  actually would like to see the BCS done away with and a return to the confernce bowl tie ins. enough with the south floridas and boise states, let them play each other.  think usf takes that one by the way. 

signed,
kerry collins and kijana carter

[ski]

MOUNTS SUCCESS!    Everything they have, they earned.  They weren't always a D3 powerhouse. They developed the program they now enjoy. A program that is as high profile as D3 gets. A program that is well supported by the College, by the fans and by the community. This whole program and its tremendous package of support, enables Mount to bring in large numbers of talented recruits. Great numbers, very good coaching and strong support add up to a team that will be near the top, year after year.

[runyr]

Mount Union's success has helped raise the level of D3 play in the OAC and for other teams they play just like other successful teams before them helped raise Mount's play.  Larry Kehres has been quoted numerous times saying he was inspired by Augustana in the 80's.  Wittenberg, B-W, and Muskingham were at other times dominant Ohio teams that inspired excellence.  I agree that playing good competition can help programs get better.

[Superfoot Wallace]

Three karma hits in two days.  Must have been the discussion of the michigan center over on the OAC page.  Thats okay, will take them, just remember, now that Bo can choose Gerald to play center, Woody might think twice about going for three... errr two.

Back to the conference at hand, guess I have to root for the buckeyes to devour all of florida as gator meat from anywhere besides meadville would just be rancid to the pallete.

signed,
james evans louisiana frogcakes

[Li'l Giant]

Three karma hits in two days.  Must have been the discussion of the michigan center over on the OAC page.

I understand how you feel. I've posted twice since December 23 on some pretty innocuous topics and my karma has taken a hit just about everyday since then, including today.

[formerd3db]

Li'l Giant and MacLeod:
I know what you mean as well!

[ADL70]

Me as well.  Is there a karma vampire out there 

[frank uible]

Easy come - easy go.

[Superfoot Wallace]

Damn, was really hoping to have annoyed some Ohio posters.

[ScotLass]

I'm gonna get in trouble for this, BUT, the whole karma thing is unAmerican. Only certain people can "smite" or applaude. The "smitor" doesn't ever have to face the "smitee"or even give a reason for the "smite". I don't know, words like domination and elitism come to mind. I am more a fan of open discussion,debate., and being able to face off with your accuser.

Silly me...

[ADL70]

I agree ScotLass.  There should be accountability at least.  Note the same commentary on NCAC BB Board.  Does karma have a half life?

[smedindy]

With my Karma, I think its half life is timed with those elements that are discovered but not named yet...

[ScotLass]

Maybe in 2007 posters could work on granting Pat one of his wishes for 2006...

From the Dec 21, 2005 Daily Dose:

"Responsible use of the karma function on the message board. I see someone who has a minus-182 karma who hasn't posted in over two months. Yet someone has apparently been smiting this person basically once a day since. Get a grip, people. Some grudges need to be let go"

At least karma isn't linked to your ability to post....shudder, shudder....
Then we'd be like some very naughty regimes who suppress those who don't think like they do......childish behavior turned dangerous

Come on! Grant Pat a wish....