FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[WLCALUM83]

Happy New Year, All Posters!

This one's MIAA wish list for 2007:

1-- WLC wins at least one football game:
2-- Tri-State continues to improve:
3-- The MIAA playoff rep wins at least one playoff game:

[79jaybird]

I think WLC will start improving (records wise) once they move to the NAC after this year.  Hopefully they continue to improve. That is a pretty school up there in Milwaukee.

[formerd3db]

WLCALUM83:

I'd like to see those events occur too (except, obviously, no wins for WLC and Tri-State against Hope! ).  I think both will improve in time.  Personally, while I realize it is good and in the best interests for WLC to move to their new conference after the 2007 season, I will be sad to see them go.  They have made a fine contribution to the MIAA and certainly helped out when needed as far as the AQ was concerned.  I wish your alma mater all the best in their future program when they move.  Thanks also for your contributions to the MIAA board - you'll be missed after next year, although obviously, we'll have you and your colleagues around for at least one more season.  Hope your holidays were enjoyable.   

[formerd3db]

BTW, has anyone heard any further information about Tri-State's proposed new football stadium?  When we were down at the game there this fall, some of their student-athletes told me that they were actually going to improve Shive Field and build a domed facility.  If that is going to occur, that indeed would be impressive.  They should, though, at least put in the new synthetic turf as the field condition was not good.  Appreciate any follow-up info any of you might have - thanks. (I suppose I could check their website, but haven't as yet ).

[D306]

Speaking of new turf.
Albion would be served well to upgrade to synthetic grass.
With the number of grads, and success the school traditionally has in Football I would think they could raise the cash.

Our senior year in HS our school built a new field and it had Turf Grass like Ford Field. it was great. Soft and fast, no real turf burns like the CARPET in the Pontiac Silverdome. Talk about a brick and turf burns!

FB, Soccer, Lacrosse all utilized the field as well as the track being built around it from track and field.

Though I did miss the mud and snow, that really made it feel like playoff football. Since we were a power run team the muddy fields and slow high grass always helped us.

Changed the style of play and players for Soccer as it became a fast field and out of bounds became an issue even with the full size field now being available. Ball just rolled more.

My number one wish for the MIAA is a playoff win maybe ven two just to be greedy.


Happy New Year folks

[formerd3db]

D306:

I'm wondering, too, when the remaining MIAA schools might install the synthetic turf fields (Field Turf, AstroPlay) now that Alma, Olivet and Adrian have them.  While I agree that "good old grass" is neat for football from a "traditional standpoint", I admit that I like the new synthetic turfs.  As you point out for both of these, no (or rarely if any) "carpet burns" and a big advantage for multiple team sports usage (and less maintainance).  Cost of the turf and its installment probably would not be as much for Hope, Albion (and perhaps Tri-State) as it would be for Kazoo, since those others schools have stadiums in place requiring less renovation/improvements for the field than Angell Field (maybe ).  Now, all they need to do is get some rich alumni (or one individual very rich alum ) to donate for the projects, and they'll be all set!   It will be interesting to see if any of this occurs in the next couple of years or so.

[D306]

D3DB

I agree with some of the numerous successfull grads from the MIAA, and a little pledge and fund raising I would think they all could get the monies.

Would help in the recruitment of players also.
Many of the HS have "turf" in the newer suburbs and cities. Some kids may think their HS fields were nicer than the Colleges at this point.

I like the traditions in many of the MIAA stadiums, so you must be carefull to keep that traditional feel and look, if these are updated to "turf"
The great and long history of some of the MIAA colleges is something to be proud of, nourished , and preserved.

Do not to ruin a stadium like the "spaceship" that landed on Soldier field in Chicago. Spoiled a legendary stadium with that mess.

Miss college football already, only the OSU trouncing of Florida left.
Pro football does not have the same feel to me, not sure why I think it is the "showboating" and self promotion of to many players and advertisements.

[formerd3db]

D306:
I couldn't agree with you more.  Indeed, the remaining MIAA stadiums i.e. Albion and Kazoo (with the exception being Hope's Holland Munincipal Stadium and WLC and Tri-State since they are all newer) have a that great old traditional feeling and basically being on the original fields.  Keeping that "atmosphere" is a good aspect and important (at least it is to me! ) and I think Olivet accomplished this by keeping their stadium renovation on their original field of over 100 years.  That being said, we can't really put Adrian's beautiful new stadium or the others in that category (except perhaps Alma since theirs remained on part of their old 1929 field, albeit switching positions a bit with the then baseball field), but these new ones are in a somewhat different light.  Holland Munincipal has a great "semi-bowl-like" setting and is a more modern style; Adrian's while very modern is similar, yet what makes the latter's attractive is it's return to an "on campus" stadium.   I think that was very important for the Adrian students although the college certainly shared a very good relationship with the high school and its community over the recent decades when at Maple Stadium (which is a neat stadium itself).  Overall, if Hope, Kazoo and Tri-State put in turf, it will make those fields/stadiums even more attractive.

I also think you hit on an additional important point.  Since many of the high schools have now put in wonderful, expensive modern stadiums with state-of-the art facilities, and the turfs, indeed the small colleges have to upgrade their stadiums to be able to attract student-athletes for football (and the other sports that use their stadiums).  It doesn't look good to a propective recruit to come to a college, even if it is a small college, when their own high school stadium is light years ahead of the college's.  That is one aspect (although among other aspects) that was a hinderance to Olivet for a long time.  Paticularly, in this era, when it is becoming more difficult to recruit due to costs and competition from the DII schools in the state, this is one area the small schools i.e. MIAA schools need to keep up on.  Zeeland's newest and 2nd h.s. Zeeland West built a beautiful facilitity, bricked stadium, brick and iron fencing around the field giving it that "old style feeling" and, of course, the new turf.  Kind of makes Holland Munincipal feel even more behind the times perhaps, although obviously not entirely.

Anyway, as we've discussed, it will be interesting to see what happens, although again, I think it might be another year or so at least before considerations for this become "real"??!!!  On the other hand, maybe the process will start moving faster.  Thanks for your input and opinions.   

[79jaybird]

What's new with Olivet?  Any Comets that could give me an update.  I have a feeling Olivet is going to be real strong in 2007.  They sure showed me a lot of spunk when we played them last year.  I think if you were to take away those two costly turnovers that led to 14 points early,  I think the Comets stood a good shot at beating us.  I remember they were mostly Sophs/Juniors too, which makes me think they are going to be pretty strong this Fall.

[Superfoot Wallace]

Witt has them online for next season as well.

Think they are a very dangerous team.  If they had/have a player like Almas Brehm they could be North Region contenders given their offensive philosophy and evolution.

Several of the games they lost last season scared the heavily favored opponents right down to the last whistle.

Wont go into the whole coaching carousel and the xs and os of two major systems being hybrid at Olivet, but lets just say there are some peculair talents and developed skills lurking that could lead to what might be viewed in the early season as upsets.

Their coach is very experienced and proud.  The next few years could help to put them on the map.  The windows brief as players with skills from the former regime will turn over within the next two to three years, but if this thing gets on track they could be the next real contender from the MIAA.

signed,
sixkiller and lujack

[SaintsFAN]

Thanks, formerd3db. 

I didn't think they had to do much in there, but doctor called me on Saturday.  My labrum was detached, rotator cuff was torn and the bicep was detached.  In addition to all that, they had to shave down the humerus and another bone in there so the rotator cuff didn't get roughed up again.   I'm sure I'll be glad I had all that done, but this is the most pain I've been in. 

[formerd3db]

SaintsFAN:
You are welcome.  See my reply post to you on the HCAC board.

[79jaybird]

"my labrum was detached, rotator cuff was torn, and the bicep was detached..."
SaintsFan,  your nickname is not Lucky is it?    Sorry I couldn't pass that one up!
Hopefully you return to full health soon.

[SaintsFAN]

Thanks, Jay...  no it definitely isn't.

The injuries came from repetitive motion...ie throwing.  Insurance took their time to approve the surgery so as a result of the wait the bicep injury occured. 

I'm just glad we found all of it...

formerd3db

check the front page and HCAC page.

[formerd3db]

It sure is quite on this board!  I guess most of you are concentrating on the BB season and upcoming spring sports in our MIAA   Not much apparently going on in the MIAA football world it appears!  At this rate, our friends on the HCAC board are going to surpass us quickly in postings, despite them having to start all over again with the mysterious loss of post countings!!   I guess I should include myself in this since I've not posted much here either (at least not much about any MIAA fb info in all honesty! ).  Anyway, if you have any news about what's going on at your MIAA school fbwise, let us know!  Thanks my friends.