FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Uncle Rico:

The indoor stadium idea never seemed to make sense to me.  Angola is not home to that varied of a climate compared to michigan or to exposure to more rain etc so it didnt make sense from a playability stand point.  I can understand that they intended to use it as a year round facility for other sports to practice and the like, Adrian had the same idea when they opened their stadium except they were going to get one of those driving range type domes over about half of the field.  That idea to this point hasnt come to fruition and time will tell if it does.  Tri State at least two years ago had the best natural grass field I had ever seen at the DIII level, I imagine this has something to do with the fact that they have people who are well trained in grass maintenace with the golf course on campus.  I actually thought I heard rumblings that they had a turf management program like MSU, any truth to that?  Needless to say their stadium needed some big improvements, the stands were lacking as were the pressboxes and it would be nice to see lockerrooms installed closer to the field itself.  Im not all that familiar with the current building plans, can you fill me in?

[formerd3db]

It would have been neat (and certainly different) if TSU would have gone through with their domed stadium concept.  Of course, there are other considerations against doing that as DAWG has pointed out.  Well, at least they'll have the new style synthetic turf.  As DAWG also mentioned (and we discussed earlier this year), their actual fb playing surface was very nice a couple of years ago.  However, this past year, it was a disaster.  So the new synthetic turf should be of help, even if they have a turf management department. 

I agree that their press box and stands are in need of improvement.  While the alumni business man (Shive) who donated the $ for entire original fb complex when they started the program, it is at the bottom of the league "chart" for now, similar to what Olivet had before renovating their complex.  So overall, this and the new additional upgrade's to TSU's athletic sports park as they have "coined" it, should be very nice.

I wonder how long (if ever) it will take for Hope and Albion to "join the team" and get the new style turf?  (Kazoo?, well, unfortunately, I doubt they will, but IMO, they really should as we have discussed in the recent past).

The MIAA Media Day is always a neat day.  For any of you who have had the opportunity to attend one in the past, you know what I'm talking about.  Lots of handouts (media guides, etc.) and a good meal, as I recall.  I haven't been to one in years, so not sure if they still have a luncheon (I could check and find out, but I'm too lazy right now ).

Anyway, great to see all the discussion here on our board gentlemen.  Let's keep it up.

[Uncle Rico]

You have to admit, Tri-State Thunder's "Thunder Dome" would have sounded SO cool!   

The overall impression I am getting is that while there may be some favorites for the MIAA title, there are many teams that will factor in, and a few upsets along the way.  Should make for an exciting season, and I am pumped! 

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

formerd3db:

Ive had the pleasure of going to two MIAA media days, one at Kzoo as a player and one we hosted at Adrian while I was coaching.  It was a fun time at both as you get to meet and greet with lots of league people and as you said you receive every teams fall media guide which is pretty cool as well.  Both media days I attended had excellent luncheons, At K it was a buffet type set up which was nice as there were options, at Adrian it was just a plate of food brought into you, granted it was still good food. 

I dont know how much of a rush Albion will be to put in the new style turf as theirs is generally in excellent shape, with few exceptions.  Hope on the other hand playing at a municipal stadium will have a better chance I would guess if they can get the high schools to sign on the dotted line with them.  I doubt Kzoo will ever get it, it goes against the whole not spending any money policy they seem to have established. 

Also good to see Rugenstein get the second team all American this pre-season, he is an excellent player and should have a great year along with the Hope Defense.

Uncle Rico:

You are right, I didn't even think of being able to call it the "Thunder Dome", that would have been great, "two teams enter, two teams leave" that could have been great!

[formerd3db]

Uncle Rico:

Great name for the "not to be stadium"!  Also, great to have your enthusiasm on board!  + karma for you for that.  We have to get you started on that too!

DAWG:

Thanks for sharing your experiences on the MIAA Media Day.  Also, yes I think you are right on the "playing surface" topics.

[D306]

Regarding Pre-season All-Americans

The Hope - Wheaton game will have 2 outstanding DE's playing.
Should be a good game.

So does Albion suffer a significant drop off on DE after graduation of 3-4 that played most of the minutes. Sheldon was very good,Vernon was a tough stay at home DE. What do they have coming up? Should see what comes with Wheaton - Albion game.

Week or so until players report.

[INQBScout]

The Hope - Wheaton game will have 2 outstanding DE's playing.

Rugenstein definitely plays with a high motor...

What's the mood in the Hope camp? Seems as though expectations are high?

[rome]

Finally,

The MIAA has gotten to 99 pages!


Yes



Yes












Yes













Yes

[HOF]

My MIAA Picks for Media Day today:

1.  Hope (7 first place votes)
2.  Olivet (1 first place vote from Dean Krepps)
3.  Albion
4.  Alma
5.  Adrian
6.  Tri-State
7.  Kalamazoo
8.  Wisc. Lutheran

Let's here it....get your votes out....

[WLCALUM83]

My MIAA Picks for Media Day today:

1.  Hope (7 first place votes)
2.  Olivet (1 first place vote from Dean Krepps)
3.  Albion
4.  Alma
5.  Adrian
6.  Tri-State
7.  Kalamazoo
8.  Wisc. Lutheran

Let's here it....get your votes out....

WLCALUM 83's picks:

1. Hope
2. Olivet
3. Albion
4. Alma
5. Tri-State (should all hands stay healthy)
6. Adrian
7. Kalamazoo
8. WLC

[blb]

I wonder, given the mindset of the new college president:

If Adrian finishes sixth (or even fifth) if Coach Lyall will still be there in 2008?

[WLCALUM83]

The reason this poster put Tri-State above Adrian was mainly because of Adrian's relatively unsettled off-season assistant coaching situation compared to the other conference schools. I would hope Adrian's coach would be given more time after this season.

I'd also like to see WLC get 1 win (at this point--conference or non-conference it wouldn't matter.) The Warriors have a boatload of unanswered questions.

[formerd3db]

Some of you people must have heard more than the rest of us re: Adrian.  There has been a lot of rumor around the league over the past year or two since Adrian's President announced the Renaissance program which included the expanded athletic program (some of it I suspect is envy from some others around the league, however, I could be wrong).  As such I'm not sure that there is "discord" about the coaching staff at Adrian - obviously DAWG and bulldogalum would know more about that than the rest of us and they might be able to share a bit about that (hopefully without putting themselves in a comprimised position with respect to people they know in that program).

Assistant coaches come and go all the time at the DIII level and even staffs that have been together for a long time eventually will change due to many factors i.e. retirements, other opportunities either within the college or leaving altogether, or just "burnout".  Up until recent, Adrian has had a staff a long time (just like Hope did for many years the latter of which has began to reestablish that longevity again).  So it is no surprise that Adrian's staff has several changes and even with coaches leaving in a short span doesn't necessarily mean "trouble in Bulldog land".  Head coaches who have been with a program a long time are going to have up and down periods - it happens to everyone and I can't imagine that the president at Adrian is going to put Coach Lyall in a "win or else" situation.  If he does, I would have to consider losing some respect for him even if he is an alum of there.  Lyall should have the opportunity to go out on his own choosing - he has done a lot for that school over the years as has his longtime assistants, including those who are still at the school in other positions and/or retired.  If there are "rumblings", my guess is that it is from alumns but if so, they should think again about "throwing stones" - how much support have they given Adrian in terms of attendance in recent years?   Again, I could be way off base, but from an "outside" perspective, just MO.

As far as MIAA Media Day today, I would generally agree with the picks listed above - I have a "toss-up" for second between Olivet and Albion - can't make up my mind   On paper perhaps and from outside enthusiasm, I would pick Olivet second, but they have a tendency to be inconsistent at times when it comes down to the wire and my gut feeling says Albion.  Of course, Alma is always in the mix, but could be down a bit this year with the loss of QB Brehm and...as we all know, if Hope is picked #1, that has proven to be a "not so good" aspect for teams picked in that position in recent years.  We'll see what happens.  Also, yes, it would be nice to see WLC go out with a good showing this year.  Too bad we'll be down to 7 teams after this season, but at least we'll have that for the AQ. 

BTW, let's see who of our MIAA posters will be the one to put us to page #100!!!

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

formerd3db:

I have talked alot about how the new president operates and I wont do much of that now, the only thing I will say is that he brings a Division I mindset to Adrian.  This can be seen as good and bad and time will tell how things play out there I cant say I know exactly what is going on and how things are being handled, the only people I think can would be the President, athletic director and Coach Lyall. 

As far as MIAA media day it seems all the recent picks go along with what I have had earlier in the offseason.  I will post mine as well again simply because its fun to see everyones up here.

Hope(7 first place)
Olivet(1 first place)
Albion
Alma
Adrian
Tri State
Kalamazoo
Wisconsin Lutheran

[formerd3db]

DAWG:

I know what you mean.  I also did not expect you to divulge publically some of the real specifics regarding the "inside" info you know for obvious reasons - as you were part of the staff previously, you should not put yourself in any situation that might be precarious so to speak .  Thus, I think your general comments are sufficient.  As you say, the "mindset" that Adrian's president brings has pros and cons.  On the positive side, since no athletic scholarships are involved, adding sports brings in many additional students which is a ton of $ for the college.  Adrian's enrollment dipped under 1000 for the first time in a few decades last year which was not a good thing.  It is my understanding that they had to cut off applications this year which topped well over 2000 and that they want a target enrollment of about 1500 to 1700 at the most.  I do not doubt that they could get over the 2000 mark, however, the physical plant of the campus can't accomodate that many students at present. 

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens at Adrian in the future.  Thanks for your comments (and also your picks!)