FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

wlcalum:
I know what you mean about the travel.  It is fun but can be tedious; and your're right about gas prices being in play.  Anyway, if you get the chance to make the WLC @ Hope game Nov 11th (reg season final) let me know.  I'm sure we'll be continuing correspondence on this board long before then.

79jaybird:
Haven't heard anything.  If I do, though, I will let you know.  While Olivet does update their athletic website, they somehow don't seem to mention much about the the sports that are in their "off-seasons", including football.

[wlcalum]

The only thing that makes these gas prices tolerable is that I am lucky enough to own an E85, flex fuel Tahoe. I last paid 1.99 per gallon as everyone else is paying 2.65. I think the E10 was only 2.61 so it is cheaper at the E85 stations than regular filling stations, don't understand that?  It can be a challenge finding an E85 station but they are popping up more all the time.

Gas milage is the same, as long as you keep your foot out of the V8  as is the power. I notice no difference at all.

I will burn the corn and help the farmers - rather than help the rich get richer. 'Course the wife does own stock with Amoco so our retierment may be better than first expected! 

[Pat Coleman]

I read today in the Grand Rapids Press that the MIAA is allowing schools to have nine days of spring practice.

[wlcalum]

That is great news and will help break up the winter routine. Is nine the max allowed? Thought I read where there could be 13?? Wish we got as many as DI.

[Pat Coleman]

The max is 16, actually.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Yes, the max is 16 but by MIAA ruling our schools are only allowed 9 sessions of 2 hours each.  It is a god send that we are allowed to use a football this year though, it really lends a whole new air of functionallity to the sessions.  It would be great if we could get pads allowed for the practices at some point in the future and use them as actual spring ball but at this point im happy with the baby steps of being allowed to use a football.  The stadium is really shaping up in Adrian all the digging is done and you can really get a feel for the bowl that will be there next year.  The footers are all in and the light pole bases are being poured as well its all moving ahead of schedule.  Brick works is starting in the next week and the bleachers arrive on the 17th.  Once all the bleachers go in its going ot be a quick process of getting the building up and rounding everything off before the field starts in May from what we are hearing.

[formerd3db]

DAWG:
Thanks for the update.  That sounds very exciting.  I've seen some of the "cam" photos of construction and it looks very good.  We'll be excited to see it.  Also, thanks for the update on spring practice at Adrian.  Although I attended Hope's lacrosse game this past weekend, I haven't had a chance to ask about Hope's spring football sessions.  BTW, we beat you guys in lacrosse at Adrian on Friday as you know!  Sorry, just couldn't resist putting in that last one!   Hope you are doing well.

[wlcalum]

It is good news to hear that improvements are progressing quickly with the new football stadiums.

It is also great news that the MIAA has, at last, decided to get football on the front page and allowing more practices and this year with a football!!?

Not being an old timer with the MIAA, I cannot understand, why they have waited for sooo long to get with the program. While I understnd change is a hard thing to do, if they want to be a contender,? a serious contender,? they need to get all the spring practice in they can and get into some serious recruiting.

With the new stadiums being built it seems that an honest effort is being made to improve the football programs, great job MIAA, but etter recruiting and spring practices are needed to bring the MIAA up a notch.

[Pat Coleman]

This is just the way the MIAA is. They didn't allow schools to play 10 games until a few years ago.

[wlcalum]

Thanks Pat - I think?

Come on there fellow MIAA'ers what can we do to get full practices with pads, and better recruiting? With the money being spent on the stadiums and going to games someone should be able to shake things up a bit to improve the MIAA post season play.

[formerd3db]

wlcalum:

Pat is correct.  Regarding history, the MIAA has always been somewhat "lagging in following suit" so to speak.  For years, the league banned post-season play for its football teams (1960-1977; Hillsdale College, now DII, was then an MIAA powerhouse and resigned from the league (ahead of time as it was going to be kicked out) for going to a bowl game against Iowa State).  The MIAA felt it was too expensive and that student-athletes would miss too much class time.  Of course, those aspects have been resolved today with the current NCAA format.  The MIAA, which has high academic standards by most of its schools now allows post-season play for all sports (unlike the hypocritical NESCA and the Ivy Leauge ).

At any rate, as you mention, spring workouts certainly can't hurt (although everyone i.e. other conferences have the same opportunity so not sure how that would overall affect aspects).  On the other hand, and we've had much discussion on this in the past here on the board as you already know, scheduling tougher non-conference opponents on a consistent basis is what will benefit the MIAA teams better in that respect (aside from individual recruiting, of course).

[formerd3db]

I had the opportunity to watch some of Hope's spring football practice on Saturday.  A gorgeous day.  Returning players seem to be in pretty good conditioning for this time of year.  Agility drills looked good and offensive plays against the defense looked pretty good and fast (although obviously this is run through drills without pads).  Defense looks like it might need a little work.  Punters and special teams looked very sharp.  Some really booming spiral punts against a rush even.

It will be interesting to see how the incoming freshmen look this year.  Not sure every returning player was in Saturday's practice (obviously not since some playing other spring sports), however, numbers looked a little down.  I have not heard how many prospective recruits are sleighted to come in; might not have the 140 players for Auguest roster we've had the past several years.  On the other hand, I could be wrong for as we all know, that is unpredictable for the most part until you see who actually reports/shows up to camp in August in DIII.

[matblake]

former, that is one of the things that I really like about d3, there is always players that seem to come out of nowhere.  You never know truly what you have as a fan until you get it.  I could have told you that Mt. Union would have talented guys to plug in for injured players, but to be able to predict a Nate Kmic (Stagg Bowl MOP) at this level is more difficult than the "lower" divisions. 

[albinomascot19]

Nate Kmic is one thing, but when you have a wide receiver in Pierre Garcon, who can burn everyone, you know you are going somewhere.  This guy is totally unbelieveable.  In the championship game this past season he was able to burn everyone.  He came from Norwich where he played some good football, and then decided to transfer to the DIII powerhouse machine Mt. Union, and I dont blame him.  On a side note Mt. Union needs to move up to at least DII.  I would love to see them play against Grand Valley State.

[albinomascot19]

Any word on recruits for this upcoming football season?