FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Former 3db,

Great post!, do you know how many of the MIAA schools have a no cut policy?

From you post , I assume that if the MIAA schools have 150+ players in camp, that does provide for the competition they seek, with 50-75 incoming freshman. The costs as you point out are so high for so many of the D3 programs, that without some aid many top athletes and their parents cannot afford to send them. From a coaching perspective the state schools have a huge advantage, but those scholarships programs are limited to the best of the best. I am really surprized that the incoming freshman numbers are so high. At Mount, I still am amazed the numbers of freshman remain as high, given the costs and the wait your turn reality that exists there. Coach Kehres has a no cut policy, yet the participation remains one of the highest in the country. Winning alot and being in a position to win it all helps a little

When I was at Hope my freshman year, they made cuts for the first time in the history of Hope's program. We had 110 report (again, we had 40 freshman in my class) and Coach cut down to 90, which they thought at that time was most manageable.  Today, as far as I know, none of the MIAA schools have a "cut policy" and I agree with that.  In part, some of that is a result of the schools having the return of J.V. programs in recent years, which obviously provides the incoming freshmen a chance to get used to the system, get some playing time and even on occasion have a chance to earn a traveling squad spot.  

I do admire your Mount's program in that they have among the highest, if not the highest turnout each year of players around the 200 mark.  However, aside from the obvious fact that people want to go to the program that has consistantly won the "top prize, play for one of DIII's greatest coaches and go to a good school as Mount is, one aspect that is difficult for me to understand is still why many of them would choose to do that when they could most likely have a chance at playing right away at another school.  Aside from the fact that all the players Mount recruits are exceptionally good, obviously not all of them can play right away, and I'm not sure I would want to wait for 2-3 years to get a shot at playing regularly for one.  On the other hand, I'm sure many of those players think they are good enough to crack the lineup earlier, but in all honesty, that is not going to happen for all of them.  Yet, I guess one could say the same for Hope and all these other programs that have 130+ report each year   Anyway, it comes down to people having to make theri own decisions and some are fine with taking that chance and just being a part of a top championship team if it doesn't work out for them like they desired regarding their careers and p.t.

[Raider 68]

Former 3db,

Great post!, do you know how many of the MIAA schools have a no cut policy?

From you post , I assume that if the MIAA schools have 150+ players in camp, that does provide for the competition they seek, with 50-75 incoming freshman. The costs as you point out are so high for so many of the D3 programs, that without some aid many top athletes and their parents cannot afford to send them. From a coaching perspective the state schools have a huge advantage, but those scholarships programs are limited to the best of the best. I am really surprized that the incoming freshman numbers are so high. At Mount, I still am amazed the numbers of freshman remain as high, given the costs and the wait your turn reality that exists there. Coach Kehres has a no cut policy, yet the participation remains one of the highest in the country. Winning alot and being in a position to win it all helps a little

When I was at Hope my freshman year, they made cuts for the first time in the history of Hope's program. We had 110 report (again, we had 40 freshman in my class) and Coach cut down to 90, which they thought at that time was most manageable.  Today, as far as I know, none of the MIAA schools have a "cut policy" and I agree with that.  In part, some of that is a result of the schools having the return of J.V. programs in recent years, which obviously provides the incoming freshmen a chance to get used to the system, get some playing time and even on occasion have a chance to earn a traveling squad spot. 

I do admire your Mount's program in that they have among the highest, if not the highest turnout each year of players around the 200 mark.  However, aside from the obvious fact that people want to go to the program that has consistantly won the "top prize, play for one of DIII's greatest coaches and go to a good school as Mount is, one aspect that is difficult for me to understand is still why many of them would choose to do that when they could most likely have a chance at playing right away at another school.  Aside from the fact that all the players Mount recruits are exceptionally good, obviously not all of them can play right away, and I'm not sure I would want to wait for 2-3 years to get a shot at playing regularly for one.  On the other hand, I'm sure many of those players think they are good enough to crack the lineup earlier, but in all honesty, that is not going to happen for all of them.  Yet, I guess one could say the same for Hope and all these other programs that have 130+ report each year   Anyway, it comes down to people having to make theri own decisions and some are fine with taking that chance and just being a part of a top championship team if it doesn't work out for them like they desired regarding their careers and p.t.

If I were going to chose today I am not sure I would be willing to wait. I turned down a D1 ride (Toledo) back then and was unsure if I was going to play football. Mount at that time was a 500 level win team or a tad better, but nowhere near a conference winner then.

[formerd3db]

Raider68:
I'm with you on that.

[LetItRain]

My son was recruited by Mt. Union.  He and a teammate from high school went for a visit and liked what they saw/heard, but in the end it came down to two things.  First, they didn't have the academic program my son wanted (engineering) and second, my son decided that he wanted to be a part of building a football program vs. trying to maintain a football program.  He also wanted to play vs. wait years to earn a starting position on varsity.  He was very flattered that Mt. Union recruited him but it just wasn't the program/school for him.  In the end, his teammate attended Mt. Union and was 2nd string JV.  He was incredibly disappointed because he thought he would get there and earn a starting varsity position right off which we knew would probably not happen.  His teammate left Mt. Union after only one year.

[Raider 68]

My son was recruited by Mt. Union.  He and a teammate from high school went for a visit and liked what they saw/heard, but in the end it came down to two things.  First, they didn't have the academic program my son wanted (engineering) and second, my son decided that he wanted to be a part of building a football program vs. trying to maintain a football program.  He also wanted to play vs. wait years to earn a starting position on varsity.  He was very flattered that Mt. Union recruited him but it just wasn't the program/school for him.  In the end, his teammate attended Mt. Union and was 2nd string JV.  He was incredibly disappointed because he thought he would get there and earn a starting varsity position right off which we knew would probably not happen.  His teammate left Mt. Union after only one year.

I can see that happening with players unwilling to wait their turn. As of this fall  though Mount will offer engineering. I would not say that  Mount is in a maiintaining mode.  Every year is a new one and each team has its strengths and areas to improve. Many top athletes want to play as soon as they can and are more conerned with that than just being part of a top program.

[Raider 68]

While there is still alot of snow in Michigan, are all the MIAA teams having spring drills in 2010?

[formerd3db]

While there is still alot of snow in Michigan, are all the MIAA teams having spring drills in 2010?

To my knowledge, they will.  The NCAA designates a specific time period for which the spring drills need to be held/completed (I don't have the manual right in front of me/available right now so I am remiss at stating the specific regulations - perhaps Pat and/or other of our colleagues here can relate the exact rule), and, of course, the limited number of practice sessions that can be held.  Most of the snow, at least historically, will be gone or nearly so by the time practices come around in late March/early April.  However, certainly the schools that have synthetic turf in the league (Alma, Trine, Adrian and Olivet) will have no problem in holding the sessions if they have them outside as usual.  I will say, thought, that since the official allowance for DIII schools holding spring football sessions, having those outdoors hasn't been a detriment to Hope even though they have natural turf practice fields and no synthetic turf at the football stadium.  Yet that situation is now made even better as Hope could potentially use, if necessary, the new Soccer/Lacrosse stadium which has the new synthetic turf provided it didn't interfere with any dates for the lacrosse games.

[Raider 68]

While there is still alot of snow in Michigan, are all the MIAA teams having spring drills in 2010?

To my knowledge, they will.  The NCAA designates a specific time period for which the spring drills need to be held/completed (I don't have the manual right in front of me/available right now so I am remiss at stating the specific regulations - perhaps Pat and/or other of our colleagues here can relate the exact rule), and, of course, the limited number of practice sessions that can be held.  Most of the snow, at least historically, will be gone or nearly so by the time practices come around in late March/early April.  However, certainly the schools that have synthetic turf in the league (Alma, Trine, Adrian and Olivet) will have no problem in holding the sessions if they have them outside as usual.  I will say, thought, that since the official allowance for DIII schools holding spring football sessions, having those outdoors hasn't been a detriment to Hope even though they have natural turf practice fields and no synthetic turf at the football stadium.  Yet that situation is now made even better as Hope could potentially use, if necessary, the new Soccer/Lacrosse stadium which has the new synthetic turf provided it didn't interfere with any dates for the lacrosse games.

Former 3db,

I think Mount had issues with the weather last year and we are way down south in Ohio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LetItRain]

Seems like every year it's different, which is true for the Midwest.  Year one - cold and rainy.  Year two - almost warm enough for shorts.  Year three - cold but sunny.  Who knows what this year will bring.  I'd rather have snow than rain, but a bright, sunny day would be my personal preference.   

I think Trine starts spring football in early April.

[formerd3db]

While there is still alot of snow in Michigan, are all the MIAA teams having spring drills in 2010?

To my knowledge, they will.  The NCAA designates a specific time period for which the spring drills need to be held/completed (I don't have the manual right in front of me/available right now so I am remiss at stating the specific regulations - perhaps Pat and/or other of our colleagues here can relate the exact rule), and, of course, the limited number of practice sessions that can be held.  Most of the snow, at least historically, will be gone or nearly so by the time practices come around in late March/early April.  However, certainly the schools that have synthetic turf in the league (Alma, Trine, Adrian and Olivet) will have no problem in holding the sessions if they have them outside as usual.  I will say, thought, that since the official allowance for DIII schools holding spring football sessions, having those outdoors hasn't been a detriment to Hope even though they have natural turf practice fields and no synthetic turf at the football stadium.  Yet that situation is now made even better as Hope could potentially use, if necessary, the new Soccer/Lacrosse stadium which has the new synthetic turf provided it didn't interfere with any dates for the lacrosse games.

Former 3db,

I think Mount had issues with the weather last year and we are way down south in Ohio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seems like every year it's different, which is true for the Midwest.  Year one - cold and rainy.  Year two - almost warm enough for shorts.  Year three - cold but sunny.  Who knows what this year will bring.  I'd rather have snow than rain, but a bright, sunny day would be my personal preference.   

I think Trine starts spring football in early April.

Raider68 and LetItRain:
I know what you guys mean.  One never knows what April will bring.  There have been some nasty snowstorms in mid-April in some years as you all know.  LIR- nice summary of the weather since the spring football pracitce has been instituted for DIII.  One comment though - in reference to your posting name, I thouhgt you'd love rain for spring practice!   Just kidding!!   Indeed, I'd rather have anything but rain, yet sunny days even if a bit chilly like last year is fine with me.  Certainly, with the synthetic turf available, that makes it much easier and more fun, IMO.

Thanks for keeping our board active you guys.  We are always behind the other boards, but at least we're doing some actitivity here, more than a couple of the other conference boards I guess.

BTW, I sent in a question to Pat, our Great Moderator, but will also pose it here:  what happened to the DIII lacrosse board here?  Hope has already had two games, so I assume that Trine has started their season as well (although admittedly, I have not checked your school's athletic website).  Talk to you guys later.

[LetItRain]

Trine's first LAX game was scheduled for last Saturday but it was postponed until tomorrow.  Trine has participated in a few indoor scrimmages but the actual season starts tomorrow.

Formerd3db - the rain I look forward to comes with a "Thunderstorm" warning each Saturday during football season!   

23 weeks and counting....

[Uncle Rico]

I suspect that Trine could hold some activities in the new ARC building if the weather did not cooperate, but it is football and it would have to be pretty nasty to move it inside.

[formerd3db]

LIR:
Thanks for the update!  I think you are right about the "Thunderstorm" warnings for this season.  I have to believe that Trine is once again the favorite at this point.  Nor would it surprise me to see that they will continue the recent break of the past trend of the team who is voted the favorite to win the title at the MIAA Press Day.  While the MIAA race is always tight, some of the other "usual" contenders will need to step it up a notch this year.  Otherwise, it could very well be Trine for the third year in a row.  Then again, IMO, I hope not!

[Mr. Ypsi]

The way the weather has turned the last couple of days, the snow should all be gone in a few more!  The park I take my dog to is already more muddy than snowy.

Barring a long dry spell, you'd destroy the turf (if it IS turf), but plenty of time for regeneration before summer drills!

P.S., this report is from SE Michigan - can't guarantee it applies to central or SW Michigan!

[Raider 68]

LIR:
Thanks for the update!  I think you are right about the "Thunderstorm" warnings for this season.  I have to believe that Trine is once again the favorite at this point.  Nor would it surprise me to see that they will continue the recent break of the past trend of the team who is voted the favorite to win the title at the MIAA Press Day.  While the MIAA race is always tight, some of the other "usual" contenders will need to step it up a notch this year.  Otherwise, it could very well be Trine for the third year in a row.  Then again, IMO, I hope not!

What is Trine bringing back in terms of their 2-deep roster and what school has the 2nd most returning starters?

It should be time that we all hear about perspective recruits for 2010!