FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Diezel1]

Let it Rain,

Nice job pulling out the Thunderstorm warning in March! Although used in some corny situations (by someone who will remain nameless, and I think you know who he is ), it still sounds cool every time you hear it.

[LetItRain]

Diezel1 - sorry, couldn't resist.   

[LetItRain]

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!

Raider - I believe we only have 3 or 4 starters that graduated last year so most of our starting lineup should be back.  Maybe a couple of more seniors that were #2 in their position.  However, Coach Land will field the best team possible, even if that means the best person for the position didn't start last year.  I would like to tell you that I am "in the know" with the coaches but I'm not, so these are just my own opinions.

[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!

Raider - I believe we only have 3 or 4 starters that graduated last year so most of our starting lineup should be back.  Maybe a couple of more seniors that were #2 in their position.  However, Coach Land will field the best team possible, even if that means the best person for the position didn't start last year.  I would like to tell you that I am "in the know" with the coaches but I'm not, so these are just my own opinions.

Sounds like Trine is going to be the MIAA leader again in 2010!

[Raider 68]

Maybe Spring drills will have the benefit of some sun and decent temperatures if this week's weather is an indication!

[formerd3db]

Maybe Spring drills will have the benefit of some sun and decent temperatures if this week's weather is an indication!

I hope you are right Raider68.  However, I will be surprised if that holds true.  Ever since I can remember, from my playing days at Hope "way back when", we've always had this nice week of weather in early March - either the first or second week.  So much that people were/are running around in shorts, tank tops, etc.  This always seemed to occur right before Spring Break (although in our case, it was actually a good 3-4 weeks before since back then, Hope's Spring Break was always around Easter in the first week of April while now it is mid-March as Hope starts their break this Friday).

Anyway, as I recall, we always got/get blasted thereafter with at least one more big snowstorm   Perhaps everyone will get lucky this year and the weather will be nice as you say for spring football drills, not to mention for the baseball and lacrosse games!

[Raider 68]

Maybe Spring drills will have the benefit of some sun and decent temperatures if this week's weather is an indication!

I hope you are right Raider68.  However, I will be surprised if that holds true.  Ever since I can remember, from my playing days at Hope "way back when", we've always had this nice week of weather in early March - either the first or second week.  So much that people were/are running around in shorts, tank tops, etc.  This always seemed to occur right before Spring Break (although in our case, it was actually a good 3-4 weeks before since back then, Hope's Spring Break was always around Easter in the first week of April while now it is mid-March as Hope starts their break this Friday).

Anyway, as I recall, we always got/get blasted thereafter with at least one more big snowstorm   Perhaps everyone will get lucky this year and the weather will be nice as you say for spring football drills, not to mention for the baseball and lacrosse games!

I am trying to be positive that we will start seeing some spring-like weather, but I know from prior years that we still have some cold weather before it really becomes nice.

I am just getting use to the idea that D3 has spring drills. I think it is great for both the players and coaches to ensure that the players are keeping fit and provides the coaches with a preview of returning players as well as holes or gaps they must fill through recruiting.

[formerd3db]

This is not directly related to our board, nonetheless, has anyone heard anything further regarding the progress of Concordia University's (MI) football program?  I haven't heard if they have even selected a coach as yet?  I thought that was in the process - even if they are not going to officially start until 2011, that should have been in place by now I would think.  Just curious.

[sac]

http://www.annarbor.com/sports/concordia-university-football-hopes-to-become-ann-arbors-little-house/

old press report, but it contained these key paragraphs

Limback said a budget and five-year plan has been laid out, but he declined to provide details. The blueprint includes efforts to build an on-campus football stadium. The athletic department is exploring contracts with area high schools for an immediate game-day venue.

"We're going to have to campaign to raise money, but we think it's going to open up a completely different donor base," said Limback. "The interest in football here is high, and we feel like we can help embrace that."

Concordia, an NAIA affiliated school, is in the process of applying for membership in the Mid-States Football Association. The goal of the university is to operate as a club program next season and become a varsity program by 2011. Related sports on the docket for addition are competitive cheerleading and competitive dance, which would help the university stay in compliance with Title IX.

[D306]

http://www.cuaa.edu/CUAANews/6038.html


Take a look at the attached link.

[Raider 68]

Several Spring questions for the MIAA.

- a new coach at Olivet
- optimism at Trine
- Who will lead Adrian return to challenge Trine in the fall
- Will Hope move to the higher level of the MIAA
- Will the weather cooperate for the teams

Let's see what happens after 16 sessions!

[formerd3db]

Wow, I just noticed this on the main page here - Pat Coleman's article about Finlandia University in Michigan's Upper Peninsula having announced it will be adding a DIII football program in 2012.  Most people don't realize that this school used to be named Suomi College, founded back in the 1870's from the Finland and Norway immigrants to that area for the mining industry.  They already have DIII basketball and hockey.

While I'm sure some of the MIAA schools would then schedule Finlandia for an occasional non-conference game, still, as mentioned in the article, it is more logistical for Finlandia to schedule and perhaps eventually join a conference with teams from the Wisconsin area as it is closer.  While small (464 students, similar to Eureka, IL and Menlo, CA), adding football will most likely add to enrollment, similar to how it has helped Adrian College by adding additional sports.  IMO, a good move for Finlandia.

BTW. once Concordia - Ann Arbor gets its program underway, that is a potential non-conference game for some of the MIAA schools as well (no different than playing other DII schools such as Gannon, Tiffin, Uiversity of Indianapolis, etc. as osme of our MIAA schools have done in recent years).

[Raider 68]

Wow, I just noticed this on the main page here - Pat Coleman's article about Finlandia University in Michigan's Upper Peninsula having announced it will be adding a DIII football program in 2012.  Most people don't realize that this school used to be named Suomi College, founded back in the 1870's from the Finland and Norway immigrants to that area for the mining industry.  They already have DIII basketball and hockey.

While I'm sure some of the MIAA schools would then schedule Finlandia for an occasional non-conference game, still, as mentioned in the article, it is more logistical for Finlandia to schedule and perhaps eventually join a conference with teams from the Wisconsin area as it is closer.  While small (464 students, similar to Eureka, IL and Menlo, CA), adding football will most likely add to enrollment, similar to how it has helped Adrian College by adding additional sports.  IMO, a good move for Finlandia.

BTW. once Concordia - Ann Arbor gets its program underway, that is a potential non-conference game for some of the MIAA schools as well (no different than playing other DII schools such as Gannon, Tiffin, Uiversity of Indianapolis, etc. as osme of our MIAA schools have done in recent years).

I did not think that the UP had that many people living there, not mention having a D3 school who will now have football! At less than 500 students, I give the Administration credit for taking that step.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Wow, I just noticed this on the main page here - Pat Coleman's article about Finlandia University in Michigan's Upper Peninsula having announced it will be adding a DIII football program in 2012.  Most people don't realize that this school used to be named Suomi College, founded back in the 1870's from the Finland and Norway immigrants to that area for the mining industry.  They already have DIII basketball and hockey.

While I'm sure some of the MIAA schools would then schedule Finlandia for an occasional non-conference game, still, as mentioned in the article, it is more logistical for Finlandia to schedule and perhaps eventually join a conference with teams from the Wisconsin area as it is closer.  While small (464 students, similar to Eureka, IL and Menlo, CA), adding football will most likely add to enrollment, similar to how it has helped Adrian College by adding additional sports.  IMO, a good move for Finlandia.

BTW. once Concordia - Ann Arbor gets its program underway, that is a potential non-conference game for some of the MIAA schools as well (no different than playing other DII schools such as Gannon, Tiffin, Uiversity of Indianapolis, etc. as osme of our MIAA schools have done in recent years).

I did not think that the UP had that many people living there, not mention having a D3 school who will now have football! At less than 500 students, I give the Administration credit for taking that step.

I beg your pardon - the UP has over 100,000 residents, giving it a person per square mile rate slightly above Siberia!   Finlandia (formerly Suomi College) has blessedly been repositioned as West Region (as Great Lakes, it's nearest in-region foe was almost 500 miles away; there are dozens of schools in Wisconsin, and even Minnesota, that are closer), but, since it is still allegedly in Michigan, it still has all the original in-region teams too due to administrative region.

[sac]

The UP's population is slightly over 300,000.  1/6 living in the 3 cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Marquette and Escanaba.  Finlandia is in Hancock, right across the river from Houghton  on the Keewenaw Penninsula (the area is often referred to as Houghton-Hancock) and records ridiculous amounts of snow each year.  Houghton is home to Michigan Tech University, a football program that in recent years has been running on financial life support.

There are actually a good handful of traditionally solid high school football programs from the UP.  Most are in Class C or D.

Ishpeming, Iron Mountain, Crystal Falls Forest Park, Lake Lindon-Hubbel (right up the road from Finlandia) come to mind.