FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[ACRULZ]

The MIAA will definitely be tough this year.  With a possible four teams competing for the conference crown, playoff berth and a WIN in the playoffs.  Adrian is ranked pre-season #20 by Street & Smiths but that is primarily based on the info the SID's send.  The Adrian/Albion game last season was definitely a classic and I look forward to another thriller.  Alma and Hope are always in the mix.  My question is how will Olivet do with Dom?  Olivet is a tough gritty team that plays tough and is very dangerous.  K-Zoo, Tri-State, and Wisconsin Lutheran will probably compete for the cellar.  However, I can definitely see them winning a couple games that no one thinks they should.  It will definitely be an exciting season. 

[D306]

Thanks for the comments

looking forward to the seasons start.
How much advantage do you think teams get from a JV team.
Good practice and instruction, or just a holding place to keep younger guys interested in playing at a school?

I think it is very helpful for freshman so they can get PT they may never get on varsity, also to get acclimated to college life, college football speed and talent level.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Just curious - which MIAA scholls - if any - have JV teams?

[ACRULZ]

Adrian, Albion, Hope, Olivet, Alma I know at least had JV teams.  I'm not sure about the rest of the league.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Great news for the Dutchmen, as Booko is coming back:

http://hollandsentinel.com/stories/071106/localsports_20060711033.shtml

[D306]

Question for everyone

I am hearing several people at the gym, saying they are using creatine, and NO-Explode.
These guys are going to be playing FB in College, D1, and D3.
I thought these were against NCAA rules.
Can anyone comment.
I told them that I thought these were not allowed in College sports.

I commented eat right, and supplement with Whey Protein 1.5 -2 grams a pound and you will make good gains without breaking rules, am I right?

[Grutte Dirk]

Question for everyone

I'm sure there're bunches of strength athletes on this board who know loads about nutrition.

I am hearing several people at the gym, saying they are using creatine, and NO-Explode.
These guys are going to be playing FB in College, D1, and D3.
I thought these were against NCAA rules.
Can anyone comment.
I told them that I thought these were not allowed in College sports.

I commented eat right, and supplement with Whey Protein 1.5 -2 grams a pound and you will make good gains without breaking rules, am I right?

The NCAA and IOC cannot make creatine, in it's present form, illegal because it's food.  You'd have to quit eating red meat.

The trouble with ALL types supplements is that many, if not a majority, contain illegal substances to improve their effectiveness and build costumer loyalty.

Just ask your coach, oh wait, remember the NCAA told your coach not to talk to you about supplements, not even discuss it, 'cause most of all.....the NCAA don't wanna be sued.

Don't take my word for it, look it up.

                          Chemists Stay a Step Ahead of Drug Testers
                      Internet Offers New Steroids Designed to Be Undetectable

By Amy Shipley
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 18, 2005; Page E01

The Washington Post obtained five dietary supplements -- each of which touted its ability to build muscle fast -- available online and asked a prominent Los Angeles researcher to test them. Don Catlin...said four of the products contained previously undetected anabolic steroids. One contained a steroid that came to the attention of authorities just two years ago...the five products tested were...Superdrol...Prostanozol...Ergomax LMG...Methyl 1-P...FiniGenX Magnum Liquid...none is properly labeled as a dietary supplement, as defined in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act...click on the title to read the entire article

[Grutte Dirk]

Will Adrian's new stadium bring in the recruits like Hope's Temple of the Ball-god has?  Will it be superior to the other MIAA stadiums?

[ACRULZ]

Will Adrian's new stadium bring in the recruits like Hope's Temple of the Ball-god has?  Will it be superior to the other MIAA stadiums?

Adrian's facilities will compete to be the best in Division III.

[Grutte Dirk]

Adrian's facilities will compete to be the best in Division III.

Who has the best MIAA football stadium?

[formerd3db]

Adrian's facilities will compete to be the best in Division III.

Who has the best MIAA football stadium?

A good question Bilk.  IMO, they all have some positive aspects in one way or another.  I'm sure our fellow posters will have their own favorites for various reasons.  Not intending to "sit the fence", but I will mention my own thoughts on each of them, again, all of which have some positive aspects I like.

Hope:  A very nice stadium (shared with the city of Holland) built into a "horsehoe bowl" shaped hill.  With larger crowds, it does have that "bowl" feeling, and especially nice is students/fans sitting on the endzone hill.  Great spacious pressbox.  Drawbacks: permament seating to far from the sidelines (old Riverview Stadium had that very cozy tight bowl feeling), natural turf has always been a problem since its construction - new style synthetic turf would be a great plus for many reasons (although it probably won't happen for quite some time).

Adrian:  Indeed, the new stadium should be a big plus in recruiting.  Although Maple Stadium was nice and served its purpose, it was very similar with regard to the above comments re: Hope's current stadium.  The new one is "state of the art", brings back the great old college feeling/tradition of an "on campus" field/stadium back to Adrian.  Mezannine area will be great - a big attraction (similar to EMU's stadium)  Drawback (although not really) - visitors stands look too small, yet on the other hand, it is my understanding they desired those to be that size so they would be filled rather than have a ton of empty seats on that side due to too large of visitors stands (besides, additional seating can always be added there, and the students will probably also sit on the hill like they did at Maple and do at Hope).

Alma: Nice on campus stadium, in traditional old athletic area nestled among the pines, old iron gates to Balhke Field are great; great view of campus, new style turf puts in in the class of Adrian and Olivet; drawbacks:  front row seats poorly designed in leaving no room for fans to walk by and no "mid-stadium" stairs/exits at that level.  Nice press box.

Albion:  Great old college tradition feel on original athletic field, cozy feeling stadium, the old early 1900's althletic wall around the field and iron gates are great; I like the permanent bricked stands to the back of the athletic building, mezannine area great, natural turf on Morely Fraser Field is usually in great shape.  Good visitor stands right up to the field. Drawbacks: Pressbox needs to be updated/renovated.

Kazoo:  Great natural bowl stadium with neat old college feeling of the original stands built into the hill since the 1930's-1940's.  Natural turf is usually pretty good (they should consider new style turf).  Visitor stands very small, but nice touch with the new "old style" iron gates at visitor side i.e. the now new main enterance to the field.  Drawback: while great 1930's tradition of the pressbox, it is entirely outdated and probably the worst in the league - needs to be completely rebuilt/enlarged, etc. as do the permanment home stands.  While Kazoo's attendance is not overwhelming, when they do have big crowds, it is great - over 4000 a couple of years ago at their Homecoming vs. Hope. Besides, when WMU has a home game, it is great to hear the roar of that crowd across the street!

Olivet:  Finally out of the cellar of the stadium rankings!  Very nice facility, on the traditional original athletic field, nice touch with old iron gates matching with Olivet's history.  Spacious pressbox, nice permanent stands on homeside - seating is appropriate for their usual crowds, when full 2500+ looks great; new style turf is nice again puts it in with Adrian and Alma.

Tri-State:  A very generous and nice alumnus donated the financing for this.  Good on-campus location, adequate seating, pressbox adequate, natural turf satisfactory.  Drawbacks: for a school that used to be scholarship, one might have expected a better stadium.  Currently (as was Olivet previous), their are better high school stadiums.  Perhaps an upgrade to new style turf might be a plus.

Wis Luth:  I have only seen this in photos having never been there.  On-campus stadium and new style turf a plus.  I am told the permament seating is adequate for their current crowds.  It will be sad to see them leave as they have made nice strides and a good contribution to the MIAA during their tenure, however, certainly understandable reasons why they will benefit from their new conference, football notwithstanding.

Calvin:  Worst in the league for this topic!

I forgot to mention that the MIAA stadiums have nice athletic training/sports med facilities either at or very near and accessable to their fields/stadiums.

Thus, those are my thoughts.  Do I have a favorite?  Not sure, again, I like some aspects of all of them when we visit.  To all of our fellow MIAA posters, I will look forward to seeing all of  your comments regarding this topic.

[albinomascot19]

On the topic of MIAA Footall Stadiums, I must say Wisconsin Lutheran's football stadium is impressive, as it is one of the most amazing structures in all of DIII.  I was there last fall when Albion College played the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  I was impressed with everything.  First of all...I was impressed with its enormity.  It was gigantic.  I loved the turf.  I was surprised by their scoreboard, as it allowed for animation to be played, especially when there was a penalty, or when a team scored, or there was some spectacular play that took place on the field.  The scoreboard allowed for the participating teams to have their names on the scoreboard, instead of showing the typical Home or Visitor.  Also there was a really nice speaker system.  It allowed the refs to be micked up, which for me was the first time I have seen happen in a DIII football game.  The day was a memorable experience.  I was in so much awe.  Its definitely the real deal.  I wouldn't mind playing in that stadium anyday.  However I still hold Sprankle Sprandle Stadium dear to my heart, as its where I have see Albion College play its home games in crowds of 4000+.     

[albinomascot19]

Adrian, Albion, Hope, Olivet, Alma I know at least had JV teams.  I'm not sure about the rest of the league.

I know Tri-State and Wisconsin Lutheran have JV teams as well. I remember watching the Britons take on the JV teams of both Tri-State and Wisconsin Lutheran.

[ACRULZ]

Looking at the Pre-season All-American teams I believe once again the MIAA needs to have success in the playoffs.  The MIAA has very good players but the lack of respect stems from early exits in the playoffs.  This year the MIAA will be very competitive and success in the playoffs is very possible.  At least that is my opinion.  Thoughts, comments? 

[79jaybird]

AlbionMascot-- I agree the WI Lutheran stadium is a thing of beauty.  If you get the chance take a look at UW Whitewater's Perkins Stadium.  Nestled in a bowl shaped depression, their Stadium is really pretty.  I think (not 100%sure)  that it is the largest in D-3.
If you like historic Stadiums, Ill. Wesleyan's is I think the 5th oldest in the NCAA.  Natural grass turf, and the structure makes you feel like you are surrounded in a fortress.
Speaking of Stadiums, how is Olivet's Stadium Structure?  We will be there in the pressbox this fall.