FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Uncle Rico]

Disappointed again in the Trine U athletics website again this year.  I understand that we have a new SID this year so was hoping things would be better information wise...well....it's not.   Nothing on the outlook for 2011 or camp roster.  As of today we are one of only two schools in the MIAA, Alma being the other, that still have the old 2010 roster online.  At least Alma has some photos from their first practice.  Come on already "dot edu" guys....lets get some work done!!

Anyone know how Trine is looking so far in camp?  Boya87, do you have any updates from practice?  There was a little synapsys in the Angola paper today on the new football season.  (take note SID; the community paper has given us more info than the university website...geesh)  Mentioned Ryan Hargraves has looked sharp at QB, which is good news.  Concerns are replacing the 4 seniors who started/roatated on the D-Line and the kicking game.

I always like seeing the same things you are looking for.  However, I also remember seeing kids listed in previous "outlooks" that ended up dropping before the first game.  Other kids (especially freshmen / sophomores) that were given extra attention in the "outlook" that didn't even pan out.  I do not know if the varsity and jv rosters are already etched in stone at this point, so publishing that would be a bit pre-mature. There does seem to be some fluctuation in the borderline kids.  I think that mentioning kids and specifics could potentially undermine the spirit of competition and prematurely commit coaches to decisions that aren't final yet. 

[sflzman]

At least Alma has some photos from their first practice. 

The Scots actually have a highlight film from day one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_sqs78WOC0&feature=youtu.be

The guy with the mullet doing the triple jump around the 0:40 mark is QB Jarrett Leister.

Also, Alma does not release their roster until they report to camp, because according to the NCAA (for DIII) you can't have a roster with the new players on it up, until the team has reported to camp. I believe Olivet was the MIAA school that got into trouble for releasing an incoming recruit list a few years back. OC_SID would be able to tell you that one....

[TUAngola]

I always like seeing the same things you are looking for.  However, I also remember seeing kids listed in previous "outlooks" that ended up dropping before the first game.  Other kids (especially freshmen / sophomores) that were given extra attention in the "outlook" that didn't even pan out.  I do not know if the varsity and jv rosters are already etched in stone at this point, so publishing that would be a bit pre-mature. There does seem to be some fluctuation in the borderline kids.  I think that mentioning kids and specifics could potentially undermine the spirit of competition and prematurely commit coaches to decisions that aren't final yet. 

I do understand that when you pretty much take "all comers" at non-scholarship schools that the roster will fluctuate with all the freshman coming in and then having some quit.  And thats ok.  But you would think that by the middle of summer we would pretty much know who is going to be on the 2011 roster regardless of getting into the classification of varsity or jv status.  Then those rosters can be updated or tweaked every so often during camp leading up to the first game.  I guess my biggest gripe is here we are almost a week into it and we still have the 2010 roster on the Trine website.  We don't have to have the team pictures posted yet, just list the players.  Must be this is harder than it seems?  Am I leaving something out?

[sflzman]

Okay. Now that I have seen the first practice, I'm going to give you my season outlook for the Scots.
Offense:
Quarterback: Jarrett Leister will take the reins in the Scot-Gun offense. Leister (St. Louis, MI/Mt. Pleasant High) played in the MHSAA all-star game a few years ago, and committed to Ferris St. At Ferris he was redshirted his Freshman year, before transfering to Alma after the departure of Mackenzie McGrady. Leister was ruled ineligable last season, so he has not seen any game action in over two years. The Scots are returning Garret Cook and Ross Richard who played quarterback for the Scots last season.
Running Back: N/A - nor is it relavent  
Wide Receiver: The Scots lost arguably the best receiver in the MIAA a season ago, Andrew Schaar, and are looking to fill some big shoes. They will look to Austin Montgomery (Charlotte, MI) who was a consistant #2 receiver for the Scots a year ago. Barak Henderson (Dallas, TX) is a 6'6" outside receiver that was big for the Scots - when he was healthy. Henderson is a big target with speed that can spread defenses and test their depth. The problem is, Henderson has not been 100% for more than 6 games in a season. Michael Lennaman (Chelsea, MI) is going to be a key guy in the slot, and could grow to be what Schaar was - a quick, undersized reciever in accross the middle. Besides those three, the Scots will look for big contributions from a variety of underclassmen, that they themselves don't know the names of yet....
O-Line: The Scots were young, and injury prone a year ago on the line. Look for a better offensive line performance with a year starting under the belts, but they are still young, and could still struggle a little bit.

Defense:
D-Line: The Scots graduated 6/7 contributers of the defensive line last season, and will be young. Outside of Ed Raby (Reed City, MI), the young linemen will have a lot to prove. One key gone on the edge can be Alex Andrus (the Sr from G.R.). Andrus transfered in from D1 (Eastern I believe) last season after suffering with a knee injury and surjery. Andrus only played in 3 games last year, but watching him today he looks fast, and ready to be a key on the edge for the Alma D-Line.
Linebackers: I don't think there is a better linebacker group in the conference with Conrad Bovee (Ithaca, MI), Garrett Thelen (St. Johns, MI) and Anthony Sabatella (St. Clair Shores, MI/Warren De La Salle). Both Sabatella and Thelen were featured on the d3football.com Team of the Week last year. Bovee and Sabatella were both all MIAA second team last season.
Defensive Backs: The Scots return 6 DB's from a season ago, including All-MIAA Second Team, Scotty Cole (Alma - Jim Cole's son) and Andrew Funsch (West Branch, MI/Ogemaw Heights). Michael Veeney, Xavier Carranza, Brian Halas, and Luke Kanine will also be key for the Scots.

[sflzman]

At least Alma has some photos from their first practice. 

BTW - Alma has a roster up now. Now that the team has reported to camp. Just the way it's supposed to be done.

[TUAngola]

BTW - Alma has a roster up now. Now that the team has reported to camp. Just the way it's supposed to be done.

Here's hoping this is the only place where Trine finishes last in the MIAA. 

Thanks for the update at what is going on at Alma, sflzman.  I believe that the three "A" schools along with Hope will all have a shot at the top rung in the MIAA which is great for the conference.  An "Eric Watt type" QB only comes along once in a great while so Trine's gonna have to grind them out this year.

[BOYA87]

Thats a really cool little video that Alma put together for the start of camp!  the testing on the first day is always a fun "combine" type feel for the guys.  Little things like this video go a long way in exposing a program.  best of luck to the scots minus the Trine game 

[ThunderHead]

I think Boya is on the one the money regarding the issue of releasing pre-camp information. (as frustrating as that is for us)

It's been openly discussed that Trine has to replace many people on this years squad, and I don't believe they are even into the two a day portions of their practices. So there is most likely still a long way to go on deciding things.

It also has been my experience that with replacing a QB, especially when there is no clear "guy" coming into the season, that coaches use scrimmages and non-conference games as measuring tools. So although this is not earth shattering news, I'm sure Coach Land and CO. are really keeping their cards close to the vest because at this point, they may simply not know who's where.

This is a year of transition at some key places, and I think that leaves them with little "obvious" information that they feel comfortable reporting.

This all said, a roster would be nice. 

[formerd3db]

Thanks for all the "reporting to camp"/start of camp info guys.

To answer some of the questions, as Raider68 has said, Mount Union has routinely had 200+ players reporting every year for the past decade or so.  A few MIAA schools were running almost near that for a few years; Adrian had 177 about 10 years ago, Hope had 150-160 for 4-5 years up until last year when we had about 130 report.  This year, when they reported today, we have about 116.  Alma, as sflzman has mentioned, has been running around 100-110 the past several years; a while back (in my brothers day and through the 1990's, they would have about 66, maybe in the 80 range).  Olivet in their title run year and before had reached over 100 mark, however, that has been down the last couple (again, OC_SID can help us out with that).  Kazoo was obviously down to the high 40's before Zorbo took over - as I recall, they had about 60+ last year (I might be wrong since I do not have the game programs right in front of me).  Albion has had in the high 100's also- similar to Hope, although I think they were down a bit last year also from the previous years.

With the increased roster sizes in recent years, the development of the the JV programs provided many incoming underclassmen with the opportunity to get some playing time and experience.  However, as has been mentioned, many end up deciding college football (even at the small college level) is not for them for various reasons.  Also, as we have all discussed, with the cost of MIAA schools continuing to increase as well as the availability of more DII opportunities, this has cut down on the roster numbers at most of the MIAA schools - the obvious exception is Trine - like every other MIAA school htat has won titles, the roster sizes always increase the follwoing year.  Everyone wants to go to a winning program.

As far as roster limits as ThunderHead asked about, the MIAA does not have roster limits.  The WIAC (Wisconsin league), however, does and that is set at 100.  Those school administrations chose to set limits to keep the costs down.  Also, none of the MIAA schools has a "cut policy".  Hope did when I played way back, but not since.

Also, I guess I was not aware that the NCAA had a rule prohibiting DIII schools from posting rosters before the day of report.  That is a stupid rule and no reason for it whatsoever, especially at DIII.  Teams are allowed to post returning players before report day, but, again, with regard to new incoming recruits, I was not aware of that.  Another example of a ludicrous NCAA rule.

Anyway, looking forward to posting with all of you.  Keep us posted on developments of the first week at your schools.

Best,
formerd3db

[formerd3db]

Hey Uncle Rico.  Even though your son has graduated from Trine, glad to see you posting and I hope you and LIR will continue to do so and join us again here this season!

ThunderHead; I just wanted to wish you all the best as you start the next chapter this week in your move out southwest.  Never fun to move, yet, we all do what we have to do in life as opportunities arise. Anway, I hope you will continue to post with us also.

[BOYA87]

  Also, none of the MIAA schools has a "cut policy".  Hope did when I played way back, but not since.

formerd3db

Im glad you made the cut d3db 

[matblake]

  Also, none of the MIAA schools has a "cut policy".  Hope did when I played way back, but not since.

formerd3db

Im glad you made the cut d3db 

He still does, even if it's only for MIAA Chat.   

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Interesting article on the Dutchmen as they enter camp.  Couple of transfers that could have an impact:

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/x1321494539/Transfers-vying-for-time-in-Hope-footballs-wide-open-offense

[sflzman]

I guess I was not aware that the NCAA had a rule prohibiting DIII schools from posting rosters before the day of report.  That is a stupid rule and no reason for it whatsoever, especially at DIII.  Teams are allowed to post returning players before report day, but, again, with regard to new incoming recruits, I was not aware of that.  Another example of a ludicrous NCAA rule.

I believe the rule is in place because technically, coaches have no 100% for sure idea that kids will show up until they are actually at camp....

[wabco]

FDF

Just read the article.  Hope football player numbers down.  Hope has 2 starters back on O and they are on the line.  Hope has Ill Wes as first game (they are pciked 3rd in their conference just behind Wheaton and North Central).  

Unless a miracle occurs, I suspect Hope will continue its winless non conference streak ... at least through the first game.  Would want to have more game experience under new-bees belts before they have to face Ill Wes.  

In any event, a great test before the conference starts.  Would love to see Hope win ... but that is a pretty darn tall order ... given the info reported in the article.