FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Have we already forgotten MSU's Darryl Rogers and Izzo's buddy Steve Mariucci?

(We're trying, but the nightmares keep returning.)

No but the NFL did.............just two more on the long list of Lions head men who were never again the head man at another NFL franchise.

[formerd3db]

Holy Cow!   I posted this over on the MIAA basketball board, however, just had to post this here as well.  While the Great Rivalry Hope/Calvin basketball game was played yesterday, so was the great Hope/Calvin ice hockey rivalry, played at Hope's home ice arena, "The Edge" in north Holland, which I had the great pleasure of attending the game.  Like the basketball game, a huge, intense, very spirited game for both schools.  A capacity, standing room only crowd of well over 1,000 people (possibly 1,500 or more depending on the fire-code regulations of the facilitiy; as additional tickets were sold I think even after it appeared filled - oops!  hopefully, no code violations!).

Anyway, the game was a "barnburner" just like yesterday's basketball game, with the opposite outcome - Hope winning in a Shootout after an Overtime period after the regulation 3 periods ending in a tie.  "Hat's off" to Calvin as their players are very, very fast, intense and skilled skaters and they pounded Hope's net all evening.  However, Hope's players stepped up and persevered playing just as intense a game with Senior starting goalie Mike Headley playing perhaps one of the greatest games of his career and in Hope hockey history.  His fanstastic saves were incredible time after time, which Calvin outshooting Hope by over 2-1 (possibly more - I did not get the final stats) and Headley saved the day and the game by stopping Calvin's last skater's last shot point blank to win the game for Hope, after Hope scored the go-ahead goal during the Shootout (Hope scoring twice, missing one, Calvin scoring one and missing two during the Shootout).

A fantastic win for Hope, great play by Headley and his teammates keeping it going against a very fast Calvin team.  Some people have said Calvin's team is not as good as some of its past recent teams, however, while their record may not reflect that this year, having seen them the past two years, I think this team is better, more talented - which makes Hope's win all that much better!  Congrats to Hope.

Please forgive me posting this "hockey story" here, but just had to share it with you.  Besides, it's still abou the MIAA

[Ralph Turner]

I understand that Calvin has not beaten Hope in Football in decades! 

[sac]

I understand that Calvin has not beaten Hope in Football in decades! 

I believe they would say undefeated.

[Ralph Turner]

I understand that Calvin has not beaten Hope in Football in decades! 

I believe they would say undefeated.

Did Calvin play football before WW II?

[sac]

I don't think they've ever played football, maybe as a club sport back in the leather helmet days.

Never in the MIAA though.

[formerd3db]

I understand that Calvin has not beaten Hope in Football in decades! 

I believe they would say undefeated.

Did Calvin play football before WW II?

I don't think they've ever played football, maybe as a club sport back in the leather helmet days.

Never in the MIAA though.

sac and Ralph:

According to two published sources containing histories of Calvin College itself and its athletic history and association with the MIAA, Calvin has never engaged in football, no mention of even intramural contests among students (I could not find any reference to any form of football among the sources I personally have - that doesn't mean there not might have been some intramural happenings, perhaps recorded in some paper buried in the library collections at Calvin ).  John Timmerman's 1976 Centennial History of Calvin College and the Celebrating the Student Athlete, MIAA Centennial book edited by Head Editor Renner, Myers and Wagner in 1988, relates that Calvin's first athletic association was formed in 1919 with the first team ever being basketball; a group of disgruntled students, formed a team called "The Rivals" playing several area teams, much to the not-so-pleased Calvin administration, which kicked the students out of the college and banned the seniors on the team from taking final exams (ouch! ). (p. 76).  Anyway, basketball returned later and was formally run by the students until 1934 when the college formally administrated it, according to the above sources.  Of course, Hope met Calvin in basketball officially sanctioned games well before each joined the MIAA (Hope in 1926 and Calvin in 1953) and as that saying goes..."the rest is history" (including Calvin's refusal to add football to its great athletic programs - oops, we won't go there - several of us have had that discussion on here in past years

[formerd3db]

Addendum:

Most of you have probably heard (or seen) those T-shirts at various colleges who have dropped storied football programs many years ago, which read..."Undefeated in football since XXXX".  Well, I've heard that Calvin students (at some time in the past) have had T-shirts that read "Calvin College, All-Time Undefeated in Football"

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Long time Hope AD and winningest coach in MIAA history, Ray Smith, announced his retirement today:

http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/

[formerd3db]

Long time Hope AD and winningest coach in MIAA history, Ray Smith, announced his retirement today:

http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/

Well, I knew it was "coming down the field sometime" in the future, however, I just didn't expect it quite this soon.  I thought it would be awhile yet.  I guess I am slightly surprised yet not, if that makes any sense.  I am not embarrassed to say here that I have the greatest respect and admiration for this man; he is a great family man, devoted husband and father, a man of great Faith, a great friend to his colleagues and also to the many players he coached; as my college coach, he has been and still is a mentor to me and like a "second" dad to me.  As can be seen by the press release announcing his intention to retire, his accomplishments both personal and in the service to Hope College and others are tremendous, although he is a very humble man in all of this.  I am sad  to see his era ending, although certainly understand the difficult process and situation I'm sure he is going through when one considers that the time has arrived to make that decision.  Hope College has been very blessed and is so fortunate to have someone as Coach Smith among the many great coaches/administrators and friends it has had in its history.  I wish Coach Smith and his wife Sue all the best in their future (although I would bet - if I was a betting man - that he won't be too far away in watching the Dutchmen in the future ).

[formerd3db]

As I've been posting on other boards, I guess I should be helping out here to continue to increase our pages!  Anyway, have any of you, especially you "Kazooites", "Albion people" and "Hopesters" heard anything further as to football field improvements at these schools i.e. installation of synthetic turf?  We've discussed this before, yet I was just curious as to any further potential developments.  I am quite sure it will eventually happen at Hope in the not too distant future (not this year though), however, I suspect less likely for Kazoo and Albion.

[D306]

I have not heard of any immediate Field improvements for Albion
I am not a "insider" so take that for what it is worth.
I like the Albion Field great setting and view. The turf itself is sound the issue is inclimate weather and heavy rain can lead to a torn up field.
Several times the JV games have been moved or played at visitors field even as home team, as the field needed a break to be ready for upcoming Varsity game.
I would like a artificial turf for play/upkeep reasons but I like grass for look and feel.

I expect a strong season from Albion next year and the following 3 seasons.
The vast majority of starters returning on Offense and Defense. Numeorus returning starters will be Juniors and Seniors next year. Last years freshman recruits was/is a large class, and had very good size for line play. Several good Athletes came in as QB/Athlete.

The Football Awards banquet was very well attended, by Family, Faculty, President, Academic Directors, Athletic Trainers staff.

I expect a competitive season in the MIAA next year, alot of teams return numerous starters.
As always the goal is to win the MIAA and hopefully the MIAA Champion wins a playoff game.

[formerd3db]

D306:

I like the atmosphere of Albion's field/stadium as well.  Being located in the historic area on campus that it is (Albion's original "original" field pre-1900 was just a few yards north of the current field - actually where the building and walkway from the front gates are now before it was moved to present location after 1900).  Knowig that history, overall, IMO it gives that old college traditional atmosphere.

I know what you mean re: the natural turf.  It is nice at Albion except for rain and JV games and that is the same situation at Hope's home stadium Holland Stadium.  We've discussed this before so I won't go into reiterating my opinions and details on this other than to say IMO, a synthetic turf in the long run would be better for both schools for all sports and maintainance.  It will come to Hope eventually; I'm just not sure when, although I know they are discussing it and will continue to do so in "long range" planning.

Thanks for the update on your opinion/projection on Albion's football season for 2009.  I agree with you although I obviously don't know details either i.e. I'm not an "insider" regarding Albion by any means, nonetheless, my general feeling is that they will be much improved.  I believe the same for Hope - it will be a rebuilding year and although they didn't do too well this past season in the overall record as everyone knows, winning the last 3 games was a big boost for them in confidence as well as experience.  Replacing Manning at QB after he was the starter during his entire career will be a major focus.  His previous backup is very capable and a good player, it's just that he has not had the opportunity for extensive playing experience, although he filled in well during the times he did for Manning. 

I was able to talk briefly with some of the underclassmen fb players at a recent Hope hockey game and they related being anxious to start spring sessions and seem to be very positive/excited.  They are currently doing "unofficial" i.e. captain's workouts as we called them in my day now for pre-spring conditioning.  I will know a little more (as will all of you about your school's) once they start actual spring sessions and hopefully by then we'll all know more about how recruiting went this year as well regarding prospective student-athlete football players coming in.

[D306]

OK this is a shameless post to get the MIAA thread rolling again.

Anybody have any inklings of players heading to the MIAA?

Seen/hear visitation of alot of players at Albion, now who and how many are coming is unknown to me.

The boys are off and working on conditioning, the Seniors and Captains are making a commitment to being ready for spring ball in top condition.

I think DIII is going to see an influx of players, with cut backs on funding at many levels of D1 and DII, I think DIII will benefit. The Student Athlete whom has good grades may or may not be seeing the funds they did in the past especially at State schools, I think this leads a few more quality players to DIII.

Dregs of the sports fan time of year, waiting for March Madness and Hockey playoffs. Pro basketball is completely un-watchable. They do not even pretend to follow the rules anymore, walk, carry, isloation game with no ball movement, no heart.
Bring on march Madness and Hockey Playoffs now that is intensity and effort.

[formerd3db]

OK this is a shameless post to get the MIAA thread rolling again.

Anybody have any inklings of players heading to the MIAA?

Seen/hear visitation of alot of players at Albion, now who and how many are coming is unknown to me.

The boys are off and working on conditioning, the Seniors and Captains are making a commitment to being ready for spring ball in top condition.

I think DIII is going to see an influx of players, with cut backs on funding at many levels of D1 and DII, I think DIII will benefit. The Student Athlete whom has good grades may or may not be seeing the funds they did in the past especially at State schools, I think this leads a few more quality players to DIII.

Dregs of the sports fan time of year, waiting for March Madness and Hockey playoffs. Pro basketball is completely un-watchable. They do not even pretend to follow the rules anymore, walk, carry, isloation game with no ball movement, no heart.
Bring on march Madness and Hockey Playoffs now that is intensity and effort.

I haven't heard anything regarding Hope's potential prospects, although in part because I haven't had a chance to ask some of the coaches.  Indeed, this is the time of year that many students have been making their on-campus visits.  Most likely we'll have some better idea about the progress of this in the next 3-4 weeks or so.  I'll try to find out regarding Hope and report back later.

Perhaps there, indeed, might be some degree concerning the possible cut-backs you mention.  It will remain to be seen.

I also agree with you about the NBA - I can't stand it.  It has become nothing but a "high level of street ball".  Although, obviously, I am biased to the college game(s) and always enjoy watching the collegiate basketball and hockey national tourneys for all the collegiate divisions (I through III) including the other collegiate leagues/national championships regarding hockey.  Regarding the latter, Hope will be in the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament March 4-7 in Rochester, NY along with 3 other teams in Hope's league (i.e. Saginaw Valley State, Delta College and Grand Valley State.  Calvin failed to qualify for one of the other 2 remaining spots this weekend during the league's qualifying tournament.  Speaking of that, it is too bad that Albion discontinued their hockey team this year in that league.  I realize they struggled, yet they are missed.  Perhaps they can get it reorganized and return in the next year or so.

I haven't checked on Adrian's NCAA D III independent men's (and women's) temas - guess I could have checked their website before posting this -  although I hear via the "rumor mill" that they've done pretty good again this year.  Also, it is surprising that they have a DIII club collegiate team this year similar to Hope, Calvin, Saginaw Valley State, Northwood, Oakland University, Davenport, Grand Valley State, etc. in our league.  With the expansion of hockey at Adrian, apparently this has sparked interest enough to have a collegiate club team as well.  With regard to Hope and Calvin's teams, they are essentially "virtual varsity" as the college supports them quite well although obviously not able to 100% to "elevate" them to the full varsity status.  Nonetheless, this is still collegiate hockey (and not some "rinky dink" league type of play). 

Anyway, thanks for the "stimulus" package for posting here D306.  Perhaps you'll spark some of our fellow posters to start posting again here, at least on occasion, before the pre-pre-season "banter" starts for football again.