FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

bulldogalum · February 15, 2009, 09:40:02 PM

Quote from: formerd3db on February 15, 2009, 05:47:53 PM
Quote from: D306 on February 15, 2009, 03:46:51 PM
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.

To respond first to the hockey questions: Adrian's NCAA women's hockey team is ranked 9th in the country with a 17-5-1 record. The men's NCAA team is, firstly, not an independent, but is a member of the MCHA. They just finished their conference regular season, and were overall 23-1-1, and 20-0 in the conference. They're ranked 8th in the country right now.

Also, Adrian has not one, but two men's club hockey teams. This is the first year for the Club DIII team, and they appear to have struggled a bit, looks like they finished the season at 6-10. The other club team is ACHA DI, and plays against Michigan, Eastern, MSU, as well as schools like Villanova, Arizona, Arizona State, etc. They're sitting slightly above .500 with a couple of games remaining in their season.

I was a little bit surprised to see a second ACHA team added this season. I don't have any numbers in front of me, but hockey in general might have started to rival football for number of athletes at Adrian nowadays. with 3 men's teams and one women's team.

As for recruiting news from Lenawee County, I really haven't heard much. I know in my various trips down there for basketball games that I've seen numerous recruits parading through campus, so recruiting efforts are certainly in full swing, but that's no surprise. I'll be interesting to see if DIII gets that bump in talent level. If so, I hope many of these student athletes make the right choice and come to Adrian!

formerd3db · February 16, 2009, 08:43:24 AM

bulldogalum:

Thanks much for the update on Adrian hockey. I forgot that their NCAA DIII varsity team was in a conference. Now that I recall, they were actually snubbed last year for the national regional playoffs as they should have been selected. Among the hockey circles of parents, administrators, etc., I heard it was one of those usual cases of "politics" and I believe it was one of those "jealousy" situations i.e. people surprised they did so well in their first year and thus they "discounted" who they played as being a weaker schedule. IMO, when you have a record like they did last year in their first year, a team deserves to get in the tourney. Anyway, glad to see they have done well and hopefully they'll "get a shot at it" this year (pun intended

).

As far as Adrian's other ACHA teams, that is just simply amazing. The interest at Adrian in hockey is phenominal, although obviously I'm sure it helps to have one's own ice arena right on campus. What many people don't realize is that organizations like ACHA (or the U.S. Lacrosse Association and it's various leagues such as the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association to which U of Mich, MSU, Hope, Calvin, etc. belong to for that sport) govern actual collegiate hockey i.e. this is not intramural hockey as some misinformed people (fans) erroneously think. While the talent in these may not be overall on the tier of the varsity programs, still even at schools like MSU and U of Mich who have DI NCAA full varsity teams, their club collegiate hockey teams are high level programs. These programs hold try-outs and have cuts and in some instances, occasionally a player might eventually be invited/elevated on to the varsity team. In reality, at many (although not all) schools, their club collegiate hockey and lacrosse programs are "virtual varsity" programs - which basically means they are run like varsity programs under the auspices of the college, usually under the college student organization administrators i.e. actual high lever college administrators and not students (and in which have the actual final say in many/most significant decsions for the program including scheduling, overseen by the AD). The college pays for a portion of the budget, although the players, their parents and boosters are responsible for raising the other funds, coaches are actually paid (and hired by the the school), just to mention a few aspects of these programs. I know at Hope, the college pays for all the ice arena ice rental for all practices and games, head coach is paid (not much

), school allows use of the college's team bus, school colors, logo, etc., and even the SID and his department have very kindly given the program tremendous support.

So while hockey may not become a full varsity sport at Hope and Calvin for quite some time (although they should be now IMO) due to the economy, hopefully someday that will occur. The difference is, I believe, that Hope and Calvin have not had the enrollment issues that Adrian faced before the latter decided to assist in that regard by its president starting your "Renaissance Program" that was so instrumental in helping improve and stablize enrollement at Adrian. Also, lacrosse in the MIAA is close to becoming full varsity sponsored sports (thus joining in with Adrian and Trine) and will most likely be designated as such well before hockey does (in part due to the Title IX aspects as Hope, Calvin, Adrian, Trine all have women's lacrosse programs at their respective categories at present), yet all this is apparently on hold right now due to the econonmy situation. However, at least we have these programs and that is better than "nothing at all".

Thanks for your input in all of Adrian's sports for us. I know that this is a football board and in that regard, most of us would like to be posting more football topics, but hey...it's the off-season so what do you/we expect??!!!

formerd3db · February 18, 2009, 07:26:35 PM

Sad news today for college football fans in our state. Former Michigan State great Brad Van Pelt was found dead this AM at his residence in Harrison, MI as reported by WLNS Channel 6 News on their early evening TV news broadcast. Van Pelt, who was from Owosso, MI was one of Michigan State's all-time great football stars, he was starting safety, won All-Big Ten honors (and All-American I believe) and went on to a 14 year career in the NFL as a LB (for the NY Giants as I recall). He was also a 7 letterwinner at Michigan State where he started on the basketball and baseball teams. As a very young kid, I remember his playing days well, even though my dad was a U of Mich grad and thus me being a U of Mich fan He was a great player and in his recent years, in great shape and a great golfer. He would have been 58 y/o later this spring. Although I did not know him, my condolences to his family and friends. A shame, but then again, we all know that..."it isn't our call".

formerd3db · February 18, 2009, 08:06:05 PM

BTW, it is difficult to believe that DIII baseball season will begin in 3 weeks. Hope starts their season March 13th with games on their Spring Trip in Florida. But that just means that football season is not far behind.

formerd3db · February 19, 2009, 05:49:37 PM

This may have been "overlooked" perhaps, yet does anyone have any comments regarding QB Steven Threet's (Adrian native) announcement that he is transferring from Michigan? I wonder what goes? Seems he is not quite sure just what he wants to do. He enrolls early at Georgia Tech in 2007, then transfers to Michigan early fall and has to sit out the 2007 season. He then starts 8 of Michigan's games this past season in 2008. Now unless he transfers down a level to DII or DIII (or FCS), he'll have to sit out another season. I think if he is smart, he'll go to a school where he doesn't have to sit out another year. Then again, I'm not sure that he know just what the heck he wants to do. Thoughts anyone?

Mr. Ypsi · February 19, 2009, 06:02:14 PM

Quote from: formerd3db on February 19, 2009, 05:49:37 PM
This may have been "overlooked" perhaps, yet does anyone have any comments regarding QB Steven Threet's (Adrian native) announcement that he is transferring from Michigan? I wonder what goes? Seems he is not quite sure just what he wants to do. He enrolls early at Georgia Tech in 2007, then transfers to Michigan early fall and has to sit out the 2007 season. He then starts 8 of Michigan's games this past season in 2008. Now unless he transfers down a level to DII or DIII (or FCS), he'll have to sit out another season. I think if he is smart, he'll go to a school where he doesn't have to sit out another year. Then again, I'm not sure that he know just what the heck he wants to do. Thoughts anyone?

I hear that bulldogalum has him on stake-out 24/7!

bulldogalum · February 19, 2009, 10:08:02 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on February 19, 2009, 06:02:14 PM
Quote from: formerd3db on February 19, 2009, 05:49:37 PM
This may have been "overlooked" perhaps, yet does anyone have any comments regarding QB Steven Threet's (Adrian native) announcement that he is transferring from Michigan? I wonder what goes? Seems he is not quite sure just what he wants to do. He enrolls early at Georgia Tech in 2007, then transfers to Michigan early fall and has to sit out the 2007 season. He then starts 8 of Michigan's games this past season in 2008. Now unless he transfers down a level to DII or DIII (or FCS), he'll have to sit out another season. I think if he is smart, he'll go to a school where he doesn't have to sit out another year. Then again, I'm not sure that he know just what the heck he wants to do. Thoughts anyone?

I hear that bulldogalum has him on stake-out 24/7!

You must have me on stake-out 24/7!

I really can't figure what the deal is with Threet's decision to transfer. Certainly it's possible that one of the freshmen would beat him for the starting spot, but my guess is that it would have been at least a 50% chance that he'd be the guy at the beginning of the year next season. As a Michigan fan, I appreciated the effort he gave last season, despite his struggles. I think Michigan is a worse team in the short run because of his transfer. All I can hope is that things work out well, both for him and for the Wolverines. Of course, if he chose to place a call to Coach Lyall, I wouldn't complain either

.

D306 · February 23, 2009, 02:45:41 PM

2009 Albion schedule

Butler Away: Tough way to start season, nice little rivalry forming with so many games recently.

Thiel Away: Wonder which Thiel it will be, very tough for a few years then faded last year.

Milliken Home: Dominated Albion at Milliken last year, perennial powerhouse program. Will be a real barometer as both teams will have games under their belts.

Bye Week

Olivet Home: Rough year last year for the Comets after a Championship year, always expect a tough physical game from Olivet.

Hope Away: Finished strong last year, always a strong team. Depends on new QB for Hope. Well coached and typically large on the lines.

Adrian Away: Adrian has been on a roll vs Albion maybe this year the Brits break the streak, Adrian losses some Offensive staples. Tough to read Adrian I thought they were the best team last year in league. May come into the year with a fired up team looking to prove a point.

Marian Indiana Home: Fairly new Team to DIII from what website says, large roster a lot of transfers this year, many from Indiana State coming in.

Trine Home: Trine will be tough again a lot of talent returning from their Undefeated season. Expect another good team I really like the support the school has been supplying to the Thunder lately and it shows in the product on the field.

Kazoo Away: Year 2 for new coaching staff expect even more aggressive and skilled Kazoo team.

Alma Home: Brits need to return the favor Alma jumped on Albion early last year, Brits never could bring it back. Alma looks much the same team every year to me, just a matter of a break or 2 as to the final record. Speaks well of the coaching staff.

Looks like a competitive season with some good out of conference games mixed in.

I expect a good Albion team in 2009 the answer comes from getting the offense moving, need some sustained drives and field position. Albion needs to be a little more aggressive on the defensive pressure also as teams are running the spread more, Defenses can not sit back and play read and contain. A lot of starters returning for Junior and Senior years. Waiting for QB and OL situation to clarify before I can take a serious guess at record.

formerd3db · February 24, 2009, 09:35:36 PM

Nice analysis D306. I thought that Marian was an NAIA Mid-States program that offered football scholarships - I could be wrong however. Their coach (Kerras) is a former Northwestern player, former Head Coach at Rose Hulman and also the nephew of Alex K of Detroit Lions fans.

D306 · February 24, 2009, 10:00:16 PM

D3DB

I checked again the website and you are correct.

NAIA program. Scholarships are part of the program.

Should be another tough game, I trust this has Albion ready for a run at the MIAA title.

Regarding Lions: I am worried the Lions are drafting a QB bad move.
I want Linemen, Oline and Dline. A LB would be nice.
Sad to see Orlovsky leave, Culpepper is done has been for years.
Anderson is available trade for him, sign him or another veteran for a year, then get Colt McCoy or Bradford next year.

sac · February 24, 2009, 10:40:49 PM

Quote from: formerd3db on February 18, 2009, 07:26:35 PM
Sad news today for college football fans in our state. Former Michigan State great Brad Van Pelt was found dead this AM at his residence in Harrison, MI as reported by WLNS Channel 6 News on their early evening TV news broadcast. Van Pelt, who was from Owosso, MI was one of Michigan State's all-time great football stars, he was starting safety, won All-Big Ten honors (and All-American I believe) and went on to a 14 year career in the NFL as a LB (for the NY Giants as I recall). He was also a 7 letterwinner at Michigan State where he started on the basketball and baseball teams. As a very young kid, I remember his playing days well, even though my dad was a U of Mich grad and thus me being a U of Mich fan He was a great player and in his recent years, in great shape and a great golfer. He would have been 58 y/o later this spring. Although I did not know him, my condolences to his family and friends. A shame, but then again, we all know that..."it isn't our call".

They had a moment of silence at the MSU/Wisconsin game Sunday for 3 Spartans that had passed away. I was quite shocked to here Brad VanPelt's name. I was to young to remember his playing days, but growing up around Lansing and with an uncle at Michigan State I'm quite sure I met him many years ago at a baseball game.

Quote from: formerd3db on February 19, 2009, 05:49:37 PM
This may have been "overlooked" perhaps, yet does anyone have any comments regarding QB Steven Threet's (Adrian native) announcement that he is transferring from Michigan? I wonder what goes? Seems he is not quite sure just what he wants to do. He enrolls early at Georgia Tech in 2007, then transfers to Michigan early fall and has to sit out the 2007 season. He then starts 8 of Michigan's games this past season in 2008. Now unless he transfers down a level to DII or DIII (or FCS), he'll have to sit out another season. I think if he is smart, he'll go to a school where he doesn't have to sit out another year. Then again, I'm not sure that he know just what the heck he wants to do. Thoughts anyone?

There are 4 ways to look at this..........

A (the preferred outlook) Tate Forcier has been so impressive in workouts that Steve just said 'damn' and decided he wouldn't play behind either of the two Freshmen recruits (the only 2 QB's on scholarship). May the ghosts of Ron Powlus' four Heisman's rain down on the Michigan hype machine. Go Tate.

B. Steve just decided the spread offense was not his calling (duh!) and actually believes he'll be a better QB in a better system somewhere else, and still holds a shred of belief he can make a career out of football. Either that or he's just one confused kid who hasn't found a school to his likeing.

C. Nick Sheridan has improved............no seriously.

D. Everything they've said about Rich Rodriguez is true. $:-\$

DBQ1965 · February 25, 2009, 02:51:38 PM

A voice from Grand Rapids ...

In the midst of roundball season, its good to see some MIAA football chat on here.

RFMichigan · February 25, 2009, 05:23:24 PM

Is it too early to put a finger on incoming football players at d3 schools? I'm guessing that most all of the dI & dII schools have accounted for their incoming scholarship players, and the rest of the high school seniors are sorting out what their options are. Any word of mouth on who some MIAA schools are "probably" bringing in?

formerd3db · February 26, 2009, 04:46:36 PM

RFMichigan:

It is usually the accepted "norm" that as you inquire, indeed, it is too early to evaluate just exactly how recruiting results are for most DIII schools. While many players commit early to the small schools (mostly those who are not going to be DI or DII material and/or simply have chosen to go to a small school), in part some of this is due to the financial aspects. Overall, it is not usually seen until reporting at pre-season camp the first day just how many actually show up out of the "recruiting list". No doubt the coaching staffs at our various MIAA schools have some idea to date how their recruiting has fared, although I have not yet had the opportunity to talk with any of Hope's staff to gain some preliminary information.

BTW, welcome to our board and glad to have you with us.

formerd3db · February 26, 2009, 05:13:17 PM

On the OAC board, there has been an interesting discussion on attendance figures for this recently completed DIII 2008 season after our webmaster's nice article regarding the same on the main page of this website. You can check some of the comments on the OAC site there. With regard to our own MIAA, I summarized the figures and present them here along with my some of my personal comments/observations for your enjoyment and review; also I invite your own comments/observations about this. At any rate, the 2008 MIAA football attendance figures are as follows:

*Statistics include home games only (Disclaimer: my apologies for any errors, mathmatics not my specialty and I also claim "old age"

)

Hope
Stadium: Holland Munincipal (Capacity: 5,325)
Game Attendance Total: 14,630 Avg: 2926
Ill Wes 4050
Wheaton 3870
Trine 3900
Olivet 1910
Alma 900

Olivet
Stadium: Cutler Athletic Complex (at Griswold/Reed Field)Capcty: 2200
Game Attendance Total: 4400 Avg: 880
Elmhurst 375
North Central (IA) 585
Albion 2050
Alma 855
Adrian 555

Trine
Stadium: Shive Capacity: 2500
Game Attendance Total: 18,686 Avg. 3737
Manchester 3468
Franklin 4379
Alma 3568
Olivet 3579
Albion 3692
*Does not include NCAA Playoff home game vs. Wheaton

Albion
Stadium: Sprankle-Sprandel Capacity 4244
Game Attendance Total: 14108 Avg: 2351
Butler 3246
Thiel 1472
Central IA 3248
Hope 2033
Adrian 2237
Kazoo 1872

Alma
Stadium: Bahlke Capacity 4,700
Game Attendance Total: 6905 Avg: 1151
Bluffton (OH) 1460
Rockford (IL) 1175
UW-River Falls 2351
Kazoo 1015
Adrian 1193
Albion 1013

Adrian
Stadium: Multi-Sport Performance Capacity 3,000
Game Attendance Total 11121 Avg: 2224
Defaince 1250
Bluffton 1833
Kazoo 3304
Hope 1690
Trine 3044

Kazoo
Stadium: Angell Capacity 3,000
Game Attendance Total: 4525 Avg 905
Denison 750
Manchester 550
Olivet 875
Trine 1450
Hope 900

Observations:
Highest home attendance for most MIAA schools was obviously at Homecomings.
Trine obviously led the league in attendance: winning always aids that as Olivet can attest to from 2007. Hope, despite having a poor record this year, did quite well at home attendance - they are always well supported by the community.