FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

Interesting news from one of NAIA neighbors......
http://www.concordiacardinals.com/article/724.php

[formerd3db]

Hey guys - I need your help.

I have an opportunity to be in Holland on Thursday of this week (MIAA Media Day).  I'd like to attend Media Day events but I don't know if the public is welcome or not.  I believe some of you have attended in past years.  Can any of you fill me in on how this works?

Thanks!

LetItRain:

I attended several years ago, and as I recall, public could attend.  However, I believe that there is a private luncheon for the coaches and media people before the actual comment session, the latter being what any interested people from the general public might be able to attend.  Yet, admittedly, I am not sure of any of this now, regarding the current set-up and policy.  Perhaps one of our fellow MIAA posters here (OC_SID? help! ) might be able to help you/us with this.  I can't imagine that if you really wanted to be there (and being related to a current MIAA player!) that they might not allow you to do so - seems to me they would welcome the interest and potential further publicity.  But then again, I really do not know what the current league policy is.  All that being said, I hope you are able to be there if possible.  Good luck and we'll keep watching here for the definitive, eventual answer/outcome.

[formerd3db]

Interesting news from one of NAIA neighbors......
http://www.concordiacardinals.com/article/724.php

I wondered how long it was going to take Concordia to make such as decision.  Despite the tough economic times across the country, as we all know, there are several colleges and universities that are either bringing back their long ago "storied" and discontinued programs, while others are starting teams for the very first time.  I guess that as is mentioned in the article, many of these administrators at the various schools see it as a great tool for increasing enrollment and interest in their schools, which I believe in most cases it is.  On the other hand, Concordia is planning on participating in scholarship football, and even if it is NAIA (which athletic scholarship aid is more "akin" to that in NCAA DII - or even less), it still will be more expensive than having their program in NCAA DIII or some other type of non-scholarship football program.

Yet, in one sense, it does make sense (pardon the rhetoric/pun, etc. ) since Concordia's athletic programs are already NAIA scholarship status and thus staying with similar type institutions for football is logical.  However, again, the economics can't be overlooked (obviously, I'm sure the administrators at Concordia have not overlooked this); certainly, a Concordia joining the MIAA would also be a logical consideration.  Besides, one could compare them in that regard to Trine, which after being an NAIA scholarship program from its inception in the 1990's (including one year being undefeated), they decided on the different route and, as we know, joined our MIAA.  It also saved costs for them obviously.

At any rate, I'm glad to see that Concordia is taking this step.  It will be interesting to see what transpires - we all should keep ourselves updated on this.  Thanks for the "find" and info sac - great work from you as always.   

[ACRULZ]

Media Day Poll, I hear this is the early word...not so sure about the rest of the league.


1. Trine
2. Adrian
3. Hope

[4852lkrick]

www.miaa.org   

And D3football honorable mention lists Trine

[Mr. Ypsi]

IWU is at Alma on Sept. 12th.  IF I make it there, will I meet any posters?

[D306]

Poll Results (First-place votes in parenthesis):
1. Trine (7) 23 pts. 2. Adrian (5) 28. 3. Hope (2) 44. 4. Alma (1) 52. 5. Albion 53. Kalamazoo 84. Olivet 87.

This is the posting from the MIAA.ORG website

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think we all expected Trine to be preseason favorite.

I believe the league will shape up differently, Albion will make some noise, and push for league championship.

I will post my guess after the teams get into camp and we hear whom returns and is healthy, new recruits, etc.....

[miaafbfan]

Does anybody know how often the preseason poll has accurately picked the eventual MIAA champion?  My first thought is not very often.  Trine as the preseason favorite is an obvious pick, more so than any in recent memory.  As others have said, we'll know more when camps begin and we hear more about recruits, injuries, returns, etc.

And wouldn't it be nice if Concordia eventually went down the same path as Trine? 

[waxx]

I did a quick search and found a few of the past preseason polls. Eventual MIAA champs are in bold.

2008 preseason poll
1. Hope (2)                  27
2. Adrian (7)                33
3. Olivet (6)                  34
4. Alma                         56
5. Trine                         64
6. Albion                       67
7. Kalamazoo            100

2007
1. Hope (19) 21 pts.,
2. Adrian (1) 59,
3.Olivet 65,
4. Albion (1) 70,
5.Alma 85,
6. Tri-State 119,
7. Kalamazoo 121,
8. Wisconsin Lutheran 152.

2005
1. Alma (7) 40,
2. Albion (4) 47,
3. Hope (5) 51,
4. Adrian (3) 56,
5. Olivet (1) 81,
6. Tri-State 122,
7. Wisconsin Lutheran 126,
8. Kalamazoo 133.

I'll research some more when I get the time, I am curious to know how well they have been predicted as well.

[D306]

Waxx welcome to the board, way to start off by doing the research +1 on the karma

Teams reporting this week for everyone I think.
Great to see the season getting rolling.

Glad to see Concordia getting a FB team though I am not sure the Academic Standing is high enough to be a MIAA team, if they were to follow the Trine path into the MIAA as mentioned.

I was in Albion the other day, the field is looking very good, nice thick growth to the turf.
I am a big fan of natural fields, though I know the play and heavy rains does a number on many teams fields most seasons, that is the charm of it all. Mud games are something you always remember, even the ones from your HS days.

Funny how a kids game we played soooo many years ago still stays with us as we get older. I would suit up today, if I could ( the body may object about 10 Minutes in  )
What is the saying: the older I get the better I was.

[OC_SID]

Olivet football players move in on Sunday, and I think the first practice is not until next Monday night.

[miaafbfan]

I did a quick search and found a few of the past preseason polls. Eventual MIAA champs are in bold.

2008 preseason poll
1. Hope (2)                  27
2. Adrian (7)                33
3. Olivet (6)                  34
4. Alma                         56
5. Trine                         64
6. Albion                       67
7. Kalamazoo            100

2007
1. Hope (19) 21 pts.,
2. Adrian (1) 59,
3.Olivet 65,
4. Albion (1) 70,
5.Alma 85,
6. Tri-State 119,
7. Kalamazoo 121,
8. Wisconsin Lutheran 152.

2005
1. Alma (7) 40,
2. Albion (4) 47,
3. Hope (5) 51,
4. Adrian (3) 56,
5. Olivet (1) 81,
6. Tri-State 122,
7. Wisconsin Lutheran 126,
8. Kalamazoo 133.

I'll research some more when I get the time, I am curious to know how well they have been predicted as well.

Thanks for the info!

I can add a little to that.  The following comes from the article found at:

http://www.manchesterenterprise.com/stories/081309/spo_20090813003.shtml

"Teams have reason not to take much stock in the early predictions. Since 1996, the preseason favorite has followed through only twice, both times sharing the crown (Albion in 1999 and Hope in 2007)."

I'm not saying Trine won't follow through this year.  After all, we've never had a 10-0 team before.

[formerd3db]

Thanks for the info!

I can add a little to that.  The following comes from the article found at:

http://www.manchesterenterprise.com/stories/081309/spo_20090813003.shtml

"Teams have reason not to take much stock in the early predictions. Since 1996, the preseason favorite has followed through only twice, both times sharing the crown (Albion in 1999 and Hope in 2007)."

I'm not saying Trine won't follow through this year.  After all, we've never had a 10-0 team before.


[/quote]

Thanks miaafan.  I was trying locate that info but wasn't able to recall where I had seen it before.  Also, in the "NCAA Div. III Playoff Era", while we've (i.e. the MIAA) have not had a 10-0 team before, actually we've had a) 9-0 team Hope 1984 (no playoff spot however); b) 9-0 tealm 1993 Albion going into the post-season with eventual overall record 10-1; c) 9-0 team with final 13-0 record National Championship team Albion; and d) 8-0-1 team Hope 1975 (no playoff spot as MIAA wouldn't allow Hope to accept a potential bid).  And with the exception of Albion coming back the following years (i.e. 1994 and 1995 after those two above), the other teams who were undefeated in the regular season during "the era" failed to return to claiming the league title.

Trine did have an undefeated team in the mid 1990's (as I recall they were 10-0), however, that was when they were NAIA DII designation.

Anyway, thanks to all for the interesting historical info regarding this topic (i.e. pre-season league poll).

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Adrian opened camp yesterday, conditioning tests and the like.  Excitment is present, lots of talent back and some great freshman coming in from what i understand.

[formerd3db]

Hope players report this weekend on Sunday also with physicals and first practice scheduled for Monday.  According to the team's website, 148 players are scheduled to report.