FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[D306]

I think that all the MIAA teams have reported to camp and we are off!

Quick couple comments I saw at Albion, my last time there.

~135ish Athletes in the program this year.

Some visable changes to the staff, Coach Rundle is installing new defense this year and will be in charge of defense.  Coach Polnasek has moved into new Position as Athletic Coordinator for all mens sports (congratulation) and will coach the Special teams, recievers.
Coach Schudel will assume the Offensive Coordinators position.
Coach Beurer (former player / asst coach) returns from Morehead State coaching position to coach the Offensive Line.
Coach Dooley has joined the coaching staff to assist as QB coach. Dooley was starting QB last year prior to injuries.

The defensive plan has been modified to meet the the teams skill set.
I believe you will see a more aggressive defense, challenging the QB and offense to make things happen.
I expect the DL to be very good with everyone returning except NG from a strong unit last year.
A lot of DB's in camp, expect some serious competition for playing time.

The offense will have a heated competition for QB, with 2 of 3 QB's who started varsity games last year returning, and a highly regarded third being healthy after missing last year due to injuries.
The OL should be strong and will start the season with 5-6 healthy upperclassmen and hopefully some stability after the injury bug last year.
I noticed some freshmen with very good size in camp for OL as well.
Skill players return starters from last year, losing #1 WR from last year.
RB earned a lot of experience (2nd team all MIAA) with the #1 RB hurt for season in first game of year.

Keep up the conversations guy's looking forward to the season.

[DadofBashWarrior..]

I will be joining this board on a regular basis now as I have a daughter transfering to Hope College. I have been following D3 football since 1998. I have had two sons play in D3... one for Bethel University in Minn and the other for Wabash College. My son that graduated from Wabash is now coaching at Anderson University in the HCAC. I will be attending some of his games with Anderson...looks like 2 Hope College games...A couple of Wheaton games...A couple of Wabash games...A couple of Depauw games and I hope to make a couple of North Central games...Then...playoffs....

I should see some great football being played

I look forward to interacting with you on this board...

[Mr. Ypsi]

I will be joining this board on a regular basis now as I have a daughter transfering to Hope College. I have been following D3 football since 1998. I have had two sons play in D3... one for Bethel University in Minn and the other for Wabash College. My son that graduated from Wabash is now coaching at Anderson University in the HCAC. I will be attending some of his games with Anderson...looks like 2 Hope College games...A couple of Wheaton games...A couple of Wabash games...A couple of Depauw games and I hope to make a couple of North Central games...Then...playoffs....

I should see some great football being played

I look forward to interacting with you on this board...

With that variety of colleges, isn't "DadofBashWarrior" picking favorites among your kids?

Or are YOU a Little Giant?

[DadofBashWarrior..]

Nada on being a Little Giant...I am actually a Drake University Alum 76'...If your meaning that I am not seeing many Bethel or Hope games there is a reason on that. Bethels conference is a much longer drive to see their games. I live in the burbs of Chicago. Coach Johnson from Bethel is truly a great coach...and I love watching what he does with his teams...I have actually made long drives to see certain games after my son was gone from Bethel like when Bethel was playing St. John the last game of the regualr season at Collegeville for the conference championship...the same year that ST John won the National Championship earlier this decade...It was the best game I have ever seen...ever...the coaching on both sides was unbelieveable...

If Hope works it's way to the top of the conference this year I may take in more of their games. I will be at the Hope Wheaton Game and the Hope Homecoming game.

[LetItRain]

You may want to check out the Trine/Hope game on 10/3 in Angola, IN.  It would be a shorter drive and you'd get to see both Hope and the defending MIAA Champs!  10/3 is Homecoming for Trine.  You are welcome to join us for tailgating if you choose to attend this game.

[DadofBashWarrior..]

You may want to check out the Trine/Hope game on 10/3 in Angola, IN.  It would be a shorter drive and you'd get to see both Hope and the defending MIAA Champs!  10/3 is Homecoming for Trine.  You are welcome to join us for tailgating if you choose to attend this game.

Thanks for the invite LetItRain...I will keep it in mind and let you know.

[LetItRain]

Trine scrimmages the University of St. Francis on Thursday (varsity) and Friday (JV) this week.  Who else has scrimmages scheduled?

[D306]

Albion had a scrimmage VS GRCC last weekend

I do not believe there is any other scrimmages arranged for Albion.
By the way is there a limited or set number to the number of scrimmages allowed?

2 weeks folks, you can smell the football in the air.

I have attended some HS 4 ways, and watched the Lion's stink it up, some things never change.

Great HS football season coming in Michigan several good teams, I see no real lock for a Favorite in the top 3 divisions.

Looking forward to the D3 Kickoff from the D3football.com

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Looking forward to another exciting season of D3 football.  And only 3 days until some HS games as well.  With football beginning and the weather we've been having, I'm almost expecting the leaves to turn any day 

Having said that, we'll probably have some 80+ degree days in October, and be sweating through some MIAA games.

[miaafbfan]

Trine scrimmages the University of St. Francis on Thursday (varsity) and Friday (JV) this week.  Who else has scrimmages scheduled?

Alma will scrimmage Northwood University in Midland on Thursday.  I don't know about any other MIAA teams other than Albion and Trine as mentioned already.

[formerd3db]

More RE: Scrimmages

Hope will have its annual pre-season intra-squad team scrimmage i.e. the Annual Orange and Blue Scrimmage at home on their practice field this Saturday as usual.  Hope remains one of the few(er) DIII schools that does not scrimmage another college/university for their final "tune-up" prior to the first game of the season.

As has been mentioned, the Alma/Northwood and Albion/GRCC scrimmages are continuations of those series between those schools in recent years.  Regarding the Trine/St. Francis and Alma/Northwood scrimmage match-ups, I personally like that idea of some schools scrimmaging an upper level (i.e. a DII or NAIA scholarship team) as it helps playing some tough competition for a good initial basic test prior to the start of the season.  However, as we all know, the risk is the potential for getting some of your top personel injured, although that could obviously happen regardless of any team that you would scrimmage.

Saturday's preliminary forecast (at least currently) shows cloudy and rain, although that could change before then.  Usually (traditionally) it has been extremely hot and humid for Hope's final pre-season scrimmage in recent years (actually, historically).

[formerd3db]

Hello all:

Although perhaps most of you already know about this, I just wanted to again mention that this is the 100th Season Celebration of Hope College Football.  The College has just expanded their athletic website with stories, facts and info regarding this.  You might enjoy checking it out - there is some new research is unveiled about Hope's first collegiate game, other facts and some great stories of memories by former Hope players, etc., etc.  I really enjoy reading about the DIII schools football history and especially when the various colleges have featured their 100th years and/or other special celebrations regarding their programs.  Enjoy. 

[Uncle Rico]

Trine played very well against University of St Francis Fort Wayne.  USF is ranked #4 in the NAIA, and they were much bigger physically.  But Trine held their own and gave some back as the scrimmage finished with the "score" tied.  It was also encouraging because Trine seemed to do a lot more substitutions and they still played USF even.  I like that they scheduled a tough opponent, and gave a lot of kids some time on the field. 

http://www.saintfranciscougars.com/football/football-news/2009-news/usf-collides-with-trine-in-scrimmage

[formerd3db]

Thanks for the summary update regarding Trine, Uncle Rico.  Sounds like Trine is ready to start the season.  Hope had their Annual Orange & Blue Meet the Dutchmen Scrimmage today also.  It was somewhat different in that it was cloudy, overcast, in the mid-60's, and cool - a major contrast to the 90 degree and humid weather we've had for this day for the scrimmages the past 4-5 years.  This was actually quite nice - wonderful football weather and the rain held off until long after the scrimmage was done.  It actually became much colder and more windy once after the end of the scrimmage.  

Overall, the scrimmage went well with the defense doing very well.  Offense needed to move the ball better, however, had some good plays.  The RB's and QB did very well.  This was not as intense of a scrimmage as has occurred in past years, however, it was still a good tune-up for next week's season opener at Illinois Wesleyan.  IWU will be a tough opponent for Hope again this year, especially since it is at IWU's stadium (a neat old stadium BTW, one of the oldest in that region as I recall).  Yet, the best aspect was that we had no injuries, which is always a blessing.  After seeing Hope today, I believe they are ready for next week - the enthusiasm from the players and staff is very high and "READY TO GO"!  I'm sure everyone is in that mode now.  Looking forwad to posting with you guys again this year.  I'm sure we'll start seeing more "chatter" on here this week.  

[Mugsy]

Posted CCIW Pick-em's Contest rules and week #1 games.  All are welcome to participate.