FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Raider68:
Thanks and I return the same compliments to you!  You posts are very insightful.  I think that Shorts might have a chance also, if he continues to rise as he has.  Obviously, time will tell.

BTW, any chance you are thinking about attending that first ever Ohio College All-Star football game scheduled for April 17th?  I would really like to go to that, but have to decide as we (Hope) have a lacrosse game that same day and I might have to be there for it.  On the other hand, the lacrosse game is a night game, so I could possibly drive back from Ohio in time, although that would be insane in some respects!  Of course, I've been accused of being just that before so it probably wouldn't matter!

[Diezel1]

Former,

That is exactly why I had to trim my pads up and have them above my knees, wasn't blessed with a whole lot of speed.   I understand the severe bruises and contusions but shouldn't you have to wear elbow pads then? I do agree that pads do help prevent injury and there is a reason you wear them but I think even having a knee pad just above your knee can help with injury prevention.  And I also think the chances of taking a direct hit to the knee are smaller than taking a hit to either the thigh, hip, or unfortunately getting knocked on your butt (which occurs to some a lot more than they would like  )

[formerd3db]

(Vin)Diezel:

I know what you mean.   As for myself, I did wear elbow pads when I played.  They were those J-Pads (from Johnson & Johnson), which were really quite good pads for that era, i.e. the early prototypes of today's nice, form fitting elbow pads.  But oops!  I'm showing my age with that admission!   Anyway, thanks for contributing to our board and you are welcome here anytime.  Don't be a stranger! 

[HOF]

Haven't posted in quite sometime, but read everyday...

tell me my friends from Adrian...i talked to another MIAA source who is very trustworthy.  He tells me that all of Adrian's defensive line has transferred, one of their coaches has been fired already and recruits are down.  He also told me that an alum, who was to play Adrian this year, dropped them cold turkey like two weeks ago for this year?!?!? 

Sounds like a rough start to the new era...

thoughts...

[formerd3db]

HOF:

I am not doubting your friend/source as you say that person is trustworthy.  Nor would I be surprised at this, if all of that is true.  I do know from several close friends of mine who are Adrian alums, that a large number of alums are not happy at all with the way the coaching change was handled, even if it was time for a change.  As such, I think you will see that Adrian's donations for sports (especially football) will be down, and it might hurt their momentum of having raised their enrollement via adding those other sports (hockey, lacrosse) at least for a while.  Also, I wouldn't be surprised about another of their assistants having left (even if fired) as you relate has happened.    

As I mentioned, I have not personally heard about any of these new developments you relate, however, I can certainly find out from one of my close sources that would know.  Perhaps Adrian might not be as strong as some of us anticipate for next year, but then again, I could be very wrong.  Sometimes in our MIAA, we just never know and "it plays out as the season progresses" with surprises as we can all attest to.  

[formerd3db]

HOF Follow-up:

I am not intending the following comments to be negative towards Adrian.  However, I just checked their website and saw the recent announcements of the new hirings of assistant football coaches.  While it is good to see Head Coach Deering has hired some young coaches who played at DI and DII levels, which can help their program I'm sure, I also would be concerned as to just how long these guys will actually stay at Adrian.  If they are interested in using this as a "stepping stone" to go on to other positions at those other levels eventually (and there is nothing wrong with that if it is their own personal dream, although my own persona opinion is that I would want guys who are committed to "DIII" for the longterm) changing of coaching staffs i.e. not having a stable one for a substantial period of time certainly can't be the ideal situation for any school.  While I have my own personal concerns/reservations about that, I certainly wish Adrian well and their coaching staff also.  As I said previously though, obviously time will tell "what goes" and it should be interesting to see what happens.  Again, not intending this to be "smack" towards Adrian - it's just that it is MO.

[Raider 68]

From Former 3db,

BTW, any chance you are thinking about attending that first ever Ohio College All-Star football game scheduled for April 17th?  I would really like to go to that, but have to decide as we (Hope) have a lacrosse game that same day and I might have to be there for it.  On the other hand, the lacrosse game is a night game, so I could possibly drive back from Ohio in time, although that would be insane in some respects!  Of course, I've been accused of being just that before so it probably wouldn't matter! 

Not sure what I have going that weekend. Love to get back to Columbus, we lived there 8 years and liked  it alot. Hope this first Ohio All-star game is a good one given the broad base of players and time of the year!

[HOF]

formerD3:

Well put and well taken.  I did confirm today from an "Adrian Alum" that all three of those things have went down.  ADAWG might be able to provide more info as well?  I'm sure this is just some of the stuff going on.

I heard the first full time hire was let go - I'll simply put from what I'm told, "it wasn't good".

A school dropped them for next year.  That school's coach is a former Adrian alum and former staff member with Lyall.  From what I'm told, he didn't like how they handled it and got support from his bosses to go ahead.  So it sounds like Adrian is scrambling for a 10th game.

Two full-time defensive line guys did leave the team.  One transferred to Northwood, the other is not in school.  From what I'm told these guys were pretty good.  Take that they lost the MIAA defensive MVP, that might hurt a tad.

Like you mentioned, I as well wish Adrian luck in the future, but it sounds like the football family around the country supports giving a man a good exit, rather than pushing him out classless. 

What goes around comes around?

[formerd3db]

Thanks HOF and may I say "well said" to your own comments.

[formerd3db]

Raider68:

I know what you mean.  Keep me posted - let me know if something works out that you might be able to go to the game.  I will do the same and if, by chance it works out for me, then perhaps we can hook up there.  I hope the inaguaral game is a success.  It is a neat idea and would be great to see our state have a similar one, although, obviously, $ is a big factor with regards to sponsorship.  Not sure if that would be possible here in our state right now.

[Raider 68]

Raider68:

I know what you mean.  Keep me posted - let me know if something works out that you might be able to go to the game.  I will do the same and if, by chance it works out for me, then perhaps we can hook up there.  I hope the inaguaral game is a success.  It is a neat idea and would be great to see our state have a similar one, although, obviously, $ is a big factor with regards to sponsorship.  Not sure if that would be possible here in our state right now.

Former 3db,

How is recruiting going for the MIAA, any ideas on what school can improve the most for the fall?

[formerd3db]

Raider68:

I haven't heard anything as yet.  In all honesty, I really haven't had a chance to chat with any of our coaches or some from the other schools that I know.  I'm hoping to do so in the near future.  I will share what I know with you and our colleagues when I do find some info out.

Obviously, at least at Hope, I know that aside from having recruits come to the football games in the fall, historically, we've had athletic recruiting days a few times in the winter where prospective student-athletes for all the sports come to the college for a weekend with their parents.  They meet with academic advisors and department chairs, tour the campus, attend some of the campus special events on the weekend including, of course, a basketball and/or volleyball game.  I remember "way back when" during my playing days when we football players on the team would be sitting in the Phelps Cafeteria at Hope eating and watching all the high school football players come in with their letterjackets and medals on - everyone scoping everyone out both ways i.e. them us and us them" (trying to figure out if one of those guys was going to be a challenge at one's own position! ).  Then again, I also very clearly remember one of my own recruit visits to Hope when I was one of those same "high school i.e. prep guys" thinking I was so "cool" all decked out in my own lettersweater, medals and letterjacket, long hair and all!!!!   Of course, we were also scoping out the college chicks!  Now, I'm really dating myself.

Anyway, it is all part of the fun and system and a great tradition at all the schools that do this or similar.

[Raider 68]

Former 3db,

What are the typical  number of freshman football recruits and what school lead the way in the MIAA? Will a coaching change at Olivet help the recruiting process in terms of number of recruits?    Will Trine be the leader again?

[formerd3db]

Raider68:

Many years ago when I played, typically Hope, for example, had about 40 freshman come per year in our recruiting classes.  Of course, that has now increased for most of the schools in the MIAA with the exception of Kazoo and occasionally Olivet.  Up until last year, Olivet had larger numbers come in (I think one year about 60 in the early mid-2000's), but the last couple of years that was down.  With the new coaching staff this year and a decent core of returnees, I believe they will have some increase in numbers coming in, a larger squad and I do think they'll be improved, win some games and be a challenger or at least a spoiler again.  It will take a couple of years for them to get back to the strides they were making under Sigler and Livedoti, until last year.

Hope the last couple of years has had anywhere from 140-160 report in August (that includes returnees which are probably about 80-90) so that gives you an idea.  Same for Albion and Adrian, one year Adrian had about 177 total on the team.  Not sure how that will be for Adrian this year due to the coaching change and how it went down and some of the rumored concerns that are going on there currently as has been discussed already.  Alma is typically pretty steady in recruiting - years ago, they typically had about 66 on the team, which meant less in #'s for incoming freshman, however, in more recent years they've topped the 100 mark I believe (I'd have to check their roster - didn't do that before posting this, although some of the schools don't have their off-season updated roster of returnees posted on their websites always).  Kazoo doesn't get the numbers (they had somehwere in the high 40's back in Brooks last year a couple of years ago.  However, Zorbo is a good coach, loves his alma mater and I think you'll see those numbers go up in the next couple of years or so.  I could be wrong, but I think that may happen.

I'm talking in general here, but that gives you a basic idea.  As you know at this level, the cost of these schools is much for families and can be difficult unless these guys qualify for community, academic, and/or need based aid/scholarships to knock down the cost for their parents.

[Raider 68]

Former 3db,

Great post!, do you know how many of the MIAA schools have a no cut policy?

From you post , I assume that if the MIAA schools have 150+ players in camp, that does provide for the competition they seek, with 50-75 incoming freshman. The costs as you point out are so high for so many of the D3 programs, that without some aid many top athletes and their parents cannot afford to send them. From a coaching perspective the state schools have a huge advantage, but those scholarships programs are limited to the best of the best. I am really surprized that the incoming freshman numbers are so high. At Mount, I still am amazed the numbers of freshman remain as high, given the costs and the wait your turn reality that exists there. Coach Kehres has a no cut policy, yet the participation remains one of the highest in the country. Winning alot and being in a position to win it all helps a little