FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Raider 68]

http://adrianbulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/adri-m-footbl-mtt.html

Here is Adrian's 2010 roster (as of now). McGee will be back at QB which is a plus for the team. Adrian has had a strong defense over the last few seasons and I dont see that changing anytime soon. I think the Trine/Adrian game will be a fun one to watch this year as always and will be a great way to start MIAA play this year for the Dawgs.

Thanks for the info!

[Diezel1]

Dreads,

One name I didn't see on the roster was RB Myke Johnson.  Is he not playing this year or did he leave after the coaching change?

[dreads90]

I have not heard anything on Myke as of yet about his status. I havent been able to talk to any of my sources from Adrian but I will keep you posted once I do.

[formerd3db]

I heard from a reliable source very close to the school (who I won't/can't name due to obvious reasons) that Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI (across town from Adrian College) will very, very likely be adding intercollegiate football next year.  Their Board of Trustees meets in a couple of weeks and I was told it is highly likely.  Of course, their program will be NAIA scholarship football, just like Concordia-Ann Arbor who they play against in the same conference for other sports (although they will most likely be in the Mid-States football conference like Concordia and the other NAIA schools in the greater region that play scholarship DII football).  A very interesting development and I can see perhaps the potential for an occasional non-conference game for some of the MIAA schools.

[Raider 68]

I heard from a reliable source very close to the school (who I won't/can't name due to obvious reasons) that Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI (across town from Adrian College) will very, very likely be adding intercollegiate football next year.  Their Board of Trustees meets in a couple of weeks and I was told it is highly likely.  Of course, their program will be NAIA scholarship football, just like Concordia-Ann Arbor who they play against in the same conference for other sports (although they will most likely be in the Mid-States football conference like Concordia and the other NAIA schools in the greater region that play scholarship DII football).  A very interesting development and I can see perhaps the potential for an occasional non-conference game for some of the MIAA schools.

Former 3db,

Your presence has been missed on this board!

[formerd3db]

Thanks Raider68, you are most kind.  I/we also appreciate your being a part of our board even though you are originally and "OAC guy"!   Yet, your "Michigan" connection/years qualifies you for here as well.

Anyway, I've been in-out of town frequently the past 4 weeks, plus busy at my "day job", so I haven't had much time to post here, which is uncharacteristic for me.  Yet, I'm sure I'll be returning back here to the more usual posting pattern in the near future.  BTW, a slight belated congratulations on your 100th +karma point - well done!!

[Raider 68]

Thanks Raider68, you are most kind.  I/we also appreciate your being a part of our board even though you are originally and "OAC guy"!   Yet, your "Michigan" connection/years qualifies you for here as well.

Anyway, I've been in-out of town frequently the past 4 weeks, plus busy at my "day job", so I haven't had much time to post here, which is uncharacteristic for me.  Yet, I'm sure I'll be returning back here to the more usual posting pattern in the near future.  BTW, a slight belated congratulations on your 100th +karma point - well done!!

Thanks 3db, 

Have heard very little on the All-star game in Columbus and did not make it there, except that a few D3 guys (K. Rocco, Pietro) had a good game! Have you heard anything else?

[formerd3db]

Raider:

You're welcome!  I also didn't make it to the recent all-star game and haven't heard anything else other than what you mentioned and was posted by some of the others on the OAC board regarding that.  Likewise, things have been very quiet around the league circles and I haven't heard anything about tentative incoming players for most of the schools.  I guess most people are concentrating on the spring sports.  Talk to you later.

[Raider 68]

So going into this fall Trine and Adrian are the teams at the top of the MIAA, anyone else who can challenge for the title and playoffs?

[Raider 68]

So going into this fall Trine and Adrian are the teams at the top of the MIAA, anyone else who can challenge for the title and playoffs?

Former 3db,

What is your take on the above?

[formerd3db]

So going into this fall Trine and Adrian are the teams at the top of the MIAA, anyone else who can challenge for the title and playoffs?

Former 3db,

What is your take on the above?

Raider:

I would agree with that i.e the assessment of Trine and Adrian, even though Adrian has a new coaching staff.  I think their players will be "hungry" even though overall, many of their players, alumni and fans have been upset over the way the coaching change was handled.  Regarding the others, I think that Olivet and Kazoo will again be the bottom tier teams.  With a new coaching staff (including the 3 retainee assistant coaches), Olivet will have some new enthusiasm, however, unfortunately, I think Olivet will have a difficult time since they upgraded their non-conference schedule with some pretty tough teams.  Kazoo has made some strides (if small, but nonetheless some improvement) with Zorbo, their passionate alumni coach and I think they'll make some further imporvement, yet not enough to make a difference this year - it obviously takes time.

As far as the remaining teams, it's a "toss-up"IMO.  On paper, Hope should be right up there, however, the players have not played up to their potential the past two years and IMO, that has not been the fault of the coaching staff.  Alma should be in the race, although admittedly, they have to replace their 3 year starter McGrady at QB.  As far as Albion, who knows?  They should be improved, however, the "verdict is out on them - I'm personally just not sure how to eval them from what little I know, which isn't much  I will say, though, that I never count them out - certainly not against Hope as it is always a barnburner when we play them - I'd have to say our most heated rivalry - at least it was when I played "way back when"

[Raider 68]

So going into this fall Trine and Adrian are the teams at the top of the MIAA, anyone else who can challenge for the title and playoffs?

Former 3db,

What is your take on the above?

Raider:

I would agree with that i.e the assessment of Trine and Adrian, even though Adrian has a new coaching staff.  I think their players will be "hungry" even though overall, many of their players, alumni and fans have been upset over the way the coaching change was handled.  Regarding the others, I think that Olivet and Kazoo will again be the bottom tier teams.  With a new coaching staff (including the 3 retainee assistant coaches), Olivet will have some new enthusiasm, however, unfortunately, I think Olivet will have a difficult time since they upgraded their non-conference schedule with some pretty tough teams.  Kazoo has made some strides (if small, but nonetheless some improvement) with Zorbo, their passionate alumni coach and I think they'll make some further imporvement, yet not enough to make a difference this year - it obviously takes time.

As far as the remaining teams, it's a "toss-up"IMO.  On paper, Hope should be right up there, however, the players have not played up to their potential the past two years and IMO, that has not been the fault of the coaching staff.  Alma should be in the race, although admittedly, they have to replace their 3 year starter McGrady at QB.  As far as Albion, who knows?  They should be improved, however, the "verdict is out on them - I'm personally just not sure how to eval them from what little I know, which isn't much   I will say, though, that I never count them out - certainly not against Hope as it is always a barnburner when we play them - I'd have to say our most heated rivalry - at least it was when I played "way back when"

Thanks, great incite! Maybe your alma mater will be the dark horse this year!

[HOF]

After completing a thorough five-month exploration process, Siena Heights University announced it is starting intercollegiate football that will begin play in fall 2011.

President Albert said the decision was made to move forward with football based on the recommendation of the Football Task Force she established in January. The task force was led by SHU Athletic Director Fred Smith and included SHU faculty, staff and students as well as board members and members of the community. This task force gathered extensive information, including how football would impact the athletic, academic, financial and student life areas of SHU. After this information was compiled and presented, the SHU Board of Trustees met May 1, 2010, and approved the plan to begin football, which was the final step in the approval process.

"Adding football at Siena Heights has been talked about for years, but this was the right time for us," Smith said. "I was impressed by the way our community came together and looked at all the factors involved in this decision, which were many. I would especially like to thank all those who were involved in the process. I am thrilled to have helped lead this exploration process and believe football will enhance the university as well as our athletic program."

Siena Heights also introduced the coach who will begin Siena Heights' football tradition. Veteran coach Jim Lyall was introduced as Siena Heights' first head coach. With more than 20 years as a college head coach as well as being a former player at the University of Michigan under the late legendary coach Bo Schembechler, Lyall will bring his combination of leadership, experience and character to Siena Heights, according to Smith.

"We couldn't have asked for a better person to lead our football program," he said. "We wanted someone who understood not only how to run a college football program, but could build it the right way. We want success both on and off the field, and Jim will accomplish that for us at Siena Heights."

"Since the very first day I came over and interviewed with Sister Peg, her focus is on the students here at Siena," said Lyall, who served as a consultant during the exploration process. "Everything she does is pointed in that direction. How do we make the mission come alive here? How are we going to affect these young men and young women at Siena Heights for really the rest of their lives. ... Having the opportunity to talk with Sister Peg, I know how important the mission is to Siena Heights University and that a program could be built around that whole idea of helping young men become competent, giving them purpose, meaning in their lives. And teaching and modeling ethical behavior. That has to be the foundation of the program."

Lyall said he and new offensive/recruiting coordinator Jeff Hancock will begin recruiting student-athletes immediately. The Saints, who will become the only Catholic college or university in Michigan to offer football scholarships, will play a junior varsity schedule beginning in fall 2011. SHU has applied for membership in the Mid-States Football Conference, one of the top NAIA conferences in the country. If accepted, Siena Heights will begin conference play in 2012.

"We need to have young men who understand the whole meaning of character and integrity," Lyall said. "Because we don't have any senior leadership right now, it's going to be important for us to recruit a certain type of student-athlete. We're going to target captains. We're going to going to target players from programs that have been successful."

The Saints will also compete on a new, on-campus, artificial grass outdoor performance stadium that is expected to be completed by the start of the 2011 season.

[Raider 68]

After completing a thorough five-month exploration process, Siena Heights University announced it is starting intercollegiate football that will begin play in fall 2011.

President Albert said the decision was made to move forward with football based on the recommendation of the Football Task Force she established in January. The task force was led by SHU Athletic Director Fred Smith and included SHU faculty, staff and students as well as board members and members of the community. This task force gathered extensive information, including how football would impact the athletic, academic, financial and student life areas of SHU. After this information was compiled and presented, the SHU Board of Trustees met May 1, 2010, and approved the plan to begin football, which was the final step in the approval process.

“Adding football at Siena Heights has been talked about for years, but this was the right time for us,” Smith said. “I was impressed by the way our community came together and looked at all the factors involved in this decision, which were many. I would especially like to thank all those who were involved in the process. I am thrilled to have helped lead this exploration process and believe football will enhance the university as well as our athletic program.”

Siena Heights also introduced the coach who will begin Siena Heights’ football tradition. Veteran coach Jim Lyall was introduced as Siena Heights’ first head coach. With more than 20 years as a college head coach as well as being a former player at the University of Michigan under the late legendary coach Bo Schembechler, Lyall will bring his combination of leadership, experience and character to Siena Heights, according to Smith.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better person to lead our football program,” he said. “We wanted someone who understood not only how to run a college football program, but could build it the right way. We want success both on and off the field, and Jim will accomplish that for us at Siena Heights.”

“Since the very first day I came over and interviewed with Sister Peg, her focus is on the students here at Siena,” said Lyall, who served as a consultant during the exploration process. “Everything she does is pointed in that direction. How do we make the mission come alive here? How are we going to affect these young men and young women at Siena Heights for really the rest of their lives. … Having the opportunity to talk with Sister Peg, I know how important the mission is to Siena Heights University and that a program could be built around that whole idea of helping young men become competent, giving them purpose, meaning in their lives. And teaching and modeling ethical behavior. That has to be the foundation of the program.”

Lyall said he and new offensive/recruiting coordinator Jeff Hancock will begin recruiting student-athletes immediately. The Saints, who will become the only Catholic college or university in Michigan to offer football scholarships, will play a junior varsity schedule beginning in fall 2011. SHU has applied for membership in the Mid-States Football Conference, one of the top NAIA conferences in the country. If accepted, Siena Heights will begin conference play in 2012.

“We need to have young men who understand the whole meaning of character and integrity,” Lyall said. “Because we don’t have any senior leadership right now, it’s going to be important for us to recruit a certain type of student-athlete. We’re going to target captains. We’re going to going to target players from programs that have been successful.”

The Saints will also compete on a new, on-campus, artificial grass outdoor performance stadium that is expected to be completed by the start of the 2011 season.

That is great news for the MIAA, if they will complete in the conference. Where are they located?

[Mr. Ypsi]

They're in Adrian, but play in NAIA.  But it does give another option for non-con games.