FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

70_dc_alum:

I can understand where you are coming from.  For sure, it is difficult for a team that has an offense like Alma in that regard when every down is a pass play (and back in the time you are talking about, as I recall, Alma had one running play only and they rarely used it - perhaps that might be a slight exaggeration, but...it is pretty close, again at least to what I recall back then ).

Also, I could be wrong as this could have been another game.  However, the one you mention about the FG might have been the one where Alma's kicker had the chance to become the all-time FG holder at the school.  Whatever game that was (and again, it could be that it was not the game you are talking about) the coaching staff made the decision to give him the chance to break the record and he made it.  Anyway, if it wasn't that game you played in, sorry that happened - not sure why?  Again, like you say, the Alma staff are good guys - really.  Anyway, hope your weekend has been going well.  Also, it is good to see that this board and ours have had some good posting/discussions going on.  Later, friend (it is "buring the midnight candle" right now! )

[sflzman]

sflzman:

I was not aware of that i.e. Bluffton having cancelled the series for that alleged reason/claim they have apparently made against Alma as you relate - interesting.  Knowing Alma's coaching staff, I find that hard to believe they would do that - in fact, I just do not believe they would do that.  Indeed, as you say, it also doesn't make sense for Bluffton to cancel and add the likes of Trine if they were truly worried about high scores.  I am in no way saying Trine does that or will because I do not think they do - at least I've never observed that whatsoever in the games I've seen them play against us.  But, rather, like you, I'm simply pointing out that Trine will score big against Bluffton because they are so good and of recent Bluffton has been "a not-so-good" team (and that's saying it nicely, no disrespect intended toward Bluffton. ).

I was not suggesting Trine was running up the score at all when I made that comment, my reference to them filling the spot with Trine was simply because of how good Trine was at the time of that game being scheduled.

70_dc_alum:

I can understand where you are coming from.  For sure, it is difficult for a team that has an offense like Alma in that regard when every down is a pass play (and back in the time you are talking about, as I recall, Alma had one running play only and they rarely used it - perhaps that might be a slight exaggeration, but...it is pretty close, again at least to what I recall back then ).

Also, I could be wrong as this could have been another game.  However, the one you mention about the FG might have been the one where Alma's kicker had the chance to become the all-time FG holder at the school.  Whatever game that was (and again, it could be that it was not the game you are talking about) the coaching staff made the decision to give him the chance to break the record and he made it.  Anyway, if it wasn't that game you played in, sorry that happened - not sure why?  Again, like you say, the Alma staff are good guys - really.  Anyway, hope your weekend has been going well.  Also, it is good to see that this board and ours have had some good posting/discussions going on.  Later, friend (it is "buring the midnight candle" right now! )

It may not be one play, but I can count them on my fingers:

1. AB Draw
2. "Option" pitch right
3. "Option" pitch left
4. QB Draw
5. Wildcat Sprint Right
6. Wildcat Sprint Left
7. Wildcat Power (Behind "big old Ed Mason")

[formerd3db]

sflzman:

I didn't take your comment as suggesting that Trine was running up the score at all (nor do I think anyone else did), as I, indeed, understood what the context of what you were saying.  No big deal.

Also, it (the running play) may have different names, but...it is basically the same i.e. just a running play!

[sflzman]

sflzman:

I didn't take your comment as suggesting that Trine was running up the score at all (nor do I think anyone else did), as I, indeed, understood what the context of what you were saying.  No big deal.

Also, it (the running play) may have different names, but...it is basically the same i.e. just a running play!

lol, yes running play indeed...

And I just wanted to make sure bout that Trine thing as I have a little bit of a tough rap with dissing other teams...

[formerd3db]

sflzman:

I didn't take your comment as suggesting that Trine was running up the score at all (nor do I think anyone else did), as I, indeed, understood what the context of what you were saying.  No big deal.

Also, it (the running play) may have different names, but...it is basically the same i.e. just a running play!

lol, yes running play indeed...

And I just wanted to make sure bout that Trine thing as I have a little bit of a tough rap with dissing other teams...

No problem.  Yet, also, I would just say that I do not recall you dissing any teams here, at least on this board.  I would additionally say the following, if I may: I don't particularly appreciate it either when someone "disses" some other team or somebody, except when the latter(s) deserve it , yet as long as it doesn't "cross the line" in being a personal attack.  In other words, there is an appropriate way to "dis", or shall we say, a better term to use is "constuctivly criticiize" (to "dis" is mean-spirited), and in that regard/context, there is nothing wrong with having differences of opinion.   Okay, so I will "get off the soapbox" now.  

[sflzman]

I try to stay in my kindergarten days and go along with the old "if you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all"

BUT! Then ocaisionaly my opinion stands out! 

[sflzman]

But yes, constructive criticism is always welcome!

[Mr. Ypsi]

But yes, constructive criticism is always welcome!

The problem, of course, is that one fan's 'constructive criticism' is another fan's 'rip'!

SOME posts are 'clearly' over the line - and they generally get quickly blasted even by fans from the poster's own school.

Most posts are simply 'factual' or non-objectionable.

It is the gray area in between that livens up the board.

[formerd3db]

Mr. Ypsi and sflzman:

That is all so true, my friends!

[Raider 68]

formerd3db, sflzman,Uncle Rico, Mr. Ypsi,

I do not know that much about the MIAA stadiums, except K'Zoo, been there a long time ago.

How would you rate them in terms of seating, field, ammendities and atmosphere?

[formerd3db]

Raider68:

Here is my list ranking the MIAA stadiums:

1) Trine: I have not been there yet (because Trine played at our place this past fall), however, have seen the photos and talked with some people who have been.  It, without question, is the best stadium in the league - it is awesome I've been told, especially with the personal suites/boxes.  The only minor negative, IMO, is that they switched the home seating (i.e. the main stadium) on the old visitors side which now faces southwest and the wind, rain, sun (and yes, snow/ice) blows directly into your face - not good.  But with the design, new fb building  and synthetic turf (the latter of which they already had the year before), it is the best IMO.  

2) Adrian's stadium is a close second.  It is also a great design, with personalized seating, some suites for the President and others, but also the press box is great, especially for the coaches and film crew.  The film crew is protected overhead i.e. they have a suite and the coaches can either open or close windows, so that is really good for inclement weather, again for the film crews.  The hillside seating at the south endzone is good with the concourse/covered pavilion where people can sit and eat also and the south endzone has seating built into the small burmed hill with pine trees behind which, although only a few rows, gives it a really neat feeling, kind of like some of the DI MAC stadiums, although obviously on a much smaller scale.  The only minor negative is the small visitors seating section, but...it is permanent stands with nice block matching the stadium and in reality, it is the appropriate size for the amount of visitors that usually show up for MIAA "away" games which makes them look full(except for championship games, of course, but for those, they would have plenty of seating on the hillside south endzone). Overall, it is set in a bowl like setting and also is back on campus after 40 years, which makes all the MIAA schools now having on-campus stadiums (except Hope, except technically for all practical purposes, Hope does too!)  anyway, one big drawback for Adrian is that...they need fans to fill it - they have the same problem as Ohio Wesleyan IMO.  Too bad.

3) Alma - great view of the campus, although only minor aspect is that I wish they would have kept it in the same location as the original Balke an not switch with the former baseball field (but essentially they've been playing on this field since 1929); minor problem is that sun, wind and rain is in your face coming directly from the southwest/west; another negative is that the front row walkway is non-existent i.e. front row fans have to move out of your way to walk - not sure how that one got past the building codes; press box is very spacious for coaching and media, etc, but another negative there is that windows can't be opened and no air conditioning so fans have to be used in the early season games and...the film crew has to film on the roof being exposed to the weather. But overall, a nice stadium - they have the synthetic turf, they have kept the old college iron stadium name arch, matched it with oanother, brick and wrought iron fencing give it a great feel of that old college tradition, and "Among the Pines" which Alma's campus is noted for.


4) Olivet and Albion:  I have trouble making a decision here so they probably are both very close, but I'd have to give Albion an edge - pros/cons for both.  First, I love Albion's setting -they've been playing on that field (at least a portion of it, since 1899-1900 - the original field was were the stans and athletic building behind it are), theyve kep the old concrete athletic field fence around the area from the 1920's similar to like old U of Michigan stadium or U of Chicago and other like schools had way back then; the home stands sit up on a hill with the buildings behind them and on the sides so it gives it a "big stadium" feel, but with great old college atmosphere among the trees lining the river right behind the visitors stand s sections, which are bleachers but very nice - great setting, especially in thefall with all the colors and the campus in teh backgrond.  Concourse/concessions are good, locker rooms right there; Hall of Fame right inside the stands in the building concourse; negatives is the outdated press box from the 1970's renovation - film crew is dangerously on the roof with flimsy railing, no roof cover and very windy - press box needs to be expanded/enlarged and bnew updated windows.  The other negative (IMO only compared to some) is that they still have natural grass - they need to get the new synthertic turf in.

As far as Olivet, they have really upgraded the football facilities. An alumni donar gave them over 2 million and the new Cutler Athletic Center is nice - locker rooms, Hall of Fame, training facilities at the north endzone have replaced the old outdated concrete small building; entirely new home stadium and nice spacious press box and electronic scoreboard and new synthetic turf.  If is a modest stadium, but very nice and adequate for a small college such as Olivet, especially for their type of attendance - seating about 2,000 is just about right for them, although in a losing year such as this past one, 500 fans was the usual (ouch).  Visitors stands are of new bleacher type seating, could be bigger; The "plus" for me is the nostalgia - the field has been in use since the 1890's (several name changes though) and old trees and farms still surround it and the other athletic fields - cows watchc he game at the south endzone!  Also, the historic campus has expanded so the athletic complex is at hte south end, short walk.  The new basketball/volleyball area of the Cutler Center opened last year as well.  Anyway, like Albion, great history but Olivet needs to start winning again to bring in the fans instead of just the moms/dads families of the players.

5) Hope: I've essentially shared my opinion on this already in the past.  Neat stadium with hillside seating in the endzone and concrete peramanet seating on both home and visitors sides - however, they need the synthetic turf in (a problem form the beginning - long story which I will not go into here), the seating is too far back from the sidelines IMO, however that will not be able to be changed obviously, it is a bowl shaped stadium; they also need a fb building/locker room built at the open north end of the stadium which would get it that more enclosed feel and also closer locker rooms (players have to walk across a bridge over a creek through the woods from the current athletic training and locker room building) and the college needs to buy the stadium from the city.  The stadium sits surrounded by all the other college's atheltic stadiums, which have been newly build, with brick, wrough iron arches, fencing and covered seating giving them that old college feel and the new soccer/lacrosse stadium right next door to this and the huge Devos Center (with its NBA style seating arena) is awesome with permanent personal seating, synthetic turf, lights and the old time brick and wrought iron fencing surrounding the complexes now is great.

6) Kazoo - I've already commented on their stadium in my previous post above, however, with the new renovations, it will be really nice and put them back in line with most of our other schools - within the context of what they can expect as I've mentioned.  There has been, however, unfortunatley some opposition from the neighbors who live nex/nearby to the stadium - they have expressed a fear that it will make the area too congested and noisy, which is a big "crock"  - some of these people are rather arrongant, elitiests from what I've heard.  I hope the city commission votes against their objections and allows Kazoo College to go forward with this great plan and improvements - they really need it.  So far, I have not heard what the update status on this situation is.

So there you have it - my take on our MIAA stadiums.  I will look forward to reading everyone else's opinions.  

[Raider 68]

Formerd3db,

Great Post!

Thanks for taking the time to evaluate each facility in such an in-depth manner! +k

[sac]

I've kind of wondered if the open space in front of DeVos is being set aside in case something can't or rather won't be done with Holland Municipal.  I know its supposed to be open green space for the students but I have yet to see it be used for anything. (but I'm also not around much anymore.)

It seems to me if the college (with help from donors) is willing to spend the money to build a first class soccer stadium, it shouldn't be too much trouble to do the same for football in front of DeVos.

The only drawback is it would likely be an East/West field.   But a similar architectural style to the VanAndel Soccer Stadium and DeVos Fieldhouse would really fill in the space.

[70_dc_alum]

D3DB great posts.  I think the Alma kicker did have something on the line but it was the 2nd or 3rd game of the season so there was no pressing reason to send him out. Either way it was our responsibility to stop and it made for a great rivalry I loved playing Alma.

The miaa stadium I liked the most was Alma but the drive up there sucked it was our longest road trip. We always played up there early in the year sometimes homecoming so the stadium was usually full which is a nice thing for a normal d3 game!  Having played high school at a big D1  school in Ohio where you were used to 8k on a Friday night the normal 1-2k for a d3 game was depressing. Oliver was a dump pre renovation. One year our locker room was a tent with a port a potty and the visitor stands held 15 people

[formerd3db]

70_dc_alum:

Thanks!  I also know what you mean regarding the trip/drive.  In going down to Defiance, it is really not that far, a 2-21/2 hour drive from most places in the MIAA (except for Adrian, of course; and although perhaps another 1/2 from Alma) - according to some people - most likely those with a lead foot!  However, indeed, the drive down that way always seems to be a longer trip - as there is no real direct route. By that I mean, you kind of have to "weave" your way down there and if you try to "take a short cut" by doing directly south, you can easily get lost on some of those country roads in trying to cross the MI/OH border (or even the eastern IN/MI border).

As far as the attendance at h.s. fb games in OH, I totally understand where you are coming from with that.  Obviously, that outnumbers the majority of h.s. schools here in MI and, for sure, even for those of us who had the great privilege and fortune to play college football, even at the small college level, it can sometimes be a little disheartening to see so much smaller crowds at our college games.  I used to be offended when some people (IMO, jerks) who would say that small college football was nothing more than glorified h.s. football.  Well, I truly believe it is not because I have seen over the years many very, very good fb players in h.s. who are simply not good enough to play even at the small college level and... as we all know, sometimes there are players who could certainly play at the other NCAA levels, but for whatever reason, decide not to.  Besides, I also always go back to the fact that even at the early years of college football, certainly many of the colleges had smaller crowds at games (although obviously the bigger schools started drawing the bigger crowds in due time).  Heck, I have a photo of the Alma College/Michgian State game of 1896 (which was won by Alma BTW) and there are probably 200 people at the most.  So in that regard, that is the "old college tradition" and feel I think about and have been trying to discuss.  "The nostalgia is the thing" if I may borrow from that Shakespearen era phrase! (or was that someone esle? ) All that being said, I think you will agree that it doesn't matter what level we or anyone else played at in college - no one can tell me that it wasn't one of the most important and exciting aspects to us and/or anyone playing the game in college at that time in their lives i.e. it is just as exciting playing in your own college game with 2,000-3,000 people cheering you on as it is for those playing in front of someone's 20,000 to Michigan's 100,000+ - it is just louder! ;)r  Anyway, thanks for your post - excellent one.