FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Mr. Ypsi]

No love whatsoever for thursday night games

Though they are at least better than Friday night games - what a way to pi$$ off the coaches of the guys you are trying to recruit!

[formerd3db]

Even worse are those Tues night or Wednesday night games that the D-I Mid-America Conference has had the past couple of years.  What a way to really mess up a team's concentration and weekly program continuity.  The MAC has also had some opening Thursday night games, particularly Central Michigan in playing Boston College a couple of years ago (I forgot who they opened up with this past year without looking at their website).  Also, didn't Defiance College open up with a Thursday night game in the past year or two?

Bottom line is that I agree with you guys.  An occasional Saturday evening game under the lights for DIII is okay, but as for the other nights, forget it, IMO.

[sflzman]

Boise state played a Monday night and a Tuesday night this past season of I remember correctly. I think the Monday night was against Hawaii but that could be totally wrong.

[Raider 68]

Any news from the Trine camp, been pretty quiet for awhile?

[LetItRain]

Hey everone - I haven't posted in a while.  I hope all well with all of you.

Regarding Trine's Thursday games - Trine has started each of the last 4 seasons with a game against Manchester College on the Thursday before Labor Day.  I believe the first game this year is again on a Thursday night but it will be played at Manchester.  I'm not sure what started this tradition or how long it's been going on.  The 2010 game was played "under the lights" at Trine, which was the first time we actually had lights to play under.  Prior to that Thursday games played at Trine were on Thursday late afternoon.

I'm not sure what is happening with Trine football this year because my son is no longer playing so I'm not getting any info from him.  I know they started spring ball this week and that's about it.  I haven't heard anything about recruits, returning players, etc..  I'd love to hear an update if anyone else still has Trine ties.   

[Raider 68]

Hey everone - I haven't posted in a while.  I hope all well with all of you.

Regarding Trine's Thursday games - Trine has started each of the last 4 seasons with a game against Manchester College on the Thursday before Labor Day.  I believe the first game this year is again on a Thursday night but it will be played at Manchester.  I'm not sure what started this tradition or how long it's been going on.  The 2010 game was played "under the lights" at Trine, which was the first time we actually had lights to play under.  Prior to that Thursday games played at Trine were on Thursday late afternoon.

I'm not sure what is happening with Trine football this year because my son is no longer playing so I'm not getting any info from him.  I know they started spring ball this week and that's about it.  I haven't heard anything about recruits, returning players, etc..  I'd love to hear an update if anyone else still has Trine ties.  

LetItRain,

The SID's in several schools do not seem to being sharing much on new recruits this spring!

[sflzman]

Hey everone - I haven't posted in a while.  I hope all well with all of you.

Regarding Trine's Thursday games - Trine has started each of the last 4 seasons with a game against Manchester College on the Thursday before Labor Day.  I believe the first game this year is again on a Thursday night but it will be played at Manchester.  I'm not sure what started this tradition or how long it's been going on.  The 2010 game was played "under the lights" at Trine, which was the first time we actually had lights to play under.  Prior to that Thursday games played at Trine were on Thursday late afternoon.

I'm not sure what is happening with Trine football this year because my son is no longer playing so I'm not getting any info from him.  I know they started spring ball this week and that's about it.  I haven't heard anything about recruits, returning players, etc..  I'd love to hear an update if anyone else still has Trine ties.   

LetItRain,

The SID's in several schools do not seem to being sharing much on new recuits this spring!

No kidding! It's been silent about spring ball!

[D306]

Working on Spring practice info, no direct contacts/players left on MIAA teams from past coaching days.    Time has gone quickly since leaving Michigan.

Question for the crew?

DIII former player, can they play D1 football in Grad School?
3 year varsity Starter, did not play in Varisty game Freshman year, injuries limited number of games Junior and Senior years.
Looking to appeal to NCAA and ask for clarification? Not sure what answer he will get.

My thought is he has a chance to be approved.

By the Way, good stuff from UofM Hockey playing for National Championship after shutting out the Number 1 Ranked team last night, in the Semi-Finals.

[formerd3db]

D306:
We know you've moved from this state, however, are glad you've chosen to continue contributing/participating on our board.  Hope all is well with you and yours.

Regarding your inquiry as to eligibility of the player you mention: as far as I know from what you've presented, I see no reason why the NCAA would not grant/allow this.  Obviously, we know that any student-athlete is granted only 4 years eligibility in one sport, but can have eligibility in another sport thereafter as well.  There is also the rule that players have to make continued progress to their degress, yet, as I recall, that does not apply to someone, for example, who had an interruption in their educational process for whatever reasons if those are legit.  There have been several situations in recent years where older players have been granted the opportunity to complete their collegiate eligibility in a sport, particularly the examples in NCAA football, some of which have been showcased here on Pat's site and others we've talked about.  For example, one was that younger   gentleman in his mid-50's (he was 56 years old I believe if I recall correctly) recently who played his final year down in Texas (at the LB position) at the DIII school (help, please, I forgot the school - it may have been McMurray) just a couple of years ago.  It was highlighted in the major newspapers and ESPN as well.  There was also the example of former Notre Dame/Michigan State QB Gus Ornstein a few years ago, who left MSU with one year of football eligibility remaining (he stated several games at MSU) to play professional baseball.  After a couple of years or so, he then returned to DIII Rowan where he was the starting QB for then head coach K.C. Keeler, (current head coach of his alma mater FCS University of Delaware) for that final year of his eligibility and took them to the Stagg Bowl (they lost that game as we all will recall).  Also, in the mid-1990's, there was a dentist here in Michigan who completed his final two years of football eligibility at DI Eastern Michgian when he was about 46 years old.  I can't remember exactly the details as to why his delay, however, I think it may have been due to his going into military service.  He had kept in shape, even when doing his dental practice and was a WR on the EMU team, even getting in a couple of games.  The players called him "Gramps" as I recall.  Also, there was the example of that 70 or 80 year old guy who played DIII basketball 3 years ago or so at a very small DIII basketball school out east.

I realize that your question was about how this may apply to DI, however, I don't think the division status matters. Rather that anyone has 4 total years of eligibilty in one sport and that if one has a disruption or discontinuance in their educational process for legit reasons, through the proper application process, the NCAA will allow them to complete that eligibility if they desie and a school (i.e. coaching staff) will have them.  I could be wrong, yet I believe that is the status.  If I am wrong, perhaps Pat and/or some of our other colleagues here can clarify and/or correct that for us.

[D306]

D3DB  +1 for you good detailed reply.

Spoke with a compliance officer / NCAA rep.

5 year rule may come into play.
You have 5 years to complete 4 years of NCAA play.
Athlete maybe able to appeal, with Medical time lost play.
Athlete is a current 1st year student in Grad school.
So Athlete has completed the 1 year wait period normally required.
Though he has lapsed 5 years since start of NCAA play, by the start of 2011 season.

Switching from DIII to D1 with no connection to Athletics in original matriculation. The change in University is normal Educational advancement. So this will not an illegal transfer for sports reasons,

Walk-on is possible, University would be required to file a formal review and petition for acceptance on Medical. Lower chance of success, 4 years in NCAA play, 5 year rules are the question marks, formal review would check for options.

If this proceeds I will update the site for closure of question.

[Raider 68]

D3DB  +1 for you good detailed reply.

Spoke with a compliance officer / NCAA rep.

5 year rule may come into play.
You have 5 years to complete 4 years of NCAA play.
Athlete maybe able to appeal, with Medical time lost play.
Athlete is a current 1st year student in Grad school.
So Athlete has completed the 1 year wait period normally required.
Though he has lapsed 5 years since start of NCAA play, by the start of 2011 season.

Switching from DIII to D1 with no connection to Athletics in original matriculation. The change in University is normal Educational advancement. So this will not an illegal transfer for sports reasons,

Walk-on is possible, University would be required to file a formal review and petition for acceptance on Medical. Lower chance of success, 4 years in NCAA play, 5 year rules are the question marks, formal review would check for options.

If this proceeds I will update the site for closure of question.

D306,

D3 to D1 should not matter. As mentioned the 4 years out of five is  rule is key here.

[formerd3db]

Thanks D306 and Raider68.  Please keep us posted on what eventually transpires.  Despite the "5 to complete 4" rule, I still think that the NCAA would grant someone older the opportunity to complete their eligibility if they came back several years later if there was some legit interruption in their education track. 

On another topic:
Since there is apparently no longer a lacrosse board, I'm posting this here.  As Hope lacrosse moves toward eventual "full varsity" status (it is "virtual varsity" right now similar to Univ. of Mich, Michigan State; and the other schools in the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association), Hope's team remains undefeated after defeating Ferris State University 20-13 in a very intense game today at Hope's beautiful VanAndel Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium with its synthetic new style turf, personalized seating for many, etc..  A beautiful day for a game; only drawbacks were some injuries to a Ferris State player (possible internal surgery today, so please keep him in your prayers) and one of our Hope player's (foot) and, unfortunately, a very ugly bench clearin brawl in the last 48 seconds of the game, in which the officials called the game.  Otherwise, it was a gorgeous day for a game weatherwise with temps in the mid-'60's, sun and a very good crowd.  Based on what I've seen so far this year, this is Hope's best team ever, which is really good and could give some of the lower tier DIII lacrosse teams a very good game.  Hope's men's program has reached the next level in our climb and the turning point was two seasons ago with a win over this very toiugh Ferris State University program.  While we still have a way to go (with the likes of Grand Valley State, University  of Dayton and some others), still to see the state of the program at this point is extremely exciting and much credit of this success has to be given to Head Coach Mike Schanhals, himself a foremr Hope Lacrosse playe rand state championshiop h.s. head coach along with some great support from the College's administration and athletic directors. The season is still not over yet and some tough games coming up, however, so far, this is great.  We'll see what happens.  Sorry, didn't get any info on spring football practice today as was busy with the lacrosse aspects.  But...the nice weather is here and that is good not only for lacrosse, but for the baseball teams as well.  Talk to you guys later.   

[D306]

Lax is growing quickly in Michigan and the midwest.
Many schools are starting "club" teams and numerous club team are becoming sanction. The state of Michigan has recognized Lacrosse as a an official HS sport with state championships not all that long ago.

University of Detroit has a growing Lax team and is officially playing D1 schedule, many Michigan based players, just had a HUGE win in NY.

University of Michigan which plays Club presently is moving to D1 within the next couple seasons. Playing a aggressive schedule with numerous national trips as a club team this year.

I think Lax is a good sport to bring in officially, becoming very popular, in Michigan good draw for more student athletes.

[formerd3db]

U of Detroit's coach is Michigan State's former head coach.  Michigan State's program used to be scholarship lacrosse program until the late-1990's.  It is club lacrosse now, like U of Michigan's and a great number of other Midwest schools ranging from DIII to DI.  However, I will say that many of these club collegiate teams are in essence "virtual varsity" i.e. basically almost varsity in reality already - the only aspect preventing them from being varsity programs is that a) the schools don't 100% fund the program and b) Title IX.  They compete under the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association, which follows NCAA eligibility and game rules.  Officials are regulated by an official organization, have to be certified and are paid for games.  Despite being "club status" and having to raise the majority of their funds, they still are overseen/governed by their respective schools.  Some of the schools do partially fund them in some aspects; and including making sure that medical coverage is provided in some way if college facilities are used.Both Michigan State and U of Michigan's programs play national schedules, fly to games and at U of Michigan, is actually termed "virtual varsity".  Their budget is $250,000+ per year and as I recall, the University provides them with about $25,000 of that, the rest of which they have to raise.  The Head Coach is paid, although since they are not "officially varsity", they get all the "crap times" for use of the practice fields, etc.  Nonetheless, in seeing them play, I will tell you that the level of lacrosse is nothing anywhere near "rinky dink".

Same goes for teams such as Hope's program.  While Trine and Adrian have official NCAA DIII programs (as do many of the Ohio DIII schools as most everyone knows) and those programs are extremely good, teams like Hope, Davenport, Grand Valley State, Ferris State, Western Michigan, etc. have raised the level of their programs and are also beyond club level in performance.  No longer are some of these school's team rosters filled with student-athletes who never played lacrosse before and/or "spill-overs" from other sports at the schools such as football players.  The DIII schools with virtual varisty club teams such as Hope are recruiting top-notch lacrosse players (again, those who can qualify for admission and/or recieve enough financial aid to where they can afford to attend such schools) and while I'm not saying they would consistenty beat established programs such as Trine or Adrian in our MIAA, they will be competitive.  Hope's team is very good, perhaps the best it has ever been and with the commitment of the College, this has helped tremendously.  The MIAA is scheduled to go to full varsity in the near future, with the rest of the schools adding lacrosse for both men and women (Olivet and Alma have committed) so it will be exciting to see that when it finally happens.  Cost will be much less thanb other sports, obviously, ugh despite the gas prices for travel!

[sflzman]

Albion also has varsity lacrosse