FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[TUAngola]

TUAngola,

I understand your frustration, and I also hope the new SID gets to give some input on the web site (or lack there of).

I understand that sometimes programs want to keep things under wraps, and yet at some point a program needs to grow up a little and realize that when you're 29-1 during three season, you're not going to "sneak up" on anyone.

It's my guess that Trine is circled on most of the MIAA opponents schedules. Them knowing who Trine has coming in, who is coming back, and who's battling for positions isn't information that most programs are going to find all that relevant.

I'm sure that other MIAA programs are not saying this:

Coach 1: "well, Watt is gone, and only 4 starts are coming back on defense so I'm sure they're going to really be a poor team this season, finally."

Coach 2: "I don't know Coach, did you read their pre-season preview? I guess they think they have other guys who are pretty good competing for the vacated spots."

Coach 1: "Really? You mean they have other good players at Trine who want to start? Are you sure?"

Coach 2: "Yeah Coach, to be honest I thought they would be bad too, but then I read that Coach Land said in the write up he's excited about the new guys coming in and several players that didn't see much action last year are ready to compete at a high level this season. Once I read that, I though ""oh no"" then I realized they weren't going to be a push over."

Coach 1: "Oh crap, well thank goodness for that write up, otherwise we'd have no idea."

Coach 2: "yeah that's what I was thinking".

Anyway - that's just my take. I don't think Trine has to much to worry about, a review doesn't win you or lose you games. The game is played on the field. I use to work for coaches who actually sent their game plan to opposing schools. That might have been a bit over the top...but it just goes to show, play the game, and give the fans a web site and pre-season outlook that will give them something to look forward to in Angola.

+1.  My sentiments exactly.

[Mr. Ypsi]

TUA, you've got 182 posts to go before you can actually give +1 - so I'll give it to TH in your name!

[sflzman]

But I am going to reserve judgment for now until the new SID gets his stamp on things. 

I believe though, that he should be pretty good once he gets his feelers on things. Brian comes from Adrian and was a part of the very good Sports Information department over there. Adrian's stuff is always really up to date...

[kzoodad]

new to the post, but have been reading for 3 yrs. k college had 75 players report to camp.they may suprise some teams this year. for them, they have a fair amount of exp. coming back. don't mean to offend anyone, but when renovations are done next year , they'll give anybodies facillities a run for their money. my son's sr. so he'll miss out. have enjoyed this site and look forward to this season. go zoo.

[formerd3db]

  Also, none of the MIAA schools has a "cut policy".  Hope did when I played way back, but not since.

formerd3db

Im glad you made the cut d3db 

He still does, even if it's only for MIAA Chat.   

Thanks BOYA87 and matblake, you guys are very kind!   The same goes for you both - you make the cut!

[formerd3db]

Welcome to our MIAA board kazoodad.  Glad to have you and best wishes to your son for his senior season.  Although your son will miss out on the new facilities at Kazoo, at least he'll have the fantastic experience of playing in a big DI stadium when you guys play at Waldo this season.  I kind of wish Hope was playing you guys down there this year for that instead of up at our place - just for the different atmosphere!

Anyway, hopefully, our friend stinger, a long-time Kazoo poster here on our board will return and join you in providing us with the Kazoo faction and side of things this year. 

[formerd3db]

boya87

I know Hope does.  A number of years ago Wabash and followed by DePauw would play them first two games.  Hope's teams were pretty good then and always played tough but often started their conference season out with 2 or 3 losses.  Problem was also that players got injured before the conference started.  Smith was a great Hope coach.  I suspect this tradition of "into the fire" started with him and has carried over.

Your are right, wabco.  That trend i.e. as you term it tradition of "into the fire" (that is a great quote +k to you! ) did start with Coach Smith.  He also had us playing some DII schools (U of Indianapolis, then called Indiana Central), which, with Wheaton, DePauw and Wabash did help us in the latter part of the season, even though we lost some of those games, although we did win sometimes.  You and the others have described the dilemma exactly i.e. does the tough non-conference schedule help or not and is the injury risk if you do that "step-up" worth it?  We've had some lengthy, yet great discussion on this topic here in the past.  Anyway, thanks for visiting our board on occasion as you do.

BTW, Hope did have the 116 report today as previously anticipated.

[cave2bens]

You know how you have you "poster staus" thing in stars, along with a title like all-region and whatnot? What is the 4-star title? I can't find anyone with 4, only 3 and 5 stars....

There are several of us over on the NCAC Board - "all conference" but whether destined to earn national recognition and accolades remains to be seen (or read as the case may be).   

Hope (no favoritism toward formerD3 there  ) all are enjoying the pre-season / camp banter and your respective seasons start off well.  Cheers from the other side of the globe! 

[wabco]

By the by ... it works both ways in also getting ready for the season ... for those who played Hope during the "preseason" in those Smith days.  I would have to look up the year ... but sufice to say a number of years ago .... the first game for Wabash was with Hope at Hope ... and Wabash lost by 3 (I believe).  We went on, won the rest and were runner up in the Stag Bowl by a couple.  I like to tell my Hope friends that Hope toughened us up that year but Just not quite enough.  Smith recruited and coached some very good teams and Hope always played hard every minute of the game ... giving us all we could handle (and sometimes ... then some) along with good game films of both the Wabash game and the Hope/DePauw game.  Would love to see Hope climb back into that first chair.

[BOYA87]

I'm sure that other MIAA programs are not saying this:

Coach 1: "well, Watt is gone, and only 4 starts are coming back on defense so I'm sure they're going to really be a poor team this season, finally."

Coach 2: "I don't know Coach, did you read their pre-season preview? I guess they think they have other guys who are pretty good competing for the vacated spots."

Coach 1: "Really? You mean they have other good players at Trine who want to start? Are you sure?"

Coach 2: "Yeah Coach, to be honest I thought they would be bad too, but then I read that Coach Land said in the write up he's excited about the new guys coming in and several players that didn't see much action last year are ready to compete at a high level this season. Once I read that, I though ""oh no"" then I realized they weren't going to be a push over."

Coach 1: "Oh crap, well thank goodness for that write up, otherwise we'd have no idea."

Coach 2: "yeah that's what I was thinking".

hahaha you know I think I overheard this same conversation the other day!!

[Uncle Rico]

How come I see no Adrian helmets posting here?  It would be nice to get some more perspectives...It is not as if they aren't a big school or have not been competitive on the football field.

[Raider 68]

new to the post, but have been reading for 3 yrs. k college had 75 players report to camp.they may suprise some teams this year. for them, they have a fair amount of exp. coming back. don't mean to offend anyone, but when renovations are done next year , they'll give anybodies facillities a run for their money. my son's sr. so he'll miss out. have enjoyed this site and look forward to this season. go zoo.

kzoodad,

Welcome to the MIAA boards, Although a Mount Union alum and former player, the MiAA posters have treated me well. I do hold an advanced degree from CMU and lived in the Poratage/Kalamazoo area for while so that counts a little! Hope K-zoo can have a good year! +k

[kzoodad]

former3dbd,raider68, thanks for the welcomre.practice is going well for the zoo. they have gottan some time at waldo this week. one thing about new stadium, no tailgating around field.gonna miss that unique sat. exp.

[formerd3db]

former3dbd,raider68, thanks for the welcomre.practice is going well for the zoo. they have gottan some time at waldo this week. one thing about new stadium, no tailgating around field.gonna miss that unique sat. exp.

You are welcome.  Yes, you guys (Kazoo) have had, at Angell, one of the best tailgaiting atmospheres I've seen anywhere for many DIII schools.  At the same time, as I mentioned before, the opportunity to play at Waldo will be a neat, unique and memorable experience.  Perhaps the WMU athletic dept administrators might find you all an area where you can tailgate before the games.  I am somewhat "bummed" that we (Hope) won't get the chance to play you at Waldo as our game with you is at our home stadium in Holland.  Anyway, thanks for the update on Kazoo. Talk to you later.

[formerd3db]

Uncle Rico:

We used to have some great Adrian posters such as ADAWG and bulldogalum, however, they have left us for quite sometime.  Part of that is, I believe, their protest due to the way the Adrian administration handled the dismissal of former Coach Lyall, who is now the head football coach of cross-town rival Siena Heights University.

cave2:  Great to hear from you and my best to you and yours "across the sea".  We'll look forward posting with you again this season!  I hope (no pun intended either ) you both are doing well.