FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Uncle Rico]

I know Hope schedules a very tough non-league every year, at times it is not pretty. I think this is why for most years Hope is a top 2 team in the MIAA, they are prepared for a battle.

I sometimes wonder if that worked in reverse for Hope, if that put players in a bad mindset starting the season off 0-4 and getting beat soundly in the process.  Perhaps it could shake the confidence.  There should be some balance where you can play a couple of tune-up games and then a couple of tough ones to see where you are at progress wise.  And as the conference improves (which I sense it is doing) the conference games can serve as more preparation for a playoff run. 

[sac]

I know Hope schedules a very tough non-league every year, at times it is not pretty. I think this is why for most years Hope is a top 2 team in the MIAA, they are prepared for a battle.

Sadly Hope hasn't been a top 2 MIAA program for the past 3 years and this year isn't looking like a top 2 finish either.

[jknezek]

Well originally there was a home and home with Capital (i think) starting last year, but they cancelled and we scheduled Kentucky Wesleyan (the arrogant D2 team that we went down and nearly beat with the awful QB situation last year) but after last year's scare, and the fact that they'd have to come up here they cancelled on us which left an empty schedule space to be filled....

thanks for this. have been looking for an explanation for a while. appreciate it and good luck this weekend.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Another disappointing aspect from today:  attendance.  There were considerably less spectators in the home side seating (and even less on the endzone hill) today as compared to last week and that was surprising to me as I thought we'd have a similar crowd as last week because of winning that game (and that even despite the fact that it was the annual Community Day last Saturday).  I (wrongly) estimated that there were about 2200 or so in attendance (as compared to the about 3200 from last week), however, was surprised to see in the posted game stats/box score this evening that attendance was a dismal (IMO) 1400. Ouch.  Also, there goes the chance of averaging about at least 3,000 per game this season as I had hoped might be possible.  Oh well. 

The men's soccer game outdrew the football game on Saturday (1435 at soccer vs 1400 at football).  I think a big part of this is the students - who fill an entire section at soccer games and are involved (shirtless guys with painted chests, chants, etc).  I was at both games and the difference in energy from the crowd was significant.  The soccer game was electric - the football game just felt flat.  Not sure how to "fix" that.  Is the fact that the soccer game is at night significant?  It will be interesting to see what happens in a couple weeks when Hope & Kazoo play at 7pm in Holland (although the students will be on fall break).

[hazzben]

Interesting article on why Calvin may get a football team.

Here's my 2¢:

1. Dordt now has one. And they simply can't let their little sister have bragging rights for very long.

2. Dordt got one after Western and Unity Christian (the two CRC private schools in NW Iowa) both got football programs. Once Unity got football, Western had to keep up with the Jones'. And once Northwester (read Hope) started landing a bunch of Western and Unity kids for football, Dordt had to follow suit.

The same situation appears to be taking place in W. Michigan. If all the feeder schools are getting football, Calvin might have to as well or risk losing those kids.

3. They need to learn from Dordt's mistakes. There's no way you'll field a competitive team if you try to recruit strictly from the Christian School ranks. This isn't basketball. You need a lot of quality talent and depth to be competitive in football and the small sample size of CRC connected high schools isn't enough to provide it like it can for b-ball.

4. Calvin could probably expect quicker on field success than Dordt:
a. They're a bigger name and can draw from a greater geographical area for players.
b. They don't play in the GPAC. Dordt essentially had to start its program from scratch playing in the NAIA version of the WIAC or OAC. This is no rip on the MIAA, just a recognition that Calvin wouldn't have to go toe to toe with likes of UWW or Mount in their fledgling seasons.

5. My dad has been poking fun of his cousin for several years about when Calvin would get their football team. His cousin kept denying that it would happen, my dad kept saying it would. He was dead on in the same prediction regarding Western/Unity and Dordt. The reason this last one is relevant. My dad was a Western kid who ended up an All-American at Northwestern (RCA) back in the 70's. That, and his cousin has some pull at Calvin (he's their president) 

[Raider 68]

The MIAA has some key games this week that could go either way:

UW-SP vs. Albion- a tough one at home for Albion

Hope vs. Lakekland away - a key to Hope's season, IMHO

Benedictine vs. K-zoo- another tough home contest

Alma vs. W & L - your thoughts Sflzman

Olivet vs. Wheaton - Oh, my after last week

Concordia vs. Adrian- a win for Adrian gives them conference title aspirations

[Flying Dutch Fan]

5. My dad has been poking fun of his cousin for several years about when Calvin would get their football team. His cousin kept denying that it would happen, my dad kept saying it would. He was dead on in the same prediction regarding Western/Unity and Dordt. The reason this last one is relevant. My dad was a Western kid who ended up an All-American at Northwestern (RCA) back in the 70's. That, and his cousin has some pull at Calvin (he's their president) 

hazzben - Great input - and I completely agree.  Dordt made the move, and I think it's mearly a matter of time (I predcit by 2015) that Calvin has football.  As a NWC alum '83 (grew up in OC watching Red Raider football from the 60's) I would love to know who your father is since I'm sure I cheered him on.

If a Dordt Wart (NWC name for a Dordt student) can play football, why not a Knight??

[02 Warhawk]

Bobo:
I believe Adrian was mad that UWW was still throwing and "running up the score" late in the game last year.

There's more to it than just that. It started the week leading up to the game. Lance Leipold (UWW's coach) tried numerous times to contact Deere to trade tapes of each others practices. However, Deere avoided the messages and Lance never heard from him. So tensions were a little high before each team took the field.

The final score was 35-0, and it was only 12-0 at half. Running up the score??? Possibly...I guess it could have been a lot worse.

[hazzben]

5. My dad has been poking fun of his cousin for years about when Calvin would get their football team. His cousin kept denying that it would happen, my dad kept saying it would. He was dead on in the same prediction regarding Western/Unity and Dordt. The reason this last one is relevant. My dad was a Western kid who ended up an All-American at Northwestern (RCA) back in the 70's. That, and his cousin has some pull at Calvin (he's their president) 

hazzben - Great input - and I completely agree.  Dordt made the move, and I think it's mearly a matter of time (I predcit by 2015) that Calvin has football.  As a NWC alum '83 (grew up in OC watching Red Raider football from the 60's) I would love to know who your father is since I'm sure I cheered him on.

If a Dordt Wart (NWC name for a Dordt student) can play football, why not a Knight??

You saw some great football then.

My dad is Cornie Wassink. He was a starting OT/DT for NWC's natinoal runner up team in 1972 and my uncle, Dave Hector, was a standout WR on the National Title team in 1973. My dad was doing some coaching/scouting for their teams in the early 80's era of the McKinstrey brothers when you were attending. Much to my dad's initial dismay, my brother and I decided to attend Bethel University in St. Paul over NWC and others.  But he's grown to appreciate Bethel and Coach Johnson over the years. Though I'm sure he'll always be a Bub Korver boy at heart!

Friends don't let friend go to Dordt...

[badgerwarhawk]

Bobo:
I believe Adrian was mad that UWW was still throwing and "running up the score" late in the game last year.

There's more to it than just that. It started the week leading up to the game. Lance Leipold (UWW's coach) tried numerous times to contact Deere to trade tapes of each others practices. However, Deere avoided the messages and Lance never heard from him. So tensions were a little high before each team took the field.

The final score was 35-0, and it was only 12-0 at half. Running up the score??? Possibly...I guess it could have been a lot worse.

Of course the irony is that Deere did the same thing in the 77-7 victory over Husson (the team they replaced WW with) by throwing touchdown passes with scores of  42-0, 56-0 and 70-7.  The last one from the 11 yard line. 

Hello pot my name is kettle and we're black.   

[Flying Dutch Fan]

5. My dad has been poking fun of his cousin for years about when Calvin would get their football team. His cousin kept denying that it would happen, my dad kept saying it would. He was dead on in the same prediction regarding Western/Unity and Dordt. The reason this last one is relevant. My dad was a Western kid who ended up an All-American at Northwestern (RCA) back in the 70's. That, and his cousin has some pull at Calvin (he's their president) 

hazzben - Great input - and I completely agree.  Dordt made the move, and I think it's mearly a matter of time (I predcit by 2015) that Calvin has football.  As a NWC alum '83 (grew up in OC watching Red Raider football from the 60's) I would love to know who your father is since I'm sure I cheered him on.

If a Dordt Wart (NWC name for a Dordt student) can play football, why not a Knight??

You saw some great football then.

My dad is Cornie Wassink. He was a starting OT/DT for NWC's natinoal runner up team in 1972 and my uncle, Dave Hector, was a standout WR on the National Title team in 1973. My dad was doing some coaching/scouting for their teams in the early 80's era of the McKinstrey brothers when you were attending. Much to my dad's initial dismay, my brother and I decided to attend Bethel University in St. Paul over NWC and others.  But he's grown to appreciate Bethel and Coach Johnson over the years. Though I'm sure he'll always be a Bub Korver boy at heart!

Friends don't let friend go to Dordt...

Small world!  I remember well watching your dad and your uncle playing.  I couldn't convince my parents to take us to the national championship game in '73, but we all gathered around the radio and listened (dang that makes me sound old).  I grew up with the McKinstrey brothers - and played untold hours of football with them in their backyard.   I try to somehow take a bit of credit for them both being All-Americans - as I'm sure my 10 year old football prowess contributed to their success     

[hazzben]

5. My dad has been poking fun of his cousin for years about when Calvin would get their football team. His cousin kept denying that it would happen, my dad kept saying it would. He was dead on in the same prediction regarding Western/Unity and Dordt. The reason this last one is relevant. My dad was a Western kid who ended up an All-American at Northwestern (RCA) back in the 70's. That, and his cousin has some pull at Calvin (he's their president) 

hazzben - Great input - and I completely agree.  Dordt made the move, and I think it's mearly a matter of time (I predcit by 2015) that Calvin has football.  As a NWC alum '83 (grew up in OC watching Red Raider football from the 60's) I would love to know who your father is since I'm sure I cheered him on.

If a Dordt Wart (NWC name for a Dordt student) can play football, why not a Knight??

You saw some great football then.

My dad is Cornie Wassink. He was a starting OT/DT for NWC's natinoal runner up team in 1972 and my uncle, Dave Hector, was a standout WR on the National Title team in 1973. My dad was doing some coaching/scouting for their teams in the early 80's era of the McKinstrey brothers when you were attending. Much to my dad's initial dismay, my brother and I decided to attend Bethel University in St. Paul over NWC and others.  But he's grown to appreciate Bethel and Coach Johnson over the years. Though I'm sure he'll always be a Bub Korver boy at heart!

Friends don't let friend go to Dordt...

Small world!  I remember well watching your dad and your uncle playing.  I couldn't convince my parents to take us to the national championship game in '73, but we all gathered around the radio and listened (dang that makes me sound old).  I grew up with the McKinstrey brothers - and played untold hours of football with them in their backyard.   I try to somehow take a bit of credit for them both being All-Americans - as I'm sure my 10 year old football prowess contributed to their success     

Fun stuff. I have fond memories of attending the NWC game on fall Saturdays and playing countless hours of 'kill the carrier' behind the visitors bleachers or just to the south of the home stands. If I was real lucky (and Northwestern played really well), my dad would take me over to Phillips 66 for a mammoth Mr Freeze after the game.

[ThunderHead]

Regarding the talk of non-conference strength of schedule.

I agree that in general the MIAA is viewed as a weak conference, and I think most people here agree with that perception, fair or not.

The way to change that perception is for teams to have long runs in the playoffs OR do well with tough non-conference schedules. While I think Albion has stepped up to the plate, I think schools like Trine have not. (Olivet plays a tough non-conference this year, but at this point, their affirming the weak league theory)

The sad thing is, Coach Land and other HC's in the league have at various points over the years been quoted as saying how it's important to change the perception of the MIAA to a league that's looked on with respect. Yet if you look at the scheduling, it seems very few are actually willing to change the perception through scheduling.

Until that changes, and schools that are in the top half of the MIAA look to chip away at the Wheaton's, Franklin's, Mt. Union's, and UWW's of the world, I'm afraid the MIAA will stay right where it is.

Just my thoughts on that.

[sac]

hmmm......people from Iowa talking football and family, I can't help but think this is a good place for the Cyhawk Trophy to make an appearance.



Warms your heart, doesn't it.

[sflzman]

Alma vs. W & L - your thoughts Sflzman

Well I can honestly tell you I know nothing on Washington and Lee except the record and who they've played. I think it could go either way if we play like we did against IWU, but I really don't know....