FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

From rome's posting, I assumed that was the situation and then checked Olivet's website to confirm, and as the link has been posted here by you sac.  I'm sure there are many people that are in agreement with miaaol.  For sure, there were many who questioned Hulkow's hiring in the first place, even though he was highly successful high school coach.  As many discussed on the boards here at that time and as miaaol has also commented on, the jump from high school to college coaching - even at the small college level - is tremendous.  Without question, as has been discussed, Irv Sigler is an exception and a rare breed in that regard.  In one sense, it is difficult to think that the selection committee didn't have at least a small question/thought in the back of their minds as to just how long Hulkow would plan to coach.  I'm assuming that they all thought (and most likely Hulkow did) that he would be there for the long haul - at least 5 years as we all know that is the usual time (and essentially standard accepted timeframe) it takes to turn a program around; otherwise, I would find it simply baffling as to why they would have proceeded to hire him for only two years.  It is obvious that Hulkow, for whatever reason(s), changed his mind.  He certainly gave it "that old college try". Nonetheless, I wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life as he retires from active coaching. 

It is unfortunate that Olivet now has to start all over again.  It reminds me of the tough times they went through after that 1974 football championship season (their first in 61 years since 1913), when they were changing coaches somewhat frequently.  You can't build a program very well with frequent coaching changes, although a big part of the problem back then was Olivet's difficulty in retaining their football student-athletes.  A huge freshman class would come in, yet after the second year, a large number of them would be gone from the college and another huge class would come in, only to do the same.  They had some great individual players during that period and also tied for the MIAA title and had the co-championship with Albion in 1991 in which they went 7-1-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the league standings (before their share of the title was forfeited due to a mix-up regarding the use of an ineligable player), yet overall, they continued to struggle until Sigler came in and, despite what some people say, the Sigler/Livedotti combo (Livedotti's second stint as you all know) did work also (BTW, both Sigler and Livedotti were ALL-MIAA selections at Olivet during their playing days and I believe they are in the Olivet College Athletic HOF).

At any rate, I again agree with miaaol (and for the sake of rome also! ), that Olivet chooses a young enthusiastic coach who will plan on staying there for several years and hopefully bring them back to their high competitiveness that they had during the last decade until these last 4-5 years.  It can be done and also with Olivet's desire to try and increase enrollment to steadily over 1,000 (perhaps the 1,200-1,300 range) as I understand (and which they had in the early 1970's) that would be of great help.  Their facilities are very nice for the size of their school and they are not at the "bottom of the league in that regard" anymore.  Also, it would be great if they could somehow get more of their students to attend the games and/or even more support from the surrounding communities, region.  Just my thoughts on this.  It will be interesting to see what happens and I wish them luck.  We need a strong Olivet in the conference and no reason why that can't be done.  I know of a few candidates that I personally believe would be a good choice, however, I am not going to mention any names here and will keep them to myself.  Besides, what do I know about it anyway?!  

[formerd3db]

Cousin Eddie:

Welcome to the board, although you don't have to be a "flash in the pan" or "onetime wonder"!   We welcome your participation and I hope you will stay on and post, at least periodically.  Obviously, you don't have to be as frequent as some of us "nutty" veteran MIAA'ers are here (or others such as our guest poster i.e. honorary MIAA'er, but full OAC poster and friend Raider68 ), but there is nothing wrong with an occasional post, even if infrequent if you are so inclined.

Regarding your first post, I, for some reason cannot recall that situation i.e. the "hazzardous" atmosphere for Albion posters on here by whoever it was you allege.  I and others here have been participating on this board for a very long time (for me, some 11 years as I recall - wow, I had admitting that because it makes me feel even older than I am ), yet I do not remember of which you speak.  Perhaps I just flat out missed that time for some reason or another.  At any rate, unless those Albion posters "crossed the line" in regards to posting rules/etiquette sliding toward personal attacks and/or outright debauchery and sloviness and other miscreant behavior (all of which are legit reasons for banning/dismissal, etc.,), I don't think that Pat and his staff would "blacklist" them or make it hazzardous for posting.  Perhaps I have competely misunderstood the context of your post and you are talking about "good natured harrassment" of Albion posters by other fellow MIAA school supporters?

Anyway, while I am obviously not an Albion fan by any means and for various reasons ( ), nonetheless, I will be rooting for them in the playoffs as our MIAA league representative team.  Again, welcome to the board and I hope you will stay on in the future, even if that is not as frequent as the rest of us. 

[formerd3db]

Mr. Ypsi:

Thanks for the further thoughts on Eastern Michigan and your IWU.  It will be interesting to see what plays out for them both.  I also agree that it would be best if English stayed on another year.  Once you get a solid base as it appears he is starting to do, things can start to "steamroll", as we've seen from other examples at times i.e. Maryland, Northwestern, TCU, even Rutgers, etc., etc., just to cite a few various examples.  Look also at Ohio in the MAC - while no powerhouse, still Solich (like him or not) has done a great job there and they are back to respectability and competitiveness.  But, as I mentioned in my post regarding Olivet, we all know (and I think accept) that it takes no less than 5 years to get a program back on track.  If English does that at Eastern Michigan, who knows, they might even get more people to come to the games.  Their attendance has been down this year as we've discussed (which is strange since they are having a winning season), while they were up last year at...was it 17,000 per game as I recall?

Anyway, again good luck to IWU this weekend.  Interesting and good discussion on D3's main page regarding them and their bracket (and the other brackets as well) by Pat, Keith, Ryan and Frank. 

[sac]

The Albion stuff was mostly on the basketball board.  Albion college blocked the d3.com's family of sites from students.  I don't recall it exactly but I remember some of my Albion friends mentioning something about participation on these boards was not welcomed by the administration.

I don't wish to define 'administration' but it was not necessarily just people in the fancy offices with fancy titles.  It was also dumb, but that's beside the point.

[Pat Coleman]

Wow, I'd forgotten about that. How long ago was that now?

[formerd3db]

The Albion stuff was mostly on the basketball board.  Albion college blocked the d3.com's family of sites from students.  I don't recall it exactly but I remember some of my Albion friends mentioning something about participation on these boards was not welcomed by the administration.

I don't wish to define 'administration' but it was not necessarily just people in the fancy offices with fancy titles.  It was also dumb, but that's beside the point.

Thanks for the follow-up regarding the "history" of the topic in question.  I didn't think it was here on the football boards.  As we all know, the basketball boards can and often do get way out of hand, so very much more so than we've had on the football boards here.  And for that matter, our MIAA board has, at least in my opinion and knowledge, always been pretty much respectful and one of the better ones in that regard, even when we posters have some major disagreements of opinion.

As far as the Albion "admininstration" or whoever didn't like these boards, I agree with you that was dumb and IMO, they are/were misguided in that regard.  There is no reason that people can't share and enjoy their love of DIII sports here and for that matter, those in the Albion "family" who were objecting obviously missed the good discussion, commentary, opinions shared here by the majority of posters who support the DIII philosophy regarding academics/athletics.  Or they just simply chose to ignore it, which makes that even dumber as you mention.  Just MO.

[Cousin Eddie]

The Albion stuff was mostly on the basketball board.  Albion college blocked the d3.com's family of sites from students.  I don't recall it exactly but I remember some of my Albion friends mentioning something about participation on these boards was not welcomed by the administration.

I don't wish to define 'administration' but it was not necessarily just people in the fancy offices with fancy titles.  It was also dumb, but that's beside the point.

You pretty much have it.  Even though it was basketball season at the time...."administration/powers that be/the British Crown" were looking at participation on all MIAA boards.  Formerd3db....it was nothing to do with Pat or others associated with d3.com  It was very dumb....and a bit of an unnecessary throwing around of perceived weight and power.  It lasted for a couple of years.  That length of time may possibly be the reason those former Albion posters lost ties to the board or to the school and just have not returned. 

[formerd3db]

Cousin Eddie:

Thanks for the additional follow-up.  I totally understood "who" you were talking about i.e. the "British Crown" or whoever those clowns were and I never thought it had anything to do with Pat and his staff - absolutely not.  As you can see, Pat posted that he almost forgot about those antics also!  And again, since I rarely post on the basketbabll board and only follow it once in awhile (you know I'm a football guy at heart ), I really didn't know anything about it.  However, be assured that if they would have attempted any idiot pinings such as that on our board, we (and certainly Pat and his staff) would have dealt with it accordingly and appropriately.  Anyway, as you mention, it is best those guys are "long gone" from the scene.

Again, don't you be a stranger around here either - post with us at least once in a while.

[Flying Dutchman56]

Just as an fyi for anybody who may not be aware Hope's individual game highlights can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HopeCollegeFootball

Enjoy!

[Raider 68]

formerd3db,

Did not know about the Olivet HC situation, but can the program compete in the future?

[sac]

formerd3db,

Did not know about the Olivet HC situation, but can the program compete in the future?

With their commuter tuition program, Olivet should be competing now without much problem.

[formerd3db]

Raider68:

Yes, they can.  As was noted by the other Olivet posters, Irv Sigler/Dom Lividotti proved it this past decade.  They just need to find the right person and as I mentioned, it would probably serve them best to get a young, energetic coach who would plan to stay for a while.  BTW, hope your trip went well if took it already (or is that next week during Thanksgiving?).

[D306]

I am no expert on Albion nor am I an "insider" on this years team.

I do recall the " british" rules and tight command in the early - mid 2000's
The new AD, President and energy on campus for building / polishing the tradition is starting to pay dividends. Tough economic times for the MIAA, have to build a atmosphere that leads Students to MIAA schools, indifference to State schools and some of the up and coming new football programs that guys think they can start at sooner/easier.

I logged in today to hear a little more detail about Albion playoffs, and the state of Olivet coaching.

Thanks for posting folks.

I have a little knowledge of the Senior Class, and Red Shirt Juniors at Albion.
Good athletes, who are healthy now.
I believe the team is a little more explosive on Offense than in recent years, mostly due to the health of QB and RB both had Red Shirt years, WR/TE have had a few years now with system.
Defense is opportunistic, though not as stout as mid 200's teams, playing with a lead does great things for a defense. Apply pressure and wait for the pass plays.
The fact that Trine was not the dominant powerhouse of the past few years, opened up the MIAA this year.
I say again, playing a tough out of conference schedule preps a team for winning in the MIAA.
Hope, and Albion's history of losses in tough out of league games, then winning the MIAA or placing 2nd is a trend not to be ignored.

UWW looks very good and has a nice blend of pass and running game.
1 and done for the MIAA, hoping Albion can provide strong competition, build for next year with Albion returning several key players.

Olivet needs to settle the internal battles, the team has the opportunity and geographic area to pull some solid talent. The fans and school support athletics.

Is Kazoo new field ready for next year?, have to catch a game just to see the stadium.

Big games in HS Football this weekend, you know I am back in town to see my "boys"

Have a good Holiday folks, enjoy the family and friends time flies by.

[formerd3db]

D306:

Always good to have you drop in here for a post once in awhile.  Good post and summary.  I think most everyone agrees with you that in these tough economic times and given the high cost of tuition at the smaller schools, the MIAA colleges have to look at all aspects that helps upgrade them to attract students and that includes facilities for both academics and athletics, and particularly the latter as we all know.

As you noted, it would be great to see Albion give a strong performance against UWW, however, I think they will get steamrolled as UWW is just too strong and it is a home game for the latter.  Yet, perhaps Albion will prove me wrong (if I were a betting man - which I'm not - I wouldn't wager a penny on it! ).

I hope you enjoy your weekend/week with friends and family and the games you are attending as well as a blessed upcoming Thanksgiving.     

[ACMIAAD3]

At 1:00pm today Coach Jim Cole retired as the longest tenured Head Coach in Michigan. Good Luck in your future endeavors Coach. A new Era has begun at Alma. Go Scots!!!