FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Raider68:
No other head coaching changes are "on the horizon" for the MIAA as far as I/we know.  They're all set for now and will be for quite some time, IMO.   

[formerd3db]

Officially at 4:32 pm today:

http://www.alma.edu/athletics/football/archives/2012/01/10/pscodna

Humm...not the best kept secret as far as who they were leaning to, now was it?

Well actually, I think the decision was made 2-3 days before the first word came to the boards, so decent I think...

sflzman:
You would obviously know well before us!  Keep us posted on what the staff will be if/when you hear anything.

[Uncle Rico]

Wow, a lot of changes in the MIAA this off-season.  Next year should be very interesting. 

Now, we need to draw more talent to the conference as a whole from outside its traditional sources and get kids normally committing to the plethora of D2 schools in region, etc.. etc...     Maybe the schools of the MIAA need to work together and focus some effort on marketing the MIAA more as a whole.  By promoting the academic strength and athletic history of the conference it could be more appealing to high school grads.  I am sure that most schools would rather spend their money marketing their own institution directly, but an enhanced MIAA conference awareness would provide some benefit to all member schools.   

The tough part would seem to be that there also needs to be more academic scholarship opportunies to minimize the high cost of tuition, and that might need to come from alumni and other donors.

[formerd3db]

Uncle Rico:

That is an intriguing idea.  It would be neat if it would work i.e. if there were people at each MIAA school who were willing to do a collaborative effort in that regard.  Yet, at the same time as you say, each school is most likely pretty much interested in promoting their own campaign for obvious reasons.

Anyway, I do think it will be an interesting year in football next year.

[sac]

Wow, a lot of changes in the MIAA this off-season.  Next year should be very interesting. 

Now, we need to draw more talent to the conference as a whole from outside its traditional sources and get kids normally committing to the plethora of D2 schools in region, etc.. etc...     Maybe the schools of the MIAA need to work together and focus some effort on marketing the MIAA more as a whole.  By promoting the academic strength and athletic history of the conference it could be more appealing to high school grads.  I am sure that most schools would rather spend their money marketing their own institution directly, but an enhanced MIAA conference awareness would provide some benefit to all member schools.   

The tough part would seem to be that there also needs to be more academic scholarship opportunies to minimize the high cost of tuition, and that might need to come from alumni and other donors.

Vs their peers, I believe MIAA schools still fall below the avg in endowment funds per student.

[sflzman]

Officially at 4:32 pm today:

http://www.alma.edu/athletics/football/archives/2012/01/10/pscodna

Humm...not the best kept secret as far as who they were leaning to, now was it?

Well actually, I think the decision was made 2-3 days before the first word came to the boards, so decent I think...

sflzman:
You would obviously know well before us!  Keep us posted on what
the staff will be if/when you hear anything.

From what I'm hearing its going to be a mixture. There's still contracted coaches as of now but there's the obvious offensive coordinator job open and maybe 1 or 2 other assistant jobs....

From what I hear were going to b running the ball A LOT. Bye bye scot-gun

[ACMIAAD3]

Sflzman:

That's what I hear as well and since 3 of the 5 starting lineman are coming back, plus the two primary back ups who got alot of time on the field, we will see if they can get it done. They showed last year that when prompted they could run block. i.e: single game rushing record for Ed Mason. But I am intrigued to see how the play action will open the field for Leister and his strong arm. I think we are going to see the begining of something special in Alma this year. Yes I am positive and always will be. Good Luck Scots!!!

[AlmaFan27]

Sflzman:

That's what I hear as well and since 3 of the 5 starting lineman are coming back, plus the two primary back ups who got alot of time on the field, we will see if they can get it done. They showed last year that when prompted they could run block. i.e: single game rushing record for Ed Mason. But I am intrigued to see how the play action will open the field for Leister and his strong arm. I think we are going to see the begining of something special in Alma this year. Yes I am positive and always will be. Good Luck Scots!!!

I am also looking forward to what this change will bring to this next year and the whole program.  I've only been on the Alma 'scene' for a few years and watched McGrady run the 'scotgun' reasonably effective.  While I never really developed a stong opinion either in favor or against the 'scotgun', I felt last year the offense really struggled finding an identity.  I've always felt you need to be able to run the ball effectively in any offense.  While I love Mason, he (and the rest of the team) was far from consistent in the run game.  Eliminate some key turnovers, and last season turns out much differently.

I share in AC's positive mojo!  Can't wait until the fall.   

[NCF]

Wow, a lot of changes in the MIAA this off-season.  Next year should be very interesting. 

Now, we need to draw more talent to the conference as a whole from outside its traditional sources and get kids normally committing to the plethora of D2 schools in region, etc.. etc...     Maybe the schools of the MIAA need to work together and focus some effort on marketing the MIAA more as a whole.  By promoting the academic strength and athletic history of the conference it could be more appealing to high school grads.  I am sure that most schools would rather spend their money marketing their own institution directly, but an enhanced MIAA conference awareness would provide some benefit to all member schools.   

The tough part would seem to be that there also needs to be more academic scholarship opportunies to minimize the high cost of tuition, and that might need to come from alumni and other donors.

I would have to agree that not having enough academic scholarship opportunities could be a major deterrent to attracting more athletes to your campuses. I can only speak for North Central, however, and they offer three tiers of academic scholarships to incoming freshmen (not just athletes). Once you have qualified for one of them, they are renewable for four years. Unfortunately, they are only good for four years, so if an athlete uses a medical redshirt, they would have to find other financing for their final semester. There are also several other smaller scholarships all students can apply for on a yearly basis. My son would not have been able to attend North Central without having this type of aid available to him.

[Raider 68]

While it is only January, the 2012 MIAA conference title is up for grabs for the fall, IMHO! Not sure which team really as the inside track and which team may the abillity to make a playoff statement?

[formerd3db]

Wow, a lot of changes in the MIAA this off-season.  Next year should be very interesting. 

Now, we need to draw more talent to the conference as a whole from outside its traditional sources and get kids normally committing to the plethora of D2 schools in region, etc.. etc...     Maybe the schools of the MIAA need to work together and focus some effort on marketing the MIAA more as a whole.  By promoting the academic strength and athletic history of the conference it could be more appealing to high school grads.  I am sure that most schools would rather spend their money marketing their own institution directly, but an enhanced MIAA conference awareness would provide some benefit to all member schools.   

The tough part would seem to be that there also needs to be more academic scholarship opportunies to minimize the high cost of tuition, and that might need to come from alumni and other donors.

I would have to agree that not having enough academic scholarship opportunities could be a major deterrent to attracting more athletes to your campuses. I can only speak for North Central, however, and they offer three tiers of academic scholarships to incoming freshmen (not just athletes). Once you have qualified for one of them, they are renewable for four years. Unfortunately, they are only good for four years, so if an athlete uses a medical redshirt, they would have to find other financing for their final semester. There are also several other smaller scholarships all students can apply for on a yearly basis. My son would not have been able to attend North Central without having this type of aid available to him.

newcardfan:
That is similar to what some of the MIAA schools have.  The problem is, however, that not all the schools have the set up in offering comparable packages to prospective student-athletes.  By that, I mean for example that I know of many instances (in talking with parents and some coaches) that the packages offered to their sons at one MIAA school just did not match that at another MIAA school and thus their sons could not go to the one that was their first choice (and many of these recruits had the grades to obviously qualify at these particular schools BTW, I'm withholding the names of the schools as I don't want to cause a stir among and/or for anyone! ).  The other problem associated with this (and perhaps that which is really disappointing) is that the schools involved really do have the resources to offer perhaps a better package in this instance, however, the administration/admission-financial aid departments simply will just not do it.  And that has been frustrating to some of the coaching staffs.  This is just another part of the puzzle that everyone has to deal with, obvioulsy like your son did in making his choice and the good opportunity he thankfully had at North Central. 

Another good discussion, guys. 

[formerd3db]

Raider68:
I think you are right, although I'm just not sure, in my own opinion, as to who I will choose (or see ) as the favorites.  Obviously, some people here will say Albion and Adrian again, although I'm not so sure.  I'll wait until later this spring after hearing about how some of the spring practices go and perhaps also as to the recruiting classes (at least based on what little info we all sometimes get regarding the latter).

BTW, you are lucky - you don't have to do any snow shoveling or snowblowing right now, unlike the rest of us here out this way!

[sflzman]

Ac

I agree with you I'm very intrigued to see how leister operates in the new offense. He was a really good high school qb at mt pleasant in more of a pro style offense. I kind of think he could be a d3 "wannabe", for lack of a better term, andrew luck. A pro style qb that is still mobile.

I didn't think he played well consistently in an offense last year where he had tothrow the ball so much. Especially towards the end of the year when Henderson and mason got benched....

Scotsfan:

As to you saying mason was inconsistent. I think he was really consistant, WHEN HE WAS ON THE FIELD...towards the end of the year when he wash getting the production he jus wasnt in the lineup. He skipped some practices, was late to a few meetings, and just never was played in the number of snaps he had been. Especially when ruhlman (alumni of the worst high school in Michigan - my high schools rival, freeland )...

Anyways. Hopefully the scots can start a new era this year, last season was one of the most dissapointing in a long time.

Go Scots!   

[formerd3db]

sflzman:
I wasn't aware that there was apparently some problems within the team and particularly Mason as you relate.  Nonetheless, regardless of whether he agreed or disagreed with the policies, p.t. or whatever the reasons were, if what you mention he did is true (and I have no reason not to believe you), then he has no one to blame but himself.  If you are a player on the team, no matter what happens, you don't miss practices (unless an excused absence, of course, for some lab or class or otherwise by the coaching staff), you don't arrive late for meetings, etc., and if there is a problem, you go talk with the coaches and try to work it out.  Even if it doesn't go your way, taking the "high road" and "riding it out" is always "the better part of valor" and simply the right thing to do.  Thereafter, you start anew and/or move on.  When situations like that arise (again, as you describe with Mason apparently), those are obviously always tough to deal with in life, however, it is simply part of the process of growing up, maturing and facing challenges in life that will be much more serious and difficult than something such as that i.e. dealing with one's issues on the football team.  We've all been there before to some degree or another, and future players will too, but it is just part of life and inevitable reality and really the other important aspect of what playing college football is all about.  I borrow the following phrase from Curt Cousins, Michigan State quarterback, who said this in a talk piece he gave to area high school players and younger i.e. youth athletes in an area community at the beginning of this past season; "being able to play college football is a privilege and not a right and with that comes certain responsibilitiesl and manner of approaching/handling and dealing with all kinds of challenges, some of which go beyond actually playing on the field."  That's my philosophy as well.  My apologies for this rather long "soap box" dissertation, however, IMO, it is appropriate to the discussion, although I will readily admit, I do not know any of the details of the situation involving Mason other that what you have shared/related with us here.  That said, I hope he is able to return with a renewed attitude if he is planning on returning to the college and the team, especially with the new staff in place.

[sflzman]

Former:

I agree with you completely and 100%. You can't have issues like that on a team that's going to win. I also know a few players who got benched in the middle of games for not following the very strict rule that you can't throw helmets.

IMO, I think this must have team had some mental toughness and discipline issues. Either that, or there was locker room issues, because they just fell apart towards the end of the season. You go from losing a tough OT game at Heidelberg, to almost beating a really good IWU squad, to losing by 1 to a pretty good Washington and Lee team, there was a trouncing of Rockford in there as well, but I just don't know how they could be so bad in conference play after such a promising non-con schedule....

Anyways, hopefully Poscodna can turn things around and bring a new attitude to the Scots football program....