FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[NCF]

Cousin Eddie:

Thank you.  But you have also just pointed out the exact difference we are all talking about here (again, I think you, newcard, me and the others are all on the "same page" with this).  There is nothing wrong with targeting a key player in the scouting plans for a game and that includes among the players themselves, so long as the hits and action plans are legal and within the safety rules.  The difference here that is involved in the NFL is that they were intentionally targeting certain body parts on players to put them out of action and as we've said, actually, I'll take it a step further - that is plain evil and mean spirited.  Helmet stickers are, indeed, intended to enthuse the players, yet the latter who let it get out of hand and/or context should know better (I would say that if they are honest about it, the majority know what is right and wrong) and if they step over the line, they need to be held accountable.  Some coaches like the helmet sticker system, some do not.  I know when I played at Hope, our coach(es) did not nor do they still.  However, personally, as I mentioned, I have no problem with it as long as it is kept in the right restraints and that is the responsibility of the coaches in keeping that in the open forefront as well as the responsibility of the players to know the difference between what is allowed and what is inexcusable.  Anyway, thanks again for your comments and the others as well.  I think we've established the "norm" for this here.

If we could only discuss other issues this diplomatically.

[ACMIAAD3]

Well guys after 2 years and 20 games (18 as a starter) my "vested interest" has decided to hang up his shoulder pads and leave the grid iron. It was a long struggle for him but in the end he told me that he just lost the "Love for playing football." While I am sad I am also extremely proud of him because he has struggled with this choice and it was all his. I will miss the friendships I have made at Alma and I wish to the best to the best parents group ever. To all the Alma Scots players I wish you a sucessful season and an injury free one. I must give my sincere appreciation to the Oline for all they have done for my son. To Hall, Story, Compo, Scharlow and Walsh play hard and together and conitnue to improve you guys ROCK. Coach Lewis thank you for listening, Coach Wellman Thank You for believing in him and Coach Cole thank you for your dedication to all the young men on your teams over the years. To Coach Leister I appreciate the fact that you were there for my son and what an outstanding mentor you are. I have the utmost respect for you and wish you all the best with Alma Athletics. GO SCOTS!!!

[wisd3fan2]

I wish him all the luck in his future.

[AlmaFan27]

Well guys after 2 years and 20 games (18 as a starter) my "vested interest" has decided to hang up his shoulder pads and leave the grid iron. It was a long struggle for him but in the end he told me that he just lost the "Love for playing football." While I am sad I am also extremely proud of him because he has struggled with this choice and it was all his. I will miss the friendships I have made at Alma and I wish to the best to the best parents group ever. To all the Alma Scots players I wish you a sucessful season and an injury free one. I must give my sincere appreciation to the Oline for all they have done for my son. To Hall, Story, Compo, Scharlow and Walsh play hard and together and conitnue to improve you guys ROCK. Coach Lewis thank you for listening, Coach Wellman Thank You for believing in him and Coach Cole thank you for your dedication to all the young men on your teams over the years. To Coach Leister I appreciate the fact that you were there for my son and what an outstanding mentor you are. I have the utmost respect for you and wish you all the best with Alma Athletics. GO SCOTS!!!

M,

Hope you can incorporate a visit to a few games when you visit the lad.  We're going to miss B. 

Stay in touch.

[NCF]

Good Luck to your son.

[Raider 68]

Been away from the board lately. What can we expect from Spring drills for MIAA teams?

[NCF]

And, what team(s) will be fighting for the AQ?

[formerd3db]

Hope Sports Update (and other miscellaneous):

Hope Men's Lacrosse team defeated rival Calvin College yesterday in Grand Rapids-excellent weather for the late afternoon game. (Hope's Women's team lost to Michigan State).  Hope's Men's team plays up at Alma College tomorrow (Alma is full NCAA varsity lacrosse this year - actually, in essence Hope is too, although "officially" designated for that next year along with Calvin, both of whom will join the other MIAA schools that are already official NCAA varsity status).

Hope's hockey team blows it in the Div. III National Tournament i.e. American Collegiate Hockey Association out in NJ, losing tonight, with their tournatment records currently at 1-1-1.  So that leaves them out of the championship final round tomorrow, after, incredibly, being the national runner-up the last two years in a row.  Saginaw Valley State, two-time national champion is also out of the championship round, however, apparently Davenport and Adrian College - Gold team are in and to play the Univ of California teams that are making it to the finals (this is one of two Adrian College club collegiate hockey teams as they also have their NCAA varisty Div. III team.

Hope's baseball team is down in Florida for their annual Spring Break trip, which started today and opened play today with their first game (I have not yet seen a score posted).  Olivet College's baseball team has been down there also for their spring break all this week and was 2-2 going into today's and tomorrow final games before heading home on Sunday.

The NCAA Div. III Women's Basketball National Championship Final Four is being hosted at Hope College tonight and tomorrow at DeVos Arena (the third time Hope has hosted the NCAA Final Four for the women).  Illinois Wesleyan's womens team is playing in the second semi-final tonight which is currently underway (probably the second half by now nearing the end).  Across several states over in Salem, WVa and across the parking lot from the Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Div. III Men's basketball tournament is taking place at the same time.  Illinois Wesleyan's men's team, which knocked our Hope out of the running in the opening first round, lost tonight.  So the championship game will be between Cabrini and the winner of the MIT (yes, of out east fame!) and UW-W, whose football team is the current Div. III three-peat champion this year. 

[NCF]

Hope Sports Update (and other miscellaneous):

Hope Men's Lacrosse team defeated rival Calvin College yesterday in Grand Rapids-excellent weather for the late afternoon game. (Hope's Women's team lost to Michigan State).  Hope's Men's team plays up at Alma College tomorrow (Alma is full NCAA varsity lacrosse this year - actually, in essence Hope is too, although "officially" designated for that next year along with Calvin, both of whom will join the other MIAA schools that are already official NCAA varsity status).

Hope's hockey team blows it in the Div. III National Tournament i.e. American Collegiate Hockey Association out in NJ, losing tonight, with their tournatment records currently at 1-1-1.  So that leaves them out of the championship final round tomorrow, after, incredibly, being the national runner-up the last two years in a row.  Saginaw Valley State, two-time national champion is also out of the championship round, however, apparently Davenport and Adrian College - Gold team are in and to play the Univ of California teams that are making it to the finals (this is one of two Adrian College club collegiate hockey teams as they also have their NCAA varisty Div. III team.

Hope's baseball team is down in Florida for their annual Spring Break trip, which started today and opened play today with their first game (I have not yet seen a score posted).  Olivet College's baseball team has been down there also for their spring break all this week and was 2-2 going into today's and tomorrow final games before heading home on Sunday.

The NCAA Div. III Women's Basketball National Championship Final Four is being hosted at Hope College tonight and tomorrow at DeVos Arena (the third time Hope has hosted the NCAA Final Four for the women).  Illinois Wesleyan's womens team is playing in the second semi-final tonight which is currently underway (probably the second half by now nearing the end).  Across several states over in Salem, WVa and across the parking lot from the Stagg Bowl, the NCAA Div. III Men's basketball tournament is taking place at the same time.  Illinois Wesleyan's men's team, which knocked our Hope out of the running in the opening first round, lost tonight.  So the championship game will be between Cabrini and the winner of the MIT (yes, of out east fame!) and UW-W, whose football team is the current Div. III three-peat champion this year.

IWU women win as does UWW men.

[formerd3db]

Wow, if UWW men win the title tonight (game begins at 7 PM), that will be an incredible feat in having both their football and men's basketball teams win the Div. III national championships in the same year.  Does anyone know if that has happened in the past, not only in our division, but any of the other NCAA divisions?

[formerd3db]

Hope blasts Alma today in men's lacrosse 19-1.  Gorgeous day for any game, decent crowd at Alma College's Bahlke Stadium for their first official varsity lacrosse home game.  But...we lamblasted them, although they are a pretty good team; they just need more players on the roster.  Shows really how good Hope's program has come, but also Alma's as well at this point.

BTW, also incredible is that Adrian College's-Gold Team (club collegiate) is playing against Davenport (MI) University's hockey team for the Div. III American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championship tonight in NJ.  Ironic that two northern region teams and from Michigan at that are playing for the national title.  And that is not even Adrian's NCAA varsity team.   

[NCF]

Hope blasts Alma today in men's lacrosse 19-1.  Gorgeous day for any game, decent crowd at Alma College's Bahlke Stadium for their first official varsity lacrosse home game.  But...we lamblasted them, although they are a pretty good team; they just need more players on the roster.  Shows really how good Hope's program has come, but also Alma's as well at this point.

BTW, also incredible is that Adrian College's-Gold Team (club collegiate) is playing against Davenport (MI) University's hockey team for the Div. III American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championship tonight in NJ.  Ironic that two northern region teams and from Michigan at that are playing for the national title.  And that is not even Adrian's NCAA varsity team.

Does hope offer wreslting as well as Lacrosse? North Centreal only offers lacrosse for women as thet have wrestling and 10 sports for each gender.

[Raider 68]

Formerd3db,

You have to be elated with Hope's Lacrosse efforts, Wow!

[formerd3db]

newcard:

Hope does not currently sponsor wrestling.  They used to for many several years as did the MIAA, until the league dropped the sport back in the late 1980's.  Olivet College of our league, however, continued the sport as an independent and they were/are one of the elite programs and has some excellent wrestlers  (Jare Klein, who is in the Olivet College Athletic Hall of Fame, was their long-time coach) and, if I recall correctly, they had some of their people compete with the upper level divisions, back in the "old days", when Div. III wrestlers could compete at the Div. I level championship tournaments if the wrestler finished in the top ranked Div. III wrestlers (which, obviously, is no longer allowed).  Anyway, I believe that the MIAA is looking at reinstating wrestling as a league sport - at least there was talk of that a year or so ago.  Some of that may depend now on the Title IX "stuff" with the MIAA now officially sanctioning men's and women's lacrosse. 

[sac]

Olivet sits near one of the hotbeds of high school wrestling.  Many strong programs over the years within a half hours drive.  Although looking at their roster of 43 kids, most seem to come from a much broader area of the state of Michigan.

Eaton Rapids --Less so now, but back in my day wrestling was king at that school with several state titles, long consecutive records of winning their league, district and regionals.  Like 2 decades long.  Several ER graduates continued their wrestling careers at Olivet.

Mason--has supplanted ER as the local power
Springport
Jackson NW
Jackson County Western
Holt
Lakewood-Lake Odessa

etc,etc.  They've all had strong programs that sent kids to Olivet over the years.  Its a weird part of the state in its support of wrestling.