FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[sac]

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.

I'm failing to see the irony......we're all practically Canadian.

[NCF]

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.

I figured that was probably the reason you had men's lacrosse. Men's volleyball is also big in Illinois but I wonder if Title IX will limit that sport's growth in small colleges.

[formerd3db]

Raider68:
Indeed.

sac:
As always, you have great research/history, thanks.  Now, if only Eaton Rapids can get their football program back to a decent level.

newcard:
Yes, and most likely, Title IX will be one of the factors in future years if Hope ever decides to add on other sports or, for example, make ice hockey "official" varsity rather than the "virtual varsity" it currently is.  They's have to bring back women's field hockey or archery (or even bowling), although the former two might be hard to do because of lack of area "like" schools having those programs.

[sac]

Since its the off-season

sac:
As always, you have great research/history, thanks.  Now, if only Eaton Rapids can get their football program back to a decent level.

I think I revealed to you in a private message sometime ago that I grew up and went to Eaton Rapids.  The wrestling stuff has always been interesting to me, not because I like wrestling(I don't), but because I've always found it somewhat incredible that a school with very little athletic success to speak of could end up being one of the State of Michigan's wrestling powers for nearly 3 decades and a few times the very best regardless of class.   8 State Championships and 6 runner-ups in a 30 year time frame.  When I was in high school they won 3 straight state championships.  http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/Wrestling/TeamChampions.aspx

That success has waned quite a bit in recent years as many of the original people who put so much hard work and effort into the youth programs have moved on either to other schools or other professions.    It would have been really hard to not learn a thing or two about the local wrestling scene.



As far as ER football........define 'decent', and define 'get back to'.  ER is easily one of the losing-est programs in state history, certainly in the Mid-Michigan area.    Four winning seasons in 34 years since a mild run of 3 year success in the mid 1970's.  Never made the state playoffs.

They won 2 games this year, coming off a stretch of 7 years where they went 4-59.   Those two wins this year came against Albion and Jackson Northwest.  Over the last two years Albion is 0-18, JNW is 2-16.  ER hasn't won more than 2 games in a season since 1997.....its been gruesome. 
http://michigan-football.com/f/eatonrpd.htm    (excellent high school football link by the way)

Bobby Ribby who I went to high school with but didn't know real well has been the coach for a few years now.  In his first year I witnessed a game where they played state ranked Haslett and before 5 minutes were up in the 1st Q it was 35-0, they lost 70-0.

I know they've worked really hard to get a youth program sponsored by the school going and its been a big time struggle.  But its not from lack of effort.  In the school of choice environment, being so close to places like Holt, Mason and even Leslie who have all had solid football programs is just a killer for them.  Its tough. 



Just so we don't stray to far off topic I'll mention a couple MIAA football players from my days at ER.   Eddie Merrill played a year or two for Albion, but was more of a baseball guy.  I think he quit football after his Soph year.  Gabe Cooper also played for Albion in the early 90's, played all 4 years as far as I know.   Elbert Payne was our all-time leading rusher and went to Olivet, is now an assistant coach at Lansing Catholic Central.  Paul Coats I know wrestled for Olivet and may have played football as well.

Every now and then an ER player will pop up on an MIAA roster or two.

[formerd3db]

sac:

Thanks for the follow-up.  Well, I guess you are right.  I mis-spoke myself with regards to Eaton Rapids football.  I guess my mind/memory is getting a bit fuzzy as I was intending to refer to back at the 1997 era when they won more than 2 games - however, I can't believe it has been that long; just didn't realize and didn't check it, of course.  So in that regard, I guess I mean I hope they can get "decent".  Yet, as you mentioned and fully outlined, there are indeed some challanges/difficulties that will always be there for that school with regard to football.  That does not mean they should ever discontinue the program and IMO, they should not, although you and I know that for schools like that it could very well happen in sports in the future due to so many factors including the financial aspect and the "current pay to play" arrangements for sports that many school districts have had to institute in recent years for many of their sports programs. Anyway, the coaches there do work hard and their best in helping and teaching the kids who do play football.  BTW, I do like their football stadium and even many small colleges would give "whatever" to have a neat little stadium like Eaton Rapids's stadium.

As a recall, we had a player from Eaton Rapids "back in my day" i.e. was one of my teammates at Hope College. He was a QB and right now I don't quite recall his name (I think it was Mike, but I don't recall his last name right off hand without checking my old team photos, which I can't do right now) - and my poor recollection, aside from being a result of my "fuzzy" memory is also probably in part since he only was on our team for two years before he gave it up.  He had good talent and I think could have gotten some P.T. at Hope had he stuck it our, however, he had two other QB's ahead of him, classwise (I think he probably could have eventually gained the back-up spot).  But, as you mention, since Eaton Rapids is one of the smaller "bedroom" communities around Lansing, they have a tough time competing let alone retention of some of the better players because of the school of choice system as you mention.

Hope is on Spring Break this week as you know, so no lacrosse until March 30th, although the baseball and softball teams are in the midst of their annual southern trips.  No more MIAA basketball or NCAA Div III, so we're all obviously stuck with the Div. I tourney!    

[NCF]

sac:

Thanks for the follow-up.  Well, I guess you are right.  I mis-spoke myself with regards to Eaton Rapids football.  I guess my mind/memory is getting a bit fuzzy as I was intending to refer to back at the 1997 era when they won more than 2 games - however, I can't believe it has been that long; just didn't realize and didn't check it, of course.  So in that regard, I guess I mean I hope they can get "decent".  Yet, as you mentioned and fully outlined, there are indeed some challanges/difficulties that will always be there for that school with regard to football.  That does not mean they should ever discontinue the program and IMO, they should not, although you and I know that for schools like that it could very well happen in sports in the future due to so many factors including the financial aspect and the "current pay to play" arrangements for sports that many school districts have had to institute in recent years for many of their sports programs. Anyway, the coaches there do work hard and their best in helping and teaching the kids who do play football.  BTW, I do like their football stadium and even many small colleges would give "whatever" to have a neat little stadium like Eaton Rapids's stadium.

As a recall, we had a player from Eaton Rapids "back in my day" i.e. was one of my teammates at Hope College. He was a QB and right now I don't quite recall his name (I think it was Mike, but I don't recall his last name right off hand without checking my old team photos, which I can't do right now) - and my poor recollection, aside from being a result of my "fuzzy" memory is also probably in part since he only was on our team for two years before he gave it up.  He had good talent and I think could have gotten some P.T. at Hope had he stuck it our, however, he had two other QB's ahead of him, classwise (I think he probably could have eventually gained the back-up spot).  But, as you mention, since Eaton Rapids is one of the smaller "bedroom" communities around Lansing, they have a tough time competing let alone retention of some of the better players because of the school of choice system as you mention.

Hope is on Spring Break this week as you know, so no lacrosse until March 30th, although the baseball and softball teams are in the midst of their annual southern trips.  No more MIAA basketball or NCAA Div III, so we're all obviously stuck with the Div. I tourney!

The D1 tourney is good as well! My Boilers almost pulled off the upset!!Duke however, wrecked my bracket.

[formerd3db]

Yes, too bad Purdue couldn't hold their lead - a shame.  However, they did go farther than most people thought.

[NCF]

Yes, too bad Purdue couldn't hold their lead - a shame.  However, they did go farther than most people thought.

noone gave them a snoballs chance of winning A game,let alone put a scare into Kansas.

[Raider 68]

formerd3db,

Congrats on reaching +800k, your contributions to PP have provided great discussions!
Well, Done! +k

[RuleBritannia]

Since its the off-season

sac:
As always, you have great research/history, thanks.  Now, if only Eaton Rapids can get their football program back to a decent level.

I think I revealed to you in a private message sometime ago that I grew up and went to Eaton Rapids.  The wrestling stuff has always been interesting to me, not because I like wrestling(I don't), but because I've always found it somewhat incredible that a school with very little athletic success to speak of could end up being one of the State of Michigan's wrestling powers for nearly 3 decades and a few times the very best regardless of class.   8 State Championships and 6 runner-ups in a 30 year time frame.  When I was in high school they won 3 straight state championships.  http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/Wrestling/TeamChampions.aspx

That success has waned quite a bit in recent years as many of the original people who put so much hard work and effort into the youth programs have moved on either to other schools or other professions.    It would have been really hard to not learn a thing or two about the local wrestling scene.



As far as ER football........define 'decent', and define 'get back to'.  ER is easily one of the losing-est programs in state history, certainly in the Mid-Michigan area.    Four winning seasons in 34 years since a mild run of 3 year success in the mid 1970's.  Never made the state playoffs.

They won 2 games this year, coming off a stretch of 7 years where they went 4-59.   Those two wins this year came against Albion and Jackson Northwest.  Over the last two years Albion is 0-18, JNW is 2-16.  ER hasn't won more than 2 games in a season since 1997.....its been gruesome. 
http://michigan-football.com/f/eatonrpd.htm    (excellent high school football link by the way)

Bobby Ribby who I went to high school with but didn't know real well has been the coach for a few years now.  In his first year I witnessed a game where they played state ranked Haslett and before 5 minutes were up in the 1st Q it was 35-0, they lost 70-0.

I know they've worked really hard to get a youth program sponsored by the school going and its been a big time struggle.  But its not from lack of effort.  In the school of choice environment, being so close to places like Holt, Mason and even Leslie who have all had solid football programs is just a killer for them.  Its tough. 



Just so we don't stray to far off topic I'll mention a couple MIAA football players from my days at ER.   Eddie Merrill played a year or two for Albion, but was more of a baseball guy.  I think he quit football after his Soph year.  Gabe Cooper also played for Albion in the early 90's, played all 4 years as far as I know.   Elbert Payne was our all-time leading rusher and went to Olivet, is now an assistant coach at Lansing Catholic Central.  Paul Coats I know wrestled for Olivet and may have played football as well.

Every now and then an ER player will pop up on an MIAA roster or two.

sac, you went to Hope AND ER? That's essentially unforgivable for me, as an Albion and a Charlotte graduate 

[NCF]

formerd3db,

Congrats on reaching +800k, your contributions to PP have provided great discussions!
Well, Done! +k

I'll second that!!

[sflzman]

Not sure if anyone had pointed this out yet, but UWW became the first school in d3 (second in any division to Florida in 07-08) to win both football and basketball NCAA Championships in the same year...

[formerd3db]

Thanks Raider68, much appreciated.  Although I also have to say that you and the others make great contributions here also and that is what makes it enjoyable for me.

[formerd3db]

Not sure if anyone had pointed this out yet, but UWW became the first school in d3 (second in any division to Florida in 07-08) to win both football and basketball NCAA Championships in the same year...

Actually, sflzman, I had posed that question over on the MIAA basketball board, although I will admit I wasn't sure if they were the first college to do that in Div III.  Regardless, it is an incredible accomplishment.

BTW, my apologies if I missed you up at Alma College last Saturday during the Hope/Alma lacrosse game, if you were around.  I should have emailed you well in advance.  I got to the game right before the start, but had to leave fairly soon afterward, although I did get to briefly visit with a few of my long-time friends who are Alma College administrators/coaches.  Next time, I'll try to remember to let you know when I'm coming up.  My brother and I are going to try and make an Alma baseball game.

Also, I hope you personally ended up your basketball season on a good note, even if your team did not go far in the high school state  tournament districts and/or region.

[sac]

sac, you went to Hope AND ER? That's essentially unforgivable for me, as an Albion and a Charlotte graduate 

I had no choice in where to attend High School.