FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[RuleBritannia]

Video interview of Albion Head Coach Craig Rundle on the upcoming Briton Season: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLzfkPfzN_0&feature=g-all-u

[sflzman]

Miniard is not really from Alma.  He has been at Ithaca his whole life

Isn't Alma considered a north side ' burb of Ithaca? 

Haha come on now, that's kind of offensive now 

[sac]

Speaking of Alma.......I found myself in Bay City the other day (stay with me), along historic Center Ave. (M-25) is the magnificent First Presbyterian Church.



On its historic marker it mentions a church elder named Alexander Folsom who donated $50,000 (a pretty substantial sum in 1886)  for the founding of a college in "northern" Michigan.  That college was to become Alma College.

I thought it was a pretty interesting and unexpected find.  If you ever find yourself up that way check out some of the historic structures like city hall, and any of the numerous late 19th, early 20th century mansions along Center Ave., built from lumber and sugar beet money.

Also Bay City has a sweet smell, something like burned radiator fluid.

[formerd3db]

Speaking of Alma.......I found myself in Bay City the other day (stay with me), along historic Center Ave. (M-25) is the magnificent First Presbyterian Church.



On its historic marker it mentions a church elder named Alexander Folsom who donated $50,000 (a pretty substantial sum in 1886)  for the founding of a college in "northern" Michigan.  That college was to become Alma College.

I thought it was a pretty interesting and unexpected find.  If you ever find yourself up that way check out some of the historic structures like city hall, and any of the numerous late 19th, early 20th century mansions along Center Ave., built from lumber and sugar beet money.

Also Bay City has a sweet smell, something like burned radiator fluid.

sac:

That is not surprising.  Ammi Wright, one of the founders/benefactors of Alma College and the town, was originally from Saginaw and one of the wealthy lumbar barons in Michigan.  Without diggin into my files to recheck/confirm this, I believe that Folsom was one of Wright's buddies, at least one of his colleagues and/or acquaintances being they were from the same region and thus, it is not surprising that he would get the former to pledge the $ as well as that Folsom was of the Presbyterian domination, which Alma College has been associated with from its beginnings.  Since both men were of the "upper society" back then, that is also not surprising.

Ammi Wright's house huge stone Victorian house still stands in Alma on State Street today. It was going to ruin until someone bought it within the last year I believe.

[sac]

I only meant surprising in that I didn't expect to run into a little MIAA history on my Monday afternoon escapade. 

J. Ambrose Wright was the pastor at the Presbyterian Church in Bay City, his name was also on the historical marker.  Perhaps a relative of Alma's Wright.

http://www.michmarkers.com/    .....you have to fiddle with this link, under 'counties' click 'Bay' and you can find the First Presbyterian Church sign page.

[formerd3db]

sac:

Oh, I didn't mean that as a negative or flippant statement i.e. the surprising phrase!  I only meant that it was not surprising but interesting since Wright had the Saginaw-Bay City region connections!  Always appreciate your interesting finds and, indeed, I can imagine the delight in you seeing the sign unexpectedly while you are enjoying an excursion.

Anyway, thanks for the link.  I assume you are getting anxious for not only Hope football but our U of Mich start as well (nothing against our Michigan State friends here. ).

[sac]

I check my mail everyday with anticipation for my special brown envelope from the University of Michigan Athletic Department.

[sac]

MIAA pre-season poll from  http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x1225366078/Hope-College-football-picked-fourth-in-preseason-MIAA-poll

1. Adrian--10
2. Albion--11
3. Trine --16
4. Hope --17
5. Alma  --30
6. Kalamazoo  --31
7. Olivet --32

The voting was very close with 1 point separating Adrian/Albion.  Hope received 1 first place vote.  Pretty significant separation between 1-4 and 5-7

[formerd3db]

I check my mail everyday with anticipation for my special brown envelope from the University of Michigan Athletic Department.

I know what you mean.  BTW, last week I had to make a quick trip to Ann Arbor for an errand and on a last minute decision/whim, I stopped in his insurance office to visit with George Pomey.  Now I'm dating myself here (and perhaps you too , however, when I was a little kid, he and Cazzie Russell and "the gang" were my idols.  In fact, he got to know my brother and I and our family since we had gone to the U of Mich summer basketball camps for several years (I was a terrible basketball player and wisely stuck with football through college ). 

Anyway, I had not seen him for many years and at first, he forgot, but then after I started relating the history/talking, he remembered us from long ago.  Ironically, he had just gotten off the phone with a well known Hope College alum and former college administrator (who I won't name here) so my connection with Hope was a topic of discussion.  We had a great talk about athletics as you can imagine, both U of M, the MIAA and other colleges in the state.  I did get his autograph (which I had lost or misplaced years ago), so now I have all the starting five from that great Michigan team of the Pomey/Russell era (i.e. their senior year).

Also, as you mentioned the U of Mich ticket topic...Coach Pomey also told me that he and his fellow M lettermen's pull with the U of Mich Athletic Dept. continues to fade as he gets older, which is understandable to a degree. Yet, after all these years in his having his same seats for season tickets at their Big "C" arena (which is being renovated and expanded as you know), he and other former players were still required to particpate in the lottery to get season tickets.  He had to pay a hefty price just to participate in it; then had one hour to bid on his old seats, which he found out were already taken.  Luckily, he was able to get the two right next to the two seats he had held for some 3 decades.  Oh well - at least we don't have that problem at Hope, well...then again not for football, but basketball is a different story!    Anyway, it was a great, memorable and enjoyable visit for me with Coach Pomey.

Also, thanks for posting the MIAA football coaches pre-season poll.  As always, this poll is somewhat meaningless for the top four teams picked because any one of them usually have a great chance at winning it and as we've seen, it almost always comes down to the last couple weeks of the season.  Camps open at the end of next week, so that is exciting.

[NCF]

 Looks like it will be an exciting year in the MIAA.

[Bricklin1132]

Looks like Trine posted a season outlook:

http://www.trine.edu/athletics/mens_sports/football/

Not very good and not much to say.

[RuleBritannia]

I have to say, I'm a little surprised at today's poll. I know that the poll is meaningless to some extent. But it's at least shows what people are thinking.

First Surprise: Adrian as league favorite? I know Adrian won their first 8 games last year and was ranked in the top 25. However, Adrian's non-conference competition wasn't exactly stellar, and I thought that in their game against Albion, Albion clearly showed they were a superior team (I'll have to admit some bias there, of course). Nevertheless, Adrian to me seems to be spinning their wheels; they're a solid squad but not quite good enough to win the league, and that's the team they've been for the last 3 decades, I don't see any sudden influx of talent to make me think otherwise.

Second Surprise: Hope picked 4th? Does anyone remember Hope finished 2nd last year? Went 6-1 in the league with their only loss a close game against Albion? Does anyone remember that was with an offense that had 1 returning starter I believe? I haven't looked it over exactly, and maybe they've lost more than I thought they would, but Hope to me seems to be a dangerous team with legitimate championship aspirations.

RuleBritannia's Preasason Poll:

1. Albion (All MIAA talent at QB, RB, WR, TE, and 2 OL should give the Brits a potent offense. British Empire reigns at least 1 more year)

2. Hope (Dutch go 6-0 in league play then lose final game at Albion (Where they've won only once since the 1980s I believe)

3. Trine (Don't count out the Thunder, this is still a talented team that could give anyone in the league a good game)

4. Adrian (Adrian's long league title drought continues, but the Bulldogs do too much right to count out)

5. Alma (Coach Psconda's first year is a disappointment compared to Scots fans' high standards, but the foundations will be being laid for a resurgence in a year or two)

6. Kalamazoo (Hornets must replace prolific QB, take significant step back. However, new facilities should help attract better talent to K College)

7. Olivet (If Coach Pifer can get even 1 league victory, it will have been a successful first season with the Comets)   

[sflzman]

I actually would have voted for Adrian myself.  But you can't rule out trine they have 19 starters coming back....also word is the Olivet has 122 incoming freshmen!!!! Are you kidding me? That's insane!

My picks would have been:
1. Adrian - Must win: October 13, 4:00 home game against Trine.  Have to beat top contenders at home to win a league title.
2. Trine - Must win: October 6, 1:00 home game against Albion.  Should beat kzoo, must be 2-0 going into a game at Adrian.
3. Albion - Must win: October 13-27. Have games home against Kalamazoo, and at Alma and Olivet.  Must win those three to be at least 3-1 going into the final two weeks where they host Adrian and Hope.
4. Hope - Must win September 29 or November 10.  If Hope can take care of business at home and also win at Kalamazoo that still leaves road tests at Adrian to open the season, and Albion to close the season.  Hope must win one of those to contend for a title.
5. Alma - September 29 2:00 game at Olivet. Alma will likely be 1-3 or 0-4 after struggling through a brutal non-conference slate, whereas Olivet could very likely be 3-1.  This will set the tone for Alma's season.  Olivet will be rolling, and fired up because it's there homecoming.  Alma needs to win to start the MIAA schedule.
6. Kalamazoo - September 29 vs. Trine.  If Kalamazoo wants any chance at a successful conference season they need to start off with a home win against Trine.  Their first four weeks they get the four toughest teams.  The hornets must avoid an 0-4 start.
7. Olivet - September 29 2:00 vs. Alma.  After going 1-29 their first 30 games at Olivet, the seniors will be looking to get their first homecoming win after starting off well in non-con play.  Alma will be limping into conference play.  The Comets must take advantage of this.

Toughest non-conference schedule goes to Alma.

Easiest non-conference schedule goes to Olivet.

MVP:  Gonna go out on a limb and say Damon Brown from Adrian.  The safe bet though is Clinton Orr.

Suprise pick:  Olivet will not go 0-6 in league play.

Upset alert:  Alma at Olivet September 29.  Would not be surprised if Olivet pulls that off.

2nd Upset alert:  Adrian at Alma October 6.  This game has been close the last few years (just 18 points decided the two teams) and it's Alma's homecoming.  If they survive the scare at Olivet, they could easily come out firing.

What to watch for Week 10:  Well potential we could be watching nothing thaaaaat important if Adrian goes 6-0, but say they lose one.  We'll be watching to see if Trine takes care of business at home against Alma.  But then the big one is the Albion/Hope game.  Either one or both teams could come in 4-1 and looking to get one more win to draw even with Adrian.

[NCF]

I actually would have voted for Adrian myself.  But you can't rule out trine they have 19 starters coming back....also word is the Olivet has 122 incoming freshmen!!!! Are you kidding me? That's insane!

My picks would have been:
1. Adrian - Must win: October 13, 4:00 home game against Trine.  Have to beat top contenders at home to win a league title.
2. Trine - Must win: October 6, 1:00 home game against Albion.  Should beat kzoo, must be 2-0 going into a game at Adrian.
3. Albion - Must win: October 13-27. Have games home against Kalamazoo, and at Alma and Olivet.  Must win those three to be at least 3-1 going into the final two weeks where they host Adrian and Hope.
4. Hope - Must win September 29 or November 10.  If Hope can take care of business at home and also win at Kalamazoo that still leaves road tests at Adrian to open the season, and Albion to close the season.  Hope must win one of those to contend for a title.
5. Alma - September 29 2:00 game at Olivet. Alma will likely be 1-3 or 0-4 after struggling through a brutal non-conference slate, whereas Olivet could very likely be 3-1.  This will set the tone for Alma's season.  Olivet will be rolling, and fired up because it's there homecoming.  Alma needs to win to start the MIAA schedule.
6. Kalamazoo - September 29 vs. Trine.  If Kalamazoo wants any chance at a successful conference season they need to start off with a home win against Trine.  Their first four weeks they get the four toughest teams.  The hornets must avoid an 0-4 start.
7. Olivet - September 29 2:00 vs. Alma.  After going 1-29 their first 30 games at Olivet, the seniors will be looking to get their first homecoming win after starting off well in non-con play.  Alma will be limping into conference play.  The Comets must take advantage of this.

Toughest non-conference schedule goes to Alma.

Easiest non-conference schedule goes to Olivet.

MVP:  Gonna go out on a limb and say Damon Brown from Adrian.  The safe bet though is Clinton Orr.

Suprise pick:  Olivet will not go 0-6 in league play.

Upset alert:  Alma at Olivet September 29.  Would not be surprised if Olivet pulls that off.

2nd Upset alert:  Adrian at Alma October 6.  This game has been close the last few years (just 18 points decided the two teams) and it's Alma's homecoming.  If they survive the scare at Olivet, they could easily come out firing.

What to watch for Week 10:  Well potential we could be watching nothing thaaaaat important if Adrian goes 6-0, but say they lose one.  We'll be watching to see if Trine takes care of business at home against Alma.  But then the big one is the Albion/Hope game.  Either one or both teams could come in 4-1 and looking to get one more win to draw even with Adrian.

This is a very good preseason outlook. Olivet's 122 freshmen is just a little bit over the top. The key will be how many stay for the four years. CCIW coaches chat and poll coming up Monday and Tuesday. Season openers in just three weeks!

[wildcat11]

....also word is the Olivet has 122 incoming freshmen!!!! Are you kidding me? That's insane!

Yeah, that won't slow down fall camp at all....