FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

RFMichigan and Mr. Ypsi:

Indeed, I remember Pries coming back from Florida and it is not surprising he would have some players via connections there.  For sure, I don't doubt that the cold (and perhaps the snow to some degree) was a very different experience, at least at first, to a good number of those players and others who were at other schools.  Also, we know of one experience of one of our previous posters on these boards (JacketsFan from Jacksonville, FL) whose son played at Defiance earlier this decade.  He and his wife made the long trip each weekend from FL (flying mostly, although I know they did drive on a few occasions), which was not only quite a feat, but a great example of family love, support and dedication.  Their son had a great experience and excellent career at Defiance.  At the same time, I'm sure that their type of opportunity is not availabe/feasible whether financial or otherwise (even if their sons receive some finanacial aid) for every southern family.

As far as the roster numbers, you both recall that some conferences have the 100 player limit, which helps for both financial aspects to the college as well as manageability for the coaching staff.  Mr. Ypsi points out that will the very larger rosters, often there are two JV teams (Adrian had that last year as I recall), although I wasn't aware that Mount Union had that plus a freshman team.  LK and company obviously do it very well, yet at the same time, like Mr. Ypsi says, at some schools in similar situations, some players eventually come to the realization that it isn't worth it.  On the other hand, like that famous U of Michigan phrase..."Those who stay will be Champions" in some way or another.

A final couple of comments; today, Hope College, for example, has a "no cut" policy (I believe all the MIAA schools are like this as well).  I do recall, though, back in my own playing days, particularly my freshman year, our head coach (Coach Ray Smith, former UCLA star), ended up having a cut because we had well over 110 players out for the team, the highest ever in Hope College history up to that date.  That record, of course, has been broken for many years now.  My own recruiting class was 40 that year, which was big for that era, although Albion brought in over 60 that year.  Coach Smith cut down to a roster of 90 because he felt that was just so much more manageable, and this despite the fact that Hope had a JV program back then.  Of course, when you get down to those level of numbers, injuries can be a problem, yet which is another reason why those players in the JV program have a legit shot at some Varsity playing time from the beginning (fortunately for me, I was on the varsity all 4 years - , a bit of luck!).

Anyway, it is obviously a little different today, again due to the large numbers and as RFMichigan said, you never know who is going to "step up" as player.  There is always a Rudi (Notre Dame) and/or Don Warner (Michigan), which is great!  

[RFMichigan]

RFMichigan and Mr. Ypsi:
A final couple of comments; today, Hope College, for example, has a "no cut" policy (I believe all the MIAA schools are like this as well).  I do recall, though, back in my own playing days, particularly my freshman year, our head coach (Coach Ray Smith, former UCLA star), ended up having a cut because we had well over 110 players out for the team, the highest ever in Hope College history up to that date.  That record, of course, has been broken for many years now.  My own recruiting class was 40 that year, which was big for that era, although Albion brought in over 60 that year.  Coach Smith cut down to a roster of 90 because he felt that was just so much more manageable, and this despite the fact that Hope had a JV program back then.  Of course, when you get down to those level of numbers, injuries can be a problem, yet which is another reason why those players in the JV program have a legit shot at some Varsity playing time from the beginning (fortunately for me, I was on the varsity all 4 years - , a bit of luck!).

Anyway, it is obviously a little different today, again due to the large numbers and as RFMichigan said, you never know who is going to "step up" as player.  There is always a Rudi (Notre Dame) and/or Don Warner (Michigan), which is great!  

I believe that my class of football recruits at CTCRF in 1977 was six freshmen, and about six or eight transfers, only two of whom played college football. A coach could get fired for that size class nowadays.

[sflzman]

Yesterday Tyler Wellman announced that he would be taking the offensive line coach/run game coordinator job at Lakeland. Tyler's going to be VERY missed here at Alma.

For him though it makes all perfect sense. Wasn't a full time job. Still kind of an "entry level" position. Wish him the best of luck as he pursues his latest opportunity...sure he's going to be welcomed back with some friendly jeers next year when Lakeland comes to town

[formerd3db]

Yesterday Tyler Wellman announced that he would be taking the offensive line coach/run game coordinator job at Lakeland. Tyler's going to be VERY missed here at Alma.

For him though it makes all perfect sense. Wasn't a full time job. Still kind of an "entry level" position. Wish him the best of luck as he pursues his latest opportunity...sure he's going to be welcomed back with some friendly jeers next year when Lakeland comes to town

Well, that's an end of an era for him at Alma, after his playing career there for 4 years and then the last 5 as an assistant on the coaching staff.  Although we all know that part time jobs on the staff like that only paid during the season, in reality, those positions are full-time jobs in regards to the entire year commitment involved, with the exception that,again, they only get paid during the season and not like a year round full-salaried permanent employement position at the college.  Regardless, I'm sure it is a somewhat ( in a sense) melancholy time in seeing him leave, although certainly understandable as you mention because it is "time for him to move on and up the coaching ladder" to a full-time coaching/teaching position elsewhere.  Obviously, that opportunity did not exist at his alma mater i.e. at Alma.

I wish both him and his wife well.  My only question (if you know) is since his wife was an assistant women's basketball coach at Alma College, was she offered a position at Lakeland also? 

Anyway, thanks for the info. 

[sflzman]

I haven't heard of her being offered a position at Lakeland and I too was wondering how that whole situation is going to work out. Time will tell us I guess how that all is. I feel like for them the one full time position for Tyler is still a much better job situation for them than what they had up here. Ashley was a very good basketball player herself and in sure she will be able to find a job as well.

[AlmaFan27]

Yesterday Tyler Wellman announced that he would be taking the offensive line coach/run game coordinator job at Lakeland. Tyler's going to be VERY missed here at Alma.

For him though it makes all perfect sense. Wasn't a full time job. Still kind of an "entry level" position. Wish him the best of luck as he pursues his latest opportunity...sure he's going to be welcomed back with some friendly jeers next year when Lakeland comes to town

Good luck to Tyler.  He's a solid guy and well respected by the players he coached.

[sac]

National Letter of Intent day, from my fav. blog, you might have to be a regular reader to understand a couple references but its still funny.

http://mgoblog.com/content/national-signing-day-wrap-post-preview

[sac]

Rule change proposals for football this year.  'Targeting', is being targeted.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/latest+news/2013/football+rules+committee+recommends+ejection+for+targeting+defenseless+players

Others:

To make blocks below the waist from the side and back illegal, but legal if the blocked player is facing the player blocking below the waist.
   
To add a 10-second runoff with less than a minute remaining in either half when the sole reason for the clock to stop is an injury.
   
To establish three seconds as the minimum amount of time required to be on the game clock in order to spike the ball to stop the clock. If one or two seconds remain on the clock, there is only time for the offense to run one more play.
   
To require a player that changes numbers during the game to report this to the referee, who will announce this.
   
To only allow one player number to be worn by the same team and participate at the same position (e.g., two quarterbacks on the same team are not allowed to have the same number).
   
To require teams to have either their jersey or pants contrast in color to the playing field.
   
To allow the use of electronic communication by the on-field officiating crew after successful experimentation by the Southeastern Conference. This is not a required piece of equipment but will allow officiating crews to use this tool.
   
To allow the Big 12 Conference to experiment with using an eighth official on the field in conference games. This official would be placed in the backfield opposite the referee.
   
To allow instant replay to adjust the clock at the end of each quarter. Previously this provision was only in place for the end of each half.

[Raider 68]

Have a Happy and Safe Easter to all the MIAA posters! 

[Uncle Rico]

Same to you, Raider, and everyone else on the board! 

[sflzman]

Not sure how many of you are involved in the twitter world, but Uniform Swag retweeted a picture of new white Olivet helmets.  I'll look and see if I can find the picture again but I thought they looked pretty cool and interesting with the change.

Hope you all had a good Easter!

[formerd3db]

I posted this over on the OAC board, but thought I would also do it here.  Although they have expanded it from NCAA Div. III to include all the college football division levels (FCS, NCAA Div. II, III and NAIA) as well as made it an Ohio vs. Michigan All-Star team format, it appears the Senior Bowl held at the Pro FBHOF Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio is becoming an even better success.  The articles report they had 3,500 in attendance for the game last Saturday April 20th - not bad, especially with many of the universities/colleges having their spring games on the same day.  It also appeared to be a pretty good close game with the Ohio all-stars winning 10-7.  I hope the success continues; it gives the senior players another shot a a great experience.

[sac]

Not sure how many of you are involved in the twitter world, but Uniform Swag retweeted a picture of new white Olivet helmets.  I'll look and see if I can find the picture again but I thought they looked pretty cool and interesting with the change.

Hope you all had a good Easter!

This one?

[formerd3db]

Most likely that is because their coach came from Trine, which had white helmets for a long time.  Personally, I don't really like white helmets (nothing against Wisconsin as they do have good looking helmets), however, that is just my own "preference".  Yet, if Olivet is going to have those white, helmets, I do like the white face mask, however, would prefer to see that they use a red "OC" logo like Wisconsin's - I believe it would stand out better.

Even better would be if Olivet had two helmets - the new white ones and keeping their old red ones i.e. a home and an away helmet, yet I doubt the college would do that as it would be expensive, and especiailly for Olivet, assuming their overall budget (as compared to some of the other MIAA schools).  Anyway, those are just my thoughts on this.  Thanks for posting the photo sac.  I was waiting for sflzman to do it as I couldn't find a photo of it myself.

[DBQ1965]

Most likely that is because their coach came from Trine, which had white helmets for a long time.  Personally, I don't really like white helmets (nothing against Wisconsin as they do have good looking helmets), however, that is just my own "preference".  Yet, if Olivet is going to have those white, helmets, I do like the white face mask, however, would prefer to see that they use a red "OC" logo like Wisconsin's - I believe it would stand out better.

Even better would be if Olivet had two helmets - the new white ones and keeping their old red ones i.e. a home and an away helmet, yet I doubt the college would do that as it would be expensive, and especiailly for Olivet, assuming their overall budget (as compared to some of the other MIAA schools).  Anyway, those are just my thoughts on this.  Thanks for posting the photo sac.  I was waiting for sflzman to do it as I couldn't find a photo of it myself.

Black helmets with some red comet flames might have been cool.  As for changing the helmets anyway ... perhaps it reflects a need to change the "football culture" at Olivet.