FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Nate Kmic is one thing, but when you have a wide receiver in Pierre Garcon, who can burn everyone, you know you are going somewhere. This guy is totally unbelieveable. In the championship game this past season he was able to burn everyone. He came from Norwich where he played some good football, and then decided to transfer to the DIII powerhouse machine Mt. Union, and I dont blame him. On a side note Mt. Union needs to move up to at least DII. I would love to see them play against Grand Valley State.

albionmascot:
You are "barking up the wrong tree" re: Mount Union.  They have no desire to move "down" to DII; many of their fans/posters have discussed that at length on the OAC board in the past.  I know what you are saying, but it won't happen.  Personally, I'd like to see Hope play GVSU again, however, in recent years, Hope's team would not be able to compete with them as we know.  Alma scrimmages Northwood in preseason (and used to play Ferris and Valpo when the latter was DII) the last few years and has held their own, they also play some DII teams; it all depends on a particular year.  Not saying that Hope could never beat a DII team in some future year, but not likely in the near future.  Personally, I'd like to see them play a non-conf DII foe like we used to, and like Alma does, but, there is the issue of the power rankings for the DIII playoffs in one sense.  On the other hand, for our league, the latter really doesn't matter since everyone plays for the AQ and unlikely a second MIAA team would be taken as an at-large. 

Haven't heard much on recruits as I previously mentioned.  Hopefully, some news from the various posters might be forthcoming in the near future.  Yet as always at DIII, most times none of this is known until camp starts in August and seeing who actually shows up.

BTW, congrats to Albion on the lacrosse MIAA tournament championship.  I was impressed with their team.  Also, looks like Adrian has won the baseball title again this year - they are a good team and hopefully will go further in the NCAA regional tourney this year.

[albinomascot19]

It was just a thought, even though Mt. Union has no intentions to go to DII or higher.  Anyway they are just so dominating.  Think about them, minus getting guys that could play DI, but might not start right away at the DI level, then it could be an even playing field.  However very unlikely, considering the type of program coach Kehres has there.  Even the best teams in DIII have a tough time with Mt. Union and that was quite evident in the national championship game.  Also another thought, is this going to be the year the MIAA breaks through with a win in the playoffs?  I really would love to see a "w" as it will definitely make the conference get more positive exposure.  Anyway,  maybe our problem is we need to start recruiting taller and faster players.  We need to nab some of the talent thats out there, get some could be DI players.  The odds of that happening are slim though unfortunately, especially for MIAA Football.   

[matblake]

former, that is one of the things that I really like about d3, there is always players that seem to come out of nowhere.  You never know truly what you have as a fan until you get it.  I could have told you that Mt. Union would have talented guys to plug in for injured players, but to be able to predict a Nate Kmic (Stagg Bowl MOP) at this level is more difficult than the "lower" divisions. 

Albionmascot, I was referring specifically to incoming freshman players.  Although Garcon was definitely a difference maker on that team, people were aware of his presence almost immediately and he had played college ball previously. 

[albinomascot19]

Yep, thats right he played at Norwich.

[matblake]

Anyway,  maybe our problem is we need to start recruiting taller and faster players.  We need to nab some of the talent thats out there, get some could be DI players.  The odds of that happening are slim though unfortunately, especially for MIAA Football.   

One of the difficulties, in my opinion, that the MIAA has is the large number of DII programs in the area.  You have eight DII schools that sponsor football in Michigan, not to mention the other GLIAC schools that are close by.  Compare that with say Illinois and Wisconsin and you would have to go to Indiana, Minnesota, or Michigan for schools that sponsored football.  So, you have all the MIAA schools, the Division II schools, and the biggies like U of M and MSU.  That is a lot of competition for in-state athletes.  Throw into the mix that some kids want to go away to school or have other interests makes the competition fierce.  And, unfortunately you can't forget the money issue.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Anyway,  maybe our problem is we need to start recruiting taller and faster players.  We need to nab some of the talent thats out there, get some could be DI players.  The odds of that happening are slim though unfortunately, especially for MIAA Football.   

One of the difficulties, in my opinion, that the MIAA has is the large number of DII programs in the area.  You have eight DII schools that sponsor football in Michigan, not to mention the other GLIAC schools that are close by.  Compare that with say Illinois and Wisconsin and you would have to go to Indiana, Minnesota, or Michigan for schools that sponsored football.  So, you have all the MIAA schools, the Division II schools, and the biggies like U of M and MSU.  That is a lot of competition for in-state athletes.  Throw into the mix that some kids want to go away to school or have other interests makes the competition fierce.  And, unfortunately you can't forget the money issue.

And it doesn't help (not that I'm complaining) that GVSU has owned DII football for the last few years.  I know several local kids who are the right kind of guys for DIII who are walking on at GVSU just because of the history - not to mention Lubbers Stadium.

[formerd3db]

Anyway,  maybe our problem is we need to start recruiting taller and faster players.  We need to nab some of the talent thats out there, get some could be DI players.  The odds of that happening are slim though unfortunately, especially for MIAA Football.   

One of the difficulties, in my opinion, that the MIAA has is the large number of DII programs in the area.  You have eight DII schools that sponsor football in Michigan, not to mention the other GLIAC schools that are close by.  Compare that with say Illinois and Wisconsin and you would have to go to Indiana, Minnesota, or Michigan for schools that sponsored football.  So, you have all the MIAA schools, the Division II schools, and the biggies like U of M and MSU.  That is a lot of competition for in-state athletes.  Throw into the mix that some kids want to go away to school or have other interests makes the competition fierce.  And, unfortunately you can't forget the money issue.

And it doesn't help (not that I'm complaining) that GVSU has owned DII football for the last few years. I know several local kids who are the right kind of guys for DIII who are walking on at GVSU just because of the history - not to mention Lubbers Stadium.

[formerd3db]

Sorry, I hit the wrong button before writing my post.  Anyway, both of you have valid points, matblake and FDF.

FDF, while Holland Municipal Stadium is a very nice stadium for DIII (not to mention a nice school like Hope), Lubbers is indeed a great stadium and that combined with the draw of a potential scholarship for walk-ons at (even if only partial $), the lower tuition at a state school, and now the three national championships does entice players who might otherwise consider a school like Hope (or its MIAA partners) and have a chance at playing time earlier and/or possibly being a "big fish in a little pond" as the sayiing goes.  Not that these players don't have the talent or perseverence to do that at a school like GVSU because many do and will eventually achieve such status, but it does make it tougher for a school like Hope to recruit (particularly in their own regional backyard area, not to forget the other potions of the state).   

[wlcalum]

We have the same problem in Wisconsin. Gotta compete with the Badgers. Minnesota also take our kids as they can go there for the same cost as UW Madison. There are numerous UW system schools for our guys to go to, get a good education and play football before they spend all the cash going to a private school like WLC, who just started a football program. It is hard to get noticed in Wisconsin unless you have some success. That will come with the new conference as we will play in-state schools.

[matblake]

wlcalum,
Seems to be a similar situation for you with all the UW Schools.  I know Carthage in the CCIW gets the majority of their kids from Illinois (if not the majority then pretty darn close).  Looks like the majority of your team last year was from WI.  That would seem to be your main recruiting base. Do you think that fact that it is a newer program contributes to some of that difficulty?

[Gray Fox]

I've been reading this board ever since it was announced that Kalamazoo would be playing at Austin College.  AC is the closest D3 school to Dallas (an hour and a half away).  I know couple of Kalamazoo grads, and they have marked their calandars.

I closely follow the SCIAC board.  They have frequent discussions on recruiting similar to the one you are having.  The difference is that they put the blame on the extensive Junior College football programs in Southern California.

With that said, the backup QB for SCIAC champions and D3 Football #9 ranked Occidental last year is a freshman from Walled Lake, Michigan.  He claims he chose it because "it's in California." 8)

Here in Texas there are plenty of players looking to play, and they know D3 is a good option.  Except for Trinity, they don't get too many from out of state.

[Ralph Turner]

The northern Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs have plenty of transplants from Michigan, usually forming the starting lines in the local club Ice Hockey teams.

Your alums might find some good candidates to return to the MIAA and play football there.

[formerd3db]

That will be a nice trip for Kazoo to Texas.  Most schools have one "long distance card" to play for a regular season non-conference game and going to another state will be a good experience for the team, even if it is going to be a rather extended travel time.

As far as out-of-state recruiting, there will always be some student-athletes who desire to go far away for their college experience and that is fine.  The young man from Mich going to Oxy as you mention will have a fun experience while fullfilling a dream I'm sure and no doubt will at the same time obtain a very good education.  Yet, not everyone has the desire to do that and as we all know, there are other factors that come into play for each individual i.e. parents might not be able time-wise or economically to travel such great distances to see their son play and thus miss many games, and the experience of being so far away from home can come into play for some players.

Many schools have programs that attract "long distance" out-of-state players (Wheaton, Wabash, Hope come to mind readily) for a variety of reasons aside from their academic programs (alumns, family alumns notwithstanding).  Bottom line is obviously each student-athlete has to decide for themselves what they want and what is best for them (and/or their families).  When it does work out, though, it can be a lifetime worth of value and memories - a valuable experience.

BTW, I thought our MIAA trips to some away games were wild i.e. 8 hour bus rides and 2 hour trips for our league games are not bad, but Texas is a BIG state so I cringe to think about those "little jaunts" for in state games!        

[wlcalum]

Here is a little more info. Thought it was interesting. http://www.wlc.edu/athletics/

Hey Pat
When does the new NAC get it's own space to post? 

[Pat Coleman]

When it sponsors football. I think that's 2008.