FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[HOF]

Thanks Pat!   I hope I can add some flavor here.

Anyways, I heard Olivet's running back was shopping around the MIAA.  Not starting rumors here, that is why I haven't said the kids name.  I have a source that says he was trying to hook up in with Albion and Hope.  Anybody got anymore info.

Can players shop around or can they get in trouble?

Get ready for a heat wave on Sunday.  Just looked at the weather...98 degrees and HOT.

I'm heading for the pool.

[formerd3db]

miaafbfan:  yes, welcome back.  Looking forward to you good contributions to the board again.

[formerd3db]

HOF:

I joing Pat and the others in welcoming you to the board.  Thanks for your contributions.

I haven't heard anything about Olivet's RB with regard to what you are mentioning, although will attempt to find out more info.  As far as student-athletes "shopping around", remember this is DIII and since they are not on scholarship, players are free to consider transferring to other schools.  One of the aspects they need to consider in such a move, however, is if they have any academic scholarships and/or grants from their current school and/or community or other sources and if the school they are considering transferring to would be able and willing to match that.  Of course, all that is assuming the coaching staff at the "new" school is serious about having them come in.  Just some thoughts.

Also, check your personal message board here for another mesage I sent you.

BTW, to everyone here:  I will be out-of-town until July 16th, so might not be posting much until next week, unless I have access to a computer.  Hope everyone had a nice 4th of July day/extended weekend (if you had the latter), but now it is "back to the grind" and perhaps kind of the "summer doldrums" for some of us (unless you are taking a vacation before the start of school and the season in August

[formerd3db]

HOF:

I forgot to make a few comments in reply to your question about assistant coaching opportunities for young coaches.  Being new to the board, you wouldn't have known about this, however, there have been several discussions about that topic on this board and others in the past, including more recently.  As such, I won't reiterate in great detail what was shared.  Basically, the consensus was that it comes down to the small salaries that colleges can offer to these young coaches, unless they are associated in a full-time teaching position at that school and that is difficult to raise a family on live (although a bit easier if they are single).  On the other hand, this is probably not much different than for those just entering the regular secondary teaching system and a person has to start somewhere.  It also depends on the career goals of the individual person.   

[HOF]

F3DB:  Got your message.  Once I figure out how to respond I will and when I have more time.

I guess that is the downside of DIII atheltics.  I mean basically with no committment, besides word, you could lose your guy one summer and the next fall he's playing against you.  I guess that is how it goes.  The word is that the RB is unhappy with some of their coaches and also got beaten out last year.  I'll also dig deeper and find the news.

Any transfers gonna impact the league? 

Who is gonna be the QB at Alma, Adrian, Albion?  If my memory serves me right that is the three schools who graduated QBs.

Back to the pool.  Will check in tonight.

[bulldogalum]

While it is possible for players to transfer from one conference school to another, I don't think it happens very often.  Personally, I couldn't imagine what it would have been like transferring from Adrian to any other MIAA school and playing a sport. 

Further, I know for a fact that some coaches flat out will not take players from other schools in the conference if they transfer.  Remember that many of these coaches, though competitive on the playing field, are on relatively good terms off the field.  Many, as a matter of professional courtesy, will not take a player transferring from one of those schools, or at the very least, will do everything in their power to dissuade that player from making the move.

It will be interesting to see what facts come to light about this Olivet RB situation.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

HOF:

Nice to have a new face on the board who can contribute new thoughts and ideas to the conversation.  To answer your question from a day ago, I coached at Adrian for three years, after playing there for 4.  I have never had a better experience than those 7 years(with the exception of parts of the last). The staff at Adrian from day one was very welcoming and energetic and continued to be that way once I joined it.   I dont have much to say right now, Im a little drained from a long day at the lake in the sun yesterday and trying to relive the youthful indiscretion of my college days only to find out my body doesnt like that anymore.  I should be more eloquent and helpful once I shake the cobwebs.

[formerd3db]

DAWG and HOF:

Must be nice to have access to a pool and the lake during this very hot/humid weather~



HOF:

Interesting about the Olivet RB.  As bulldogalum mentioned, I think that most of the MIAA coaches discourage transfers due to strictly a football decision alone, except perhaps if the academic situation would be the same for that person as most of them want what is best for the student-athlete academically first.  On the other hand, if the Olivet RB you mention lost playing time behind someone else there, he might potentially have a difficult time breaking the starting position at another MIAA school especially if there are returning lettermen waiting in the wings who have been there and put in their time so to speak to replace a graduating senior, although this is certainly not impossible to do.  If the RB is a determined student-athlete with perseverence, it could be done.  Whatever transpires for him, I certainly wish him all the best in his future and hope it turns out good for him.  It's too bad it is not working out for him at Olivet, because as many have said, they have worked hard to improve their program and have stablized the coaching staff in the past decade or so.  Just some random thoughts on this.  BTW, I will for your reply message on the personal message board if/when you have the opportunity to do so (remember, I will be out-of-town until July 16th, starting tomorrow).

[rome]

Great to see Dom is again killing the OC program---

D3--I did not go to OC--but became a big fan after I saw what Irv Sigler did to turn things around there and make the program competitive again--

Dom ran out a # of Irv's staff and is like watching a hour glass--the sand keeps falling away and eventually there will be nothing--similar to what Dom did before

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

rome:

I heard that Sigler isnt even a fan of Dom?  The story I heard was that they wanted to have Sigler back for a game to honor him and he said he wouldnt do it as long as Dom was the coach?  Do you know anything about that?

[79jaybird]

Is the Olivet RB in discussion Clasgens?
I saw Clasgens last year @ Olivet and he single handedly almost helped the Comets comeback against us.  I really can't see Clasgens choosing to shop around and/or leave OC.  That would shock me if he did.
He is a pretty solid RB and seems to be a great fit for Olivet's Offense.

[HOF]

Not Clasegans, it was LJ.  Must not be truth to the rumor or else I'm sure somebody could confirm it more.  So we move on.

Must be a busy week for everyone, no response from a ton of post.

I see on the Adrian website they announced who Coach Deere was.  Looks like a man with some history to the program like ADAWG mentioned.  That should be interesting for opponents who play AC, two new coordinators.  I can't imagine much will change.  Any scoop on their new offensive guy ADAWG?

In talking with some Albion fans at a recent gathering I was at, they seem to have thrown the towel in on Coach Rundle.  I look back at the recent years and just see a ton of success.  If you ain't winning it every year, I guess your in trouble.

I'm always amazed by the job Alma does year in and year out.  Not much press on the Scots, but year after year they win and compete for the league title. 

[bulldogalum]

Rundle is a divisive figure.  Many people outside the program don't care for him much because he pretty much tells it like it is, but players will run through brick walls for the guy.  Bottom line, he's an excellent football coach with a strong personality that rubs some people the wrong way.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

HOF:

Lonnie Jones is the one looking to transfer?  He when healthy was the best back I had seen in the MIAA from a pure talent standpoint in the last couple years.  In the '05 Adrian Olivet double overtime game, we were letting out a collected sigh of relief when he hurt his leg and we only had to deal with Sleight.  I cant imagine that he would have a hard time transferring but I did hear a rumor that his grades(at least from HS) were poor.  I know many teams would get a shot in the arm at the RB position with him on their rosters. 

Which ne offensive guy are you speaking of at Adrian?  I know they had one leave and take a job down south and shifted one of the defensive interns who had been a player at Defiance this last season to offense to coach FB/TE's.  But if you could let me know a bit more about which coach you are reffering it would help. 

AS for Albion fans throwing in the towel with Rundle is absurd.  You cant win the MIAA every year but you can be in the running and that is something that Coach Rundle has been able to do in his time there.  Despite the fact that the last president was not helpful to Rundle at all he has still managed to churn out consistent contenders and rock solid teams.  I would agree with bulldogalum that his personality may rub some people the wrong way, but his players will do anything for him and he graduates good solid people which is the hallmark of a DIII program.

Alma is a team which does great work on a yearly basis and they have a great staff up there.  I would say that the team that is the most fundamentally sound and most well prepared on a week by week basis though while also flying under the radar the most of the time would be Hope.  A league championship last year after being picked to finish 4th and never getting quite as many all MIAA players as they should Coach Kreps and his staff do a great job not finishing below second since 1995 which is an amazing feat.   

I would be interested to hear from you HOF on what your take is for the MIAA next year, Ive offered up some pre season predictions and I would love to hear someone elses.

[sac]

You cant win the MIAA every year ............

Please see MIAA standings from 1990 to 1996 where Albion went 34-0-1 in the MIAA. 

........and over a 13 year period beginning in 1989 Albion won 11 of 13 MIAA Championships.  In the last 5 they've won just 1 and just went 5-5 for the second time under Rundle in 5 seasons (both the worst seasons since 1982 and in each of those 5 seasons Albion has been blown out by a non-conference opponent at least once.  Its never a fair comparison but when you look at the last 8 or 9 years of Pete Schmidt compared to the last 5 or 6 under Rundle then you can understand why some people might be disappointed in the Britons on field performance.