FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[bulldogalum]

I agree, formerd3db--I was amazed by the stupid mistakes made by Ohio State last night, yet even well into the second half, it felt like they had a chance to win the game (this from someone who makes no bones about being anti-Ohio in general).  LSU played better and made fewer mistakes--they deserved what they got, a national championship victory. 

[D306]

D3DB

I think we are not far apart on this.
I also had thought OSU was going to win the game, prior to the game and even after they started a little come back.
Way to many stupid penalties and mistakes.
I still think OSU is a good team, (not #1, maybe I should not have said overrated, though technically Being rated #1 was overrated) LSU out played them and  looked to be the better team that day and through out the year played better competition.

I take nothing away from LSU, I just thought at the end of the year if there was a playoffs GA, SC would be the best teams.

Did you see Rich Rod brought (6) Strength and Conditioning coachs with him.
any of the misconception that U of M is fat and slow will certainly be changing with that type of emphasis.
I do not believe the faster and better Athlete arguement I believe it is level of total team talent and speed that makes a difference and coaching. Individually I think there are numeorus Big Ten Players that are fast and Athletic I do also think that many Warm Weather schools have greater team speed, and a more aggressive game plan. Make big plays and take big risks, that is why the scores are always higher for both teams in other conferences.

[formerd3db]

bulldog and D306:
Yes, I think we're pretty much of the same opinon on the OSU game.

BTW, any thing "newsy" about fb at your MIAA schools, either recruiting or coaching?  Usually not too much news about this time for any of the DIII schools, but also particularly since it is January. 

[Stinger]

I spoke with new FB coach Jamie Zorbo at the men's basketball game last night. He seems very excited to be back in Kalamazoo and realistic at the challenge at hand.

[formerd3db]

stinger:
Thanks for the info.  As was discussed briefly before, I think that Zorbo being an alum is just exactly what Kazoo's program needs.  His enthusiasm, youth and experience in coaching already will be big +'s IMO, even more so than the previous coach Brooks, again, primarily since Zorbo knows the school, administration, the "atmosphere" and what needs to be done and how to go about it in that atmosphere.  I'm hopeful and wishing him all the best.  Keep us posted on what you hear occasionally.  BTW, did he mention anything about his staff i.e. any changes, additions, etc.??  Thanks.

[D306]

Not much new as far as recruits though I know 2 players heading to the MIAA. 1 very solid and going to play with his brother whom already is playing in the MIAA. The second really comes down to if he wants to play DII or attend DIII, he has DII offers but thinks the education and course work he is looking at is better in the MIAA.

Nice to hear Adrian is heading overseas for a game.
Wish Albion would schedule a game, price is not to bad and it allows extra practices, and team building, great for a young team. I think from a growth stand point educationally and emotionally it is also a bonus for the players.

I am pulling for Kazoo to regain some focus and be competitive, long time  MIAA member and a quality school, students and players deserve better.

So how is everyone's team doing in off season training?
DIII is tough to keep a high quality off season program, some players need something over their head to keep them focused and improving each week.

I am glad for Eli and the G-MEN, he has been taking a lot of heat and now they have their shot at a legend and the chance for a Super Bowl game.

Pat's in a walk to the Super Bowl, then we will see whom they play.
Brady was his usual self, and the play calling was solid. Chargers are to banged up to handle the Pat's at home in the playoff's.

[formerd3db]

D306:

Indeed, it can sometimes be a difficult choice with regard to the aspects you mention i.e.  DII vs. DIII for many student-athletes and their families.  Anyway, I wish the two young men you mention all the best.

Regarding overseas games:  for sure, those can be a wonderful experience for the teams.  Alma has done that in the past also, several years ago.  Many "positives" as you mention, although the one drawback can be the cost.  While the colleges usually have some $ to put towards such a trip, the players and their families usually have to come up with the bulk of it.  That can be very expensive, depending on a number of factors (location, air fare, accomodations, etc., etc.).  I believe (and please don't quote me on this) that, for example, for Elmhurst's trip last year, it was about $2000 per player or slightly more.  I recall for Alma, it was somewhere between $1200 and $1500 per player, although that was several years ago as mentioned.  Obviously, the NCAA has rules/regulations overseeing these trips, yet it is a great opportunity for those who able to go.

Tangential topic:  regarding the NFL yesterday, some surprises (San Diego), some not (Dallas).  Most likely as you said, New England will probably reclaim their title, although as we know, anything can happen.  To be honest, I'm not really an NFL fan, so only follow this peripherally (i.e. I like to see the DIII and DII and DIAA players) - like the college game so much better (except for the ridiculous shennigans that take place in DI ). 

[79jaybird]

The Elmhurst trip to Italy last year was closer to $2300-2500/player, which is why only 20%-30% of the team made the trip.  Our punter actually saw time as a MLB on defense!  He had a great time playing a position he wouldn't normally play.

The players had to pay most, if not all (not sure) of the expenses for the trip.

Formerd3db is right on the experience.  Had I been given the opportunity to go as their radio broadcaster- I would have jumped at the chance.  Also helps to be 50% Italian. 

[DBQ1965]

I happened to be looking through the "open dates" section of D3 football and noticed that Olivet has all September dates open.  I'm sure a lot will happen between now and September ... but that seems a little odd.

[ADAWGISADAWG4LIFE]

Foreign Travel is a great thing for a program, not only from getting the experience of a different culture and different country, but also the opportunity for spring practice.  I was part of two overseas trips one to Spain as a player after the 01-02 season at Adrian and the other as a coach, to Ireland after the 04-05 season.  The opportunity to get your players in pads and have 10 full practices with them is extremely helpful as it gets some of your players who may have been backups but are no going to be starters some great experience with the system and also allows a great opportunity to watch some of the freshman you may not have had a chance to in the fall.  Both years following the over seas trips Adrian saw large improvement, in 01-02 Adrian was 2-8, 02-03 Adrian was 6-4(*7-3) in 04-05 Adrian was 5-5 and in 05-06 Adrian posted an 8-2 mark on the year.  Needless to say those trips did pay dividend. 

[OC_SID]

I happened to be looking through the "open dates" section of D3 football and noticed that Olivet has all September dates open.  I'm sure a lot will happen between now and September ... but that seems a little odd.

All of the September 2008 dates for Olivet have been filled.

[Pat Coleman]

One of the reasons we made changes to the open dates board was because schools were not doing their due diligence in letting us know dates had been filled. This meant the board was out of date and less useful.

Now schools will get e-mail reminders periodically with their dates and will have access to remove them from the board.

[Stinger]

stinger:
Thanks for the info.  As was discussed briefly before, I think that Zorbo being an alum is just exactly what Kazoo's program needs.  His enthusiasm, youth and experience in coaching already will be big +'s IMO, even more so than the previous coach Brooks, again, primarily since Zorbo knows the school, administration, the "atmosphere" and what needs to be done and how to go about it in that atmosphere.  I'm hopeful and wishing him all the best.  Keep us posted on what you hear occasionally.  BTW, did he mention anything about his staff i.e. any changes, additions, etc.??  Thanks.

I didn't dig in much about staff. We were at a function after the game and it was Zorbo, Eric Soulier and Coach Nickert.   I am pretty sure those two will remain. However, I wouldn't be able to confirm any of that.

[Uncle Rico]

You can watch the progress of the new football field / athletic complex at this web link...

http://www.tristate.edu/tsustadium/

Here are more details...

http://www.tristate.edu/news/TSU-News-upgrade-sports.cfm

[Pat Coleman]

Looks chilly.