FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[jmcozenlaw]

Lycosimba - 48     FDU - 14    (Lycosimba does not want to make this long drive on a cold day........won't matter)

If Lycosimba wants to make this game...he needs to leave Williamsport soon. The game is at 7:00 tonight!

Bill - Loooooooong three hour drive back though for a pretty meaningless game

Did FDU ever try to leave the MAC for the NJAC over the last several years? If no, why not?

I actually ran into some FDU Football parents at work today and started talking because I saw their jackets.  They said brought up "they need to get out of that conference."  When I said that the NJAC wasn't going to be much better now with Wesley, Salisbury and Christopher Newport, they were surprised because apparently FDU was told they couldn't join the NJAC because they are a private school, and the NJAC is only for public schools.  Pat Coleman or Dave McHugh might be able to weigh in more on that, because admittedly, I have no idea if that is true or not.

Also congrats to Del Val and Widener on their NCAA selections.  They both more than deserved to get in the playoffs.  Having seen Muhlenberg against Wilkes earlier this year, Widener at home should take that game.  Mules run a Chip Kelly-like spread offense like Widener ran last year.  Wilkes did a nice job of shutting them down in the first half, but the offense couldn't sustain a drive (like in mostly every other game) and so the defense ended up being on the field for over 39 minutes and the floodgates opened up in the second half.  Widener shouldn't have that problem and could very well dominate.  Don't know much of anything about Christopher Newport this year.  Would be fun to see a rematch of the Keystone Cup to see who gets the "prize" of going to play UMHB in the Elite 8.

Another great season of MAC football is in the books...on to basketball!

I guess I am still a bit intrigued by Joe's report of comments made by FDU parents....so some more commentary...
None of it seems to make sense, and has taken us down the path of NJAC membership...but I'm not so sure, that's the point...

The context of those comments is everything, and without them (IMO), the meaning can be a couple different things.
"they need to get out of that conference."    could be construed as meaning that:
1. The conference is not aligned academically with FDU's mission...In which case, perhaps they would like to See FDU aligned with the Centennial (reasonably local), or the Liberty League (clearly less so)...In any case, certainly teams have chosen that path before (see Susquehanna, Juniata, Muhlenberg etc...)
2. The conference is too tough from a football perspective...which would clearly indicate that they don't really know Conference strengths..."When I said that the NJAC wasn't going to be much better now with Wesley, Salisbury and Christopher Newport, they were surprised because apparently FDU was told they couldn't join the NJAC because they are a private school, and the NJAC is only for public schools."    I doubt that FDU would be more than a 1 win team in the current NJAC scheme, much less after Wesley, Salisbury and CNU join...
3. The travel to some of the teams is too far...again, doesn't make much sense given the distances they would need to travel in the NJAC, CC or LL...

Maybe what the parents should be asking, is why doesn't the school seem to care much about the football program, when it is clearly interested in competing in other sports...If their agenda doesn't include a priority for football, so be it...thats their choice, but it certainly is a shame given their proximity to premier NJ HS football teams (Don Bosco comes to mind among others).

Thoughts?

bman - Given some of the recent recruits on the FDU Women's Basketball roster....................it absolutely, positively has zero to do with number 1!!!!

I believe that it just not a priority at all. FDU's best running back the past two years transferred to DelVal and like half of the defense, got injured early on and missed this season.

He stated that the FDU football program was a mess. He did not fail out nor was he kicked out.

I'm not sure what you mean by that...are you implying that the current recruits are not strong students??

There are quite a number of people at FDU who do NOT think FDU's rapidly changing academic mission is aligned with the conference as a whole, but I'd rather not go down that road at this time. People get very sensitive when academic standards and prestige are discussed. As Dave stated, right now it wouldn't matter what conference FDU is in for football - we wouldn't fare any better against CC schools, that's for sure.

Bill - I am not implying that the current recruits are not strong students (although there is a difference between strong.......and strong enough) but I do know from the inside that Coach Mitchell has been given some latitude by the administration. That type of latitude would only be possible in a program with a smaller amount of athletes (i.e. this year's women's team has only 10 players) and would never be possible in a program as large as football.

From what I've been told (and not from a recently graduated men's basketball player from Bucks County, PA  ) is that the administration is focusing on other sports..........and that can be seen in a sport such as women's basketball. Football is not a high priority for several reasons.

I would think that FDU's "rapidly changing academic mission" would fit into the MAC.....................where half of the schools have university status and two other's (including DelVal within a couple months) will attain that status in the not to distant future.

[bill]

JM – first of all, please don't take any of this as a personal attack – it's not. I'm just going to address your points/statements one by one....

1. I'd love to know who on the "inside" has told you the information about basketball...because it couldn't be further from the truth. I'm on the inside ☺  Coach has no greater latitude than anyone else...and there's none. We don't have any special admit programs for athletes. He has had plenty of recruits rejected for admission, just like everyone else. When combined with financial aid, that's one of the major issues coach (and everyone else) has to overcome. It's also one of the reasons this year's team has a small roster.

2. I'd also like to have a word with that hoops player from PA. I think he means well, but is not fully informed. There is no –zero – administration focusing on any sports, period. Yes, they were happy that they won a title, but other than a championship ring and a visit to see the governor, they didn't get anything else. No increased budget, no bonuses, no extra equipment, shoes, clothes, nothing.

3. Yes, football is not a high priority, for a bunch of reasons.

4. FDU's rapidly changing mission fits with some of the MAC, but it is a lot closer to the CC schools than the MAC core. University status is something in name only – other than a doctoral program or two, it doesn't add anything to the prestige level of a school. For more, check out the Carnegie Classifications. There – at least – anyone can compare a basic picture of what some of the schools are doing. One of FDU's big identification problems is being lumped together. (like on US News College rankings) The Madison campus' admissions, costs, student body, and programs are very different than the other campus...significantly more selective.

This changing mission hurts athletics in this short run (although it will help eventually). Kids who used to get admitted don't...but kids who used to get academic grant money aren't getting it anymore either. Those kids now need to pay their own way, and we start swimming at the deeper end of academic prestige pool. Those more prestigious schools offer better overall facilities and more recognized programs, and it's tough to compete with them. Example:
In 1995 the 2.5 GPA / 900 SAT kid would be admitted to FDU. The 3.0 GPA/1000 kid got some academic money...
In 2014, the 2.5 GPA / 900 kid doesn't usually get admitted. The 3.0/1000 kid does get admitted, but he won't qualify for academic aid.
To get that, we're looking more at the 3.2 / 1200 kid. Problem is, he's also getting in to the CC schools...and we're not going to win that recruiting battle yet.

[jmcozenlaw]

JM – first of all, please don't take any of this as a personal attack – it's not. I'm just going to address your points/statements one by one....

1. I'd love to know who on the "inside" has told you the information about basketball...because it couldn't be further from the truth. I'm on the inside ☺  Coach has no greater latitude than anyone else...and there's none. We don't have any special admit programs for athletes. He has had plenty of recruits rejected for admission, just like everyone else. When combined with financial aid, that's one of the major issues coach (and everyone else) has to overcome. It's also one of the reasons this year's team has a small roster.

2. I'd also like to have a word with that hoops player from PA. I think he means well, but is not fully informed. There is no –zero – administration focusing on any sports, period. Yes, they were happy that they won a title, but other than a championship ring and a visit to see the governor, they didn't get anything else. No increased budget, no bonuses, no extra equipment, shoes, clothes, nothing.

3. Yes, football is not a high priority, for a bunch of reasons.

4. FDU's rapidly changing mission fits with some of the MAC, but it is a lot closer to the CC schools than the MAC core. University status is something in name only – other than a doctoral program or two, it doesn't add anything to the prestige level of a school. For more, check out the Carnegie Classifications. There – at least – anyone can compare a basic picture of what some of the schools are doing. One of FDU's big identification problems is being lumped together. (like on US News College rankings) The Madison campus' admissions, costs, student body, and programs are very different than the other campus...significantly more selective.

This changing mission hurts athletics in this short run (although it will help eventually). Kids who used to get admitted don't...but kids who used to get academic grant money aren't getting it anymore either. Those kids now need to pay their own way, and we start swimming at the deeper end of academic prestige pool. Those more prestigious schools offer better overall facilities and more recognized programs, and it's tough to compete with them. Example:
In 1995 the 2.5 GPA / 900 SAT kid would be admitted to FDU. The 3.0 GPA/1000 kid got some academic money...
In 2014, the 2.5 GPA / 900 kid doesn't usually get admitted. The 3.0/1000 kid does get admitted, but he won't qualify for academic aid.
To get that, we're looking more at the 3.2 / 1200 kid. Problem is, he's also getting in to the CC schools...and we're not going to win that recruiting battle yet.

Bill - I took none of that personally as there was nothing mean spirited from you whatsoever. FDU is in a tough place. I had no idea that the institution had become as selective as Hopkins, Ursinus and most of the other Centennial schools. It will be interesting to see what Coach Mitchell does once the Dayon sisters, and the three other seniors graduate. He's been able to pluck a couple of very nice transfers the past few seasons............the benefit of being a great team!!

A very good friend of mine had a son at DelVal, who wanted to move back closer to home and looked at FDU and Montclair. Grades were not an issue and he did get a decent financial aid package from FDU. He would have been a three year starter at LB, with a bit of heavy package FB from time to time. He shadowed another football player who told him not to come and he wound up at Montclair this year. I wish that you would opine at some point about the issues regarding football as you sound as if you have a lot of first hand knowledge.

My former basketball player (the Bucks County kid) did enjoy his time at FDU...........although he was happy to escape the Giants/Jets/Yankees/Mets/Rangers/Devils/Knicks/Nets fans. He was a Philly kid, a fish out of water His comment about the women's hoops team wasn't meant in a mean way, it was in response to a question about why the men's team couldn't replicate what the women's team has done over the past couple of years. He brought up the $$$$ and said something about checking out the hometown's of both team's rosters. He said that the men's team went after the "solid student/parents make too much........but not enough" where the women's team went after the "we think we can get her accepted/need based aid will be significant". He also made another comment that I will refrain from commenting on specifically in this forum, again, not mean spirited in any way, shape or form..............let's just nicely call it "roster composition" and not quite understanding the difference given the same campus and the same high school recruiting grounds. I chalked that one up to a kid comfortably chatting about life stuff. There was no ill will whatsoever.

[bman]

Jay

Check your PM

[Swish3]

CNU will have to play an exceptional game, especially on defense, to have a chance against DVC.  Can anyone provide any insight regarding their strengths and weaknesses?

Swish

I'll defer to Jay and Gordon who can provide much more detail ,  but from my perspective, they run the ball extremely well..(Their runningback Smallwood is a beast)...
They have a great passing attack.  Their QB (Wilmer) is extremely polished, and has multiple targets.. especially Bailey who is a talent at the national level.  He will get his yards...
They score points in droves...so CNU will have to score to keep up...

If you happen to upset them, I wont be too sad...

Weaknesses is that the D is young, and teams have moved the ball against them...

Thanks, bman....CNU can score, but their defense is pretty bad.  A shootout favors DVC, as they seem to have a prolific offense....

[Simba]

LET's GO PRIDE & AGGIES....WE WANT A MAC REMATCH IN THE 2nd ROUND!!!...WOO HOO!!!...
Simba

[Simba]

JM – first of all, please don't take any of this as a personal attack – it's not. I'm just going to address your points/statements one by one....

1. I'd love to know who on the "inside" has told you the information about basketball...because it couldn't be further from the truth. I'm on the inside ☺  Coach has no greater latitude than anyone else...and there's none. We don't have any special admit programs for athletes. He has had plenty of recruits rejected for admission, just like everyone else. When combined with financial aid, that's one of the major issues coach (and everyone else) has to overcome. It's also one of the reasons this year's team has a small roster.

Jay...

You can't get any higher than bill on the inside of FDU athletics...He be the top banana!...My only comment bill is you should try to throw in a mixture of some coal-county boys...It'll only cost you a few pallets of Yuengling Lager!...A very good ROI if you ask me! 

Simba

[gordonmann]

Special thanks to Bill for taking some of his time to answer questions and engage on these issues.  There may be other ADs who do that on these boards or in similar forums, but I'm not aware of many. I've learned a lot about FDU's inner workings from the time he's spent here and he doesn't have to spend any.

[gordonmann]

Swish:

Based on what I've read, both teams can score and both teams can be scored on. Del Val has had problems with mobile quarterbacks and Marcus Morrast definitely qualifies as one. I think it's a byproduct of the young defense where they have trouble adapting to plays on the fly ("We're dropping back in pass coverage...there goes the quarterback, who's assigned to him?").

I expect lots and lots of points and really have no idea who wins.  Should make for a fun game though. If you're coming to Doylestown, travel safe and take notes on the rest stops since driving to Del Val is similar to driving to some of the NJAC schools.

Gordon

[bill]

Special thanks to Bill for taking some of his time to answer questions and engage on these issues.  There may be other ADs who do that on these boards or in similar forums, but I'm not aware of many. I've learned a lot about FDU's inner workings from the time he's spent here and he doesn't have to spend any.

Woa...hold on a minute!!!

Full disclaimer - while I share the same name as our AD, and I have worked at FDU for over 20 years,(I did not go to school there, though) I am not the AD.... But let's just say I am intimately familiar with all things FDU athletics!!

I did not mean to misrepresent myself - I'm sorry if I came across that way.

Whew. More tomorrow!

[gordonmann]

Oh geez. My mistake.

Well, whatever your position, I appreciate the insight you provide. And apologies to Mr. Klika if he reads this message board.

[kate]

This entire dialogue has been incredible - lots to mull over.  Thanks for all the input - this old lady truly appreciates it.  Just hope some Landmark posters sneak a peek occasionally! 

[bill]

JM – first of all, please don't take any of this as a personal attack – it's not. I'm just going to address your points/statements one by one....

1. I'd love to know who on the "inside" has told you the information about basketball...because it couldn't be further from the truth. I'm on the inside ☺  Coach has no greater latitude than anyone else...and there's none. We don't have any special admit programs for athletes. He has had plenty of recruits rejected for admission, just like everyone else. When combined with financial aid, that's one of the major issues coach (and everyone else) has to overcome. It's also one of the reasons this year's team has a small roster.

Jay...

You can't get any higher than bill on the inside of FDU athletics...He be the top banana!...My only comment bill is you should try to throw in a mixture of some coal-county boys...It'll only cost you a few pallets of Yuengling Lager!...A very good ROI if you ask me! 

Simba

Simba - that's somewhat similar to the strategy I tried to employ back when I was coaching & recruiting for FDU. My thoughts were something like this:  "there's tons of great D3 players from HS's in eastern PA. I think we can compete to get those kids to come to FDU, because there are no state schools in PA playing D3 football". I started recruiting the Lehigh Valley (I know it's not coal country, but it's a start )...and started having some success. I was able to convince kids from Easton, Bethlehem Catholic, Allentown Central Catholic, Parkland, and Freedom to come to FDU...some did well for us. I would have liked to continue, but we made our first major coaching staff change after the 2001 season. The new staff (at that time, they are no longer at FDU) didn't keep it up. Biggest hurdle for us was financial aid - the PA state aid doesn't cross the Delaware River!

[Simba]

Special thanks to Bill for taking some of his time to answer questions and engage on these issues.  There may be other ADs who do that on these boards or in similar forums, but I'm not aware of many. I've learned a lot about FDU's inner workings from the time he's spent here and he doesn't have to spend any.

Woa...hold on a minute!!!

Full disclaimer - while I share the same name as our AD, and I have worked at FDU for over 20 years,(I did not go to school there, though) I am not the AD.... But let's just say I am intimately familiar with all things FDU athletics!!

I did not mean to misrepresent myself - I'm sorry if I came across that way.

Whew. More tomorrow!

bill....

So you were the coach back in the day with your Son and he is now the AD?...I remember some "fiesty" posts back in the late 90's with "bill"....Was he your asst. coach back then?...

My bad...

Simba

[bill]

Simba

Check your messages - I'll explain!