FB: Middle Atlantic Conference

[G-manWU]

First, to add my contribution to the Navy discussion...I've never served in any of the armed forces, and currently don't see myself heading down that career path. But back in my high school days, I did spend four years in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, or USNSCC- a program many of you have probably worked with during your years in the blue uniform. I had some fantastic times, went to a bunch of great training programs around the northeast, and made many friends that I still talk to- all while gaining a deep respect for the men and women serving in all the armed services. To all of you current and former military folks, my compliments to you for a job well done!

Now, as for the facilities at Del Val.....

In my years at Wilkes, DVC was the campus I visited the most times of all- 3 times for football and 4 for basketball, which I also worked with. I've never sat in the visitors stands, but due to the design of the press boxes, I always had to film while sitting in the stands with the spectators- a good time, as most people were cheerful, respectful, and happy to talk. Plus, my seat always allowed me to reach in and grab another bite of the friend chicken provided before every game- easily the best press box food in the MAC, IMHO!!!

In terms of the locker rooms, I obviously never saw the home facilities, but the visitors spaces weren't all that bad- the small number of showers and bathroom fixtures were probably the only bad thing. If anyone wants to talk about bad MAC locker rooms from before 2007, the old gym in the basement of Moravian's citadel-like grandstand must rank among the worst places to spend any amount of time in. Still, none of them from the current and former period(I wasen't at Juniata, so I can't speak there) can beat the half-closet space we were stuck in at Rowan in 2005- everyone had to take turns getting dressed in there from lack of space!!

[PBR...]

First, to add my contribution to the Navy discussion...I've never served in any of the armed forces, and currently don't see myself heading down that career path. But back in my high school days, I did spend four years in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, or USNSCC- a program many of you have probably worked with during your years in the blue uniform. I had some fantastic times, went to a bunch of great training programs around the northeast, and made many friends that I still talk to- all while gaining a deep respect for the men and women serving in all the armed services. To all of you current and former military folks, my compliments to you for a job well done!

Now, as for the facilities at Del Val.....

In my years at Wilkes, DVC was the campus I visited the most times of all- 3 times for football and 4 for basketball, which I also worked with. I've never sat in the visitors stands, but due to the design of the press boxes, I always had to film while sitting in the stands with the spectators- a good time, as most people were cheerful, respectful, and happy to talk. Plus, my seat always allowed me to reach in and grab another bite of the friend chicken provided before every game- easily the best press box food in the MAC, IMHO!!!

In terms of the locker rooms, I obviously never saw the home facilities, but the visitors spaces weren't all that bad- the small number of showers and bathroom fixtures were probably the only bad thing. If anyone wants to talk about bad MAC locker rooms from before 2007, the old gym in the basement of Moravian's citadel-like grandstand must rank among the worst places to spend any amount of time in. Still, none of them from the current and former period(I wasen't at Juniata, so I can't speak there) can beat the half-closet space we were stuck in at Rowan in 2005- everyone had to take turns getting dressed in there from lack of space!!

good points gwu...maybe i misspoke a little and didnt explain my thinking that well. my thoughts are being a dvc alumni i want to see the best for the school and players. i was thinking if they could improve the visitor stands (which havent been in good shape for awhile now) and upgrade the locker rooms(which looks to be scheduled after the season) they could have some nice facilities. but i see what albright has put in and makes me a little envious. i understand that kind of upgrade takes serious capital from alumni and local business. imho if dvc can do those 2 things they are able to stand and compete recruiting wise as well as make it a enjoyable experience for visiting fans and teams.

[G-manWU]

Well said PBR-as a fellow alum with close ties to my school and the program, I very much appreciate your point of view. While I never sat on the visitors side, I have observed that those seats are a bit below top condition. I can't comment on the home lockers down there, btu I do agree that Albright's masterpiece dose leave the rest of us further down the ladder, no matter what improvements have been made at our schools. Indeed, it dose take serious backing from donors for major upgrades to take place, and from what I remember hearing, at least one major donation was used in the Shirk Stadium rebuilding- perhaps some of our Albright friends can offer up a bit more on that.

[KingSting999]

Gordo, great job on the Kickoff Preview. Hope everyone appreciates the time that goes into such an endeavor. Well done and a bargain at the price!

Looking forward to the Aggies scrimmage with Ursinus this Saturday. Always a decent test and I know that the players will be glad to hit someone besides their teammates. If the Aggies can solisfy their desense early in the season I believe they have as good an opportunity as any to regain the MAC crown.

No matter what the outcome it's been one heck of a rise for my family. This is our final season of competitive athletics for our five children. We had a son play four years at Ursinus (three of those under G.A.) Two daughters play four years each of DI softball and finally the fourth year of football for our son at Del Val! His twin sister took more of an academic route through school and is currently a Senior at Boston University and is in Australia doing her student teaching. She is looking forward to following her brothers games on the internet.

Go Aggies!!!

[bill]

As for the comments on Albright's field - yes, they are well deserved. But - and please correct me if I'm wrong - Doesn't/didn't the town of Reading's public school system have a lot to do with it?
In the past, albright was a third class citizen on their home field. Has that changed? Do the public high schools still play there?
Obviously, if the schools were involved, that's an entirely different method of funding - and a pretty unique arrangement as far as this region goes....

[Pat Coleman]

PBRme: Gotta be careful which button you push!

Bloomberg Accidentally Publishes Steve Jobs Obituary

[PBR...]

PBRme: Gotta be careful which button you push!

Bloomberg Accidentally Publishes Steve Jobs Obituary

HA!... pbr is in the financial arm not newsroom albeit if pbr told ya u could of capitalized when they stock quickly tanked after it ran....

[G-manWU]

Bill, I do believe that Albright dose share the stadium down there with one of the local high schools- the logos of the two teams are displayed above the visitors locker room tunnel, or at least they were when I was there in 2006. I have no clue, however, about how this agreement may have played into funding the upgrades. In any event, your operation at FDU has very high-quality venues for both football and basketball- Shields Field is a bit small, but still a great place to catch a game on Saturday afternoon.

[FearTheRam]

Ahhh, but they have worse visitor facilities than DVC. It's really quite interesting that they did all that work and left that joke of visitor stands up???

[bill]

Ram

Well, we simply didn't have the money!
Funny you mention that, though, because when you arrive at FDU this year, you'll notice we installed very nice visitor stands over the summer. Visiting fans will now have a nice section to sit in.

Now, if we can just find out why Del Val won't agree to play a night game at FDU...I know the AD was for it, but the coach refused. It's tough for us to get big crowds on a sat., but Friday nights are great!

[bill]

OK, I have found a great article at  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LSH/is_9_8/ai_n15377903
about Albright/Reading HS 's Shirk Stadium.

The local school district contributed 2 million towards the field!
I'm glad it was able to work for them. Now if we could just get Madison HS to give us 2 million, we could finish our field the way we'd like to!   

[PBR...]

OK, I have found a great article at  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0LSH/is_9_8/ai_n15377903
about Albright/Reading HS 's Shirk Stadium.

The local school district contributed 2 million towards the field!
I'm glad it was able to work for them. Now if we could just get Madison HS to give us 2 million, we could finish our field the way we'd like to!   

man your not kidding bill.....the h.s. will use the stadium for what maybe 5 games a year for $2million? what is the ROI on that? If pbr was a taxpayer there talk about being angry!!  they are putting those all weather fields in all around pbr's house now and they are in use almost every night of the week for h.s. sports. field hockey, soccer, football, lacrosse, etc....so much better as its softer than natural grass and doesnt wear out. the traditional grass fields were a mud pit by november and useless. but in the article it says the h.s. will only play football on it and maybe a few district events...pbr knows that wouldnt fly around here locally w/ taxpayers money. if private donations funded it that is one thing but not the public for ~5 games a year

[bill]

The article doesn't mention it, but I believe some of the money also went to the Rec Center, and that Albright's Rec Center is also used by the local community. Of course, I could be wrong about that too, but....

[PBR...]

The article doesn't mention it, but I believe some of the money also went to the Rec Center, and that Albright's Rec Center is also used by the local community. Of course, I could be wrong about that too, but....

yes i am sure its kinda like hours of ice hockey in h.s. where the local community is free to use the center from 11pm to 5am everyday of the week when the students are sleeping....nothing like having an ice hockey game at 4am

[hit1sticks]

Former Albright player/grad here... Reading High contributed a couple million I believe for the stadium, along with a couple million from the college itself, along with a million (i believe) from a local alumnist.  The money for the new weightroom was largely contributed from a local women in the Reading community who lived a few blocks from the campus as a child. The story from what we were told was that when she was a young child, an albright football player taught her how to throw a spiral, and she never forgot that, and contributed to the college.