FB: Upper Midwest Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

Sounds like there are possibly some additional underlying "issues" from what you relate and how this situation was handled including in the media.  If what you say has any potential question of underlying foundation, I would hope that the local legal authorities as well as the universities Board of Trustees and the school's alumni would pursue these troubling allegations and/or suspicions.  Indeed, the elimination of the football program is a disappointing action, not just for the act of the sport itself and the student-athletes involved, but also, IMO, for the entire student body of the school.  It will be interesting to see what, if anything, transpires further both at BC and perhaps even the league with regard to all this.  I'm sure you guys here on the SLIAC will keep us updated, if/when that occurs.  Again, just a sad situation as I see it.

[formerd3db]

Addendum:

I would also like to be perfectly clear regarding my last post.  I am not, in any way whatsoever, saying that any alleged suspicions, accusations, etc., have any merit or truth.  My comments were only in personal general response to the other comments posted.  I would also add, however, that I would caution you IllinoisCoach to be very careful in any public statements you make regarding such so as to not open yourself to liable and/or slander.  You have the right to your opinion, yet, I'm sure you are aware (at least I hope you know  ), that you need to be cautious as to exactly how you express those opinions and how.  Just some unsolicited advice and, again, MO.

[theoneandonly]

it does seem as if they are getting away with murder here. i mean i knowits not quite that extreme, but with all the fuss that has been brought up about it, its weird that there hasnt even been a whisper by admin that maybe it could have been a mistake. they just dont care. end of story, and thats what doesnt seem right to me

[theoneandonly]

Just to fill everyone in, Coach Neal, The head baseball coach and assistant football coach is going to be gone after this baseball season, also Coach Frazier, the head volleyball coach and head softball coach will also be gone. Blackburn is slowly taking steps to ruin what is best at that college. If you guys get bored or since you cant write much more about blackburn football, feel free to stop by the sliac baseball board and leave some love for coach neal or any comments about sliac baseball. ALL are welcome!

[watchdog]

I read in the Post this morning that Principia is suspending its football program for the 2009 season. This creates scheduling issues for the other SLIAC members.

[Hawks88]

Yep, just found this link, http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9142786/DIGEST---LOCAL- (the Principia part is half way down). That's too bad. Looks like that blows the automatic qualifier until at least 2012 now. I was wondering what was up with several of the schools posting on the open dates page for both week 4 and 5. With an odd number of teams the open dates would have been spread through all weeks. Made me wonder if something like this might be up.

Another link about this - http://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/football_22848___article.html/program_prin.html

[Devils 50]

WOW... This is def. not good for the conference. Are their any other teams in the region looking for a football conference? Is it to late for teams to find other opponents for their open dates, or will they only play 7 or 8 games? How many teams have to be in the conference for an auto? Hopefully the SLIAC can figure something out.

[Ralph Turner]

Here is my suggestion that I posted on the Pool B board.  It may not be too late to pull this off.  If the UMAC and SLIAC core schools are interested in working towards a Pool A bid under someone's "flag", then a quick meeting this spring could begin the process.

With Blackburn announcing last week that they are dropping football and now it looks like Principia is doing the same at least for this year (http://www.thetelegraph.com/sports/football_22848___article.html/program_prin.html), what will that do to Pool B? Seems like it was borderline this past year. Does it look like we might drop to two bids for '09?

Wow!  Do we call this the "Blackburn Domino"?

-Blackburn drops football.
-Principia reconsiders the success of its football program when one of the less-successful programs in its conference drops the sport, and decides to  suspend the sport.
-The remaining 4 SLIAC schools see how tenuous their position is.
-Pool A status for the SLIAC was projected for fall 2010.  The proverbial goal post just got moved into the future.

I recommend that the SLIAC and the UMAC go back to the table.

The 5-team UMAC and the 4-team SLIAC (plus 2 affilitates) can align along one conference's core.  Declare a divisional champion in single round-robin play.  Play the Dome Day games to declare the conference champion which can be the "Pool A Bid" team after two seasons of this format.  The NEFC has used this for its Pool A bid.  This format preserves the Pool A bid for these schools.  Principia would have a viable conference in which to resume its program.

(In the pipeline for provisional status are these football playing schools: William Jewell MO, Hastings NE, Doane NE and Concordia NE.  Each of these schools is going thru the observational year in 2008-09.  They could be full members in 2013-14.)

[formerd3db]

It's anyone's guess right at the moment as to how the SLIAC might handle this now unfortunate situation.  Ralph's proposal/suggestion has merit; yet what other possibilities do any of you see concerning the AQ for the league (such as any other schools coming in or again, perhaps Ralph's idea is the best option for the two leagues right now).

Although I saw it mentioned in the previous posts here, I was kind of hoping (no pun intended ) that the "rumor" of Principia going the same route as Blackburn was not true.  As of last evening, there was nothing posted on their athletic website to indicate that, however, as we now know, Pat has posted an article announcement here on D3fb.com.  While Principia did have a rather difficult situation in only having 30 players on its roster this past season, still I am surprised they chose this option.  There have been other DIII schools with extremely low turnout for rosters in past years and somehow, they have managed to survive and eventually improve the program.  I thought perhaps Principia would do the same, particularly in view of the fact that it was stated in the article by their spokeperson that $ was not "the issue".  On the other hand, I can understand, to a degree, perhaps the difficulty in recruiting student-athlete fooball players in view of the Christian Scientist affiliation although I am in no way saying and/or intending that in a negative conotation whatsoever - there is nothing wrong with that (in fact, I didn't recall/remember that - as it had been quite some time - a long time - since I read the history of that school as I often do - guess I must have forgotten that.  Nonetheless, it that aspect i.e. affiiliation doesn't matter.

It is always sad to see programs dropped.  Perhaps Principia will look into reinstating the program in some future year, although not so for Blackburn.  Yet as for Principia, it appears they do not desire to work on recruiting and strengthening the program at this current time.   We'll have to wait and see what transpires with the league and the AQ. 

Ralph - maybe you should run for league commissioner/lobbyist?!!

[Gray Fox]

I only saw Principia play once.  They were a gutsy, but overmatched bunch.  I hope they can come back.

Blackburn's president sounds sexist.  Maybe she wants to turn it into a girls school.

[Ralph Turner]

formerd3db, thanks for the kind words!

I made the comments to spark some thought among the brain trust in the SLIAC.

I love the conference and Pool Structure for D-III.  The Key to D-III is participation by the student-athlete.  Having an AQ conference is a goal for student-athletes among peer institutions.

Realistically, winning the conference and making the playoffs is the key!  There is just a degree of excitement and accomplishment. 

As for a level of competition, these two conferences are as close to peer conferences as we have in the Midwest.  They are small faith-based liberal arts institutions.  Across D3, we have seen schools add sports when there are games and a conference-structure available.  This initiative between two conferences that have football programs will grant better access to the playoffs.  Pool B is too unpredictable.  The answer is simple.  Commit to an AQ conference and move forward.   

Principia is trying to field a team.  They have had national success in other sports, so they understand what to do.  I respect their decision because their reasoning seems well-considered.

I really hope that these schools can work out something towards the Pool A.  Detractors may complain about the quality of the bid, but once again, participation is the key in D-III!

[theoneandonly]

I only saw Principia play once.  They were a gutsy, but overmatched bunch.  I hope they can come back.

Blackburn's president sounds sexist.  Maybe she wants to turn it into a girls school.

I agree, and i bet if we went and surveyed the blackburn athletes, they would agree too!

[formerd3db]

Ralph:

You are most welcome and once again, your opinions/comments are very well thought out and common sense reasoning as you always do.  I couldn't agree with you more on your philosophy and particularly the "key to DIII".  Let's hope that those two conferences can work something out as you outline.  There is no reason not too - it can only benefit them all the way around.  We'll see what transpires, if anything, in the next few months before pre-season rolls around in August. 

[formerd3db]

Speaking of the conference, I look at a school like Eureka.  They are no different with regard to size and facing the challenges in intercollegiate football than Blackburn and the others.  Eureka has a neat historic campus, a neat history in intercollegiate football (as do many of our DIII schools) and despite their small size of school and resultant recruiting base, they have managed and are focused on continuing and providing a great experience for their student-athletes.  The school student body seems to support them and, IMO, I don't care if 200-500 people only show up at a game there, it is still exciting small college football and that says alot.  We could cite many other small schools as similar examples around the country in DIII - Olivet in our conference is one yet it has made tremendous strides in recent years, made the commitment and has a stable program for a very historic fb program.  While it does take $, there are ways to do it and if schools like Eureka and Olivet can do it, so can others.  Again, hopefully Principia will be able to return at some point in the future (as Ralph has pointed out), although again, from what info has been offered/we've heard, it does not appear that will happen at Blackburn.  Again, IMO, very sad.  I'm glad a school like Eureka "stays the course" despite the challenges in keeping a coaching staff intact for stretches.  Then again, I guess I'm just a "traditionalist" and love the history involved as well as a minor tangent to all this i.e. aside from the great experience it provides for their student-athletes and other students and the community.   

[AF4]

It is a shame about Principia

i sit on the visitors side at Huntingdon Home games...in a lounge chair. i get to strike up conversations with visitor boosters, hard core sidline walking Huntingdon fans, etc

the Principia folks were real real nice. they had some very good athletes,  several would have started for any team we played , the problem was they had to go both ways. Huntingdon was (as usual) rotating DB's DL and LB's, wideouts, RB's almost every series... i guess , really the only ones that we don't rotate every 4-8 downs are the OL and QB, but those kids from Principia were out there against fresh legs..EVERY DOWN

that day our starting QB and an all SLIAC OL tackle didn't dress, we did dress ~120 kids and all played ... a bunch... Coach Turk tried to call off the dogs after the first quarter, but thier folks were tired, and well not quite use to our climate..

they were real tough, but just ~ 25 players dressed.  one of their managers/nurses/pt's told me they were very competitive in all sports but football.   she said ( just before the kick off with us)  they were considering suspending football

i wish them well

i would hope Huntingdon could find a home conference closer to the south...but ..u gots to do what u gots to do

keep the faith