FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

Minnesota fan here looking for some info. Are there any River Falls posters around? I sure hope so.

I'm wondering if freshmen Chris Biederman and/or Eric Ryan might see time for the Falcons this year? Both were absolute studs at RB/LB for their small school teams in high schools and I'm curious to see how quickly they might impact a historically poor program like UWRF.

 
I'm not the River Falls poster that you're looking for [and if I were, I would probably ignore your comment], but that's quite an insult directed at the UW-RF football team - and one that's not really historically accurate.  For sure, they don't have the conference championships like La Crosse or Whitewater, but your description of their program is rather harsh, IMO.

[Willy Wonka]

Well, let me clarify my statement then.

I'm a fan of the Gusties, who have a historically rich program. However, we've been borderline awful — especially of late — since winning our last conference title in 1987. Oddly enough, the Falcons appear to have a pretty similar past, at least in terms of conference titles.

And their web site is annoying to find recent records so I was a little lazy in my research

But my question remains...what have people seen from the UWRF rooks? Will any have an immediate impact?

[BoBo]

Well, let me clarify my statement then.

I'm a fan of the Gusties, who have a historically rich program. However, we've been borderline awful — especially of late — since winning our last conference title in 1987. Oddly enough, the Falcons appear to have a pretty similar past, at least in terms of conference titles.

And their web site is annoying to find recent records so I was a little lazy in my research

But my question remains...what have people seen from the UWRF rooks? Will any have an immediate impact?

I'm sorry, I got confused when you said 'historically'.  I just assumed you meant going BACK into history...not just the most recent 20 year history. 

But upon further review, if conference championships help to define a historically rich program, as you seem to imply, then your argument falls a bit short.  Since 1973, the Gusties have just that 1 championship you mentioned.  In that same period, UW-RF has 8 championships (outright or ties), with the latest coming in 1998. Eight to 1 as of late seems a little lopsided and not all that similar.  You must be seeing something that I don't.

Go here to find the all time season records of all the WIAC schools.

You might get away with saying the Gusties had a rich program in the 1950's, but 1 decade of dominating the MIAC doesn't make them a "historically rich" program.  It is true that 2001-2007 haven't been kind to the Falcons, but prior to that they have had a pretty solid program all time.  But if you want to label the Gusties "historically rich", you are going to have to upgrade UW-RF above "historically poor" if you care to be taken seriously.

[Willy Wonka]

Wow. Can you tell it's the offseason?...

I'm not looking for a fight. I'm simply looking for some info on the CURRENT Falcons.

[Pat Coleman]

Well, how you phrase a question tends to shape what kind of answer you get.

[magician]

In response to Willy, Biederman left team after 2 days.  RF also had Jason Zander who was the ALL NW Player of the Year (early signee with Bemidji State) go to RF but he to only practiced a day or so.  Meanwhile RF and LX both performed relatively well in the scrimmage.  RF will need to season the line, but do have a couple of quick tailbacks.  D looked much improved with the shutting down of big plays.  They (RF) looks like they can compete every game.  3-4 or 4-3 maybe.

[Barber Greene]

Warhawk roster has been posted

http://www.uwwsports.com/roster.asp?path=football

Great to see Rob Perry's name!

[AAHolder]

Schebs has told me that no punter has clearly stood out, and Leipold was still unsure. The snapping duties are set with separate snappers doing short/long. I'm unsure about the names however. 

[stealth]

Any clue as to which guys from the team last year stayed on as assistants to the assistants ?

Warhawk roster has been posted

http://www.uwwsports.com/roster.asp?path=football

Great to see Rob Perry's name!

[kestrel]

Willy Wonka, I saw your question and did a little legwork in your behalf.  Chris Biederman practiced once as second team TE before leaving camp.  Nick Zander left after three practices, and Eric Ryan stuck it out for eight or nine.  All small school kids, they may have been shocked by the physical and mental demands of the college game.  New D-coordinator out of Northern Illinois reportedly demands excellence and is very in your face about it. Kids from larger high school programs seem to be handling the intensity better, because most of the newcomers high on the depth chart come from schools of 1,200+.

[kestrel]

An ex-Blugold lineman and friend shared an interesting brochure (6 sides--8X10--front and back in full color) with me today: "First-and-10 - A Campaign to Secure Victory for UW - Eau Claire Football."  The donation categories start at $100,00 and go 75K, 50K, 25K, 10K, and 5K.  Quarterback Clubbers can get in for $1,000 and $500 annually. An entity called the Kell Blugold Football Opportunity Fund currently has endowment of $140K with a fund-raising goal of $2M, which would supplement the football budget to the tune of $80,000 per year (the school provides $60,000 currently). Admittedly, we're jealous over here in RF, but somehow it doesn't sound like D3 football anymore to me.

[BoBo]

Schebs has told me that no punter has clearly stood out, and Leipold was still unsure. The snapping duties are set with separate snappers doing short/long. I'm unsure about the names however. 

The Two Deep for the St. Xavier game lists SO Kris Rosholt as first team, with FR Jake Kusters in the backup role.  Snappers are not listed on the two deep.  Interestingly, 2 freshman starters on the OL at guard with seniors at tackle.  Eight more freshman in the two deep; only five SR starters. Needless to say, this is a very young team. 

[Barber Greene]

Schebs has told me that no punter has clearly stood out, and Leipold was still unsure. The snapping duties are set with separate snappers doing short/long. I'm unsure about the names however. 

The Two Deep for the St. Xavier game lists SO Kris Rosholt as first team, with FR Jake Kusters in the backup role.  Snappers are not listed on the two deep.  Interestingly, 2 freshman starters on the OL at guard with seniors at tackle.  Eight more freshman in the two deep; only five SR starters. Needless to say, this is a very young team. 

Bobo,

The two freshman guards are transfers, one from Minnesota State-Mankato and the other from Concordia-St. Paul. I am not sure whether they had practice or playing time with those schools.

Here is some into about one (plus a confirmation about the heredity of Eric Brewster ):

But don't feel bad for the Warhawks, whose success drew a nice group of transfers. Offensive lineman Matt Weber (Minnesota State-Mankato) and wide receiver Eric Brewster (Northern Arizona), son of Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster, are two of the newcomers expected to earn starting jobs.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/08/13/sports/00uwlfootball.txt

[BoBo]

An ex-Blugold lineman and friend shared an interesting brochure (6 sides--8X10--front and back in full color) with me today: "First-and-10 - A Campaign to Secure Victory for UW - Eau Claire Football."  The donation categories start at $100,00 and go 75K, 50K, 25K, 10K, and 5K.  Quarterback Clubbers can get in for $1,000 and $500 annually. An entity called the Kell Blugold Football Opportunity Fund currently has endowment of $140K with a fund-raising goal of $2M, which would supplement the football budget to the tune of $80,000 per year (the school provides $60,000 currently). Admittedly, we're jealous over here in RF, but somehow it doesn't sound like D3 football anymore to me.

Read about it here.

Consider: 

"Each year, players contribute nearly $500 per person for the opportunity to play Blugold football. This includes food and lodging expenses for pre-season training camps, shoes and other incidentals. If they remain with the program, the team covers these costs their senior year.

Since scholarships are not allowed in Division III, the program has little flexibility in helping a player or providing an incentive for a top player to play for the program. The main incentive for players to participate at the Division III level is the opportunity to continue their playing careers, to compete against some of the top Division III and to travel to different locations to play teams outside the conference."

I think they've identified some areas they can improve their program and are being proactive in getting it done.  I would call it trying to keep up with the Jones. 

As long as it's within the DIII rules and philosophy, I see nothing wrong with it.

[voice]

Schebs has told me that no punter has clearly stood out, and Leipold was still unsure. The snapping duties are set with separate snappers doing short/long. I'm unsure about the names however. 

The Two Deep for the St. Xavier game lists SO Kris Rosholt as first team, with FR Jake Kusters in the backup role.  Snappers are not listed on the two deep.  Interestingly, 2 freshman starters on the OL at guard with seniors at tackle.  Eight more freshman in the two deep; only five SR starters. Needless to say, this is a very young team. 

Bobo,

The two freshman guards are transfers, one from Minnesota State-Mankato and the other from Concordia-St. Paul. I am not sure whether they had practice or playing time with those schools.

Here is some into about one (plus a confirmation about the heredity of Eric Brewster ):

But don't feel bad for the Warhawks, whose success drew a nice group of transfers. Offensive lineman Matt Weber (Minnesota State-Mankato) and wide receiver Eric Brewster (Northern Arizona), son of Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster, are two of the newcomers expected to earn starting jobs.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/08/13/sports/00uwlfootball.txt

Both Ustruck and Weber are sophomores.  Both were starters on their respective teams in 2007.