FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[ScreamingEagles]

http://www.uwlathletics.com/news/2015/3/18/GEN_0318154526.aspx?path=general

News from UWL today - Kim Blum, the Interim Director of Athletics, has permanently gotten the job.  Will have some big shoes to fill after Josh Whitman left for Wash U, particularly from a fundraising standpoint with continuing state cuts.

Congratulations Kim!

[Pat Coleman]

http://www.uwlathletics.com/news/2015/3/18/GEN_0318154526.aspx?path=general

News from UWL today - Kim Blum, the Interim Director of Athletics, has permanently gotten the job.  Will have some big shoes to fill after Josh Whitman left for Wash U, particularly from a fundraising standpoint with continuing state cuts.

Congratulations Kim!

Speaking of UW-La Crosse, athletics and fundraising, how solid is the funding for the baseball program these days?

[ScreamingEagles]

http://www.uwlathletics.com/news/2015/3/18/GEN_0318154526.aspx?path=general

News from UWL today - Kim Blum, the Interim Director of Athletics, has permanently gotten the job.  Will have some big shoes to fill after Josh Whitman left for Wash U, particularly from a fundraising standpoint with continuing state cuts.

Congratulations Kim!

Speaking of UW-La Crosse, athletics and fundraising, how solid is the funding for the baseball program these days?

That I'm not really sure about - I know that initially they raised quite a bit of money but I don't know what the follow up on that has been.

We did sign an agreement with the La Crosse Loggers two years ago to play home games at Copeland Park.  We helped them raise money to put FieldTurf in the infield and do other upgrades to the stadium, and in return they donate money yearly to the baseball program.  This helps pay for their expenses but I'm not sure if it's all that they need or not.

http://www.uwlathletics.com/sports/2014/7/14/BB_0714142722.aspx?tab=copelandpark

[bulk19]

http://www.uwlathletics.com/news/2015/3/18/GEN_0318154526.aspx?path=general

News from UWL today - Kim Blum, the Interim Director of Athletics, has permanently gotten the job.  Will have some big shoes to fill after Josh Whitman left for Wash U, particularly from a fundraising standpoint with continuing state cuts.

Congratulations Kim!

Speaking of UW-La Crosse, athletics and fundraising, how solid is the funding for the baseball program these days?

I see Screaming Eagles has posted stuff here, too, but rather than edit what I've written, I'll just send it on through here...

I forget who has reported what, and where I've read it (including on D3 baseball)... but some background info for those who are not aware of it:
Back in 2011 the La Crosse Loggers, a Northwoods League team, began fundrasing efforts to assist UWL and its program... The Loggers donated proceeds from its annual winter bbq to UWL, a treat to attend, since special guests included HOFers Robin Yount and Paul Molitor...

Since then, the Loggers and UWL have partnered together to keep the UWL program alive, although at this point I'm not sure how many more seasons UWL's program is covered for... I know I've seen a story or two since 2011, and some fairly recently, regarding the status of the program and fundrasing, but am at a loss as to a direct answer to Pat's particular question...

The Loggers announced last fall they'd be renovating Copeland Park, a stadium it now shares with UWL, to the tune of nearly $1 million, including upgrading concessions stands and restrooms, and adding a ticket booth and retail store... It's really turning out to be a nice facility, and has seen the likes of Chris Sale and Max Scherzer take the mound, and several WIAC players who have played in the league over the years...

I know UWL has its annual NCAA Final Four party fundrasing party coming up, too, sponsored in part by the Loggers... I've been to a few in EC, and had fun. I'm not sure how many WIAC schools have something similar? But it's an event worth looking into if your particular school doesn't host one...

[emma17]

The recent discussion paired with much of the back and forth this year on the board are why I've chosen not to post regularly.  I realize that it's the offseason and there isn't much to talk about, but when each post gets dissected down to the very minute details it makes it hard for others to want to join in.

I don't believe that it is the intention of UWW fans to exclude anyone from commenting, but the few times that I have posted this year went without much of a response or got lost in another discussion.  I read the board pretty regularly and try to keep up with what's going on over here but when it comes to actually participating I guess I don't feel like my posts getting picked apart letter by letter.  Whether UWW fans feel its fair or not, discussions on whether other D3 head coaches are good enough candidates for their job or how many quality coaches didn't apply because of their own career aspirations comes across a bit arrogant, but that's not the problem.  When they are followed by 10+ pages of analyzing each post and who said what it becomes downright excruciating and is what turns people off from contributing. 

In defense of the UWW posters, it does seem like when a poster from another WIAC school contributes they go out of their way to engage them in hopes of spurring more posters from other schools to join in.  I'm going to try to be more active here and see how it goes (and if I actually have enough time outside of work to contribute).  Hopefully we can find some regular posters from schools other than UWW to help add to the discussion.

ScreamingEagle, the bolded sentence is especially a great point and I accept responsibility for carrying an issue on too long.  I recognize it doesn't do much to enhance the enjoyment of participating on the boards and I'll certainly make a concerted effort to reduce my personal debates with some on these boards.

As for your participation here, I sure hope you and other non UWW'ers get more involved. 

[BDB]

Good Lord, we don't need to lose another WIAC baseball program.

[bleedpurple]

http://www.uwlathletics.com/news/2015/3/18/GEN_0318154526.aspx?path=general

News from UWL today - Kim Blum, the Interim Director of Athletics, has permanently gotten the job.  Will have some big shoes to fill after Josh Whitman left for Wash U, particularly from a fundraising standpoint with continuing state cuts.

Congratulations Kim!

Speaking of UW-La Crosse, athletics and fundraising, how solid is the funding for the baseball program these days?

I see Screaming Eagles has posted stuff here, too, but rather than edit what I've written, I'll just send it on through here...

I forget who has reported what, and where I've read it (including on D3 baseball)... but some background info for those who are not aware of it:
Back in 2011 the La Crosse Loggers, a Northwoods League team, began fundrasing efforts to assist UWL and its program... The Loggers donated proceeds from its annual winter bbq to UWL, a treat to attend, since special guests included HOFers Robin Yount and Paul Molitor...

Since then, the Loggers and UWL have partnered together to keep the UWL program alive, although at this point I'm not sure how many more seasons UWL's program is covered for... I know I've seen a story or two since 2011, and some fairly recently, regarding the status of the program and fundrasing, but am at a loss as to a direct answer to Pat's particular question...

The Loggers announced last fall they'd be renovating Copeland Park, a stadium it now shares with UWL, to the tune of nearly $1 million, including upgrading concessions stands and restrooms, and adding a ticket booth and retail store... It's really turning out to be a nice facility, and has seen the likes of Chris Sale and Max Scherzer take the mound, and several WIAC players who have played in the league over the years...

I know UWL has its annual NCAA Final Four party fundrasing party coming up, too, sponsored in part by the Loggers... I've been to a few in EC, and had fun. I'm not sure how many WIAC schools have something similar? But it's an event worth looking into if your particular school doesn't host one...

It is GREAT to see how Robin Yount and Paul Molitor give back to baseball. The UW-L/Logger partnership seems similar to Concordia University Wisconsin's arrangement with the Lakeshore Chinooks in the building and use of Kapco Park.  In building their mutually used stadium, Jim Kacmarcik (Chinooks majority owner) donated $1 million and CUW was to fundraise the remaining $2.5 million of the planned $3.5 million structure. Fundraising efforts fell short and a number of short-cuts were made to be able to open the park.  While the park is a bit disjointed, it is still a fun place to take in a game.  Robin Yount and Bob Uecker are minority owners of the Chinooks. 

[bleedpurple]

http://www.uwlathletics.com/news/2015/3/18/GEN_0318154526.aspx?path=general

News from UWL today - Kim Blum, the Interim Director of Athletics, has permanently gotten the job.  Will have some big shoes to fill after Josh Whitman left for Wash U, particularly from a fundraising standpoint with continuing state cuts.

Congratulations Kim!

Congratulations to Ms Blum as well. It looks like she has a strong administration background from her bio.  Obviously, UW-L has a strong overall athletic program. It will be interesting to see if she has any impact either way in the continuing effort to resurrect UW-L football. 

[ScreamingEagles]

http://www.uwlathletics.com/news/2015/3/18/GEN_0318154526.aspx?path=general

News from UWL today - Kim Blum, the Interim Director of Athletics, has permanently gotten the job.  Will have some big shoes to fill after Josh Whitman left for Wash U, particularly from a fundraising standpoint with continuing state cuts.

Congratulations Kim!

Congratulations to Ms Blum as well. It looks like she has a strong administration background from her bio.  Obviously, UW-L has a strong overall athletic program. It will be interesting to see if she has any impact either way in the continuing effort to resurrect UW-L football.

She'll have an interesting choice after this next year if the team goes 3-7 again.  In Larry Terry's final four years he went:

2007: 5-4
2008: 3-7
2009: 5-5
2010: 3-7

Coach Dettwiler's first four have been:

2011: 3-7
2012: 4-6
2013: 3-7
2014: 3-7

Arguments can be made that we have played a tough non-conference schedule every year (Mary Hardin Baylor, North Central, St. Thomas, UWW twice in a season), but there really hasn't been any improvement.  UWL has essentially a brand new stadium and weight room, and the athletics department has upped the funding to four full-time assistant coaches (from Larry Terry being the only full time coach in his time here) but the results are the same.  After four years at the helm, Dettwiler has all his own players and a hand-picked coaching staff so any excuses are running thin.  If they go 3-7 again I can't imagine he would keep his job, but that's only if Blum has the strength to make that decision.  All of her interviews and lead up to the job says she does but we will see.

[emma17]

^^
I felt UWL was a much better team than their records indicated in 2011 and 2012.
They played a tough style of football and although they didn't win many, there was reason for optimism.
I don't know what happened with 2013 and 14, especially 2014. I believe we posted about their really poor showing against UWW- a truly surprising lack of energy in all aspects.

UWL has definitely played a tough non-conf schedule and the injuries at QB have prevented sustained improvement at that position.

I've no idea if it's a coaching thing but I do hope they return to relevance.

[ExTartanPlayer]

Arguments can be made that we have played a tough non-conference schedule every year (Mary Hardin Baylor, North Central, St. Thomas, UWW twice in a season), but there really hasn't been any improvement.  UWL has essentially a brand new stadium and weight room, and the athletics department has upped the funding to four full-time assistant coaches (from Larry Terry being the only full time coach in his time here) but the results are the same.  After four years at the helm, Dettwiler has all his own players and a hand-picked coaching staff so any excuses are running thin.  If they go 3-7 again I can't imagine he would keep his job, but that's only if Blum has the strength to make that decision.  All of her interviews and lead up to the job says she does but we will see.

This is JMO, but I'm generally not in favor of canning D3 coaches for wins and losses.  Worth stating up front before we delve into this post further.

So, with that seed planted, let me ask this: is there some reason (in either direction) that UW-LAX should be especially good (or struggle) relative to their conference peers in football?  I don't know enough to comment about the respective WIAC schools, but can one of y'all give me a brief rundown of key differences (size, geographic location, proximity to good HS talent, academic attractions, turnoffs) that make it easier/harder to succeed at the respective institutions?

Basically, it's hard for me to imagine firing a D3 coach for wins-and-losses alone unless the product on the field has gotten truly putrid (like no wins for three straight seasons) or unless it's a place that should be set up for much bigger success than it's having.  If there's other stuff behind the scenes, fine, but if the guy is a good ambassador, fundraises well enough, graduates his kids then I'm usually hard-pressed to think that D3 coaches should be fired for W's and L's alone.

13-27 in four years is, well, not good, but is it really fireable?  This isn't the Big Ten.

[ScreamingEagles]

Arguments can be made that we have played a tough non-conference schedule every year (Mary Hardin Baylor, North Central, St. Thomas, UWW twice in a season), but there really hasn't been any improvement.  UWL has essentially a brand new stadium and weight room, and the athletics department has upped the funding to four full-time assistant coaches (from Larry Terry being the only full time coach in his time here) but the results are the same.  After four years at the helm, Dettwiler has all his own players and a hand-picked coaching staff so any excuses are running thin.  If they go 3-7 again I can't imagine he would keep his job, but that's only if Blum has the strength to make that decision.  All of her interviews and lead up to the job says she does but we will see.

This is JMO, but I'm generally not in favor of canning D3 coaches for wins and losses.  Worth stating up front before we delve into this post further.

So, with that seed planted, let me ask this: is there some reason (in either direction) that UW-LAX should be especially good (or struggle) relative to their conference peers in football?  I don't know enough to comment about the respective WIAC schools, but can one of y'all give me a brief rundown of key differences (size, geographic location, proximity to good HS talent, academic attractions, turnoffs) that make it easier/harder to succeed at the respective institutions?

Basically, it's hard for me to imagine firing a D3 coach for wins-and-losses alone unless the product on the field has gotten truly putrid (like no wins for three straight seasons) or unless it's a place that should be set up for much bigger success than it's having.  If there's other stuff behind the scenes, fine, but if the guy is a good ambassador, fundraises well enough, graduates his kids then I'm usually hard-pressed to think that D3 coaches should be fired for W's and L's alone.

13-27 in four years is, well, not good, but is it really fireable?  This isn't the Big Ten.

I totally understand and agree for the most part about not necessarily firing a D3 coach for strict wins and losses.  UWL is a bit unique in the conference as far as past success with National Championships/Conference Championships with us being back to back to back WIAC Champs as recently as 2002/2003/2004.  Our fanbase is used to a much higher level of product - not saying that they expect National Titles every year but they do expect a much more competitive team. 

I may have been a bit harsh by saying he should be fired for another below average season.  The school has put much more resources into football, including more full-time coaches, a dedicated sports performance center, and our relatively new stadium.  I think the main idea here is if we have put so many more resources into football and spent the money to improve the program, then why is our record exactly the same?  This ultimately comes back on the coach, although more than four seasons is probably required to make that judgement.

As far as why UWL should be especially good relative to conference peers is simple - we have been in the past.  Things change for sure over time, I know that the academic standards to get into UWL have risen dramatically over the past 10+ years which I'm sure has some effect.  From a geographic perspective, UWP and UWW have had much success with recruits from Illinois which in most cases isn't a recruiting area for us, and the local high school football scene isn't particularly strong.  The academic reputation of the school is fantastic, and the campus is beautiful so I only see those as a positive.  I just think there isn't any reason for UWL to be a 3-7 team each year with so many things going for us and at some point it comes back to coaching.

[bulk19]

As a casual observer of the UWL team during Coach D's first four seasons, I'll throw in some thoughts based on seeing a handful of games, listening to them on the radio, reading newpaper accounts, and listening to interviews and tv clips:

Emma hit on two points - the QB spot has been in a flux, in part to injuries there, and (as SE notes) they have played a tough non-con schedule to open each year, so they seem to be trying to dig out of that hole each season...

My overall viewpoint is that for the most part they've been competitive, losing by less than 10, and they've been close to turning the corner. But they have shot themselves in the foot countless times over those four seasons... Stupid mistakes and bad bounces, to use a cliche... Some of those mistakes probably fall on the head coach's shoulders, but... I sense they are more frustrated with the results they have had, rather than disappointed, if that makes any sense...

Not being in the locker room, I'm not sure how the team responds to Coach D, nor how the administration feels, either?... I've liked what I've seen, though... And I do see glimpses at times where they have had some of the UWL swagger of old, and yet paradoxically there have also been times when they have just been plain flat... 

There's a more recent, concerted effort by the athletics department to market and promote its teams, to sustain the success it's had in its other programs, and to improve the others... And to bring D3 schools here for the national stage, hosting several championships over the last three or four years, and some upcoming events, too...

Some of the concerns Coach Terry had have been addressed, too... Perhaps the football team is just caught in a downward cycle right now? (Like I hope my EC Blugolds mens' basketall team is... The pain, oh the pain.  )

[emma17]

Wasn't there a really well done marketing video released not too long ago for UWL? 
I think it celebrated the many UWL national accomplishments while showing some great clips of the campus.
Not that one video will make all the difference but it was an initial effort.

[ScreamingEagles]

Wasn't there a really well done marketing video released not too long ago for UWL? 
I think it celebrated the many UWL national accomplishments while showing some great clips of the campus.
Not that one video will make all the difference but it was an initial effort.

https://youtu.be/ks8MZ1CEDtI

An alum that played on one of the National Title teams owns a video production business and did this video (and others) back in 2011, coinciding with Dettwiler's first season as head coach.  It was a nice initial effort but the team's performance did not live up to the videos so far.

If you search around on Richter Studio's YouTube channel you will find a few more UWL Football videos, one on the track and field program, and also one for the NCAA Wrestling Championships that were held in La Crosse in 2012.  Might see a familiar location in that one (I think).