FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[retagent]

I hope this doesn't take up too much time and space, but I feel I have to address a couple points that have been brought up a number of times.

Some are against bringing up the past, saying it has no relevance. However, the fact that St. John's has perennial top 10 teams is due to, IMHO, two things that are somewhat dependent on each other.

First John Gagliardi, and the entire coaching staff that he has put into place. They know how to "coach 'em up" and they know how to evaluates talent and make adjustments. Look at how well they play after the half, as well as how well they play against the best competition. In the past two Stagg Bowl appearances, they have held Mt Union to 60 points less than they scored the previous week, and lost in 2000 on a last second field goal, and, as we are all too eager to repeat, won the 2003 Stagg 24 (should have been 28) - 6. Obviously, this underlines that the coaching staff sees things that others seem not to.

Secondly, and this follows directly from the first point, they get good atletes/football players year after year after year. This is not an accident. Good players want to play for good coaches in good programs.

As an afterthought, there are still a fairly high number of players that started on the 2003 team, three offensive linemen, a DB, and not least of all, D Dumonceaux. Theere are also a number of others that got significant playing time.

When we refer to the past, we can't always go through the long version of why we think it's important, we expect others to understand why. Obviously this is not the case. It's much harder to make the case for a team showing up in the polls periodically. Many wonder if that team is as good as they are, since it appears to be an anomoly.  It may be unfair and wrong, but I think it is human nature. If a WIAC team, e.g. UWW makes a strong showing in the playoffs this year, people will be much more inclined to look at them more favorably next year. We can't help it, that's the way we are.

[footballfan413]

What an impressive resume!  Kudos to the Johnnies as well. But if all you fans want to do is come on the WIAC web site and rant and rave about your history than don't be surpised when the WIAC family gets tired of it!  We get it!! You have a good program, you have a good coach, you have a winning tradition in the play-offs!!!  You also have your own web page, the MIAC!  Don't keep coming into our house (WIAC page) and just talk trash!  You want respect from us than respect us as well, especially the 8-0 record-breaking 2005 UWW Warhawks.  They don't really need my defending.  They do their talking on the field.  The 2005 field! 

[retagent]

I'm sorry that I am such a big "Trash Talker" Funny, I read it over twice just to try to insure I was being respectful and explanatory. Maybe I'm just one of those Cave Man types who graduated from SJU. "I'll have the roast duck, with the Mango Salsa."

[footballfan413]

The context of the posting wasn't disrespectful, just condesending.  The implication was, "let me spell out for you slow learners why SJU is so awsome.'  It also implied that UWW will get no recognition for what they have already and may accomplish in the future because they are an "anomoly. "   Maybe next year, huh!  That's ok.  If they have to carry around the mantle of "WIAC teams don't have a good play-off record," that's ok, too.  They have broad shoulders.  I like the underdog role. I think it will work for us.   It will just piss the boys off and I have seen them play football when they are pissed off! 

[WSUFan]

Some are against bringing up the past, saying it has no relevance. However, the fact that St. John's has perennial top 10 teams is due to, IMHO, two things that are somewhat dependent on each other.

Sometimes it depends on what context you put that history in.

I don't think anyone here denies the fact that SJU has perennial top 10 teams or the solid history of the program. I will go out on a limb and say once again that Concordia has not been a perennial top 10 team year in and year out.

The WIAC has a 20-17 (.541) record in D3 playoffs. Since the expansion of the playoffs it is 3-8 (.273). Since the playoff expansion, SJU is the only MIAC team to 'run the table' as ritz72 put it. Concordia and Bethel have combined for a 1-4 record during that time. SJU is 3-0 against the WIAC during that same stretch and Bethel was 0-1.

The point being, you can't run smack against the WIAC for being 3-8 and comapre it to a MIAC teams success (Concordia) in the NAIA during the '50s and '60s, which to me, seemed to have happened.

[johnniebread]

I have an important announcement....due to, as one SJU poster put it, "300 pound linemen who's 40's are timed with a calendar", Linfield, SJU, and Mount Union there will be no December football again this year for the WIAC.

[footballfan413]

See,  Trash Talk.  You Johnny Boys just do not know how to play nice!  Maybe if we quit playing with you, you will go home!! (to the MIAC web page.)

[Pat Coleman]

Ahem. I recall deleting a post from someone not playing nice earlier today. Little bit pot calling the kettle black, methinks.

[TC]

Its hard to understand the absolute disregard from the SJU faithful for EC or WW's chances against you in the playoffs.  I know you already beat EC this year but come on, of all the teams in D3 football they are the one team that can say that they have consistently had success against the Johnnies.  Yet the arrogance continues.  Well you may beat EC (or whomever) in the first round but you will not make it out of the West so talk now while you can, unless Linfield and WW are shipped out of the West, but maybe since the ole ball coach is such a legend they will do that out of fear of the Johnnies.

EC:  The team with consistant success against SJU.
SJU:  The team that consistantly wins the West Region.

See the difference?

[footballfan413]

You are right, Pat.  Point well taken.  I did apologize right after when I realized my mistake!  Hope you saw that as well.

[TC]

Kiltedrat,
     That is why the WIAC is considered one "the toughtest conferences" in the country because alot of teams end up tied at the top.  It has alot of parity.  And he was referring to WW when he said they were second or third every year.  UWW played LAX the last two years the final game of the season with a conference championship on the line.  The winner went on to the play-offs. The loser ended up in a tie for second.

Let's see, a lot of teams tied at the top and one and done in the playoffs...  Does that remind anyone else of the 2005 NFC North? 


But enough joking around.  It is good to see the West kick some major ass this year.  My levels of football fandom are as follows:  (1) SJU, (2) MIAC, (3) West Region, and (4) Whoever is playing MUC.  With that in mind, I think it would be great for UW-WW (and UW-EC) to be shipped to the North Region and take out MUC.  True, part of this is because it would make the West easier for SJU, but any region with Linfield, SJU, Concordia and Oxy in it is no free pass.

In the end, let's just be glad that D-III has a playoff so the teams can decide it on the field. 

As long as people are looking to take shots at SJU, might as well point out that you forgot a few things:
--Needed a last second, miracle TD to beat Concordia-Moorhead
--SJU has lost 12 fumbles and thrown 10 interceptions (including a -1 TO margin through first 4 games)
--One starting D-lineman is a converted halfback, another is generously listed at 210 lbs.
--Ran 25 times for -17 yards against Concordia
--Played a worthless non-conference game against utterly talentless Northwestern.
--Captain Jamie Steffensmeier was injured for the year in the first game of the season.

So, yeah, pile on all you want.  I know how good WW is--Christ, Gagliardi told me that they don't just pull their kids out of the corridors, you know.  I guess we'll just have to see how the games play out. 

But I like the Johnnies' chances.  A lot. 

[Kilted Rat]

Kiltedrat,
   I want to sincerely apolgize for my Doctor cracks.  That is usually not my style and it was a moment of emotional weakness.  Sorry! 

No worries, I have thick skin. Unfortunately I was at class and missed whatever Pat deleted.

The only reason I brought up what I was in school for was because someone insinuated that I didn't have a job. I'm definitely not bragging about it, especially considering I am only a year and a half in and have a long way to go yet!


All I can say is I hope SJU gets to meet up with a WIAC team this postseason so we can talk about an actual game and not just compare who beat whom by more in 1965.

[footballfan413]

It actually wasn't a reference to you!  My apology was sincere.  Good luck in med school. 

[Kilted Rat]

Much appreciated!

[ritz72]

WSU...

When I said "Run the Table" it was in reference to conference play. NOT PLAYOFFS!!!