FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

You could yell "Go Dutch!!!" at that game and not have to worry about the home fans beating you up for it!!!

[Floyd in Iowa City]

First of all thanks for the welcome. 
I'm new to posting but definitly not new to the IIAC!!

Since I did post the question I guess I can answer it myself.

1. Wartburg
2. Central
3. Luther
4. Coe
5. Simpson
6. Cornell
7. UD
8. Loras
9. BV

MVP:  Nick Yordi

Sleeper:  Luther

Overhyped:  Jury is still out!!!!

Luther was missing that element was great QB play.Feldt didn't play horrible, he didn't make many mistakes and he managed the game as best as he could, but he just didn't have the ablity to take over a game like a jackson or connell. Though luther had Sheridan, you know being one deminsional in this leauge isn't going to get you too far as you saw, 5-5. With Luther returning a much more experenced defense especially up front teams will have a much tougher time moving the ball. Also with the New coach taking over the offense I see a much more effective and balanced offense.They also have the top QB recruit in the state coming on campus and a very good QB with a year of college ball under his belt , and Remember they do still have two VERY good backs in Lamos and Bass. But it is only May will have to see what happens comes August.

I am going to play wait and see on whether the Norse are better than 5-5.  There are way too many moving parts/questions (replacing Stavast and Sherden, lack of experience/production at QB, new coach) in Decorah and on the Norse schedule (new coaches at Simpson, Coe, and St. Olaf).

There is another RB from Iowa Central who I guess looked pretty good this spring (for what spring ball is worth).

Part of being a smart coach is getting the ball to your best playmaker (WR Pearson in 2006, RB Sherden in 2007), but the Norse did things at times on offense in 2005-2007 like they had no other offensive talent other than the main playmakers.  2006 would be a great example where the Norse were among the nation's best in many offensive statistics, yet at times it seemed like it was about a star system in hoping that the Norse would win while the stars would put up all the important numbers.  There were clear games that year like Simpson and Dubuque where the Norse could have run the ball successfully many more times to balance out the Pearson pass game (and keep the Norse Defense off the field), yet the decisions were made to repeatedly throw the ball in the rain in Indianola or just run pass/run option stuff with Sweers.

The Norse had good offensive teams under Coach Hefty, so I do not mean to throw him under the bus.  I do hope for successful offensive balance this year, as I am not sure I have really seen a lot of games in recent years where the offense was clicking on the ground and in the air equally at the same time.

I do have hopes for the Norse Defense in 2008 based on the guys up front.  However, much like the Hawks, the back end of the Defense has questions to answer.

There won't be high expectations this year outside of the football program.  There really haven't been high expectations since 2005.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

Speaking of movies, I went and saw the new Indiana Jones movie last night.  I was a HUGE fan in my younger days.  I thought this latest installment was about what I expected.......a nice bit of nostalgia wrapped in the continued grooming of Shia Lebouf as a superstar.  The movie was good, not great, and entertaining, but not exciting.  They did do a nice job of making it look a lot like the old movies visually, but I was still hoping for more.  If you loved the first three, go and see it for no other reason than seeing the vintage hat in full effect.

I liked it clearly better than Temple of Doom (the 2nd of the Indiana movies), but it wasn't as good as Raiders or the Last Crusade films.  I still remember how much I enjoyed Last Crusade when it came out as I went to the movie after a high school baseball game my sophomore year.  I pitched a no-hitter against the eventual conference champs that night, so it was a pretty fun evening for someone that was 15 at the time.  Seeing Marion in this latest one reminded me of how much fun she was to look at and watch back when Raiders first came out.

[footballdaddy]

You mention softball kids game and then don't tell how it came out that is not very sensitive of you    you could at least brag on her some here too! Has she committed to the dark side yet?

I'm just trying to be modest. There are a lot of games between now and the end of the season so i don't want to bore anyone! But if you insist, they are 2-1 so far. Softball kid's batting average is around .300 with her only base hits being two doubles, but her obp is about .700 with a couple of walks and roe's. She's playing 3rd base this year and had a web gem last night catching a pop up while shoving her shortstop away to keep from having a collision.

On a side note, why is it that the worst parents are in softball and baseball. There was a father there last night who had two girls who started in the infield. All he did was stand at the outfield fence all night and yell at his daughters. I wouldn't say some of the thing he said in private,let alone yell it at them from 150 feet away. His girls must know how to shut him out, because most girls couldn't take that kind of yelling. It took all I had to keep from going over and telling him to shut up. My wife heard him from over 300 feet away.My heart went out to his girls.

[TheOne89.1]

I used to umpire 7th and 8th grade baseball and softball games at my high school when I was on break during college...and I can't agree with you more.  The things the parents would yell, not only at the players, but at the coaches and at me were ridiculous.  Especially at the Jr. High level.  They are still learning the game.  I would say that some of the comments were getting close to some of the things Coach Willis used to yell at the refs from the sideline.

[warthog]

Weekend Plans  

A new roof.  The last one was put on when Little Warthog was a pre-schooler and learning "big kid" words from his brother and older friends in the neighborhood.  I don't know if any Knight recruits are on the crew, but the project is being done by a former Knight WR who is coming back to M-town for the weekend.  I don't know if BB will be on the crew but I've put some Bud long necks on ice just in case.

On another topic, I know not every college president has the same ideas, but I hope the Wartburg Board of Regents hires a friend of athletics and music like Presidents Ohle and Vogel have been.  I get some kidding occasionally that Wartburg has become a jock school, but as long as teachers, preachers, doctors, accounts, business persons and other professionals keep graduating I'll be happy and I won't care what anyone says.  Wartburg has grown as athletic success has grown.

The last 10-15 year string of athletic success has made Wartburg a much more recognizable name to potential students.  Mrs. Warthog and I live 150 miles from Wartburg campus and in the past we would have a 2 minute where, what, why Wartburg before any conversation.  That doesn't happen any more.  Unfortunately the name recognition with Wartburg doesn't happen bcause of the tremendous success in training students to prepare for medical school and other health related post graduate schools, but it should.  People don't recognize the Wartburg name for cutting edge training in communication arts, but they should.  They don't recognize the Wartburg name for the hundreds of social workers who got their education there, but they should.   They don't recognize the Wartburg name for the preparation students entering law school receive, but they should.

No, the name recognition comes from national wrestling championships, NCAA golf tournaments, football playoff games, a world class distance runner, long strings of baseball championships, post-season softball games etc.

The athletic success at Wartburg has made a difference.  It wasn't that many years ago that Buzz Levick stood out as the only person one would think about if you said the word "coach" on the Wartburg campus.  Now with success in many areas more people are getting "Be Orange" fever.  

[DBQ1965]

ANyone got any Friday fun?

I put in my volunteer time this morning as a " Bus Buddy" at the Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.  Bus Buddies welcome the kids on school bus field trips and make sure everyone knows where they are going.  Actually, its great fun and a refreshing change from working with "adults" all my life.

This afternoon is lawn mowing time.  To bad the Spartans aren't playing.

Grand Rapids was a great city.  Went there to see the Gerald Ford Museum.  That was a great morning spent before the Hope game with Central. 

One of the best parts of the Gerald Ford Museum is seeing Tricky Dick's letter of resignation as POTUS.

[coocooforcoekohawk]

coocooforcoehawk,

see you signed in been a long time since you posted how are things with you?

DF2K4,
Thanks for the shout out.

Between the job, the kids, the rugby team and now softball I just can't keep up with the board.  Not to mention all the yard work.  Getting ready to host the Kohawk ragbrai team on the North Liberty stop.   

This has  been the best off season this board has seen.  I have to give Walston credit for his 1-100 idea.  No Karma!  Just credit.

[footballdaddy]

I used to umpire 7th and 8th grade baseball and softball games at my high school when I was on break during college...and I can't agree with you more.  The things the parents would yell, not only at the players, but at the coaches and at me were ridiculous.  Especially at the Jr. High level.  They are still learning the game.  I would say that some of the comments were getting close to some of the things Coach Willis used to yell at the refs from the sideline.

I've taken up photography as a hobby to help keep me from yelling unintended thigs like the f-bomb footballmommy dropped when footballkid hit a wide open saftey right between the numbers!

[Walston Hoover]

Warthog=The WTF women's team also has a legitimate shot at an outdoor national title this weekend- Stay tuned.

[DutchFan2004]

You could yell "Go Dutch!!!" at that game and not have to worry about the home fans beating you up for it!!!

EXACTLY.  You could not go home that day a loser if you were strictly rooting for the Dutch 

[DutchFan2004]

ANyone got any Friday fun?

I put in my volunteer time this morning as a " Bus Buddy" at the Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.  Bus Buddies welcome the kids on school bus field trips and make sure everyone knows where they are going.  Actually, its great fun and a refreshing change from working with "adults" all my life.

This afternoon is lawn mowing time.  To bad the Spartans aren't playing.

Grand Rapids was a great city.  Went there to see the Gerald Ford Museum.  That was a great morning spent before the Hope game with Central. 

One of the best parts of the Gerald Ford Museum is seeing Tricky Dick's letter of resignation as POTUS.

I agree.  There is a huge amount of history in there.  It was pretty fun to see.  If you are ever in the area it is well worth the time to take it in.

[DutchFan2004]

Weekend Plans  

A new roof.  The last one was put on when Little Warthog was a pre-schooler and learning "big kid" words from his brother and older friends in the neighborhood.  I don't know if any Knight recruits are on the crew, but the project is being done by a former Knight WR who is coming back to M-town for the weekend.  I don't know if BB will be on the crew but I've put some Bud long necks on ice just in case.

On another topic, I know not every college president has the same ideas, but I hope the Wartburg Board of Regents hires a friend of athletics and music like Presidents Ohle and Vogel have been.  I get some kidding occasionally that Wartburg has become a jock school, but as long as teachers, preachers, doctors, accounts, business persons and other professionals keep graduating I'll be happy and I won't care what anyone says.  Wartburg has grown as athletic success has grown.

The last 10-15 year string of athletic success has made Wartburg a much more recognizable name to potential students.  Mrs. Warthog and I live 150 miles from Wartburg campus and in the past we would have a 2 minute where, what, why Wartburg before any conversation.  That doesn't happen any more.  Unfortunately the name recognition with Wartburg doesn't happen bcause of the tremendous success in training students to prepare for medical school and other health related post graduate schools, but it should.  People don't recognize the Wartburg name for cutting edge training in communication arts, but they should.  They don't recognize the Wartburg name for the hundreds of social workers who got their education there, but they should.   They don't recognize the Wartburg name for the preparation students entering law school receive, but they should.

No, the name recognition comes from national wrestling championships, NCAA golf tournaments, football playoff games, a world class distance runner, long strings of baseball championships, post-season softball games etc.

The athletic success at Wartburg has made a difference.  It wasn't that many years ago that Buzz Levick stood out as the only person one would think about if you said the word "coach" on the Wartburg campus.  Now with success in many areas more people are getting "Be Orange" fever.  

Warthog,

I may beg to differ a little on that point.  When son #2 went to look for a school he looked for a school with a rep that could get him into a medical school.  He knew that he also wanted to play some tennis.  Wartburg came up on a very short list of schools to look at and after going there for a visit he didn't want to go any place else.  When #3 son started to look at college he got his letters from UI and ISU come look at us maybe walk on.  Central made the first contact with him and invited him to camp the summer before senior year.  He went to camp and then made all state QB and then got some attention from the rest of the IIAC.  He was torn between Wartburg and Central and during that time is when we really found out about the long list of good athletics at Wartburg.  If Coach Kac had stayed at Central I think #3 would have been a Knight but when Coach Mac came and talked to him he really felt at ease with him.  I do agree that Wartburg is known but I think the whole IIAC is still a huge secret to much of the kids in Iowa.  I agree and hope that they get a good President to replace Ohle.  He is a great guy and will be missed greatly. 

[sportsknight]

Former Waldorf President and Wartburg alum William Hamm named Wartburg Interim President...
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/05/23/news/breaking_news/doc48371d1c90114625353690.txt

Also, congrats to Alfred E. Neumann for his recognition for 20 years of service to Wartburg.

[Klopenhiemer]

Weekend Plans  

A new roof.  The last one was put on when Little Warthog was a pre-schooler and learning "big kid" words from his brother and older friends in the neighborhood.  I don't know if any Knight recruits are on the crew, but the project is being done by a former Knight WR who is coming back to M-town for the weekend.  I don't know if BB will be on the crew but I've put some Bud long necks on ice just in case.

On another topic, I know not every college president has the same ideas, but I hope the Wartburg Board of Regents hires a friend of athletics and music like Presidents Ohle and Vogel have been.  I get some kidding occasionally that Wartburg has become a jock school, but as long as teachers, preachers, doctors, accounts, business persons and other professionals keep graduating I'll be happy and I won't care what anyone says.  Wartburg has grown as athletic success has grown.

The last 10-15 year string of athletic success has made Wartburg a much more recognizable name to potential students.  Mrs. Warthog and I live 150 miles from Wartburg campus and in the past we would have a 2 minute where, what, why Wartburg before any conversation.  That doesn't happen any more.  Unfortunately the name recognition with Wartburg doesn't happen bcause of the tremendous success in training students to prepare for medical school and other health related post graduate schools, but it should.  People don't recognize the Wartburg name for cutting edge training in communication arts, but they should.  They don't recognize the Wartburg name for the hundreds of social workers who got their education there, but they should.   They don't recognize the Wartburg name for the preparation students entering law school receive, but they should.

No, the name recognition comes from national wrestling championships, NCAA golf tournaments, football playoff games, a world class distance runner, long strings of baseball championships, post-season softball games etc.

The athletic success at Wartburg has made a difference.  It wasn't that many years ago that Buzz Levick stood out as the only person one would think about if you said the word "coach" on the Wartburg campus.  Now with success in many areas more people are getting "Be Orange" fever.  

Warthog,

I may beg to differ a little on that point.  When son #2 went to look for a school he looked for a school with a rep that could get him into a medical school.  He knew that he also wanted to play some tennis.  Wartburg came up on a very short list of schools to look at and after going there for a visit he didn't want to go any place else.  When #3 son started to look at college he got his letters from UI and ISU come look at us maybe walk on.  Central made the first contact with him and invited him to camp the summer before senior year.  He went to camp and then made all state QB and then got some attention from the rest of the IIAC.  He was torn between Wartburg and Central and during that time is when we really found out about the long list of good athletics at Wartburg.  If Coach Kac had stayed at Central I think #3 would have been a Knight but when Coach Mac came and talked to him he really felt at ease with him.  I do agree that Wartburg is known but I think the whole IIAC is still a huge secret to much of the kids in Iowa.  I agree and hope that they get a good President to replace Ohle.  He is a great guy and will be missed greatly. 

One would be suprised how many people know the IIAC outside the state of Iowa.  You would be suprised how many people recognize BV, Central, Loras, and Wartburg here in the windy city.  Some went to CCIW schools and were athletes so it does not take long to make he connection, others just know the conference in general. 

I have had conversation with head hunters who like recruiting kids from the IIAC and CCIW stating these schools bring a lot of merit with their education.