FB: American Rivers Conference

[Fannosaurus Rex]

Anybody else see the Cubs game the other night when the douchebag out in centerfield threw a beer at the Phillies centerfielder?  Turns out the beer-tosser is a former Loras soccer player.  A Loras soccer player that's also a douchebag?  I, for one, am shocked. 

A Dutchman would never do such a thing.  Wrigley Field beer is like $6 or $7 a cup.

[SpeedKills84]

All this leads back the to terrible return rate Cornell has.  Someones gotta start keeping these kids around...whether its coaches making promises they can't keep or the vast amounts of corn out there.  Someone's gotta sit back and figure out what's making these kids bail or you are not going to see any type of improvement on the field.

I don't think it's the football, its the academics.  In a world where multi-taskers thrive the one class at a time curriculum cannot be preparing students for todays world.  
The one class at a time curriculum has gone the way of the VHS tape, the fax machine, and other things that were kinda cool in the eighties.
Ya, Cornell was kinda cool in the eighties, but not anymore.

I partially agree.  I don't know that it is outdated.  I think that too many people underestimate the amount of work and dedication the schedule takes.  Compounded with athletics it would be reasonable to understand why some may not be able to do both...or just may not like it for that matter.  Its an academic school first and athletic well umm...maybe fourth?

[Walston Hoover]

I guess special teams don't count then.  Either way, there is no ax to grind.  I don't know where you are getting that from.  I have nothing but good things to say about him.  Funny thing is I did help keep him at Cornell, he just gave up football in favor of track.    After I graduated and moved across the country, there is only so much one can do.  I talked to him about it a few times, and in the end there was not a good enough reason for him to stay.  Which I think reflects on the school at that point more than anything else.  Someone has to ask why about 55%, on average, of the kids return to the football team after their freshman year.  Apparently I'm the only one.  

Actually, I imagine at D3, 55-60% of freshmen coming back is about average.
A lot of guys will just flat out decide its not for them.
Its when your freshmen recruiting class is 30 as opposed to 50-60 that you notice that average quite a bit more.

[Purple Heys]

I guess special teams don't count then.

Hmm...let's see...  Punt return Avg 4.1 yards per return.  Nothing eye-popping about that.  "But fors" don't count.   Kick Return avg., 20.2 yards per.  Good but not great.  That put him, in terms of avg. yards per kick return, at 4th on the team.  I am just not buying your assertion as to his actual value versus your perceived value of his contribution.

In fairness, and I will reiterate what I stated about him, I expected more in his sophomore season.  The kid is no question very fast, and he does have the potential to be a very good return man and a Sproles-like scat-back.  On that basis I was sorry to see he elected not to return in 2008.  And further I am glad for him that he is playing football again and hope he has success everywhere but against the Rams.  But again, and here is the point, we didn't have him on 2008, so we won't miss him in 2009.  We moved on, last year, so should you now.

This kind of reminds me of a lanky receiver we had in 2005 that decided not to come back out for the 2006.  That kid looked to have some promise, but statistically speaking, his stats were marginal at best.  He was not missed in 2006.  He left and I guess he had his reasons.  I can respect that; unless he were to come back and irresponsibly accuse his Alma Mater of "retention issues" irrespective of associated individual, personal, academic or social issues.

[Purple Heys]

I think that too many people underestimate the amount of work and dedication the schedule takes.  Compounded with athletics it would be reasonable to understand why some may not be able to do both...or just may not like it for that matter.  Its an academic school first and athletic well umm...maybe fourth?

Now you are talking sense...I know that John Cochrane (Cornell AD) is making a concerted effort to bring athletics at Cornell, on the whole, more in line with its academic standing.  And there is no reason why they shouldn't at least try...especially since it appears to be working.

In the last couple of years there have been many pockets of success and across the board improvements on all athletic programs.  Though perhaps it is least reflected in the football team given it's 0-10 record last year; I would say that Mr. Cochrane's efforts are progressing in a positive manner and I see good things ahead for all Cornell's athletic programs.

[Purple Heys]

I know this because Mr. Cochrane answers my emails and has open lines of communication...Just like Coach Dillon...just like SID Kerry Kahl.  Just like every other department I have EVER contacted at the school.

That's what I REALLY appreciate about Cornell.

[doolittledog]

I think I will spend my friday night sipping some beer, munching on some popcorn, and watching the back and forth on here.  This is pretty entertaining!!!

[desertgator]

I have to agree with Heys on this. The effort at Cornell is there and in the right places to have success.  How cool will it be for the kids, coaches, and administration who weathered the tough times in football the last few years to find success.  It's always easy to quit or move to the perceived "greener grass" but the character shows through in those that stay the course.  There are situations where things just don't fit and it truely benefits the young man to move on.  I think those are the exceptions not the norm.  The norm is to quit and move on to a team with a better record.  I see it all the time as a coach.  Parents will shop their kids around and look for the easy path on an established team that will guarantee a "fair shot to start" at their kids position.  My son is at a school that wants him, with teammates that want him, and where they are trying to change the culture of losing.  It won't be easy but it will be worth it!

[sportsknight]

Gotta say, I never thought we'd see the day where there'd be enough Cornell fans on here to have in-fighting amongst them.

[Klompen]

I will keep track of the pickems again this year if you people want me to.  Any changes that we want to do?

Coe loses every game...

Wartburg too.   

[NewKnightDad]

Well, my son is all packed and ready to report to school tomorrow for the start of his second football season with the Knights.  I am looking forward to the trip north towards Green Bay for the first game.  A couple of scrimmages before then will have to do until the actual season starts.

Go Knights!!!!   8)

[SNCOLDAD]

NewKnightDad, Have a safe trip on Sept 5th. See you there. At least you get to see a couple scrimmages. None for me. 

GO GREEN KNIGHTS

I am really looking forward to this season and especially the opener. 

[Purple Heys]

Gotta say, I never thought we'd see the day where there'd be enough Cornell fans on here to have in-fighting amongst them.

Nice.

[Purple Heys]

My son is at a school that wants him, with teammates that want him, and where they are trying to change the culture of losing. 

And we are glad to have him on our side!  When he comes into his own...hopefully sooner rather than later, he'll be a good one.  Maybe little bro' will become a Ram too.   

[Purple Heys]

Reporting day tomorrow.  I just talked to Jr.  He's ready to kick it into gear.

It'll be fun to see him do some battle with the Coe Linebacking crew.  I talked to him about how it was last year.  He first had to knock heads with those two huge DT's Hadenfeldt and Wilkens, then butt heads with Thomas and Harrison...he said it was a fun day of knock-the-snot-out football and that they all hit like hammers.  He felt he got his shots in there too. 

He told me he met one of them over the summer at a downtown MV bar and this time the only things knocked back were a few adult malt beverages...they had a great time.  And THAT, is what it is all about.

aahhhh...the memories that stirs.