FB: American Rivers Conference

[CaliRamRL6]

Thanks for the replies.  I think we all know attendance figures are all just guess work at the D3 level.  It just seemed odd to me that Central reports such small numbers when they almost have to be bringing in much more.  I know it's all guess work and the numbers don't really mean anything but you would think Central would want to report a bit higher numbers. 

Some stories I have about paying to get into games...

In 2008 at the Wartburg game I was going in on the visitors side.  There were 2 girls sitting at a card table taking tickets and as I approached them one said to the other "this is way to cold, let's get outta here." And they got up and left.  When my friend called a few minutes later to ask where he could find me I told him to come in on the visitors side because you could get in free there.

Last year at the UD homecoming game my wife and I paid early for our 2 tickets.  But when we got to the stadium we walked by the ticket booth and went into the Chlapaty Rec center to take the elevator up and realized there was no one in there checking tickets.  So even though we actually did pay for out tickets...no one checked us as we entered the stadium from the inside. 

Last year in Mt Vernon for the UD/Cornell game there were 2 kids at a table that were supposed to be taking tickets.  Everyone just walked past them without making eye contact and the 2 boys never said anything.  I felt guilty and paid my 5 bucks, but the 2 kids looked put out that I expected them to count my change back to me.

I told you to walk in with me but you wouldn't listen. Cornell appreciates your $5 contribution.

[doolittledog]

Story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette...

http://thegazette.com/2012/07/02/ncaa-division-iii-wrestling-sites-announced/

NCAA going to regional qualifying for wrestling, which will mean the IIAC is ending it's wrestling tourney that started in 1948. 

[DBQ1965]

Which IIAC schools have a grass football field and which have an artificial surface?

[doolittledog]

Which IIAC schools have a grass football field and which have an artificial surface?

Luther has the only grass field left in the IIAC. 

Cornell has grass but left for the MWC. 

BVU installed an artificial surface last season. 

Simpson replaced their turf last year. 

Central/Coe/Dubuque all have turf that is under 5 years old. 

Loras and Wartburg have the old turf now I guess. 

[DBQ1965]

Which IIAC schools have a grass football field and which have an artificial surface?

Luther has the only grass field left in the IIAC. 

Cornell has grass but left for the MWC. 

BVU installed an artificial surface last season. 

Simpson replaced their turf last year. 

Central/Coe/Dubuque all have turf that is under 5 years old. 

Loras and Wartburg have the old turf now I guess.

Thanks.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

It's just 8 weeks until football season, time to ramp up the football talk.  Isn't this the time of year that the NCAA usually announces a rule change or two?  Anybody know anything about any?  Anybody have any they would like to see?  If I ran the rules committee, I would make the ball slightly smaller (no small balls cracks please) to take away some of the advantage guys with big hands have.  Hand envy is my latest neurosis.  I have decided that hands are appendages where size really does matter.  I read that when Johnny Unitas shook your hand, his fingers touched your elbow.  And it isn't just football.  Big hands are also an advantage at piano playing, magic tricks, baseball pitching, and card cheating to mention a few that don't involve fondling.  Sorry, I have trouble staying on topic.  Anybody know anything about any rule changes coming up?

[putmeincoach]

We are 2 months away from the start of the season.

1 - Which team is the favorite?

2 - Which team/teams are in contention?

3 - Which team could be a dark horse contender?

4 - Which team could be worse than expected?

5 - Which team could be surprisingly bad?

6 - Any recruiting news?

7 - Any surprise transfers?

8 - Any players not coming back?

1 - Dubuque
2 - Coe Wartburg Central (in that order)
3 - Simpson (starting QB and RB - 3 quality TE all return on offense)
4 - Wartburg/Central (usual contenders but not everyone can be in the mix)
5 - Simpson (a little up and down so far in Coach Glo's tenure but finished with a strong win against Wartburg last year)
6 - Simpson bringing in some real talent from the Metro area (maybe young for this year but will see if a few get some quality minutes)
7 - ??
8 - ??
a lot of new QB's this year with (I believe) only Dubuque and Simpson with a returning starter???

this year could be similar to last year - several teams in contention with a close win/lose determining the conference champs in the last couple of weeks of the season - should be fun

[putmeincoach]

We are 2 months away from the start of the season.

1 - Which team is the favorite?

2 - Which team/teams are in contention?

3 - Which team could be a dark horse contender?

4 - Which team could be worse than expected?

5 - Which team could be surprisingly bad?

6 - Any recruiting news?

7 - Any surprise transfers?

8 - Any players not coming back?

1 - Dubuque
2 - Coe Wartburg Central (in that order)
3 - Simpson (starting QB and RB - 3 quality TE all return on offense)
4 - Wartburg/Central (usual contenders but not everyone can be in the mix)
5 - Simpson (a little up and down so far in Coach Glo's tenure but finished with a strong win against Wartburg last year)
6 - Simpson bringing in some real talent from the Metro area (maybe young for this year but will see if a few get some quality minutes)
7 - ??
8 - ??
a lot of new QB's this year with (I believe) only Dubuque and Simpson with a returning starter???

this year could be similar to last year - several teams in contention with a close win/lose determining the conference champs in the last couple of weeks of the season - should be fun

PS - I think a lot of questions may begin to be answered in the preconference games as a few of the IIAC contenders play some very good WIAC teams

[doolittledog]

It's just 8 weeks until football season, time to ramp up the football talk.  Isn't this the time of year that the NCAA usually announces a rule change or two?  Anybody know anything about any?  Anybody have any they would like to see?  If I ran the rules committee, I would make the ball slightly smaller (no small balls cracks please) to take away some of the advantage guys with big hands have.  Hand envy is my latest neurosis.  I have decided that hands are appendages where size really does matter.  I read that when Johnny Unitas shook your hand, his fingers touched your elbow.  And it isn't just football.  Big hands are also an advantage at piano playing, magic tricks, baseball pitching, and card cheating to mention a few that don't involve fondling.  Sorry, I have trouble staying on topic.  Anybody know anything about any rule changes coming up?

You know what they say about a man with big hands...sorry, I have trouble staying on topic as well

Should mrs doolittle and I try to build a bags game for our tailgating this year?  Or should we just buy one??

We have new coolers and are already well stocked with locals beers and Clearheart bourbon/gin/rum from Cedar Ridge.  Now we just need some new UD folding chairs and some tailgating games and we are ready to go.

[doolittledog]

Did putmeincoach ever get any inside info on this 5th year DB at Wartburg???

[putmeincoach]

Did putmeincoach ever get any inside info on this 5th year DB at Wartburg???

I believe I received some additional info that appears to be reliable.  He is a very smart kid who had an opportunity to go to med school but is choosing to finish his eligibility at Wartburg - not sure if he was at Wartburg for 4 years and is staying an additional semester to double major or just take additional course work.  He may have either been real aggressive with his college studies or came to Wartburg with a lot of AP credits.  Either way I think some of the Wartburg community thought he would not be there this next season but are very happy he has decided to finish his eligibility. 

[badgerwarhawk]

It's just 8 weeks until football season, time to ramp up the football talk.  Isn't this the time of year that the NCAA usually announces a rule change or two?  Anybody know anything about any?  Anybody have any they would like to see?  If I ran the rules committee, I would make the ball slightly smaller (no small balls cracks please) to take away some of the advantage guys with big hands have.  Hand envy is my latest neurosis.  I have decided that hands are appendages where size really does matter.  I read that when Johnny Unitas shook your hand, his fingers touched your elbow.  And it isn't just football.  Big hands are also an advantage at piano playing, magic tricks, baseball pitching, and card cheating to mention a few that don't involve fondling.  Sorry, I have trouble staying on topic.  Anybody know anything about any rule changes coming up?

I once had the pleasure of meeting Bill Walton.  When we shook hands it was like I was shaking hands with someone wearing a baseball glove. 

[Purple Heys]

I once had the pleasure of meeting Bill Walton. 

Bill Walton Take 1:  I first met Bill Walton when he was doing some promotional work for our hot tubs.  He is simply put, one of the most generous, cool, engaging, genuinely nice people you could meet.  This was back in the days where he was bothered by his back injury and just seemed to be in enormous pain.  Yet he soldiered through the whole photo shoot and factory tour.  When things were wrapping up, nobody wanted to be "that guy" and hound him for an autograph...but Bill just look around and said, "hey I'd  be happy to give an autograph for anybody that wants it," just to keep us from looking like dweebs for asking.  People came out of the woodwork, I swear, with basketballs and shirts.  Bill signed every one of them.  His enthusiasm never dropped.

Bill Walton Take 2:  A year later I bumped into him at a fundraiser at the San Diego Zoo...not only did he remember me (or act like he did) but he introduced me to his then-fiance, Lori. Pretty lady. About 4'11".  I got a chance to hang out with him at the banquet area for little while.  No pretense in the man and just as polite as can be when folks came up to him.

Bill Walton Take 3:  Saw him 2 years ago at CES in Vegas, post op from his back surgery which he says saved his life.  I can attest to the fact that his back did not seem to be a factor at all as he loped down the aisle toward me.  No way in heck did he recognize me some 10 years later, but that didn't stop him from acting like he did when I said  hello...I commented about how well he was moving and he let out a huge laugh and said "It's just glorious man! I wake up and I'm back in the game of life. There were times I didn't think I'd make it but here I am and here I go, I've got a meeting."  And he was gone.

Bill Walton is a cool dude.

[warthog]

Did putmeincoach ever get any inside info on this 5th year DB at Wartburg???

I believe I received some additional info that appears to be reliable.  He is a very smart kid who had an opportunity to go to med school but is choosing to finish his eligibility at Wartburg - not sure if he was at Wartburg for 4 years and is staying an additional semester to double major or just take additional course work.  He may have either been real aggressive with his college studies or came to Wartburg with a lot of AP credits.  Either way I think some of the Wartburg community thought he would not be there this next season but are very happy he has decided to finish his eligibility.

Not unusual for a biology major to stay after they have enough credits to graduate.  Between AP courses and CLEP tests Little Warthog was just short of being a second year student when he stepped on campus.  After 1st year he was considered 3rd year academically.  Sounds great, but if you are going on to some sort of graduate program, you really need to take some of those biology and chemistry courses that you wouldn't have time for if you were only in school for 3 years.  The extra courses really were beneficial when he got to the U of Iowa.

[cawcdad]

I once had the pleasure of meeting Bill Walton. 

Bill Walton Take 1:  I first met Bill Walton when he was doing some promotional work for our hot tubs.  He is simply put, one of the most generous, cool, engaging, genuinely nice people you could meet.  This was back in the days where he was bothered by his back injury and just seemed to be in enormous pain.  Yet he soldiered through the whole photo shoot and factory tour.  When things were wrapping up, nobody wanted to be "that guy" and hound him for an autograph...but Bill just look around and said, "hey I'd  be happy to give an autograph for anybody that wants it," just to keep us from looking like dweebs for asking.  People came out of the woodwork, I swear, with basketballs and shirts.  Bill signed every one of them.  His enthusiasm never dropped.

Bill Walton Take 2:  A year later I bumped into him at a fundraiser at the San Diego Zoo...not only did he remember me (or act like he did) but he introduced me to his then-fiance, Lori. Pretty lady. About 4'11".  I got a chance to hang out with him at the banquet area for little while.  No pretense in the man and just as polite as can be when folks came up to him.

Bill Walton Take 3:  Saw him 2 years ago at CES in Vegas, post op from his back surgery which he says saved his life.  I can attest to the fact that his back did not seem to be a factor at all as he loped down the aisle toward me.  No way in heck did he recognize me some 10 years later, but that didn't stop him from acting like he did when I said  hello...I commented about how well he was moving and he let out a huge laugh and said "It's just glorious man! I wake up and I'm back in the game of life. There were times I didn't think I'd make it but here I am and here I go, I've got a meeting."  And he was gone.

Bill Walton is a cool dude.

Never met Bill Walton, but got a sense of how tall he is. A neighbor had worked with the equipment manager for the then San Diego Clippers and had Walton's old warm-ups. I held the pants up and the waist band was at my chest..