FB: American Rivers Conference

[notlongago]

So I ask this not to demean the team or players, but to get an honest response because I don't understand it. Why is everyone so high on Simpson?  They were an average team last year, which is par for the course for the storm. They didn't do anything spectacular last year. They had 5 losses last year, 3 of which were blowouts, and they barely beat the "lower tier" teams, and their marquee win was against a team who, lets be honest, has made losing 1 game a year they shouldn't their M.O. What is making this this team the up and comer because as I see it, they look to be another decent, but not good team this settling in probably 5th

very legitimate question –

here are my quick thoughts:

return 7 offensive starters and 6 on defense

Offense
- all-conference WR and QB
- leading rusher returns as well
- 3 quality TE's return

Defense
- Cronin and Haag two LB's solidify the defense

Coach
I think Coach Glo is the right guy for the job and they will be much improved this year

Recruiting
they have a strong freshman class but not sure how many of them will fit into the plan for this year

and maybe most importantly the rest of the top teams may not be at elite as they have been in the past - too many QB questions

Ok, so its more of a situation where they retained their talent while other teams lost theirs so its more about teams coming down to their level as opposed to them growing by leaps and bounds to close the gap

[duhawk]

Hey there sporting fans.

2012 hopes to be another in a series of steps toward relevance for my Duhawks.  Talking to people around the program there's buzz around the 60 freshman(doesn't every program buzz about their freshman?) but until we retain and coach those players until there is a buzz around them being seniors, I'm hoping to just be competitive.  Outside of hoping that Loras can get a few W's, I'm rooting for Simpson this year.  It sure beats thinking about the school that shall remain unmentioned across town.  Loras scrimmages today at noon and I'm hoping to catch some of it.  I'm thinking I'll come away from it knowing that Loras will contend for a national title this year.  Well, probably not.  The next 2 years are big for the new coaching cadre.

Ahhhhhhh, feeding the fire....more comments to motivate players and coaches!!! Better watch out!!!

On a side note, being a long time member of the Spartan Nation....I was thinking to myself how much times have changed with UD winning the conference and Loras finishing last. And then I thought to myself........... wait a second, Loras has never been at the top of the conference 

Uh oh.....more bulletin board motivational material!!!! 

Yeah Willie, things have changed a wee bit haven't they?  For the better part of 25 years all we could hang our hats on was a good beating of UD every year.  Now I have to sit and stew as Chlapaty's Crew plays for the conference title.

Loras looked better in the scrimmage than I thought they would, hopefully that bodes well.

I might be wrong (as I said, it occasionally happens but didn't lorass just build a new field, library, fieldhouse, fitness center, & other renovations? So, basically using your logic, because one man donates to build UD a new field, rec center, fitness center, renovate the science center & fieldhouse, and fine arts building, that should lead to conference championships?

So, basically.....the difference here is Lorass didn't get a renovated science center and fine arts center. So, those 2 pieces of the puzzle lead to championships in athletics!! Opppps, I just gave the rest of the conference the secret to success!!

In all honesty, I love it now that members of the lorass community basically give ALL the credit to UD's success on Joe Chaplaty instead of just facing the fact that the Spartans are better when they get beat. I mean, don't coaches and players play the games???

So, for many years Wartburg (in my opinion) had the best campus facilities(including non-athletic) in the conference so was that the ONLY reason they were successful? Obviously not, there is still a lot of hard work that goes into success.

The KEY for what you poorly alluded to is having nice facilities certainly aid in recruitment which eventually should lead to athletic success.

But, like I said, if you want to keep taking the "woo is me attitude" and blame Lorass's failures on UD having a newer science center and fine arts building, then go right ahead. Or I guess you could blame the architects for that ugly track that doesn't match the purple on the field 

Willie U

Easy Willie, I was just trying to banter, not set you off.   Every college in the country would love to have someone like Chlapaty who loves a place enough to give them nearly 70 million.  Loras did just build several new buildings but had to work extremely hard to raise that money.  My understanding is that UD was just cut a check.  I'm not sure you realize how rare that is, or how it allows for other resources to be allocated in different areas.

Is calling them Chlapaty's Crew any more condesending than saying "Lorass" every time?

I like the tone of this board, I don't want to be the one to change it. 

[ScreamingEagles]

Hey there sporting fans.

2012 hopes to be another in a series of steps toward relevance for my Duhawks.  Talking to people around the program there's buzz around the 60 freshman(doesn't every program buzz about their freshman?) but until we retain and coach those players until there is a buzz around them being seniors, I'm hoping to just be competitive.  Outside of hoping that Loras can get a few W's, I'm rooting for Simpson this year.  It sure beats thinking about the school that shall remain unmentioned across town.  Loras scrimmages today at noon and I'm hoping to catch some of it.  I'm thinking I'll come away from it knowing that Loras will contend for a national title this year.  Well, probably not.  The next 2 years are big for the new coaching cadre.

Ahhhhhhh, feeding the fire....more comments to motivate players and coaches!!! Better watch out!!!

On a side note, being a long time member of the Spartan Nation....I was thinking to myself how much times have changed with UD winning the conference and Loras finishing last. And then I thought to myself........... wait a second, Loras has never been at the top of the conference 

Uh oh.....more bulletin board motivational material!!!! 

Yeah Willie, things have changed a wee bit haven't they?  For the better part of 25 years all we could hang our hats on was a good beating of UD every year.  Now I have to sit and stew as Chlapaty's Crew plays for the conference title.

Loras looked better in the scrimmage than I thought they would, hopefully that bodes well.

Any more info on the scrimmage?  I'm having a hard time getting any info from UWL fans.

[Willie University]

Easy Willie, I was just trying to banter, not set you off.   Every college in the country would love to have someone like Chlapaty who loves a place enough to give them nearly 70 million.  Loras did just build several new buildings but had to work extremely hard to raise that money.  My understanding is that UD was just cut a check.  I'm not sure you realize how rare that is, or how it allows for other resources to be allocated in different areas.

Is calling them Chlapaty's Crew any more condesending than saying "Lorass" every time?

I like the tone of this board, I don't want to be the one to change it.

No worries, just having fun  If it makes you feel better, my sister graduated from loraS (sorry, my UD education, I just spelled it like it sounded )

Anyway, I have a cousin that is playing for the duhawks this year. Oddly enough, the reason he wanted to go there over UD was he felt he would have a lot better chance of playing as an underclassmen.

There is nothing I would love more then to someday see the Spartans and Duhawks sitting as the top 2 teams in the conference and playing the last game of the year to decide the champions! Can you imagine the turnout and media coverage in this area!

Never say never......10 years ago someone probably said UD would never win the IIAC again 

Anyway, good luck to your duhawks this season.

Willie U

[putmeincoach]

So I ask this not to demean the team or players, but to get an honest response because I don't understand it. Why is everyone so high on Simpson?  They were an average team last year, which is par for the course for the storm. They didn't do anything spectacular last year. They had 5 losses last year, 3 of which were blowouts, and they barely beat the "lower tier" teams, and their marquee win was against a team who, lets be honest, has made losing 1 game a year they shouldn't their M.O. What is making this this team the up and comer because as I see it, they look to be another decent, but not good team this settling in probably 5th

very legitimate question –

here are my quick thoughts:

return 7 offensive starters and 6 on defense

Offense
- all-conference WR and QB
- leading rusher returns as well
- 3 quality TE's return

Defense
- Cronin and Haag two LB's solidify the defense

Coach
I think Coach Glo is the right guy for the job and they will be much improved this year

Recruiting
they have a strong freshman class but not sure how many of them will fit into the plan for this year

and maybe most importantly the rest of the top teams may not be at elite as they have been in the past - too many QB questions

Ok, so its more of a situation where they retained their talent while other teams lost theirs so its more about teams coming down to their level as opposed to them growing by leaps and bounds to close the gap

retained more of their talent - that's my thinking anyway - simply too many question marks for the other traditional powers so Simpson is in the discussion

after a couple of weeks we will know if they are ready to take advantage of a lot of new blood - I am specifically speaking of the change in QB's at Coe Central and Wartburg - if any of these teams find a quick solution (which all of them may) Simpson may find themselves in a similar situation - ahead of Loras Luther BV (previously Cornell) but still not in the hunt for a conference championship

If any of those three do not get a QB to step up they may switch spots with the Storm
again - this is why I have them in the upper tier for now

[warthog]

It sounds as though Wartburg settled early on a signal caller, which leads me to believe they are in good shape there.  Like many others in the league it seems there will be plenty of returning starters and lettermen.  (The IIAC must have been really young last year)

I can't see the Knights being Juggernauts like 1999 or 2003.  Probably not as strong as 2002, 2004, 2008 or 2010.  Yet, without having ever finished below 3rd place in the IIAC for 15 years or so, I can't see them slipping too far.  I'm thinking the coaches may have hit it on the head for the Knights.  Second sounds reasonable.  If the newcomers in key spots perform above expected levels they might challenge.  Regardless how the league race shakes out, I doubt if we will have an undefeated conference champion.

[Willie University]

The Spartans scrimmaged UW-Oshkosh today. Haven't heard how it went yet. But, good to go up against one of the top teams in the WIAC. Should be a good judge of where we are compared to last season.

[doolittledog]

I live somewhat close to Wartburg and have been hearing all summer long that the Wartburg coaches are very happy with their recruiting class.  Take that with a grain of salt maybe.  Dads of players and recent grads can get a little excited for their team.  Unlike me of course...I always look at Dubuque with a level headed approach

[Purple Heys]

Okay ... time to up-date the IIAC Fan Base   I will start editing out those we haven't heard from by the time teams kick-off next weekend   Most of you are regular posters and have immunity from the editing 

"notlongago" and "putmeincoach1985" ... where do you line up?

IIAC FAN BASE

UD:  doolittledog, DBQ1965, Spurrier, WillieUniversity, Keith45, UD-SPARTAN, jtplayer25, footballfan413, badgerwarhawk

Wartburg:  Walston Hoover, sportsknight, Wartburg Fan, footballdaddy, TheOne89.1, warthog, davedevine, Alfredeneumann, wartknight, pressbox, OutsideTheCrate, NewKnightDad, caddy1, WartTrainer, DMWartburg

Central:  dutchFan2004, Dutchfan1, Klompen, KCDutch, Dutchlb, oldbeake, Airborne Dutch, D1HawkD3CUI, Old Dutch, DutchHawk, fannosaurus rex, Dutchclone, Mav45, Tydebol Man, Dutch Radio, AZDutchman

Coe:  Charlie Kohawk, coocooforcokohawks, Kohawk Krazy, the_mayne_event, Kohawk Remedy, koecrazy87, DougiePetersFan, youcantseemestill, Cochuck, kohawkfan

Simpson:  Storm-what?, sc-stormchaser, New Storm, storm_tracker65, Storm Chaser

Luther:  Ram2, LCNorse, FloydinIowaCity, Thunderbolt, oldNorse, 5 Words or Less

BV:  The Show, Klopenheimer, BeaverOfYore, BeaverFan3208, MNbeev, BeaverNation

Loras:  du-sz, Confused77, duhawkdanran, steelhawk

Honorary Members:  Purple Heys, CaliRamRL6

Being a Free Agent, my loyalties are officially for sale to the highest bidder.   

[DBQ1965]

Okay ... time to up-date the IIAC Fan Base   I will start editing out those we haven't heard from by the time teams kick-off next weekend   Most of you are regular posters and have immunity from the editing 

"notlongago" and "putmeincoach1985" ... where do you line up?

IIAC FAN BASE

UD:  doolittledog, DBQ1965, Spurrier, WillieUniversity, Keith45, UD-SPARTAN, jtplayer25, footballfan413, badgerwarhawk

Wartburg:  Walston Hoover, sportsknight, Wartburg Fan, footballdaddy, TheOne89.1, warthog, davedevine, Alfredeneumann, wartknight, pressbox, OutsideTheCrate, NewKnightDad, caddy1, WartTrainer, DMWartburg

Central:  dutchFan2004, Dutchfan1, Klompen, KCDutch, Dutchlb, oldbeake, Airborne Dutch, D1HawkD3CUI, Old Dutch, DutchHawk, fannosaurus rex, Dutchclone, Mav45, Tydebol Man, Dutch Radio, AZDutchman

Coe:  Charlie Kohawk, coocooforcokohawks, Kohawk Krazy, the_mayne_event, Kohawk Remedy, koecrazy87, DougiePetersFan, youcantseemestill, Cochuck, kohawkfan

Simpson:  Storm-what?, sc-stormchaser, New Storm, storm_tracker65, Storm Chaser

Luther:  Ram2, LCNorse, FloydinIowaCity, Thunderbolt, oldNorse, 5 Words or Less

BV:  The Show, Klopenheimer, BeaverOfYore, BeaverFan3208, MNbeev, BeaverNation

Loras:  du-sz, Confused77, duhawkdanran, steelhawk

Honorary Members:  Purple Heys, CaliRamRL6

Being a Free Agent, my loyalties are officially for sale to the highest bidder.   

I was going to make you a "Cornell Emeritus Member" ...

[doolittledog]

Being a Free Agent, my loyalties are officially for sale to the highest bidder.   

Hmm, let's see.  If you show up for the UD Homecoming this year, arrive at the Dog House on Friday night, say you are a Mu Sig Alum and the young guys will buy your drinks all night.  At the next days tailgate, all the Iowa brewed beer and spirits you can drink.  Bring Rev. 3 on a recruiting trip and he could probably scam on some chi...um, I mean...take a tour of the library, talk to some professors and maybe the baseball and football coaches...yeah, that's what I was going to say. 

That probably won't win the bidding

[warthog]

Being a Free Agent, my loyalties are officially for sale to the highest bidder.   

Hmm, let's see.  If you show up for the UD Homecoming this year, arrive at the Dog House on Friday night, say you are a Mu Sig Alum and the young guys will buy your drinks all night.  At the next days tailgate, all the Iowa brewed beer and spirits you can drink.  Bring Rev. 3 on a recruiting trip and he could probably scam on some chi...um, I mean...take a tour of the library, talk to some professors and maybe the baseball and football coaches...yeah, that's what I was going to say. 

That probably won't win the bidding

Purple Heys:  We're installing a cotton candy machine at Wartburg so we can get doolittledog's daughter to become a Knight.  What does Rev.3 want?  We'll see if we can make it happen.

[Kohawk Krazy]

Looks like the Coe roster is online now. 140 Kohawks. Got to be the most in a long time for them.

[Willie University]

Call me crazy but looking at augustana's non conference schedule versus 3 iiac teams, I am wondering if they are sizing up the competition getting ready for a move permanently to the iiac?

[notlongago]

Perhaps no other team in the IIAC has more question marks than the Dutch, and, sticking to his ways, Coach MacMartin has actually seemed to raise more questions than he answers in the Dutch's press release....

http://www.central.edu/athletics/story.cfm?StoryID=4228