FB: American Rivers Conference

[notlongago]

Are there any plans to improve the stadium at Central?  We saw plans for improving the soccer facility there, but noticed the football stadium looked very dated.  Gravel walkways on both the home and visitor sides.  The home side has a main stand that is small and metal roll away bleachers on each side of it.  The home side faces into the sun which seemed odd.  The Central campus looked fantastic, but to us, the football facility looked more like a high school field.  It was ok, it just seemed like a school with 30 conference titles, a national title along with multiple Stagg Bowl appearances should have a better looking place for their football team to play in.  We were told by some in-the-know that getting Dutch locals to open the wallet for sports facilities can be a hard sell, like they wouldn't want to be seen as showing off with a gleaming new stadium.  Maybe that plays into the game day atmosphere these days.

The facilities could use updating and there were plans in the long range plan to make the current home stands the visitor seating, which to me would be the best visitor stands in the conference unless things have changed somewhere that I haven't been to lately, like UD.  The plans sounded really impressive when I heard them, but now that we have a president who could not seem to care less about sports and is into the fine arts, who knows.  Plus enrollment is going the wrong way the past two years, so that makes it even less likely.  But then again, if you have someone else saying the stands are half empty, why change them?

Obviously dr. Putnam is no dr. Roe but to say he doesn't care about sports or is somehow responsible for lack of interest is just not true...the man sat in the middle of the Dutch brigade in red/white striped overalls at the HC game...that's dedication

[D3Dutchman]

-Okay, so my last comment on the pep band at Central.  While I understand that "taking it out on the pep band" may seem like sour grapes, I also know that many of these students are probably very talented musicians who are also most likely receiving financial aid for their musical abilities.

When I went to school it was not music majors in the pep band. I can't remember one.

I didn't know you went to Central, Pat 

[D3Dutchman]

For the record, I don't think the sky is falling at Central by any means...just some things that annoyed me about game day last Saturday.  They will be fine in the near future.  Not to mention the fact that there is no reason to think this season can't be salvaged.  If they stick together and keep playing hard, good things will happen...they did vs. UD.   

[Old Dutch]

Central's downward spiral is a real mystery to me.  7-3 last year, T-2nd with a win over Coe, and a 1 yard loss to Wartburg.  Haven't been in the playoffs since 2009, (10-1) but 8-2 in 2010.  Graduated virtually everybody on offense last year, our only returning all conference defender is out for the season this year, so 4 Sophs starting on O. and another 4 sophs starting on D.    Wasn't but a couple weeks ago the defending IIAC champ and league favorite fell at the hands of the Dutch.  All three loses this year were to playoff caliber teams and the other two contenders in the league are on the November schedule.  Not exactly the death spiral some of you are so anxious to see. 

I wouldn't prognosticate a losing season quite yet Klompen.  With the aforementioned youth on this year's squad I am sure of just two things;  there won't be Dutch in the playoffs in 2012, and the future of Central football is mighty bright.     As a matter of fact I'll go on record saying 6-4 is more likely than 4-6 by a long ways.  The Wartburg and Coe games are on my schedule and I won't be missing them.

Anywho . . . Yes Dutch fans are not exactly loud and rowdy.  Back in the day, when TKB was in power, we had a few crazies in the stands, but since then its typically been quieter than most stadiums.  The "pep" band is a joke, but nobody cares, its about the football.  Yes it would be great if they could complete the stadium upgrade real soon, but I wouldn't bet on that improving the fan's attitudes that much. 

I think its great that there's so much parity in the league, but the flip side of that is the IIAC has an undefeated team on the top halfway through the season, and they are still not rated in the top 25.  That's a more serious issue, clearly a reduced amount of respect for the IIAC than in past years.

BTW, I think a Dutchman's dollar is still more valuable than everyone else's too.  just sayin'!

[DBQ1965]

Hey DBQ1965, be sure to schedule a trip to Dubuque for Homecoming 2014.  That is the Mu Sig 75th anniversary and the actives are already making plans for the activities.  It would be great to get some pre-1980 stories from you and others. 

If you are making the trip this year, there will be a large group of us in town both Friday and Saturday nights.

d-dog ... I see where Tony Danza will be back for Homecoming this year.  I will hate to miss it ... especially with a victory over the Kohawks.

GO SPARTANS!

[notlongago]

Central's downward spiral is a real mystery to me.  7-3 last year, T-2nd with a win over Coe, and a 1 yard loss to Wartburg.  Haven't been in the playoffs since 2009, (10-1) but 8-2 in 2010.  Graduated virtually everybody on offense last year, our only returning all conference defender is out for the season this year, so 4 Sophs starting on O. and another 4 sophs starting on D.    Wasn't but a couple weeks ago the defending IIAC champ and league favorite fell at the hands of the Dutch.  All three loses this year were to playoff caliber teams and the other two contenders in the league are on the November schedule.  Not exactly the death spiral some of you are so anxious to see. 

I wouldn't prognosticate a losing season quite yet Klompen.  With the aforementioned youth on this year's squad I am sure of just two things;  there won't be Dutch in the playoffs in 2012, and the future of Central football is mighty bright.     As a matter of fact I'll go on record saying 6-4 is more likely than 4-6 by a long ways.  The Wartburg and Coe games are on my schedule and I won't be missing them.

Anywho . . . Yes Dutch fans are not exactly loud and rowdy.  Back in the day, when TKB was in power, we had a few crazies in the stands, but since then its typically been quieter than most stadiums.  The "pep" band is a joke, but nobody cares, its about the football.  Yes it would be great if they could complete the stadium upgrade real soon, but I wouldn't bet on that improving the fan's attitudes that much. 

I think its great that there's so much parity in the league, but the flip side of that is the IIAC has an undefeated team on the top halfway through the season, and they are still not rated in the top 25.  That's a more serious issue, clearly a reduced amount of respect for the IIAC than in past years.

BTW, I think a Dutchman's dollar is still more valuable than everyone else's too.  just sayin'!

But 5-5 is by far the most likely, and it'll keep the streak alive, which is fine if they want to tread water this year, but everyone saying the Dutch being so young bodes well for the future....we'll see. A lot of the top teams are young as well.

[warthog]

Oh, Boo-Hoo, the Dutch have gone a couple years between football championships. 

Now you know how the fans and alumni of the other IIAC colleges have felt during some period of the past half century. 

I for one am not falling for this Dutch self-deprivation and "Woe are we" talk. 

Until Central has gone a whole decade between championships, they will be the elephant in the room that the rest of us are not able to ignore.

[doolittledog]

Oh, Boo-Hoo, the Dutch have gone a couple years between football championships. 

Now you know how the fans and alumni of the other IIAC colleges have felt during some period of the past half century. 

I for one am not falling for this Dutch self-deprivation and "Woe are we" talk. 

Until Central has gone a whole decade between championships, they will be the elephant in the room that the rest of us are not be able to ignore.

Yep, seeing as how Simpson and Wartburg, tied for 2nd in the IIAC for football titles at 12 each, could combine their championships and still be 6 behind Central and their 30 football titles, it would be hard to shed too many tears for Central, who has gone a whole TWO seasons since their last conference championship 

So if 1960 is the last season that Central had a losing record, from 1961 to the present for conference titles we have...

26 - Central...longest title drought, 6 years between titles in '67 and '74
10 - Wartburg
5   - Simpson
4   - Dubuque
4   - Luther
3   - Buena Vista
3   - Coe
3   - William Penn
2   - Parsons
1   - Upper Iowa

26 titles in 51 years puts Central at 1 title every 1.96 seasons 

[doolittledog]

Oh what the heck...more stats from 1961-2011...the years Central has gone since their last losing record...

Titles by team
Buena Vista
72,73,78

Central
64,65,66,67
74,77,78
81,83,84,85,86,87,89
90,92,94,95,98
00,01,02,05,06,07,09

Coe
02,04,05

Dubuque
78,79
80
11

Luther
63
70,71,78

Parsons
61,62

Simpson
69
88
91,96,97

Upper Iowa
64

Wartburg
68
82,83
93,99
02,03,04,08
10

William Penn
72,75,76

And titles by decade...

60's
Central    - 4
Parsons   - 2
Luther     - 1
Simpson  - 1
UIU         - 1
Wartburg - 1

70's
BVU        - 3
Central    - 3
Luther     - 3
WPU       - 3
Dubuque - 2

80's
Central    - 7
Wartburg - 2
Dubuque  - 1
Simpson  - 1

90's
Central   - 5
Simpson - 3
Wartburg - 2

00's
Central    - 7
Wartburg - 4
Coe         - 3

10's
Dubuque - 1
Wartburg - 1

[putmeincoach]

I do think the Dutch have good years ahead of them on the field – a lot of young talent on the field and a good coaching staff – and I am not writing off this year either

But I do agree with the points made that kicked off this discussion

as an admitted outsider – for various reasons, in the last twenty years I have been on the campus once or twice most years – In the 80's Central was known for it's great facilities and beautiful campus – over the years I have not seen a lot of significant upgrades other than new turf – which already looks pretty old

Central does need to move forward with a better game day experience and an upgrade of facilities – I am very very old school and still see a need for changes if you want to keep up with recruiting against the rest of the IIAC – specifically Wartburg and Dubuque - several high schools in the CIML have better facilities and a better game experience

I love Central's traditional red and white uniforms so I am not suggesting they go "Oregon" but adding some music and maybe a video board in the future and just a general upgrade of the stands and area around the stands could help – even simple inexpensive changes like putting the individual athletes pictures on the website with a bio can help – kids do notice this stuff when being recruited

In the last 5 years I have been to all the IIAC schools (with the exception of BV) as well as many other DIII campuses and I would say Central is average at best when it comes to athletic facilities - Wartburg and Dubuque look to be leading the way and others are moving in the right direction – keep in mind newer is always better

Also, I was very disappointed with the Central crowd at the games I have attended but apparently this has been going on for years –

I have no issue with the pep band – this can be part of the game day experience but not the only part –

....and don't get me started with the tailgating

[NewKnightDad]

I do think the Dutch have good years ahead of them on the field – a lot of young talent on the field and a good coaching staff – and I am not writing off this year either

But I do agree with the points made that kicked off this discussion

as an admitted outsider – for various reasons, in the last twenty years I have been on the campus once or twice most years – In the 80's Central was known for it's great facilities and beautiful campus – over the years I have not seen a lot of significant upgrades other than new turf – which already looks pretty old

Central does need to move forward with a better game day experience for and an upgrade of facilities – I am very very old school and still see a need for changes if you want to keep up with recruiting against the rest of the IIAC – specifically Wartburg and Dubuque - several high schools in the CIML have better facilities and a better game experience

I love Central's traditional red and white uniforms so I am not suggesting they go "Oregon" but adding some music and maybe a video board in the future and just a general upgrade of the stands and area around the stands could help – even simple inexpensive changes like putting the individual athletes pictures on the website with a bio can help – kids do notice this stuff when being recruited

In the last 5 years I have been to all the IIAC schools (with the exception of BV) as well as many other DIII campuses and I would say Central is average at best when it comes to athletic facilities - Wartburg and Dubuque look to be leading the way and others are moving in the right direction – keep in mind newer is always better

Also, I was very disappointed with the Central crowd at the games I have attended but apparently this has been going on for years –

I have no issue with the pep band – this can be part of the game day experience but not the only part –

....and don't get me started with the tailgating

Central has tailgating?

[Klompen]

I wouldn't prognosticate a losing season quite yet Klompen. 

Now wait a minute, when did I do that? 

I said that we old timers are really spoiled by the years of most seasons not having more than one loss, and that the ride home from Coe may not be a happy one, but since when does that say we are going to have a losing season?  My prediction at this point would be 6-4 for the year, still a winning season.  But I do think every game is going to be a challenge to a certain extent because of the youth factor on the team that you mentioned and because teams that have lost to Central 18 or 19 or the last 20 years will see this as a year that they might have a shot, which can lead teams to play at a higher level.  But I think Central can win against BV, Luther and Loras.  I think we have a 50-50 shot against Wartburg and playing at home might give us the edge we need.  Coe, barring key injuries looks to be the conference power to me thus far and we have to play them on their field if I remember the schedule right.  Who knows, last year we beat them, but they are on a tear right now, though the competition level may have something to do with that. 

I think if we keep playing strong and gaining experience, we can finish with a winning season, not playing slouch teams thus far will help with that.  I would be quite surprised if we lost 3 more games, which it would take for us to actually have a losing season and I just don't see that happening. 

[Klompen]

Oh, Boo-Hoo, the Dutch have gone a couple years between football championships. 

Now you know how the fans and alumni of the other IIAC colleges have felt during some period of the past half century. 

I for one am not falling for this Dutch self-deprivation and "Woe are we" talk. 

Until Central has gone a whole decade between championships, they will be the elephant in the room that the rest of us are not able to ignore.

Other sport seasons are for the Dutch to learn how the rest of the conference feels, but Central needs to get back to the top in football.      We are WAY SPOILED and we LIKE it that way!!! 

[Klompen]

Oh, Boo-Hoo, the Dutch have gone a couple years between football championships. 

Now you know how the fans and alumni of the other IIAC colleges have felt during some period of the past half century. 

I for one am not falling for this Dutch self-deprivation and "Woe are we" talk. 

Until Central has gone a whole decade between championships, they will be the elephant in the room that the rest of us are not be able to ignore.

Yep, seeing as how Simpson and Wartburg, tied for 2nd in the IIAC for football titles at 12 each, could combine their championships and still be 6 behind Central and their 30 football titles, it would be hard to shed too many tears for Central, who has gone a whole TWO seasons since their last conference championship 

So if 1960 is the last season that Central had a losing record, from 1961 to the present for conference titles we have...

26 - Central...longest title drought, 6 years between titles in '67 and '74
10 - Wartburg
5   - Simpson
4   - Dubuque
4   - Luther
3   - Buena Vista
3   - Coe
3   - William Penn
2   - Parsons
1   - Upper Iowa

26 titles in 51 years puts Central at 1 title every 1.96 seasons 

Exactly!  See, we were supposed to win it this season!      Oh well, if the drought brings another year like '74, I can handle that!  (1974 was Central's National Championship year.)  BTW, in 1973 the Dutch could not settle on a QB.      Gary Cutler and Marc Humphrey battled every game and no matter which one started, it was the other one that had the hot hand.  So being unsettled at QB is not necessarily a bad omen.

[D3Dutchman]

I do think the Dutch have good years ahead of them on the field – a lot of young talent on the field and a good coaching staff – and I am not writing off this year either

But I do agree with the points made that kicked off this discussion

as an admitted outsider – for various reasons, in the last twenty years I have been on the campus once or twice most years – In the 80's Central was known for it's great facilities and beautiful campus – over the years I have not seen a lot of significant upgrades other than new turf – which already looks pretty old

Central does need to move forward with a better game day experience for and an upgrade of facilities – I am very very old school and still see a need for changes if you want to keep up with recruiting against the rest of the IIAC – specifically Wartburg and Dubuque - several high schools in the CIML have better facilities and a better game experience

I love Central's traditional red and white uniforms so I am not suggesting they go "Oregon" but adding some music and maybe a video board in the future and just a general upgrade of the stands and area around the stands could help – even simple inexpensive changes like putting the individual athletes pictures on the website with a bio can help – kids do notice this stuff when being recruited

In the last 5 years I have been to all the IIAC schools (with the exception of BV) as well as many other DIII campuses and I would say Central is average at best when it comes to athletic facilities - Wartburg and Dubuque look to be leading the way and others are moving in the right direction – keep in mind newer is always better

Also, I was very disappointed with the Central crowd at the games I have attended but apparently this has been going on for years –

I have no issue with the pep band – this can be part of the game day experience but not the only part –

....and don't get me started with the tailgating

Central has tailgating?

Umm, yeah...I think.  Cloak and dagger style of course.  Another piece of game day that could use some updating.