FB: American Rivers Conference

[warthog]

Cornell to UD took us just under an hour.  Coe would be 1:10 - 1:15 i would guess???

to make and the 4pm kickoff in Dubuque would make that difficult.   

4:00?  I thought your kickoff was 5:00.  There is no way I can make both if I had the time wrong.

I guess the Hacienda gets my business.

[DBQ1965]

Coe College to UD ... AAA says 1 hr. 17 min. .... Google maps says 1 hr. 25 min.

[footballdaddy]

Cornell to UD took us just under an hour.  Coe would be 1:10 - 1:15 i would guess???

to make and the 4pm kickoff in Dubuque would make that difficult.   

4:00?  I thought your kickoff was 5:00.  There is no way I can make both if I had the time wrong.

I guess the Hacienda gets my business.

Hey, Warthog!

Nothing makes a drive shorter than leaving after a Knight victory. 

[D3Dutchman]

I'll say what I have said before; this is a different generation – good or bad
If you want these young men to get fired up the "Old Central" crowd needs to step up as well
Put some money into upgraded facilities -  pep bands, no music, no video board, and a crowd that sits all game and doesn't understand (or just doesn't care) when it's a key 3rd down play doesn't cut it
I am sooooo tired of back in the day – well it's 2012 and time to move on – things have changed and Central has not kept up – I visited Central in the 80's and this was the best campus in the IIAC and facilities were not that much different from my visit to UNI (not including the Dome)  I was back this year and except for turf I really did not see many upgrades
I love old school and I loved coach Schipper - I wish things would not have changed but they have, so  move forward or get left behind – the 70's and 80's are gone
Now I'm done listening to my AC/DC Back in Black 8 track and going to bed!!

PS – from what I hear these losses are killing these kids – especially the seniors – they understand the Central tradition and what is at stake

For the most part...this.  You obviously don't have to look that far in the past to find a ton of success.  The last decade (00's) was one of the most successful in Central's history (I actually think that gets overlooked due to some of the parody in the conference, but you could argue it was more successful than the previous decade from a conference championship and playoff perspective).  Also, the athletic facilities are great for the most part (training facilities, etc.).  The stadium and game day atmosphere absolutely need an upgrade though, and that need becomes magnified when the season is not going great and the regulars in Pella, along with the students aren't showing up.  Again, it wouldn't take much, but there needs to be a recognition by the administration that the need exists (which I'm not sure there is), and of course the subsequent willingness on their part to commit to some changes.  Hopefully this "rough patch" will raise enough eyebrows for that to happen.

[putmeincoach]

I'll say what I have said before; this is a different generation – good or bad
If you want these young men to get fired up the "Old Central" crowd needs to step up as well
Put some money into upgraded facilities -  pep bands, no music, no video board, and a crowd that sits all game and doesn't understand (or just doesn't care) when it's a key 3rd down play doesn't cut it
I am sooooo tired of back in the day – well it's 2012 and time to move on – things have changed and Central has not kept up – I visited Central in the 80's and this was the best campus in the IIAC and facilities were not that much different from my visit to UNI (not including the Dome)  I was back this year and except for turf I really did not see many upgrades
I love old school and I loved coach Schipper - I wish things would not have changed but they have, so  move forward or get left behind – the 70's and 80's are gone
Now I'm done listening to my AC/DC Back in Black 8 track and going to bed!!

PS – from what I hear these losses are killing these kids – especially the seniors – they understand the Central tradition and what is at stake

For the most part...this.  You obviously don't have to look that far in the past to find a ton of success.  The last decade (00's) was one of the most successful in Central's history (I actually think that gets overlooked due to some of the parody in the conference, but you could argue it was more successful than the previous decade from a conference championship and playoff perspective).  Also, the athletic facilities are great for the most part (training facilities, etc.).  The stadium and game day atmosphere absolutely need an upgrade though, and that need becomes magnified when the season is not going great and the regulars in Pella, along with the students aren't showing up.  Again, it wouldn't take much, but there needs to be a recognition by the administration that the need exists (which I'm not sure there is), and of course the subsequent willingness on their part to commit to some changes.  Hopefully this "rough patch" will raise enough eyebrows for that to happen.

agree about the game day experience - what changes do you suggest?  ....and who can make the changes?

[doolittledog]

For the most part...this.  You obviously don't have to look that far in the past to find a ton of success.  The last decade (00's) was one of the most successful in Central's history (I actually think that gets overlooked due to some of the parody in the conference, but you could argue it was more successful than the previous decade from a conference championship and playoff perspective).  Also, the athletic facilities are great for the most part (training facilities, etc.).  The stadium and game day atmosphere absolutely need an upgrade though, and that need becomes magnified when the season is not going great and the regulars in Pella, along with the students aren't showing up.  Again, it wouldn't take much, but there needs to be a recognition by the administration that the need exists (which I'm not sure there is), and of course the subsequent willingness on their part to commit to some changes.  Hopefully this "rough patch" will raise enough eyebrows for that to happen.

agree about the game day experience - what changes do you suggest?  ....and who can make the changes?

For starters, I think Central should finally go ahead and put those plans in place that called for moving the home side seating over to the visitors side.  There were Central fans near us that said they always sit on the visitor side because they don't have the sun in their eyes that way.  The Central campus looks as nice as any in the IIAC.  The athletic facilities there look updated, with the exeption of the football field. 

Now, with that said, maybe Central has just developed a quiet, well mannered fan base.  While a renovated stadium is probably needed.  That tailgate we witnessed in Pella a few weeks ago was as quiet as a library.  We were parked close to the soccer field, so maybe there is another place where it's a bit better that we just didn't see.  There were groups of Dubuque fans in our area with many of them walking from tailgate to tailgate catching up with each other.  Otherwise, it was pretty standard.  A car would pull up, a middle aged couple would get out, they would put 2 seats down and sit quietly talking to each other.  No grilling, no big spread of food, NO ONE would make eye contact with anyone else.  The exception was the Boerm family that was near us.  They had about 4-5 cars parked together and a grill going, games of bags being played.  They had the Iowa game blaring and many Dubuque fans came over to them to get updates.  Unless Central gains more fans like the Boerm family, I'm not so sure the game day experiance will change all that much. 

[footballdaddy]

In response to the hustle factor on the field. Knowing the extent of how game film is broken down and analyzed, I would find it hard to believe that someone jogging during a play would not get noticed in a big way. I'm sure that it would be called out on Sunday's meeting and for sure on Monday. Not knowing all the specifics or seeing the incident, there may be more to the story. I wouldn't think that Mac would put up with it.

[putmeincoach]

In response to the hustle factor on the field. Knowing the extent of how game film is broken down and analyzed, I would find it hard to believe that someone jogging during a play would not get noticed in a big way. I'm sure that it would be called out on Sunday's meeting and for sure on Monday. Not knowing all the specifics or seeing the incident, there may be more to the story. I wouldn't think that Mac would put up with it.

I'm glad you commented in so many/few words.  You said exactly what I woud have said in a long long rant.

[wartknight]

For starters, I think Central should finally go ahead and put those plans in place that called for moving the home side seating over to the visitors side.  There were Central fans near us that said they always sit on the visitor side because they don't have the sun in their eyes that way.  The Central campus looks as nice as any in the IIAC.  The athletic facilities there look updated, with the exeption of the football field. 

Now, with that said, maybe Central has just developed a quiet, well mannered fan base.  While a renovated stadium is probably needed.  That tailgate we witnessed in Pella a few weeks ago was as quiet as a library.  We were parked close to the soccer field, so maybe there is another place where it's a bit better that we just didn't see.  There were groups of Dubuque fans in our area with many of them walking from tailgate to tailgate catching up with each other.  Otherwise, it was pretty standard.  A car would pull up, a middle aged couple would get out, they would put 2 seats down and sit quietly talking to each other.  No grilling, no big spread of food, NO ONE would make eye contact with anyone else.  The exception was the Boerm family that was near us.  They had about 4-5 cars parked together and a grill going, games of bags being played.  They had the Iowa game blaring and many Dubuque fans came over to them to get updates.  Unless Central gains more fans like the Boerm family, I'm not so sure the game day experiance will change all that much.

Maybe put an asterisk on that as they are Wart grads.

[notlongago]

In response to the hustle factor on the field. Knowing the extent of how game film is broken down and analyzed, I would find it hard to believe that someone jogging during a play would not get noticed in a big way. I'm sure that it would be called out on Sunday's meeting and for sure on Monday. Not knowing all the specifics or seeing the incident, there may be more to the story. I wouldn't think that Mac would put up with it.

I think it also needs to be noted this story is open to fan embellishment

[doolittledog]

Maybe put an asterisk on that as they are Wart grads.

And his mom is from Dubuque...his grandmother lives 1 block from the UD campus

[footballdaddy]

In response to the hustle factor on the field. Knowing the extent of how game film is broken down and analyzed, I would find it hard to believe that someone jogging during a play would not get noticed in a big way. I'm sure that it would be called out on Sunday's meeting and for sure on Monday. Not knowing all the specifics or seeing the incident, there may be more to the story. I wouldn't think that Mac would put up with it.

I'm glad you commented in so many/few words.  You said exactly what I woud have said in a long long rant.

Just call me 85 Words or Less.

[5 Words or Less]

In response to the hustle factor on the field. Knowing the extent of how game film is broken down and analyzed, I would find it hard to believe that someone jogging during a play would not get noticed in a big way. I'm sure that it would be called out on Sunday's meeting and for sure on Monday. Not knowing all the specifics or seeing the incident, there may be more to the story. I wouldn't think that Mac would put up with it.

I'm glad you commented in so many/few words.  You said exactly what I woud have said in a long long rant.

Just call me 85 Words or Less.

85WOL - my long lost cousin! 

[Klompen]

Old Dutch, I could not agree more with your concerns about the Dutch and their lack of urgency or the fact that they don't bounce back and take revenge on whoever is unlucky enough to play them after a loss.  Back in the day, you would not want to be the next team to play the Dutch as they made a point of their play in every game and so much more after a loss.  I have always wished the Dutch would be more fired up as they come out to the field.  Central of old was not the rowdy, loud, jumping with excitement team, but you at least always saw unquestionable determination and concentration on the job at hand.  Now they just lollygag out of the locker room like they are going for a walk and nothing more.

Get some fire in your gut Dutch and show us you know what it means to strap on the red and white

Klompen what do you attribute that to? Coaching? Recruiting? Administration?

That, for me is a very loaded question, given that I worked there for 21 years and had some pretty strong opinions about administrative decisions that I did not agree with and lead to my decision to quit hitting my head against a recently installed brick wall in the admission office. 

But, given the invitation to voice some opinions, I have never been smart enough to keep my mouth shut!  Of course I attribute some of the changes to coaching, nobody else is or likely ever will be, Coach Schipper.  Old fashioned, yes, but the man had the respect of every one of his players and that was one man they would do anything to avoid letting down.  That said, I am very happy with Coach Mac as the head guy.  I think he has a lot of the same attributes as Skip did, he just doesn't have the legendary status of Skip.  Mac is a very intelligent and thoughtful coach, if there is one thing I think he could do better at, it would likely be getting the team to have a fire in their belly.  That would be Don De Waard's forte, but he isn't the head coach, and with all the PC around football coaches what with Penn State, Lincoln, etc.  His choice of words to get the team fired up, might not be the thing these days.     I do think Mac has gotten more conservative in some ways since he came, but that may be based on player capabilities. 

I think recruiting for the Dutch is good, the Dutch numbers have been very high, though there is more competition for the best players than there was in the past.  Having a coach of legendary status helps there as well.  But I know Mac works really hard with recruiting and has shifted strategies slightly because of more in-state recruiting competition.  Iowa is still the main source, but we have more players from other states than in the past and I credit Mac with going where the local competition isn't.  Schools repackaging aid is just too rampant in Iowa and seems less likely to happen with recruits not being recruited by the Simpson. Coe and Wartburg.

Administration - ding, ding, ding, we have a winner!  I think Central messed with a good strategy they had going for all recruits, athletes and non athletes alike.  First they messed up the financial aid in what I think was a major way, now they have changed to a belief that admissions should work at getting stronger students (like nobody else wants them, and IMHO, a lot of them are picking state colleges from what I have seen in the papers).  Not that Central has not always actively recruited top students, but we used to be proud of how a barely admissible Harry Smith turned out, not to mention lots of others like him.  I am also not a fan of the current president, I have heard a lot that reminds me of Bill Wiebenga, who was sent packing.  That comparison and the significant downturn in enrollment worry me. 

[Klompen]

One more thing I would change, even though I am a huge Coach Mac fan.  I would do everything in my power to get Tim C. to come coach the Central QB's.  It wouldn't be the first time I was wrong, and since I have never played football, the odds increase; but I see Tim as a former player who oozed that passion though also in a quiet, confident way.  He was a player who knew the position inside and out, was able to view the entire field quickly and make split second decisions, often making something out of nothing.  For that key position, you have to have the best, and Tim C was it from my 40 years of watching the Dutch.  No disrespect to Coach Mac, but that would free him up to light a fire under some other positions, or the position coaches, whatever is needed.