FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

BLynn enjoying his retirement!

Best part of the year is upon us with football season.  Good luck with your Morningside team against D2 competition. 

From you neck of the woods, I think NWU is in for a long season., and I think BVU might be in for a long year as well...they are young. 

[BLynn]

retirement has allowed me some perks.  Went to NWU for a practice last week and they look physically better than I had remember when they were in the GPAC; not huge, but more buff.

wanted to go to BVU at Concordia, NE on the 8th, but son's wedding takes precedent.  Was at Concordia for a walk-thru today and lots of bodies, but O-line needs to find the right 5 and Qb battle still unsettled, so with the Beavers having a game under their belt (no charge for sports cliche) BVU might be right in this one.

[doolittledog]

Remember to head over to the pick-ems board and get your picks in for this weeks games.

THURSDAY
Hamline University @ Buena Vista 6pm           

SATURDAY
UW-La Crosse @ Luther 1 p.m.         
UW-Eau Claire @ Loras 1 p.m.     
Nebraska Wesleyan @ Concordia College (Minn.) 1 p.m.           
Augustana College @ Coe 1 p.m.           
Bethel University @ Simpson 1 p.m.           
Central @ Northwestern-St. Paul (Minn.) 5 p.m.     
UW-Whitewater @ Dubuque 6 p.m.     
Greenville University @ Wartburg    7 p.m.

[Outside the Crate]

I've not ever done the pick-ems...where is the "pick-ems board?"

[doolittledog]

I've not ever done the pick-ems...where is the "pick-ems board?"

Under "General Football" you will see Child Boards: Pick-Ems, ext. 

Click there and I think we are still listed under IIAC pick-ems.

Just need to make your picks for this weeks IIAC games.  Would love to have more of us doing the pick-ems.  The only thing you win is bragging rights

[doolittledog]

And one more reminder to get into the pick-ems this year.  1st game is tonight.

THURSDAY
Hamline University @ Buena Vista 6pm           

SATURDAY
UW-La Crosse @ Luther 1 p.m.         
UW-Eau Claire @ Loras 1 p.m.     
Nebraska Wesleyan @ Concordia College (Minn.) 1 p.m.           
Augustana College @ Coe 1 p.m.           
Bethel University @ Simpson 1 p.m.           
Central @ Northwestern-St. Paul (Minn.) 5 p.m.     
UW-Whitewater @ Dubuque 6 p.m.     
Greenville University @ Wartburg    7 p.m.

[doolittledog]

BVU leads Hamline 20-14 at the half. 

The BVU announcers were saying records are new now that the conference changed its name.  I really, really, really hope those announcers are mistaken. 

Announcers saying the long term goal is to add schools from many different states.  I wonder what that means...Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota?  Have divisions?  North/South or East/West?  Are others hearing these same things?

[doolittledog]

BVU beats Hamline 39-27.

Good news, BVU wins and scores 6 TD's.  Of some concern is they only convert 3-6 extra point attempts. 

[Fannosaurus Rex]

I always it like when the ARC is batting 1000%.

[Outside the Crate]

Nice article in DSM Register today entitled "Ultimate Iowa college football roadtrip."  Mention of two ARC games, Simpson at Wartburg and Central at Wartburg.  Also a plug for Grandview, Morningside, and Drake games.  Quite nice, for a big change!
https://desmoinesregister-ia.newsmemory.com/?token=538f31abf1429f61200a6c85ad9178bd&cnum=6522719&fod=1111111STD&selDate=20180901&licenseType=paid_subscriber&;

[DBQ1965]

So ... the ARC goes 3-6 in its first weekend as a conference.   Not good!

[BLynn]

Patterns I've seen in D3 - There is a definite pecking order in the Midwest.  Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences are just better the past decade or so as the ARC has been hurt somewhat by recruiting competition from Iowan NAIA schools; Grand View, Morningside, Northwestern, and more recently Dordt have recruited well, while there is no NAIA presence in the other two states and no NCAA D2 in Wisconsin. 
I know size doesn't matter, but the resources available for schools 3 to 5 times larger in enrollment also comes into play, whether in finance or in available programs of study.  What's the cure? 

[doolittledog]

Patterns I've seen in D3 - There is a definite pecking order in the Midwest.  Wisconsin and Minnesota conferences are just better the past decade or so as the ARC has been hurt somewhat by recruiting competition from Iowan NAIA schools; Grand View, Morningside, Northwestern, and more recently Dordt have recruited well, while there is no NAIA presence in the other two states and no NCAA D2 in Wisconsin. 
I know size doesn't matter, but the resources available for schools 3 to 5 times larger in enrollment also comes into play, whether in finance or in available programs of study.  What's the cure?

Added competition in-state has taken a toll on recruiting.  20 or so years ago, Morningside was D2, Northwestern, Graceland, and St. Ambrose were NAIA and that was it.  Since around the year 2000 NAIA programs have been added at Briar Cliff, Dordt, Grand View, Waldorf, William Penn switched from D3 to NAIA, and Upper Iowa moved from D3 to D2.  Grand View, Upper Iowa, and within the last 2-3 years Dordt have upped their recruiting game.  That is part of it.  Also, there was a clear pecking order for a long time in the IIAC where there were typically 3 strong programs in the conference (Central, Simpson, Wartburg in the 90's and Central, Coe, Wartburg in the early 2000's)  The top 3 teams knew they would win by 50+ against the conference bottom feeders back in the day.  There aren't really any weeks off in the ARC these days.  I think there is a strong argument the MIAC and WIAC are stronger now than in the past.  You can also argue the small town rural Iowa kids that once dreamed of playing college football are becoming more likely to just end up as just a student at a state school these days instead of playing D3.  And there are fewer small town rural Iowa kids now which were the backbone of the IIAC way back when.  The large school kids were always iffy in recruiting to D3.     


You better also be careful about saying the WIAC has an advantage...their fans will show up and say there are no statistics that show they win national titles at a higher rate than private schools.    Yes, they have better facilities, have more students and therefore more social opportunities, more available programs of study, cost to attend will be lower, kids say they "feel" like they are playing at a D1 level.  Statistics don't lie 

[WaHooWa]

no NCAA D2 in Wisconsin. 
I know size doesn't matter, but the resources available for schools 3 to 5 times larger in enrollment also comes into play, whether in finance or in available programs of study.  What's the cure?


Couple of comments coming from a WIAC alum and follower...

There may not be any D2 in WI, but there is a lot in MN and they cherry pick the western / central WI schools.  It's no coincidence that the success in WIAC is primarily in the east and south of the state that doesn't have to compete against the Mankato, Duluth, St. Cloud, Moorhead, Winona that offer some $$

I would venture to say the privates might have better resources support from the Higher education in WI has been under attack for the last 10 years from a Governor that doesn't value a college education.  Wide discrepancy amongst the schools in the WIAC -- Whitewater has much better support, although others are starting to put more money into athletics to "catch up".

[Outside the Crate]

The very visible battles over funding for education at all levels in Wisconsin misses the fact that WIAC colleges glean hundreds of millions of dollars from the taxpayers.  For example, UWSP is about to build a $75M science building with public funds.  Whitewater is spending $ 34M for a new residence hall ($ 84,500 per bed!).  UW Eau Claire is building a $ 256M science building, a $ 51M performing arts center, and a new recreation center.  The list goes on, and it's pretty impressive.  The advantages build over time and certainly include substantial subsidies of tuition.  There have always been price advantages for the publics, but I would argue that the huge spending on infrastructure at public institutions in Wisconsin has changed the competitive landscape, making it increasingly difficult for small and or private colleges to compete.  I'm not saying they can't compete successfully because the privates have proven to provide distinctive and excellent education.  But, it's tough.  The playing field isn't level; anyone who argues otherwise is smoking something unhealthy...