FB: American Rivers Conference

[5 Words or Less]

25 - seconds, old play clock rule

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2008/02/13/ncaaburst_0213.html

[Charlie Kohawk]

My son played baseball in Lisbon Sunday, which provided sufficient excuse to visit Chameleon's in Mount Vernon. I've been there frequently, but never had the blue cheeseburger that has been touted here. I've been missing out. What a burger! And a side of onion rings and Fat Tire on tap was like heaven on earth. It has to be my favorite postgame stop in the IIAC.

[Alfredeneumann]

" The new president takes over with a totally different physical campus than what was there 15-20 years ago."

AMEN - I am in  20th  year @ Wartburg . In that time there has been ONE year when there has been NO MAJOR destruction, construction or remodeling going on somewhere on campus.

[doolittledog]

My son played baseball in Lisbon Sunday, which provided sufficient excuse to visit Chameleon's in Mount Vernon. I've been there frequently, but never had the blue cheeseburger that has been touted here. I've been missing out. What a burger! And a side of onion rings and Fat Tire on tap was like heaven on earth. It has to be my favorite postgame stop in the IIAC.

And now favorite postgame stop for little league 



25 - Fewest points given up by Dubuque in a season.  1942 - 8 games, 8-0 IIAC champs.  Their 2nd of 3 titles that decade. 

[Storm-what?]

Oh Klop, that hurts! Am I that bad? 

Walston- here's the info I could find.

http://home.mchsi.com/~wartburgaaup/files/Fitch.pdf

This link has copies of Wartburg's financial statements as of 2005. They had $85 Million in debt in 2005 (page 5 on that link) and a very reduced bond rating because of their financial ratios. Despite some of their largest classes in history, they also had negative revenues 3 of 6 years in that same time. There are two ways for them to get money- kids coming in and grads going out. They are already tapped out on kids coming in- they can't grow much more. That means Wartburg will HAVE to call on alums to give more and more and things are going to get very tight. 

Yes they raised $90 million but none of that went to their debt. According to the article the money was intended for: "The campaign is intended to provide
$41 million for financial aid and technology
enhancements, $40 million for facilities, and $7 million
for operations."   Also, half of that campaign, $43 million, is in "deferred payments" that Wartburg may not see for years- in things like wills, estates, etc. Right now 9% of Wartburg's revenues to toward debt payment. Right now the average for colleges is less than 5%. Right now Wartburg's entire campus is being used as collateral. That means is enrollment goes down, if alumni giving goes down, serious problems can arise overnight. As I recall one of the top leaders in admissions left in the past year. I don't know why, but I would speculate that the pressure to bring in huge classes, with a dwindling high school population and a horrible economy, had to be a factor.

I'm not saying Ohle was a bad leader, I don't know him at all. I'm just making the point that money is going to be an issue at Wartburg. There's no way around it. Construction can be a great thing, but like Alfred said, in 20 years there has been a ton of contruction- that comes at a cost. There is a reason most colleges don't have that much construction. It's a choice on how much debt to take and most colleges choose against it. Period.

Just curious those of you closely affiliated with Wartburg- my connnections say that the incoming class for this fall is coming in much slower than ever before? Any idea if that is true?

[dutchfan1]

Central has...

25 - Consecutive wins against an opponent, Central vs. Upper Iowa, 1979- (present)

25 - Years without a loss to an opponent (tie) Simpson 1957-82, Upper Iowa, 1979-(present)

[doolittledog]

That is amazing storm.  Can you find info like that for Dubuque???  Or all of the IIAC schools???

On another note.  Our cat had 1 kitten yesterday and is right now in the middle of delivering kitten #2.

Is that normal, or is something very strange going on here???  Living on a farm we never saw kittens until the mother cat brought them out after about 6 weeks. 

[TheOne89.1]

Concerning the Wartburg debt...I would assume with this new project that there should be little left to build new.  The only buildings I can think of that are really that old are more of historic tradition and wouldn't be torn down anyways.  Maybe I am wrong and just don't remember a building from three years ago, but when I get back on campus for FB games it just seems like it is a very modern campus with lots of new buildings.  Hopefully the 20 years of construction AEN has been seeing will slow down.

[Floyd in Iowa City]

Anyone know if any IIAC guys got calls for NFL minicamps?  Looks like the Packers are trying out a few D3 guys with Beavers from UWW getting an invite to minicamp and a WR from Mississippi College signed a free agent contract with them.  Maybe these guys will pay off like Bill Schroeder did in the late 90's.

Horace Gant (WR for St. Olaf) was one of the Division III players that signed with an NFL team.  He will be playing for the Redskins.  His coach at St. Olaf (Chris Meidt) is also now with the Redskins as well.  I really won't miss seeing Luther play against those two.

The other WR for the Oles (Andrew Schmiesing) was a Twins minor league player that also is now out of eligibility.  The two WRs and a bunch of Ole offensive starters were seniors.  Too bad the Norse are starting over as well in terms of having a new coach and lots of new offensive starters.   Timing is a big part of everything I guess.

[the_mayne_event]

Anyone know if any IIAC guys got calls for NFL minicamps?  Looks like the Packers are trying out a few D3 guys with Beavers from UWW getting an invite to minicamp and a WR from Mississippi College signed a free agent contract with them.  Maybe these guys will pay off like Bill Schroeder did in the late 90's.

The stud WR for St. Olaf was one of the Division III players that signed with an NFL team.  He will be playing for the Redskins.  His coach at St. Olaf is also now with the Redskins as well.  I really won't miss seeing Luther play against those two.

The other stud WR for the Oles was a Twins minor league player that also is now out of eligibility.  The two WRs and a bunch of Ole offensive starters were seniors.  Too bad the Norse are starting over as well in terms of having a new coach and lots of new offensive starters.   Timing is a big part of everything I guess.

Pierre Garcon (WR), of Mt Union, was drafted in the 6th rd by the Colts

[Walston Hoover]

I was at Wartburg several weekends ago and Ohle said in a speech, I think the number used was over 400 deposits have been recieved so its not slowing down at all. The reason the top guy in admissions left was because he had a stroke. Hardly voluntary.
Thanks for getting those numbers. If Wartburg is indeed in a mess, it is very well hidden on campus. You would never know it to talk to anyone up there. My personal feeling is that if the debt is manageable, there is no issue, but I can see where you are coming from.
AE would have better knowledge on it because he lives it every day.

[Alfredeneumann]

I am NOT aware of any building to be done next year and a change in administration probably will ensure year 21 will be construction free.

There is one "wish list" building that has been rumored, then I would think dorm renovations Cent. Complex and Clinton would be next.

Keeping enrollment in the 1800 range and pledged gifts keep coming should keep tuition from making huge jump.

I am not an expert or have any special insight, just been around a LONG time.

[Alfredeneumann]

Walston - Will you be @ Orange + Black Attach's wedding this weekend?

AEN

[Walston Hoover]

I won't be able to get down in time for the nuptials, but I will be there for the beer afterward.

[Alfredeneumann]

"As I recall one of the top leaders in admissions left in the past year. I don't know why, but I would speculate that the pressure to bring in huge classes, with a dwindling high school population and a horrible economy, had to be a factor."

The former director of admissions that  left about a year ago was not the one who had the stoke but his successor.  He left for less hours and more $'s in the "real world". He has 4 young kids and also is head baseball coach for a HS in the area.