Around the Nation board

[K-Mack]

Responding to part of a post from Top 25 Rankings:

I really have enjoyed your pod cast of ATN.  I have forgot to give you to props for that.  It really gives a feel for what has gone on over the week end.  Thanks to Pat and K-Mack for all you two do for the D3 kids. 

Thanks for that. I guess there isn't much to comment on, but the lack of comments in the Dose sometimes make me wonder if anyone is listening. As long as you are, we'll probably keep doing it.

It definitely helps me get my mind right for the week ahead too. Not that it helped on getting this week's column up early, but I'll blame that on doing some bookkeeping from back in August when I normally would've been knocking out column items.

The podcast is fun and definitely one way I/we felt we needed to be able to connect with our readers in this new multimedia age. Hopefully we can stay on the cutting edge and still be able to deliver what people want, and as you noted, what Division III football deserves.

[smedindy]

I sent it on Tuesday. It was long, detailed, thorough. I think he got deluged.

[K-Mack]

I sent it on Tuesday. It was long, detailed, thorough. I think he got deluged.

If you're still talking about Easterbrook, you ain't kidding. Went over to my insane non-stop fantasy league message board, and they were firing him hate mail because he won't stop ragging on Belichick. (That league is like 3/5ths Boston fans, and now is a great time to be among them, let me tell you.  Red Sox, Pats and now the Cs)

Anyway,
Landed here safely -- even after the triple flight; avoid that when possible -- and met up with Ralph Turner, who is my acting guide for the weekend (so far at least) ... Very much appreciated, as it was with Wildcat11 in Oregon.

Always good to have a local mind give you a few tips, then set you free to get a feel for the place on your own.

Friday Night Lights, here I come.

[Knightstalker]

KMack, you need to report back on the game, games you see tonight, it would be greatly appreciated.  Would love to see a friday night game in Texas someday in my lifetime.

[K-Mack]

KMack, you need to report back on the game, games you see tonight, it would be greatly appreciated.  Would love to see a friday night game in Texas someday in my lifetime.

Went ahead and did this, just for you. (OK, for me too).

I tried to catch two, half and half, but the second one was a dud, already 41-0 when I got there (and they were still charging admission at the start of the 3rd) and it wasn't even a local team, it was two teams using Abilene as a midpoint (travel in Texas & the ASC is something else, let me tell you), so the stadium was virtually empty. It had been a long day with the three flights and all, so I just scrapped it.

The first game was more of a small-town deal (3A Wylie vs. Wimberly, if that means anything to you) and it was exactly how you think it would be. Everyone and their mom was there, it was out of control in a good way ...

Hopefully I'll be able to squeeze some of that in the column this week, but who knows.

[DutchFan2004]

Great Pod cast to both of you.  That really gives a recap of the games that affect D3 football. 

[Sakman 1111]

Awesome podcast .....don't know much about schools outside the the Midwest so very informative for me....If games keep going according to plan the MHB vs. UWW should be a great one to circle on your calendar but certainly UWW at least has some tough ones before Texas comes calling.....

[voice]

I agree with Sakman... the Keith and Pat's weekly podcast definitely puts some perspective on D3 games around the nation.  It is a must listen every Monday morning for me.

Their is plenty of water that has to go over the dam prior to Oct. 27th, but Mary Hardin-Baylor's trip to the "Perk" in Whitewater is much anticipated.

Sure hope ATN can make Whitewater its home on the final weekend of October.  You can set up in the KOOL 106.5 box if you would like.  Its computer ready for you!

[Pat Coleman]

Gee, you're sure that some university muckety-muck isn't taking up that space in the press box? We're not interested in working from the roof.

[Josh Bowerman]

Hey, I resemble that remark.  Sometimes.  In my dreams.   

[Pat Coleman]

Not to the extent at that place, where they want to put the NCAA's official video crew broadcasters on the roof in December.

We've got other battles to fight. Not worth it there.

[DutchFan2004]

Pat,

You don't think the weather will be nice that time of year in WW?

[K-Mack]

Hey,
Just wanted to say to anyone who might be reading ... the e-mail you are sending is great. I plan to share some of it, and have been squeezing tidbits in where possible, but the columns have been so full lately I just can't get to all of it. I am reading it. Maybe if next week is the Midseason Review like I think it will be, I can do The First Half In E-Mail or something.

I just finished the column. Did it in an unprecedented one 7-hour sitting (was off work tonight to watch the kids; them going to sleep @ 9:30-10 made it possible).

Point is, I have gobs of Texas stuff that I couldn't even get in. Stuff about the high school games, from an impromptu sitdown with Donny Gray, coach at McMurry ... stuff from meeting an ETBU coach and signing my first autograph. Just the general West Texas thing ... Abilene is midway between Odessa/Midland, which might mean something to you football fans, and Dallas.

Anyway, the plan is to get here by Friday and share some of that stuff with the die-hard board readers, rather than let it rot away in my notebook and brain.

Also, yeah, Whitewater is weirdly cooperative.

Thanks for the kind words about the podcast. Always good to know someone is listening

[Mr. Ypsi]

Nice column (as usual), but there is no identification w/ the front page photo.  I recognize you from your column photo (and I wouldn't know the student in the costume anyway), but is that our own Ralph Turner with you?

[Ron Boerger]

Yep, that is indeed the esteemed Dr. Turner.