FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

How's spring practice going?  Heard you've got good numbers.

We are also going to do some "Leadership" training on Monday.

"Leadership" training?  It doesn't involve a length of rope with a cinder block tied to one end does it?

We are going a little bit "Old School"

[raiderguy]

Desertraider,

Thanks for the enlightenment. As stated by hscoach, this is the exact situation I assumed was present at Mount. When the head coach is as concerned with his graduation record as his winning % on the field the kids are the ones who win across the board.

It's too bad "some schools" , put so much pressure on their players to win they have to break the rules.(make sure you bring your ID's to the weight room guys), oh and please no singing of Garth Brooks in the locker room.

PS, No guns permitted on the field.

[Small but Slow]

LK realizes that football is just part of the journey for his players.

[HSCTiger74]

That was one very weird letter.  Not sure what he was trying to say. 

I'm kinda puzzled about that too, but my general impression was that he thought athletes (or football players at least) should have gotten more preferential treatment. Makes me wonder if he got an explanation of what DIII is all about before he signed up. Anyway, it's good that he stated what his major was because it was obviously not English, or Journalism, or anything else requiring clear concise writing.

[Knightstalker]

That was one very weird letter.  Not sure what he was trying to say. 

I'm kinda puzzled about that too, but my general impression was that he thought athletes (or football players at least) should have gotten more preferential treatment. Makes me wonder if he got an explanation of what DIII is all about before he signed up. Anyway, it's good that he stated what his major was because it was obviously not English, or Journalism, or anything else requiring clear concise writing.

At NJCU our football team (when we had one) was out of control and they were allowed to do what they wanted.  Many would flunk out or drop out after a couple of years.  They finally got rid of coach Miller and got someone in who instilled some discipline and rules but pulled the rug out from under him before he had a chance to build the program.  Our basketball team under Coach Brown was the complete opposite.  Coach Brown would bench the best player in the country if they did not go to class.  Coach Brown was also a middle school principle in Jersey City and knew how important it is for kids in a town like  that to stay in school and get a good education.  Our basketball team competed for the conference title every year he was there and never had a losing season under him.  He never won a national title like LK has several times but the principle is the same.  Education first and everything else will come.  Discipline in the class room will lead to discipline and success everywhere.

Somebody should also let that kid know that if a school has good Performing and Fine Arts departments those departments may bring in just as much or more money than football does.  So do science departments if they are doing research.  UWW is a state school, if WI does it like NJ, then many of the smaller state schools are tied into the UW for research and are getting grant money for it.  Many of the NJAC schools work with Rutgers, UMDNJ and NJIT on research in NJ.

[Dr. Acula]

(ALLIANCE, OH)—Cleveland Benedictine senior Anthony Urbania has committed to attend Mount Union College and compete on the football team this Fall.

Urbania, a 6-0, 205-pound running back, was a three-time All-Ohio and all-Northeast Ohio selection for Coach Art Bortnik at Benedictine High School.  The former Northeast Ohio Offensive Back of the Year rushed for over 3,500 yards and had 34 touchdowns in his career.  Urbania is an undeclared major and the son of Doreen and Dean Urbania of Wickliffe, Ohio.

This is a nice win for MUC.  I've seen Urbania play several times in the last 2 years and he is not short on talent.  It's always a crapshoot how kids will respond when they get to MUC, but I'll take my chances with talented kids from good HS programs any day.

p.s. Glad to see Whaley as well.  The more that road from Louisville to Alliance gets opened up the better, IMO.

[reality check]

KS

When we talk about money-makers in Division III, I like to think they mean more than what football itself brings to the university and rather the specific impact that all those tuition-paying student-athletes make when it comes to paying to play the game. 

[reality check]

I wanted to acknowledge the overall success that ONU has been able to celebrate in OAC competition the last couple years.  Last year the Polar Bears became the first OAC school to ever win the all-sports trophy in back to back years and they can now boast a third consecutive all-sports trophy for both men and women.

Of course, I would love another playoff run and hope it's in the cards but I'm very proud of how well ONU has done in all of their intercollegiate sports.  The track and field/cross country teams have always been solid but have really kicked it up a notch in recent years.  Softball just lost in the NCAA finals after comiling a school record 39-6 record.  They'd still be chasing the championship today if not for a freaky game-ending, season-ending play yesterday.  Volleyball, basketball and wrestling continue to be very good programs and tennis, swimming and diving continue to be highly successful.  Of course, football gets a lot of attention and we've had a couple middle of the road seasons due to injuries and other variables but I am confident ONU will find a way to improve upon this year's performances as they look towards defending their all-sports title and chase number 4. 

A couple more all-sports titles and we'll become the all-sports Mount Union of the OAC 

[runyr]

I wanted to acknowledge the overall success that ONU has been able to celebrate in OAC competition the last couple years.  Last year the Polar Bears became the first OAC school to ever win the all-sports trophy in back to back years and they can now boast a third consecutive all-sports trophy for both men and women.

Of course, I would love another playoff run and hope it's in the cards but I'm very proud of how well ONU has done in all of their intercollegiate sports.  The track and field/cross country teams have always been solid but have really kicked it up a notch in recent years.  Softball just lost in the NCAA finals after comiling a school record 39-6 record.  They'd still be chasing the championship today if not for a freaky game-ending, season-ending play yesterday.  Volleyball, basketball and wrestling continue to be very good programs and tennis, swimming and diving continue to be highly successful.  Of course, football gets a lot of attention and we've had a couple middle of the road seasons due to injuries and other variables but I am confident ONU will find a way to improve upon this year's performances as they look towards defending their all-sports title and chase number 4. 

A couple more all-sports titles and we'll become the all-sports Mount Union of the OAC 

Very impressive, rc.  Plus, you have fine academic programs as well.  ONU is easily one of the top D3 schools in Midwest.  +k

[Knightstalker]

KS

When we talk about money-makers in Division III, I like to think they mean more than what football itself brings to the university and rather the specific impact that all those tuition-paying student-athletes make when it comes to paying to play the game. 

That is not nearly as big an impact on the bottom of a state college or university.

And if a hundred kids come to a college because of its football program and pay tuition is that any bigger an impact on the finances if a hundred kids attend a school because of its music program?

100 football players x 20K = 2M
100 musicians x 20k = 2M
same impact.

[Blutarsky]

I've also been particularly impressed with the updating of the campus facilities at ONU....great academics, outstanding athletic programs, small school attention, and a "safe" atmosphere.

BTW, I received my ticket renewal form for MUC football.  It still amazes me that I can purchase two reserved seats for an entire football season for less money than one ticket for one game at OSU..........and Mount WINS the national championship!

[raiderguy]

It's the best ticket in town. The place should be packed every week. Plus on  a regulal basis there are four bonus games a season yet we still can't reach the top rank in attendance year in and year out.
That has been reserved for the Johnnies in Collegeville at 8K+ a game average. Of which I am generally one.

Maybe we should start giving stuff away in the programs like a free tire rotation at Terry's Tire Town or Burgers and Chili at The HOOD. Just imagine the excitement from all the patrons as they huridly page through their programs looking for the magic "stamp" on page whatever to get a free pizza at Dominos.
(This is kind of an inside JOKE here for my friends in Collegeville.")

They even deliver a fresh "pipping hot Pizza" to some lucky patron in the stands during the game!

I think I am calling Jeff at the Hood about this one!

[Desertraider]

That was one very weird letter.  Not sure what he was trying to say. 

I'm kinda puzzled about that too, but my general impression was that he thought athletes (or football players at least) should have gotten more preferential treatment. Makes me wonder if he got an explanation of what DIII is all about before he signed up. Anyway, it's good that he stated what his major was because it was obviously not English, or Journalism, or anything else requiring clear concise writing.

I agree 100%. He sounds like he thinks athletes don't get special treatment and should. Whats sad is that he claims to have not rec'd special treatment because he failed/skipped classes from coaches. The problem is that this is an example of special treatment - he was not performing in the classroom and it did not affect his playing time. The coaches new he was underperforming (or not performing at all) in the classroom, yet he started and played every game. Maybe I am wrong and maybe some UWW fans can correct me - but I don't remember hearing of AJ losing playing time because of academics. He does not have to be inelgible to lose playing time. Bob Knight always dogged players court time for not going to class (Lawrence Funderburk, Alford, even his own kid Pat). They were eligible but were skipping classes.

I am pretty sure some of AJs teammates have contacted him to ask "WTF?" because he does not say he was the only one and makes it sound like a number of kids on the team was doing it (he uses "We" an awful lot). Additionally, the coaches come off looking really bad because they appear to have expected and supported that type of decision making - and then rewarded it for not punishing the kids by taking away playing time.

[formerd3db]

That was one very weird letter.  Not sure what he was trying to say. 

I'm kinda puzzled about that too, but my general impression was that he thought athletes (or football players at least) should have gotten more preferential treatment. Makes me wonder if he got an explanation of what DIII is all about before he signed up. Anyway, it's good that he stated what his major was because it was obviously not English, or Journalism, or anything else requiring clear concise writing.

I agree 100%. He sounds like he thinks athletes don't get special treatment and should. Whats sad is that he claims to have not rec'd special treatment because he failed/skipped classes from coaches. The problem is that this is an example of special treatment - he was not performing in the classroom and it did not affect his playing time. The coaches new he was underperforming (or not performing at all) in the classroom, yet he started and played every game. Maybe I am wrong and maybe some UWW fans can correct me - but I don't remember hearing of AJ losing playing time because of academics. He does not have to be inelgible to lose playing time. Bob Knight always dogged players court time for not going to class (Lawrence Funderburk, Alford, even his own kid Pat). They were eligible but were skipping classes.

I am pretty sure some of AJs teammates have contacted him to ask "WTF?" because he does not say he was the only one and makes it sound like a number of kids on the team was doing it (he uses "We" an awful lot). Additionally, the coaches come off looking really bad because they appear to have expected and supported that type of decision making - and then rewarded it for not punishing the kids by taking away playing time.

I would agree also.  The writer of that letter is certainly not the kind of role model I would want for my own son as his coach and teacher.  If what he states is true, it is very sad state of society that some people have sunk to in this era and something that one should not be proud of.  That kind of ridiculousness (and selfishness) is something that most persons wouldn't ever want to make public were they to have been involved in such, yet obviously he thinks otherwise.     

[Bump]

TWO kickers??!! 

Knowing what kickers do during practice (I was good friends with one -- still am)... they basically kicked some balls, drove the Thomas More golf cart around, found the candy/snack shed to be unlocked... etc...

At least these two will be able to hang out while they do all that..

North Canton Hoover High School Senior Jeff Meek to Play Football at Mount Union

(ALLIANCE, OH)—North Canton Hoover High School senior Jeff Meek has committed to attend Mount Union College and compete on the football team this Fall.

Meek, a 5-11, 190-pound placekicker, was an All-Ohio special mention and a two-time all-league, all-region and all-county selection for coach Don Hertler Jr. at North Canton Hoover High School.

Meek, who plans to study biology, is the son of Bob and Lise Meek of North Canton.

This is a mistake. Jeff is a DB.