FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Off season boredom, so I looked up which D3 school had the most Wins in School History.

Prior to 2012 Season:
707  Wittenberg (10 Wins in 2012)
699  Mount Union (15 Wins in 2012)
681  Washington & Jefferson (8 Wins in 2012)

Current:
717  Wittenberg
714  Mount Union
689  Washington & Jefferson

It is possible that Mount Union could overtake the Tigers in 2013.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Rally Scheduled to Celebrate 2012 Championship on Feb 4th:

http://www.mountunion.edu/raider-rally-to-be-held-february-4

[PurpleSuit]

http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/hall_of_fame/x206918939/Mount-Unions-Fuline-tells-HOF-club-ups-and-downs-of-recruiting

On rumors about Mount Union football coach Larry Kehres possibly retiring after winning his 11th national championship, Fuline said, "He and I eat lunch together every day, and he has never spoken of that one time. He looks more passionate now talking to these recruits than I've ever seen him."

seems these "rumors" pop up every year

[Dr. Acula]

http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/hall_of_fame/x206918939/Mount-Unions-Fuline-tells-HOF-club-ups-and-downs-of-recruiting

On rumors about Mount Union football coach Larry Kehres possibly retiring after winning his 11th national championship, Fuline said, "He and I eat lunch together every day, and he has never spoken of that one time. He looks more passionate now talking to these recruits than I've ever seen him."

seems these "rumors" pop up every year

These days that certainly seems to be the case that we hear it annually.  I don't know why he would.  First off, he's only what 63?  That's not that old.  Second, with VK and Woj he's got two long time lieutenants that help him run the day to day and know exactly how he wants things done.  I wouldn't be surprised if he lets Vince run a lot of the stuff if for no other reason than to prepare him to be a HC when the time comes.  LK seemed excited about rolling his sleeves up and getting into the play calling again.  I guess to me the most likely reason he would retire is just to let Vince take over as HC.  But I don't see that happening now (I hope!).

As a side note, 5 yrs ago I would have been luke warm on VK being the next HC.  But every year I've gained more respect for him.  He's matured.  He's more than proved that he is a great DC.  They are excellent every single year on that side of the ball.  He's seen exactly how his dad runs the program.  He knows what it takes.  I think he'd do a great job now. 

[wally_wabash]

Off season boredom, so I looked up which D3 school had the most Wins in School History.

Prior to 2012 Season:
707  Wittenberg (10 Wins in 2012)
699  Mount Union (15 Wins in 2012)
681  Washington & Jefferson (8 Wins in 2012)

Current:
717  Wittenberg
714  Mount Union
689  Washington & Jefferson

It is possible that Mount Union could overtake the Tigers in 2013.

Almost certainly if Mount Union gets back to the championship game.  Otherwise it might be tough to get +3 or 4 on Wittenberg next year.  We're going round robin in the NCAC next year, so Witt's going to get a couple of gimmes instead of two possibly challenging non-league games.  My guess is that they'll be the preseason favorite to win the league, but the playoff bid should be up for grabs between Witt, Wabash and OWU next year.  Witt is throwing a game away to get facekicked by Butler next year, so there's probably one game UMU will make up on them at least. 

[formerd3db]

wally:

You bring up some interesting points/observations.  Also, on somewhat tangential topics re: Witt... (even though this is the OAC board):

1) it is interesting that Butler continues to schedule a DIII team every year the past several years (Albion, Franklin, now Witt), particularly since they have been moving in the direction of upgrading their DI FCS program and also since their league champion will now have an AQ to the FCS playoffs beginning this fall.  Not that I don't like that because I do i.e. a DIII team getting a chance at playing either DII or DI FCS if the former desires to take that chance regarding the SOS "stuff" of the DIII playoffs regardless the AQ.

2) I was surprised to see that Witt now has only about just over 1800 students.  Hasn't Witt be steadily losing enrollment in recent years - I recall they used to have well over 2000, at least about 2200 or more for a long time?

Just curious as to your thoughts on the above aspects.

[wally_wabash]

wally:

You bring up some interesting points/observations.  Also, on somewhat tangential topics re: Witt... (even though this is the OAC board):

1) it is interesting that Butler continues to schedule a DIII team every year the past several years (Albion, Franklin, now Witt), particularly since they have been moving in the direction of upgrading their DI FCS program and also since their league champion will now have an AQ to the FCS playoffs beginning this fall.  Not that I don't like that because I do i.e. a DIII team getting a chance at playing either DII or DI FCS if the former desires to take that chance regarding the SOS "stuff" of the DIII playoffs regardless the AQ.

2) I was surprised to see that Witt now has only about just over 1800 students.  Hasn't Witt be steadily losing enrollment in recent years - I recall they used to have well over 2000, at least about 2200 or more for a long time?

Just curious as to your thoughts on the above aspects.

You know, I'm not familiar enough with the FCS selection process to know for sure, but my guess is that Butler benefits more from playing whoever and not losing than they would if they played some other FCS or D-II and lost a game whereas in D-III you can pretty much toss that out-of-division result out the window.  Our teams can play Butler and it doesn't really hurt them come selection time (although they do miss an opportunity to beef up their D-III and in-region win percentages), but Butler may not be able to absorb a loss to whoever it is they might play and be selected or have any chance at all at hosting a game.  Maybe...like I said, I don't know how the FCS process works.  If Butler could schedule up and go play IU or Purdue or some such thing, take a whoopin' and cash a big check, they should probably do that instead.  I digress.  Generally speaking, I really don't like D-IIIs playing out of division, especially FCS teams.  I just don't see the upside.  If you're after the challenge, go take a game with Mount Union or Whitewater or North Central or Wesley.  They're always looking for a non-league game.  We have so few data points when it comes time for at-large selection and then seeding the tournament that it seems a shame to me to play games out of division and throw away a data point. 

As for your second question, I read somewhere that Wittenberg was having some cash issues and were tightening things up.  I don't know if their lower enrollment is a strategic move to be a smaller, tidier business or if it is a result of the last five years of local and national economics that have made it difficult for Wittenberg to reach out and make their university affordable to a cross section of families that they used to be able to reach out to.  Honestly I don't know nearly enough about the business aspects of running a university to say what's behind the lower enrollment there.  It doesn't seem like those lower numbers are impacting the number of bodies on their football roster and it certainly hasn't impacted the quality of their team.  They're still playing top 25 level football and I wouldn't expect that to change anytime soon. 

[formerd3db]

wally:

Thanks for your reply.  You make some very good points.  Obviously, the "scope" of DIII in regards to scheduling has changed much since my own playing days long ago.  In that regard, and as you said, it makes more sense to schedule a game with one of the top DIII teams.  However, while I realize that most people will disagree with me on this, I personally still like the idea of a DIII team playing an occasional game against a DII or lower tier FCS team if they want to.  It provides a very unique experience for the DIII players in playing at a "big[ger] time" program and, in some situations, can help improve the team (even in a loss) for their own regular competition.  For those teams with an AQ, it doesn't matter other than perhaps a potential hosting site and seeding in the playoffs, which admittedly could be a deterant or problem.  Still, I like the idea of being able to schedule one of those games IF a college wants to, although only a few do.

At to Witt, I agree with you that their football program has not gone down like the enrollment has.  Now that you mention it, I seem to recall reading somewhere that economics had a role in that as you mention might be part of the problem.  On the other hand, as you say, perhaps they just want to keep it at a slightly lower number as they are now.   

[ExTartanPlayer]

Valid points on both sides of the "Should d3 schools bother playing out of division if nonconference games are readily available?" (I'm making an exception here for some of the more far flung outposts in D3 where games may not be as easy to come by). I side more with Wally that we have enough trouble sorting out the playoff picture as is with so few nonconference games to help us delineate between the top teams...but on the other hand, I understand the "unique experience" angle to a point. I'll still side with Wally though

[Raider 68]

Valid points on both sides of the "Should d3 schools bother playing out of division if nonconference games are readily available?" (I'm making an exception here for some of the more far flung outposts in D3 where games may not be as easy to come by). I side more with Wally that we have enough trouble sorting out the playoff picture as is with so few nonconference games to help us delineate between the top teams...but on the other hand, I understand the "unique experience" angle to a point. I'll still side with Wally though

The issue is not that D3 schools are reluctant to schedule D2 schools. The issue is that very few D2
schools want to take the risk of playing a good D3 team. Several years ago, the Raiders were willing to play a D2 school with their lone non-conference game, but Coach Kehres gave up on that, since the answer was always no thanks. Now Mount does not see a benefit to it, but many other schools would feel differently if a D2 school would give them a game. Good discussion!

[sigma one]

This might be better posted on the NCAC board, but since the discussion started here. . . Some of this I know; most of it comes from media sources readily available.  Wittenberg has not achieved its stated or planned first-year class goal for several years, including this year.  As a tuition driven university, this impacts their income.  They have drawn from their endownment to make building repairs.  They are considering cutting or eliminating academic programs.  They have a high "discount" rate--that is, they spend a lot of money (need-based and merit=based in financial aid packages) to help attract students.   Discount refers to the percentage of total tuition used  to attract and retain students; the higher the aid, the higher the discount, and the lower the total dollars available for operating.  Their bond rating was reduced a while back to a lower level that they share with only Ohio Northern among OAC and NCAC schools.  (This has no immediate financial impact, but is a measure of how Moody's considers them.)  It appears that the new president, Laurie Joyner, is aggressively attacking these issues.  Things have been tough for higher education for the last five or so years, and maybe tougher for Witt than for most because of their entering financial situation as they fought through the slide. 
     A consultant recently referred to the "Bloody Four", those Ohio colleges that frequentlly go head to head with one another for students:  Witt, Den, Woo, OWU.  And outside these four, there are a whole lot of other small, private colleges in Ohio, a state whose population is shrinking.  Some schools, maybe Wittenberg among them, are touting their athletics programs as a way to attract students, so it's no surprise that the football team has not seemed to be affected, particularly given their continuing success.  Football is a big number sport, the coaches are terrific recruiters, so football remains a strong selling point.  Over time, if there are reductions in Wittenberg's discount rate, it will be interesting to see if athletics suffers.  This is certainly not to say that Witt does anything wrong in recruiting athletes, but the reality is that many athletes, in all sports and football perhaps more than most, need aid at an increasing level to attend a private school.   

[purpled]

If anyone would like to share a dvd copy of the Stagg Bowl, please send me a PM so we can make an arrangement. Thanks!

[HScoach]

Rally Scheduled to Celebrate 2012 Championship on Feb 4th:

http://www.mountunion.edu/raider-rally-to-be-held-february-4

Just a reminder

[RoyalPurple]

Another great Raider Recognition night. It's still humbling to believe that these young men are looking up and thanking us for our support while I'm trying to salute them for outstanding seasons and careers. And still Larry is the most approachable Hall of Fame Coach.

Glad I had a chance to thank Driscoll, Scott and others for tremendous careers.

OK, so how much should I send to the M Club for NC rings. Based on the young men I talked to last night,,,a lot

[Blutarsky]

So, the "M-Club" helps subsidize the cost of the National Championship rings for the players??  Nice touch....now I know why our son's ring(s) were so affordable.  Thanks to those who contributed!