FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[tigerfanalso]

What other schools did your Son consider ?

[Dr. Acula]

It's still on my DVR.  I watched it not that long ago! 

[bleedpurple]

It's still on my DVR.  I watched it not that long ago!

I believe you. It really does seem like a long off-season.  Good for you watching it again.  I don't think I was ever able to bring myself to watch the Mount wins over UW-W again. Except for select highlights of course.

[bceagle80]

What other schools did your Son consider ?

My son considered and was recruited on several different levels including: Walsh University, Ferris State University, Northern Michigan University, Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University, Illinois College, Indiana State University, Alma College, Adrian College Albion College and others. He was treated by the coaches at Mount Union with respect and a positive upbeat atmosphere permeated the experience. When we visited a Spring Practice after he decided on Mount Union, the whole team was very welcoming. He is pumped to play football at Mount Union and is working out hard to be the very best he can be.

[bceagle80]

Welcome!  I suggest you introduce yourself on the OAC thread, as newly-started threads rarely seem to draw much conversation.  Most of the chatter happens on the conference threads.  Good luck to your son this fall!

Thank you for the kind words and advice. I have looked at the threads a little bit over the past couple of months and I look forward to enjoying discussions with anyone who makes comments with me. Only 45 days to my son's first day at Mount Union!

[bceagle80]

As long as you don't think Mount and Whitewater belong in DII, then you should fit right in the OAC (and WIAC) thread. 

Having attended the Mount Union - Baldwin Wallace game last season, I can say Mount Union (and I expect UW-W) plays with the speed of DI  schools. However, there are several factors I see which make it challenging for both schools to compete above DIII at this time. First, in order to move up to DII or DI, each school needs to be ready move to those levels both from an athletic standpoint (in all sports) and from a financial standpoint. This means for Mount Union they, most likely, would need to be a much larger school. While I am sure they want to grow, it needs to be done the right way and with the right time timing academically, athletically and financially.

With respect to football, as has been mentioned in this thread, I am sure, Mount Union does a great job recruiting young men who really want to play highly competitive college football. They may not have the physical characteristics of DI football players at their position but they play and practice with heart, focus, intensity and determination. Give me a team of young men like that who just happen to be, maybe, not quite gifted athletically as "some" DI players and I will give you a winning team. Are they ready to be in DII now? DI now? Probably not. Can they compete and win some games against opponents at those levels? There is no doubt in my mind! I believe higher levels schools would be concerned about putting Mount Union and/or UW-W on their schedules because they would not want to have a team that losing to a DIII school. 

[rscl70]

What other schools did your Son consider ?

My son considered and was recruited on several different levels including: Walsh University, Ferris State University, Northern Michigan University, Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University, Illinois College, Indiana State University, Alma College, Adrian College Albion College and others. He was treated by the coaches at Mount Union with respect and a positive upbeat atmosphere permeated the experience. When we visited a Spring Practice after he decided on Mount Union, the whole team was very welcoming. He is pumped to play football at Mount Union and is working out hard to be the very best he can be.

Welcome to the Mount Union family bceagle!  I hope your son's experience at Mount Union is everything you and he hopes for and more.

[Dr. Acula]

Saw this story on Minerva star WR turned RB Cody Parrish in today's paper.  He's headed to Berg.

Rep story

[bceagle80]

As long as you don't think Mount and Whitewater belong in DII, then you should fit right in the OAC (and WIAC) thread. 

Having attended the Mount Union - Baldwin Wallace game last season, I can say Mount Union (and I expect UW-W) plays with the speed of DI  schools. However, there are several factors I see which make it challenging for both schools to compete above DIII at this time. First, in order to move up to DII or DI, each school needs to be ready move to those levels both from an athletic standpoint (in all sports) and from a financial standpoint. This means for Mount Union they, most likely, would need to be a much larger school. While I am sure they want to grow, it needs to be done the right way and with the right time timing academically, athletically and financially.

With respect to football, as has been mentioned in this thread, I am sure, Mount Union does a great job recruiting young men who really want to play highly competitive college football. They may not have the physical characteristics of DI football players at their position but they play and practice with heart, focus, intensity and determination. Give me a team of young men like that who just happen to be, maybe, not quite gifted athletically as "some" DI players and I will give you a winning team. Are they ready to be in DII now? DI now? Probably not. Can they compete and win some games against opponents at those levels? There is no doubt in my mind! I believe higher levels schools would be concerned about putting Mount Union and/or UW-W on their schedules because they would not want to have a team that losing to a DIII school. 

What other schools did your Son consider ?

My son considered and was recruited on several different levels including: Walsh University, Ferris State University, Northern Michigan University, Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University, Illinois College, Indiana State University, Alma College, Adrian College Albion College and others. He was treated by the coaches at Mount Union with respect and a positive upbeat atmosphere permeated the experience. When we visited a Spring Practice after he decided on Mount Union, the whole team was very welcoming. He is pumped to play football at Mount Union and is working out hard to be the very best he can be.

Welcome to the Mount Union family bceagle!  I hope your son's experience at Mount Union is everything you and he hopes for and more.

Saw this story on Minerva star WR turned RB Cody Parrish in today's paper.  He's headed to Berg.

Rep story

I am sure my son will very much enjoy his time at Mount Union. He will work hard for his grades and for his team.

Has anyone heard more about the recruiting for football? Based on information off the Internet, I believe there will be a lot of good quality recruits coming in.

[bleedpurple]

As long as you don't think Mount and Whitewater belong in DII, then you should fit right in the OAC (and WIAC) thread. 

Having attended the Mount Union - Baldwin Wallace game last season, I can say Mount Union (and I expect UW-W) plays with the speed of DI  schools. However, there are several factors I see which make it challenging for both schools to compete above DIII at this time. First, in order to move up to DII or DI, each school needs to be ready move to those levels both from an athletic standpoint (in all sports) and from a financial standpoint. This means for Mount Union they, most likely, would need to be a much larger school. While I am sure they want to grow, it needs to be done the right way and with the right time timing academically, athletically and financially.

With respect to football, as has been mentioned in this thread, I am sure, Mount Union does a great job recruiting young men who really want to play highly competitive college football. They may not have the physical characteristics of DI football players at their position but they play and practice with heart, focus, intensity and determination. Give me a team of young men like that who just happen to be, maybe, not quite gifted athletically as "some" DI players and I will give you a winning team. Are they ready to be in DII now? DI now? Probably not. Can they compete and win some games against opponents at those levels? There is no doubt in my mind! I believe higher levels schools would be concerned about putting Mount Union and/or UW-W on their schedules because they would not want to have a team that losing to a DIII school.

Welcome to the boards and good luck to your son, bceagle80.  I think the part I put in bold above is probably a view shared by a very high percentage of the participants on this board.  There is something very special about D3 and the athletes that participate.  Most (probably not all) posters feel very strongly about the D-III experience. If either a player or an institution chooses to leave D-III for another division, I don't personally consider it a move "up".  In terms of proper perspective, balanced life, no sense of entitlement, focus on development of people over numbers, and the ethical running of programs, there is no greater division than D-III in my opinion.  I hope your son has great success ... at least until he plays UW-W! 

[bceagle80]

As long as you don't think Mount and Whitewater belong in DII, then you should fit right in the OAC (and WIAC) thread. 

Having attended the Mount Union - Baldwin Wallace game last season, I can say Mount Union (and I expect UW-W) plays with the speed of DI  schools. However, there are several factors I see which make it challenging for both schools to compete above DIII at this time. First, in order to move up to DII or DI, each school needs to be ready move to those levels both from an athletic standpoint (in all sports) and from a financial standpoint. This means for Mount Union they, most likely, would need to be a much larger school. While I am sure they want to grow, it needs to be done the right way and with the right time timing academically, athletically and financially.

With respect to football, as has been mentioned in this thread, I am sure, Mount Union does a great job recruiting young men who really want to play highly competitive college football. They may not have the physical characteristics of DI football players at their position but they play and practice with heart, focus, intensity and determination. Give me a team of young men like that who just happen to be, maybe, not quite gifted athletically as "some" DI players and I will give you a winning team. Are they ready to be in DII now? DI now? Probably not. Can they compete and win some games against opponents at those levels? There is no doubt in my mind! I believe higher levels schools would be concerned about putting Mount Union and/or UW-W on their schedules because they would not want to have a team that losing to a DIII school.

Welcome to the boards and good luck to your son, bceagle80.  I think the part I put in bold above is probably a view shared by a very high percentage of the participants on this board.  There is something very special about D3 and the athletes that participate.  Most (probably not all) posters feel very strongly about the D-III experience. If either a player or an institution chooses to leave D-III for another division, I don't personally consider it a move "up".  In terms of proper perspective, balanced life, no sense of entitlement, focus on development of people over numbers, and the ethical running of programs, there is no greater division than D-III in my opinion.  I hope your son has great success ... at least until he plays UW-W! 

Thank you for your thoughts, bleedpurple. I love what you said about proper perspective, "balanced life, no sense of entitlement, focus on development of people over numbers, and the ethical running of programs". How you "play the game" of life makes a huge difference in your personal success. This is one reason why my son chose Mount Union. His professional goal is to ultimately be a football coach himself and lead other young men down the positive road is embodied in what is best in college football. He was heavily influence by two teachers in high school: his physical education teacher who reached him and got him to see setting goals and working to attain them is a skill which will greatly influence his life and the second teacher was his varsity head football coach who passed away this January from cancer. He was diagnosed only 2.5 weeks before he died.

As a side note, my son recently finished his Eagle Project: a 350 yard trail in a county park near where we live combined with a culvert to reduce erosion (the trail goes over it). The trail ends at the base of a lookout that was put in 20 years ago. He just finished putting in stairs to complete the trail so people at the lookout can get down to the trail and the river it runs along. He is naming the trail in honor of his coach. My wife and I are very proud of him as young man with goals, focus, the right attitude and an understanding of who he is and what he wants to be. If all the young men who play D3 football are similar, then it bodes well for the future!

I wish Wisconsin-Whitewater the very best also except when they play Mount Union. My son wants to play against teams who challenge him to better than he is and have a dramatic impact on every play.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Stagg Bowl Replay on Tonight on ESPNU @ 12:00am Eastern

[bleedpurple]

As long as you don't think Mount and Whitewater belong in DII, then you should fit right in the OAC (and WIAC) thread. 

Having attended the Mount Union - Baldwin Wallace game last season, I can say Mount Union (and I expect UW-W) plays with the speed of DI  schools. However, there are several factors I see which make it challenging for both schools to compete above DIII at this time. First, in order to move up to DII or DI, each school needs to be ready move to those levels both from an athletic standpoint (in all sports) and from a financial standpoint. This means for Mount Union they, most likely, would need to be a much larger school. While I am sure they want to grow, it needs to be done the right way and with the right time timing academically, athletically and financially.

With respect to football, as has been mentioned in this thread, I am sure, Mount Union does a great job recruiting young men who really want to play highly competitive college football. They may not have the physical characteristics of DI football players at their position but they play and practice with heart, focus, intensity and determination. Give me a team of young men like that who just happen to be, maybe, not quite gifted athletically as "some" DI players and I will give you a winning team. Are they ready to be in DII now? DI now? Probably not. Can they compete and win some games against opponents at those levels? There is no doubt in my mind! I believe higher levels schools would be concerned about putting Mount Union and/or UW-W on their schedules because they would not want to have a team that losing to a DIII school.

Welcome to the boards and good luck to your son, bceagle80.  I think the part I put in bold above is probably a view shared by a very high percentage of the participants on this board.  There is something very special about D3 and the athletes that participate.  Most (probably not all) posters feel very strongly about the D-III experience. If either a player or an institution chooses to leave D-III for another division, I don't personally consider it a move "up".  In terms of proper perspective, balanced life, no sense of entitlement, focus on development of people over numbers, and the ethical running of programs, there is no greater division than D-III in my opinion.  I hope your son has great success ... at least until he plays UW-W! 

Thank you for your thoughts, bleedpurple. I love what you said about proper perspective, "balanced life, no sense of entitlement, focus on development of people over numbers, and the ethical running of programs". How you "play the game" of life makes a huge difference in your personal success. This is one reason why my son chose Mount Union. His professional goal is to ultimately be a football coach himself and lead other young men down the positive road is embodied in what is best in college football. He was heavily influence by two teachers in high school: his physical education teacher who reached him and got him to see setting goals and working to attain them is a skill which will greatly influence his life and the second teacher was his varsity head football coach who passed away this January from cancer. He was diagnosed only 2.5 weeks before he died.

As a side note, my son recently finished his Eagle Project: a 350 yard trail in a county park near where we live combined with a culvert to reduce erosion (the trail goes over it). The trail ends at the base of a lookout that was put in 20 years ago. He just finished putting in stairs to complete the trail so people at the lookout can get down to the trail and the river it runs along. He is naming the trail in honor of his coach. My wife and I are very proud of him as young man with goals, focus, the right attitude and an understanding of who he is and what he wants to be. If all the young men who play D3 football are similar, then it bodes well for the future!

I wish Wisconsin-Whitewater the very best also except when they play Mount Union. My son wants to play against teams who challenge him to better than he is and have a dramatic impact on every play.

Considering you son wants to get into coaching, he made an excellent choice in Mount Union.  There is a significant pipeline of Mount guys who are really successful.  Very sad about his varsity football coach.  What an amazing way to honor him, though. Your son sounds like a great young man.  I'm guessing you are in for a great four years. Enjoy every day of it. You will be amazed how fast it goes.

[emma17]

HS Coach,
Isn't it about time for a posting lesson?

[emma17]

Stagg Bowl Replay on Tonight on ESPNU @ 12:00am Eastern

I'm curious if folks have any additional thoughts on the game now that some have watched it a few times.
I'm not looking to pump up UWW - just wondering if any new observations can be shared.
One thing I noticed is it didn't seem like Mt made many defensive adjustments at the line of scrimmage. There was a trap play that UWW ran consistently in the 3rd (maybe 4th) qtr- and not exaggerating -it worked every time.

The more I watch Burke the more impressed I am w his accuracy- especially on the run. He fit some throws in perfectly behind lb's/in front of db's that couldn't be handed off more accurately.