FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

  I agree the behavior of the coach running up the score on conference members created a lot of resentment. I have personally heard LK tell the offensive coaches, "No more points," even in JV games. 50 has sort of always been the limit. What is the point of scoring such numbers? Those victim schools have a lot of successful, well connected alumni, who certainly didn't appreciate opening up their morning Sunday paper and seeing that. It caught up with Caruso. His school is paying the price.

Not sure I totally agree with that assessment. Do you have any definitive proof that was the single major underlying cause? I do not know any of the "facts" other than what had been shared on the boards by our colleagues over on the MIAC board who know more about this unfortunate situation. I only recall a couple of posters over  there mentioning about/accusing the HC supposedly intentionally running up the scores on their league opponents. If that is the case, I agree with you that would be a serious issue. However, I do not recall that being proven and there ate other ways of dealing with that particular situation rather than kicking someone out of the league.

As you know, several of you have had that topic discussion here on the OAC board when Mount had been falsely accused of running up the score at times on opponents. While I do not want to rehash all that, I will just say that in those situations, that even when a coach directs his players not to score (which is the honorable decision to do), sometimes it is just inevitable that scoring will continue. You can't have the players just simply "go through thmotions" as that is unfair to them as well and absurd.

At the same time, we know these  situations ( a team being dominant in the league for several years) are cyclic. As I recall, there were some other underlying reasons given by several posters over on that board for the TimmyToss that go beyond the"being too competitive" accusation. As I mentioned before in another post over there, if the latter reason i.e. being too competitive) was the single one, then using that mentality, the OAC should kick out Mount and the MIAA should have kicked out Albion several years ago when the latter was smashing everyone on the field and running up the scores. Of course, they were NOT doing the latter, they were just that good including the reserves. ( BTW, the Big Ten should have kicked out Ohio State when Wayne Woodrow Hayes went for two points against Michigan way back when, "just because he could" to run up the score!😀) Anyway, MO, that would be an absurd and misguided decision for kicking a school out.  As I .mentioned, there are other ways that league administrators can address that problem rather than simply kicking a school out.

So if the true single underlying issue was UST running up the scores intentionally, I agree that would be a problem. However, again, it appears there were/are some other concerns causing this decision other than just UST being too competitive. And if it was the running up the score "thing_ then shame on the other school presidents/administration for not being honest enough to say that out exactly rather than the fluffy worded BS statement (which really didn't day much) that was released to the general public. If the MIAC wants mediocraty, they'll get it, but, I believe  the UST run is cyclic like it is/has been pretty much everywhere else historically over the decades. My $0.02 worth!☺

I mean it overall seems pretty absurd to cite competitive balance since UST finished 3rd in the MIAC in football this year and didn't make the playoffs...

👍

[hazzben]

I mean it overall seems pretty absurd to cite competitive balance since UST finished 3rd in the MIAC in football this year and didn't make the playoffs...

👍

This whole thing has been a picture of absurdity. Keep in mind, the only two schools who actively wanted to keep UST were the two schools to beat them this year, Bethel & SJU. Also the only two schools who have beaten them in the league in the last 9-10 years.

[formerd3db]

I mean it overall seems pretty absurd to cite competitive balance since UST finished 3rd in the MIAC in football this year and didn't make the playoffs...

👍

This whole thing has been a picture of absurdity. Keep in mind, the only two schools who actively wanted to keep UST were the two schools to beat them this year, Bethel & SJU. Also the only two schools who have beaten them in the league in the last 9-10 years.

hazzben:

There are, of course, other words (better adjectives or nouns ) that we all could use to describe this debacle. However, I am of the opinion that you have analyzed this the best of any of us, especially among those of you "in the know" as compared to the rest of us "outsiders."  As such, I believe your phrase of "picture of absurdity" summarizes it all!!!

[raiderpa]

Not done any research, but has STU dominated in all sports?

[edward de vere]

If I understand correctly:

The men's teams win the All-Sports trophy every year.

The women's teams win the All-Sports trophy every year.

In addition, St. Thomas is twice or thrice the size of every other school in the conference.

And then there's Glenn Caruso, a polarizing figure in a high-profile sport.

I don't know enough to take a stand but, like most issues, there is more than one side to the matter.

[Dr. Acula]

If I understand correctly:

The men's teams win the All-Sports trophy every year.

The women's teams win the All-Sports trophy every year.

In addition, St. Thomas is twice or thrice the size of every other school in the conference.

And then there's Glenn Caruso, a polarizing figure in a high-profile sport.

I don't know enough to take a stand but, like most issues, there is more than one side to the matter.

My issue with using the All-Sports argument is that it doesn't necessarily mean UST is kicking everyone's a$$ in everything.  It could just means that they're at least pretty good in everything.  To me that's on the other schools in the MIAC.  There's no secret sauce there.  UST probably just values athletics and supports it across the board accordingly.  If you pay for good coaches, pay for quality facilities Those other schools aren't exactly the little sisters of the poor.     

We have the same caste system in the OAC to an extent.  Musky is never going to spend on athletics like BW does.  Wilm is not gonna match ONU.  It's just not happening.  But you'd think the MIAC would be more like the OAC where several schools bounce around the top third from year to year.

[raiderpa]

While Mount dominates football and track, it seems that all other sports in the OAC are open to all schools...No clear dominant programs, but a few very good ones who are challenged by the entire conference. 

[JCUStreaks70]

While Mount dominates football and track, it seems that all other sports in the OAC are open to all schools...No clear dominant programs, but a few very good ones who are challenged by the entire conference.

Maybe 70 and 66 didn't see it, but I think it's because they're too humble to post it so I will....JCU wrapped up their 5th straight men's All-Sports trophy.  The Streaks' worst finish on the men's side was 6th place in hoops.  That's impressive consistency across the board.  It's reminiscent of ONU on the women's side.   

On the other end of the spectrum Musky finished 10th for the 7th straight year.  Their best finish was tied for 7th in football and golf (9 teams).  I would have thought Wilm would have been in the basement in there somewhere especially since Musky fields teams in 2 more sports than Wilm does.

Let's not forget who's won the Men's All Sports Trophy 5 years running..

[MUC57]

JCUStreaks70

Check your PM please. Thanks.

[MUC57]

While Mount dominates football and track, it seems that all other sports in the OAC are open to all schools...No clear dominant programs, but a few very good ones who are challenged by the entire conference.

Maybe 70 and 66 didn't see it, but I think it's because they're too humble to post it so I will....JCU wrapped up their 5th straight men's All-Sports trophy.  The Streaks' worst finish on the men's side was 6th place in hoops.  That's impressive consistency across the board.  It's reminiscent of ONU on the women's side.   

On the other end of the spectrum Musky finished 10th for the 7th straight year.  Their best finish was tied for 7th in football and golf (9 teams).  I would have thought Wilm would have been in the basement in there somewhere especially since Musky fields teams in 2 more sports than Wilm does.

Let's not forget who's won the Men's All Sports Trophy 5 years running..

Yeah, but at least at Mount Union, parking is closer to the stadium. 

[edward de vere]

Ballot-Boy Bill Borchert bound to be with Ballard?

https://www.the-review.com/sports/20190603/mount-unions-bill-borchert-on-2020-college-football-hall-of-fame-ballot

[Dr. Acula]

While Mount dominates football and track, it seems that all other sports in the OAC are open to all schools...No clear dominant programs, but a few very good ones who are challenged by the entire conference.

Maybe 70 and 66 didn't see it, but I think it's because they're too humble to post it so I will....JCU wrapped up their 5th straight men's All-Sports trophy.  The Streaks' worst finish on the men's side was 6th place in hoops.  That's impressive consistency across the board.  It's reminiscent of ONU on the women's side.   

On the other end of the spectrum Musky finished 10th for the 7th straight year.  Their best finish was tied for 7th in football and golf (9 teams).  I would have thought Wilm would have been in the basement in there somewhere especially since Musky fields teams in 2 more sports than Wilm does.

Let's not forget who's won the Men's All Sports Trophy 5 years running..

Thankfully I can't fathom the OAC ever behaving like the MIAC.  BW will of course fold like a cheap suit but the rest of us will try to unseat JCU. 

[JCUStreaks70]

While Mount dominates football and track, it seems that all other sports in the OAC are open to all schools...No clear dominant programs, but a few very good ones who are challenged by the entire conference.

Maybe 70 and 66 didn't see it, but I think it's because they're too humble to post it so I will....JCU wrapped up their 5th straight men's All-Sports trophy.  The Streaks' worst finish on the men's side was 6th place in hoops.  That's impressive consistency across the board.  It's reminiscent of ONU on the women's side.   

On the other end of the spectrum Musky finished 10th for the 7th straight year.  Their best finish was tied for 7th in football and golf (9 teams).  I would have thought Wilm would have been in the basement in there somewhere especially since Musky fields teams in 2 more sports than Wilm does.

Let's not forget who's won the Men's All Sports Trophy 5 years running..

Thankfully I can't fathom the OAC ever behaving like the MIAC.  BW will of course fold like a cheap suit but the rest of us will try to unseat JCU.

[57Johnnie]

MUC57
The Board of Directors has met and found you have fulfilled all the requirements to become :
Master Codger For Life
Be advised that nobody can ever revoke your Codgership! 
Another Codger For Life

[MUC57]

MUC57
The Board of Directors has met and found you have fulfilled all the requirements to become :
Master Codger For Life
Be advised that nobody can ever revoke your Codgership! 
Another Codger For Life

57

Do I feel good about this accomplishment?  Well, all I can say is "it takes one to know one"! Are you still chairman of the board? But, all seriousness aside, Go Johnnies! Beat the  Tommies! 

By the way, is Master Codger better than Exalted Codger? Doesn't sound like it. It's OK. Master Codger still sounds better than Junior Codger. In either case, we 57's have to stand together.