FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Desertraider]

Wow. I have been away awhile and the board has gone into overdirve. As much as I would like to come in here and trash talk - I have far to much respect for UWW to do that. Having seen the last 5 Mount-UWW Staggs all I can say is the the winning team will wear purple and be glad it is over, and the losing team will wear purple and wish they had one more drive. These 2 teams know each other too well to be intimidated and both realize it will come down to execution. It won't be about turnovers, or yards, or time of possession - it will be execution. The team that executes their game plan (on both sides of the ball) will win. I know that is not going out on a limb - but again these teams are 2 familiar.

Having said that I am a bit unsure on the Mount side (I realize that is almost a crime for a Mount fan). I have not been sold on Seaman this year, and am not sure if Piloto has enough playing time/experience to carry the load. On defense - man Mount is solid. But we have all seen some solid Mount D's come apart in recent years at the Stagg. I thought the D was going to carry it in the last one.

However - I will guarantee that Mount wins it all!!!!! Next year and the year after that. This year will be a battle. Good luck to the purple powers.

BTW: How in the $#** does anyone question LK and play calling? Holy christ! 303-22-3!! If he could only play call!!! Those 25 games wouldn't have slipped away!

[seventiesraider]

I quietly question Larry (from a comfortable distance) but seldom say a word. Past the junior high level I am a FAN and nothing more. I'm pretty sure if there was a real Division III fantasy setup, I could take Larry's team and be lucky to win the NCAC with them.

Sure I like Piloto and Seaman makes me nervous, BUT, and this is very important, NOBODY ASKED ME

[Blutarsky]

Have not posted for awhile, but have been observing over the past few weeks......

I am also a "UMUPlayerDad", but ours graduated in May.  Like most of the players' parents, I watched our son dominate in junior high and high school.  When he was being recruited, we took joy in the fact that D-II and MUC were interested in his services.  To have Coach Kehres drive across the state to watch him play basketball just added to the excitement.  We, as parents, had a false impression of his skills......don't get me wrong, he was a good HS player.  All-league good.  However, when he arrived at MUC as a freshman, his world was shook.  The first few weeks, he was struggling to stay on the 6th team.  Over time, he worked his way up.  LK did not promise anything.....even though as a parent, I would question why my son wasn't playing more (Note to Reality Check:  I didn't want to be one of "those parents").  I learned, over time, that his struggle for playing time needed to be HIS struggle.  I could question the coaches, the philosophy, and the play selection......but, it didn't change anything for our son.   This was his battle.  We even asked him if he would be happier elsewhere--with more possibility of playing time.  His response was "and leave my teammates and this program?"

Bottom line, is he graduated last May with two National Championship rings, two Runner-ups, two varsity letters, and a commission as a LT in the US Army (was part of the Mount ROTC program).  His experiences with the football program (along with FCA, etc.) are unforgettable.  For me, it was also educational.......#1, don't question a man with a 90%+ winning record, and #2, let your son become a man through his own struggles/experiences.

As he now prepares for deployment on December 21st, I am grateful for his experience at UMU, and the lessons learned from his coaches.  They truly do care.

[beenhit2hard]

Great tribute Blutarsky

[seventiesraider]

As he now prepares for deployment on December 21st, I am grateful for his experience at UMU, and the lessons learned from his coaches.  They truly do care.

Give him our best. I still remember the day he stopped me and introduced himself. You gotta be proud.

[HScoach]

Have not posted for awhile, but have been observing over the past few weeks......

I am also a "UMUPlayerDad", but ours graduated in May.  Like most of the players' parents, I watched our son dominate in junior high and high school.  When he was being recruited, we took joy in the fact that D-II and MUC were interested in his services.  To have Coach Kehres drive across the state to watch him play basketball just added to the excitement.  We, as parents, had a false impression of his skills......don't get me wrong, he was a good HS player.  All-league good.  However, when he arrived at MUC as a freshman, his world was shook.  The first few weeks, he was struggling to stay on the 6th team.  Over time, he worked his way up.  LK did not promise anything.....even though as a parent, I would question why my son wasn't playing more (Note to Reality Check:  I didn't want to be one of "those parents").  I learned, over time, that his struggle for playing time needed to be HIS struggle.  I could question the coaches, the philosophy, and the play selection......but, it didn't change anything for our son.   This was his battle.  We even asked him if he would be happier elsewhere--with more possibility of playing time.  His response was "and leave my teammates and this program?"

Bottom line, is he graduated last May with two National Championship rings, two Runner-ups, two varsity letters, and a commission as a LT in the US Army (was part of the Mount ROTC program).  His experiences with the football program (along with FCA, etc.) are unforgettable.  For me, it was also educational.......#1, don't question a man with a 90%+ winning record, and #2, let your son become a man through his own struggles/experiences.

As he now prepares for deployment on December 21st, I am grateful for his experience at UMU, and the lessons learned from his coaches.  They truly do care.

Great post and God bless your son for making the sacrifice he's making.




Wow.  I'm on the road for a day and this place explodes.

RC:  great post as well.  I speaks volumes that you had the balls to stand up the way you did.  And major balls for your Dad to admit he was wrong. 

In my 8 years as a HS coach, I saw a ton of problems with parents.  Very few problems with the kids.  Which as made me a much better as a father of an athlete.  Until seeing the asses that came into the coaches office with their mouths going a mile a minute, it wasn't clear to me how much a mouthy parent can ruin sports for their kid.   From the little league level on up.

The player wishes Dad would shut up.   The other players are glad "that guy" isn't their dad.  The coach wishes Dad would shut up, or at least talk as an educated man.  The only one that likes to hear the speech is the loud mouth doing the talking.

[HScoach]

Oh and BTW, (not directed at you jaypeter):

After 10 National Championships, I believe that LK (and his staff) can Coach and CALL WHATEVER DARN PLAYS they want to.  I think they've earned that right.

One of the MAJOR strengths pointed out by many over the years is Coach Kehres' ability to make in game adjustments.

I'm sorry UMUDad doesn't like the calls, but Jiminy Christmas, they made it to the Stagg Bowl AGAIN, with a team that many MTU supporters thought might get beaten this year.

Sit Back, Watch the Games, and Enjoy the Ride!  It won't last forever (even though others in D3 think it already has).

If UMU-Dad has an issue with the play calling this post-season, good thing he wasn't around in 2006 when LK wouldn't let Greg Micheli throw the ball until the Stagg or his head would have exploded.  I've been watching and/or broadcasting Mount games for almost 20 years and that post-season even had me scratching my head.  But boy, did it work to perfection in Virginia!

While I don't always 100% understand at the time why Mount is doing what they're doing, I do 100% understand that there is a bigger plan in place.  The plan might not always work exactly as LK wants, and sometimes they even lose a game, but I have no doubts that LK is doing what HE thinks is the best plan of attack for Whitewater.  And has been doing so the entire playoffs.  And who am I to question the decisions of the GREATEST college football coach in history?

[Warhawk 96]

Have not posted for awhile, but have been observing over the past few weeks......

I am also a "UMUPlayerDad", but ours graduated in May.  Like most of the players' parents, I watched our son dominate in junior high and high school.  When he was being recruited, we took joy in the fact that D-II and MUC were interested in his services.  To have Coach Kehres drive across the state to watch him play basketball just added to the excitement.  We, as parents, had a false impression of his skills......don't get me wrong, he was a good HS player.  All-league good.  However, when he arrived at MUC as a freshman, his world was shook.  The first few weeks, he was struggling to stay on the 6th team.  Over time, he worked his way up.  LK did not promise anything.....even though as a parent, I would question why my son wasn't playing more (Note to Reality Check:  I didn't want to be one of "those parents").  I learned, over time, that his struggle for playing time needed to be HIS struggle.  I could question the coaches, the philosophy, and the play selection......but, it didn't change anything for our son.   This was his battle.  We even asked him if he would be happier elsewhere--with more possibility of playing time.  His response was "and leave my teammates and this program?"

Bottom line, is he graduated last May with two National Championship rings, two Runner-ups, two varsity letters, and a commission as a LT in the US Army (was part of the Mount ROTC program).  His experiences with the football program (along with FCA, etc.) are unforgettable.  For me, it was also educational.......#1, don't question a man with a 90%+ winning record, and #2, let your son become a man through his own struggles/experiences.

As he now prepares for deployment on December 21st, I am grateful for his experience at UMU, and the lessons learned from his coaches.  They truly do care.

Wow, what an amazing post. The world needs more parents like you. Everything that you've said about your son is amazing and a reflection on how you raised him. I love everything you just said especially the last sentence.

[Mugsy]

I'm embarrassed for and by the actions and statements of UMUplayerdad over the last 24 hours.  Being a former player who had a dad that was critical of anything and everything during my prep and college playing days, I guess I am thankful for the fact that he wasn't internet savvy enough to make so many ridiculous statements on here. 


All that I can add is the hope that you can bring yourself to take a step back and ask yourself what you're accomplishing in waging war with other Mount Union fans, former players and the like.  Instead of putting on a united front as Purple Raider faithful; there's bickering, name-calling and profanity being thrown every which way.   The Warhawks reading this thread have to be chuckling at the dissent taking place amongst the opposition.  Thankfully the players and staff aren't at odds like what's been put on display here and this will have zero impact on the game itself as we all know.

Let's just calm down, stop the mud-slinging and profanity, and get back to supporting the OAC/Mount Union/your kids/the program.

Great post and +K (being a Wheaton College grad I had to get you off the 666 karma number).   

[Raider 68]

Great posts RC +k ! 

Great post and all the best to your son, Blutarsky ! +k

HScoach as well +k !

GO RAIDERS, GO OAC!

[rscl70]

RC - Wow, heart and soul.  I hope you and your Dad can continue to find more common ground.  +K.

Blutarsky - Great post, great advice for all parents. +K

This board is getting heavy, man.

[Toph]

This board is getting heavy, man.

Take Jim Rome's advice.  Read it listening to this:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnHmskwqCCQ

Everything's funny when Yakety Sax is in the background.

[Blutarsky]

Sorry, didn't mean to be "heavy"....in the spirit of the true "reason for the season", i've linked a heart-lifting scene from my favorite Holiday tribute movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dImluYXmKJc

[Raider 68]

Here is a Stagg Bowl question: Which factor will  most determine  the winner?

1. UWW's running game.

2. Raider's speed on defense.

3. UWW's +25 take-aways through 14 games

4. Cecil Shorts and the other Mount receivers, Miller, Collins and Brown.

5. The QB's UWW vs. Seaman/Piloto

6. The Coaches, Coach Kehres or Coach Leipold

[Olinemom]

Olinemom has arrived at her usual abode, ther Quality on the roqad into the Satgg Bowl stadiu,/  It's cold, but sunny, but calling for snow and sleet tomorrow!  Planning on being at the Gagliardi and team luncheon and hope to see friends there!!  Lookinf forward to help at the tailgate before the game on Saturday!!!  Thanks for the great photo and the story re: Stone Stataion on the front page!!  See everybody soon!!