FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

[Bob.Gregg]

WJ68, thanks for the kind words.  Not everybody likes to see me posting here, but that's their problem...

John Luckhardt was successful, mostly because of the things that made him "Lucky"...he owned whatever room he was in, he could sell ice cubes to Eskimos and he knew what was needed to take the long-dormant program where Howard Burnett wanted it to go. 

Dr. Burnett knew he was on the way out, certainly before Y2K would arrive.  Given the many issues Howie brought upon himself and the College, what better way to make them fade away than to shine a bright, positive light on W&J by restoring the lustre to a once-great football program ("Battling the Indians, Panthers and Nittany Lions").  And John Luckhardt was more than capable, with a little "open door policy" in admissions, to get the light shining.

Brian Mitchell's arrival brought incredible change, some good, some really not very good, to the College and the community.  The community relationships were greatly improved at quite a cost on campus...including forcing Lucky into roles he didn't want to fill.  I'll never forget the press conference introducing Banny as HC....Mitchell commented that there were more press people covering that than covered his introduction.  Banny showed his Super Bowl rings and said, "that's because of these."  The president, sternly, quipped, "It's YOUR job to get ME one of those..."

The final 15 months of Banny's tenure, and the years since have been, at times, uncomfortable on campus for me.  During the final weeks of Banny's time, conversations with Mike Sirianni made it very clear to me that HE wasn't going anywhere, regardless of what the rest of the staff did following the season.  That was a strange sense/feeling for me.

My evaluation of what I've seen of the W&J team comes with the caveat that I played in the band....I've never suited up for a single football game at any level beyond the backyard/playground games.  But, perhaps arrogantly, I maintain that THAT doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about or that I'm incapable of understanding the things I see happening.

I've seen/heard "Go, Go, Go" and it's exciting sometimes.  Numerous times, in response to inquiries about slowing down the game, I've seen/heard "that's who we are, that's how we play" so often, it makes me sick---Saturday night, last year at Mount Union, and a dozen other games (many of them W&J wins).  It's like running 80 offensive snaps has surpassed winning the game....that somehow, snapping the ball 80 times guarantees victory....

Saturday night, we were early in the fourth quarter and W&J had THREE designed runs in the half...all the while, the defense is over on the bench, trying to find oxygen masks and a little more than a 60-second respite.

I asked a question in the opening minutes of the broadcast Saturday..."when was the last time W&J played a really meaningful PAC game against a team NOT named Thomas More?"  The quick answer was, of course, Bethany 2013.

But here's the question that has haunted me since leaving DiSanto Field Saturday night:  What is this iteration of W&J football's record in "meaningful" PAC games?  Hint:  it's really not very good.  Four (or is it 5) straight losses to TMC, Bethany 2013, CWRU 2015, Thiel 2005, Waynesburg 2003...Waynesburg last year (costing the Presidents a home game)...there haven't been many meaningful PAC games (certainly against teams other than TMC), and W&J's record is them is not very good.

Mike is a great recruiter and has shown great commitment to the school.  He certainly does not have the freedom to get as many play-makers in that Lucky got.   But, the repeated reverting to "Go, Go, Go" when it appears "Slow, Slow, Slow" would better serve the team makes me wonder, aloud sometimes, about whether an extended run is even possible, let alone one that end in a return to the Stagg Bowl.

[SpartanMom_2016]

Just made my travel arrangements for next weekend:  I want to see the team everyone thinks is going to take TMC's lunch.  There are 8 of us old school alums headed up.  But the other 7 are driving while I get into Cleveland before they do.  Does anyone know if Uber is viable from the airport or will a cab be the best bet?  I'm staying at the DTree right next to campus (no fire alarm shenanigans, please). 

ExTP - you sure you can't mske it??  It's just a wedding..you can catch their 2nd marriages 😀

I don't think anyone really thinks that.  I think TMC will be a big challenge.  But the team has to take care of business against WashU first.  WashU seems to have dynamic offense. 

I watched a few quarters of TMC this season and I came away impressed with the team's ability to make things happen when it isn't at its best.  I think that the team will be at its best when the conference championship is on the line.

Since its senior night for our senior we will be there.  Stop up at the top of the parking garage to have a drink.  It would be great to meet you.

[jam40jeff]

Just made my travel arrangements for next weekend:  I want to see the team everyone thinks is going to take TMC's lunch.  There are 8 of us old school alums headed up.  But the other 7 are driving while I get into Cleveland before they do.  Does anyone know if Uber is viable from the airport or will a cab be the best bet?  I'm staying at the DTree right next to campus (no fire alarm shenanigans, please). 

ExTP - you sure you can't mske it??  It's just a wedding..you can catch their 2nd marriages 😀

I was going to suggest the Red Line rapid transit train since there's a stop inside the airport and one about 500 feet from your hotel on the same line (an easy 25 minute ride for $2.25).  However, I believe there is track work being done this weekend on the west side and the line is replaced with shuttle buses between a couple stops, so that makes it much more of a pain and time consuming.  Given that, I'd probably just take Uber, which is definitely viable from the airport.

The DoubleTree is nice but is a bit on an island between the Cleveland Clinic and the campus, so it's over a mile walk to the football field (which is on the far end of campus).  It's not a bad walk, but for future reference, there is a new (and nice) Courtyard by Marriott that is much closer to the field.

[SaintsFAN]

Just made my travel arrangements for next weekend:  I want to see the team everyone thinks is going to take TMC's lunch.  There are 8 of us old school alums headed up.  But the other 7 are driving while I get into Cleveland before they do.  Does anyone know if Uber is viable from the airport or will a cab be the best bet?  I'm staying at the DTree right next to campus (no fire alarm shenanigans, please). 

ExTP - you sure you can't mske it??  It's just a wedding..you can catch their 2nd marriages 😀

I don't think anyone really thinks that.  I think TMC will be a big challenge.  But the team has to take care of business against WashU first.  WashU seems to have dynamic offense. 

I watched a few quarters of TMC this season and I came away impressed with the team's ability to make things happen when it isn't at its best.  I think that the team will be at its best when the conference championship is on the line.

Since its senior night for our senior we will be there.  Stop up at the top of the parking garage to have a drink.  It would be great to meet you.

Will do, you'll have to let me know where on top and what you'll be wearing.  Met ADL70 last year in KY, so maybe he can help?

[SaintsFAN]

Just made my travel arrangements for next weekend:  I want to see the team everyone thinks is going to take TMC's lunch.  There are 8 of us old school alums headed up.  But the other 7 are driving while I get into Cleveland before they do.  Does anyone know if Uber is viable from the airport or will a cab be the best bet?  I'm staying at the DTree right next to campus (no fire alarm shenanigans, please). 

ExTP - you sure you can't mske it??  It's just a wedding..you can catch their 2nd marriages 😀

I was going to suggest the Red Line rapid transit train since there's a stop inside the airport and one about 500 feet from your hotel on the same line (an easy 25 minute ride for $2.25).  However, I believe there is track work being done this weekend on the west side and the line is replaced with shuttle buses between a couple stops, so that makes it much more of a pain and time consuming.  Given that, I'd probably just take Uber, which is definitely viable from the airport.

The DoubleTree is nice but is a bit on an island between the Cleveland Clinic and the campus, so it's over a mile walk to the football field (which is on the far end of campus).  It's not a bad walk, but for future reference, there is a new (and nice) Courtyard by Marriott that is much closer to the field.

Thanks- but I believe my buddies driving up from Cincy will get us to the game.  I'll be arriving at the airport before they get into town Friday night.  That's too bad about the train - you never know what you're going to get with Uber.  I had a driver here who's real job title is Director for Scientology Boston.  That was a fun trip, messing with him.

[SpartanMom_2016]

Just made my travel arrangements for next weekend:  I want to see the team everyone thinks is going to take TMC's lunch.  There are 8 of us old school alums headed up.  But the other 7 are driving while I get into Cleveland before they do.  Does anyone know if Uber is viable from the airport or will a cab be the best bet?  I'm staying at the DTree right next to campus (no fire alarm shenanigans, please). 

ExTP - you sure you can't mske it??  It's just a wedding..you can catch their 2nd marriages 😀

I was going to suggest the Red Line rapid transit train since there's a stop inside the airport and one about 500 feet from your hotel on the same line (an easy 25 minute ride for $2.25).  However, I believe there is track work being done this weekend on the west side and the line is replaced with shuttle buses between a couple stops, so that makes it much more of a pain and time consuming.  Given that, I'd probably just take Uber, which is definitely viable from the airport.

The DoubleTree is nice but is a bit on an island between the Cleveland Clinic and the campus, so it's over a mile walk to the football field (which is on the far end of campus).  It's not a bad walk, but for future reference, there is a new (and nice) Courtyard by Marriott that is much closer to the field.

The Doubletree has a shuttle that will take you over to the field.

[SpartanMom_2016]

Just made my travel arrangements for next weekend:  I want to see the team everyone thinks is going to take TMC's lunch.  There are 8 of us old school alums headed up.  But the other 7 are driving while I get into Cleveland before they do.  Does anyone know if Uber is viable from the airport or will a cab be the best bet?  I'm staying at the DTree right next to campus (no fire alarm shenanigans, please). 

ExTP - you sure you can't mske it??  It's just a wedding..you can catch their 2nd marriages 😀

I don't think anyone really thinks that.  I think TMC will be a big challenge.  But the team has to take care of business against WashU first.  WashU seems to have dynamic offense. 

I watched a few quarters of TMC this season and I came away impressed with the team's ability to make things happen when it isn't at its best.  I think that the team will be at its best when the conference championship is on the line.

Since its senior night for our senior we will be there.  Stop up at the top of the parking garage to have a drink.  It would be great to meet you.

Will do, you'll have to let me know where on top and what you'll be wearing.  Met ADL70 last year in KY, so maybe he can help?

I will be wearing Aaron's old #37 jersey.  You will be able to find us on the top level of the parking garage without any problem!

[SaintsFAN]

Just made my travel arrangements for next weekend:  I want to see the team everyone thinks is going to take TMC's lunch.  There are 8 of us old school alums headed up.  But the other 7 are driving while I get into Cleveland before they do.  Does anyone know if Uber is viable from the airport or will a cab be the best bet?  I'm staying at the DTree right next to campus (no fire alarm shenanigans, please). 

ExTP - you sure you can't mske it??  It's just a wedding..you can catch their 2nd marriages 😀

I don't think anyone really thinks that.  I think TMC will be a big challenge.  But the team has to take care of business against WashU first.  WashU seems to have dynamic offense. 

I watched a few quarters of TMC this season and I came away impressed with the team's ability to make things happen when it isn't at its best.  I think that the team will be at its best when the conference championship is on the line.

Since its senior night for our senior we will be there.  Stop up at the top of the parking garage to have a drink.  It would be great to meet you.

Will do, you'll have to let me know where on top and what you'll be wearing.  Met ADL70 last year in KY, so maybe he can help?

I will be wearing Aaron's old #37 jersey.  You will be able to find us on the top level of the parking garage without any problem!

I'll definitely find you.  Thomas More's official tailgate is up there on top as well - can you watch the game from there??

[SaintsFAN]

ExTP -

Am I still due to respond to you?  Forgive me, it's been a crazy week.

[SpartanMom_2016]

I am too short to see well over the barrier so I usually go into the stands for the game.  If you're taller you can watch the game up there.  We're usually up there about an hour and half before the game along with some students and sometimes parents from the other team.

[SaintsFAN]

I am too short to see well over the barrier so I usually go into the stands for the game.  If you're taller you can watch the game up there.  We're usually up there about an hour and half before the game along with some students and sometimes parents from the other team.

Gotcha.  So I'm looking for someone who is a little person in a #37 jersey.  I'll find you 😀

[E.115]

Impressive win for Case Western Reserve over Wash U (St. Louis) today:  34-16 W

I was nervous this was going to become a "trap game" with a quality opponent sandwiched in between two nationally-ranked league opponents.  I bet the seniors and coaches were able to get the team up, as the senior class had never beaten Wash U.

Ironically enough, Wash U was featured on the predictions page this week as well:  http://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2015/10/30/triple-take-week-9-several-down-and-three-to-go/

[Pat Coleman]

Not quite the Game of the Week I thought it would be, at least not after halftime.

[E.115]

Not quite the Game of the Week I thought it would be, at least not after halftime.

Although, it was a very entertaining game to watch...a ton of back and forth, especially the first 3 qtrs. 

CWRU's secondary rose to the challenge and played a very "bend, not break" type of game against a very good QB Tomlin.

[ADL70]

Not quite the Game of the Week I thought it would be, at least not after halftime.

Guess Keith will have to admit that the pass D ain`t too shabby either.