FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

[mikefln]

Thanks Cleveland, I thought GCC was inexpensive to go to?  I am a ST. Vincent grad from before they were PAC and before football (which i am bitter about.  I orginally went to Robert Morris for football and got injured and thought my days of ball were over.  I transfered and when I healed I wish I went to a D3 school that had a team.  Then a few year later SVC gets a team). 

Anyways how does the PAC football conference stack up with other confernces?

[Ralph Turner]

...
Anyways how does the PAC football conference stack up with other confernces?

Keith McMillan's Around the Nation column from Oct 8th ha his assessment.

[the_burghboy]

CMU was in the PAC, their last season was 1989.

As to why they left, it probably depends on who you ask.  I believe their official position at the time was similar to reasoning CC gave with other programs. 

Of course, we thought they wanted out of playing us in football, though the last game they beat W&J and ended up sharing the PAC title that year. 

[Bob.Gregg]

CMU was in the PAC, their last season was 1989.

As to why they left, it probably depends on who you ask.  I believe their official position at the time was similar to reasoning CC gave with other programs. 

Of course, we thought they wanted out of playing us in football, though the last game they beat W&J and ended up sharing the PAC title that year. 

CMU was in the PAC.  And their official statement about leaving was that CMU and the member schools of the PAC were heading in different directions.  I note that it took CMU about 20 years to make the NCAA playoffs in football...

Allegheny was also a member of the PAC.  I believe 1983 was the Gators last year in the conference.  W&J and Allegheny squared off in the 1987 Snow Bowl playoff game with Rick France thundering in from about 8 yards out in overtime to move the Presidents to the South Region Final.  The two didn't play again until 1998 when the started a string of 9 straight meetings (W&J 8-1 in those games).

Then, of course, there is the rumor/gossip/talk that W&J is leaving the PAC for the NCAC.  Observer-Reporter's Joe Tuscano published that this summer, I believe.

[footballfan12]

I believe that there is no doubt the W&J will be out of the PAC over the next couple of years.  I believe this change is another one of those "INSTITUTIONALLY THINGS". 

Does W&J make the playoffs if they win out?

Where does Thomas More get seeded?
Is there a possible Thomas More/W&J rematch in the playoffs?

Bob, have you ever seen that type of defense game like the one on Saturday at W&J?

[SaintsFAN]

will W&J apply for the ECAC Playoffs before the deadline this week??  You know, just in case...


FF12 ---

Alot about TMC's seeding will be based on how they finish.  They have Geneva and Mount St Joe left.  MSJ is somehow ranked in the Top 5 Regionally (North).  Wins against these two would help make them a #2 in North or South, IMO.  A loss.... and you'll see them treated like last year, when they were a #8 in the North and went to Chicago to be executed.  

I don't think there will be a re-match in the playoffs.  I think if W&J AND Thomas More make it, one will be moved to a neighboring region (W&J could go east, south or north ---depending on distances) and TMC, as I said could be in the South or North (as they were last year).  

FYI -- Thomas More loses only 2 LB's off that defense for 2010 (and All- PAC LB Matt Clark was moved to FB/TE this year because of the talent).  Its a very young defense and they have some freshman/sophomores who got some PT at W&J this weekend who will figure more prominently next season.  The PAC is going to have to contend with that strong defense for next few years.   The only time someone in the PAC seemed to score on TMC's defense was the result of a very short field from a turnover (Waynesburg) or a trick play (Grove City).  Most of the points scored on them this year was the result of a 1st team offense playing against a bunch of freshman back ups--- but it got those backups some experience.  They are loaded for next year.  They'll have to replace Stellman and Collier on offense.  Both will be missed, but it should be able to be done--- over time. 

[the_burghboy]

I believe that there is no doubt the W&J will be out of the PAC over the next couple of years.  I believe this change is another one of those "INSTITUTIONALLY THINGS". 

Just curious, but can you give more detail of why you think this? 

[SaintsFAN]

Welcome, BlueRebel94...  its good to see you on these boards.  

Your input is welcomed.  Get some more of your teammates on here, please.

To everyone else:  Blue Rebels is the nickname TMC used previous to being forced to change to Saints

[BlueRebel94]

What do you mean by W& J being "out of the PAC over the next couple of years?"  Not leaving the conference? 

[BlueRebel94]

Was it that tough of a question or am I just stupid for asking?  It appears that rumors surfaced this summer and the discussion seems to be whispers of W&J bolting the PAC.  As a Saints fan, I would certainly be disappointed if that were to come to pass, given that the TMC/W&J matchup was gaining national attention.  With the entrance of Geneva and the possibilities of Waynesburg regaining form, the PAC would certainly be better than the 13th best conference in D-III.

[SaintsFAN]

Was it that tough of a question or am I just stupid for asking?  It appears that rumors surfaced this summer and the discussion seems to be whispers of W&J bolting the PAC.  As a Saints fan, I would certainly be disappointed if that were to come to pass, given that the TMC/W&J matchup was gaining national attention.  With the entrance of Geneva and the possibilities of Waynesburg regaining form, the PAC would certainly be better than the 13th best conference in D-III.

I don't think he's been back to give an answer to that --- it would indeed be a serious blow to the PAC to lose the Presidents.  I only think its been rumor at this point --- I don't see the Presidents leaving the conference that was named after them (presumably because of their dominance in it) --- tongue planted firmly in cheek on that. 

I'd be very interested to see why he thinks that/what he's heard... on W&J going to the North Coast Athletic Conference.  Meanwhile, the NCAC isn't in a position to do very much, by all accounts they are a man down on the committee there and I don't think they'd be taking on any new teams in that it would add some work to their plates.  Besides, DePauw seems to be a great fit..  They also have some screwy things they are looking for in an institution such as a Chapter of a Certain Fraternity. 

With the scheduling agreement in place between the NCAC and UAA, they have more than enough games they can schedule.  NCAC doesn't HAVE TO add anyone at this point.

[the_burghboy]

There has been whispers like that for years.  No disrespect to 'footballfan' and his post, but I wouldn't buy it unless I saw something official. 

As much as we are all engaged with football, it's a conference that supports all the other sports from a logistic standpoint as well as other facets.  Under this president and athletic department, I would be surpised to see any movement.

[Ralph Turner]

There is a lot to be said for traveling no more than 100 miles for the great majority of your soccer, volleyball, softball, tennis, baseball, etc. contests as W&J does now.

[Cleveland Cartel]

Blue Rebels,

I like tBlue Rebels better than the Saints! Talk about going from one end of the spectrum to the other. I guess thats similar to what the Washington Bullets did years ago..Went to Washington WIzards  (NBA) Bringing back the old school flavor I will have to give you some Good Karma for it.

WJ leaving the conference would be hard on the PAC. I know they have expanded it and this football conference will be more competitive goign forward. As we mentioned WJ, Tmore, Geneva, and i think either Waynesburg and THiel can step it up from year to year. Look out for St. VIncent as they remind me of Thiel years ago. New coaching staff brought in over a150 freshmen and 3, 4, and 5 years later they were a great squad which won the PAC. From an institutional sense, what advantages could WJ get from going to the NCAC.

Ralph you mentioned mileage as a factor for athletics with WJ. But the mileage would have to be further for the NCAC.  NCAC foes include Ohio Weslayen which is near columbus in Delaware,Ohio, ALlegheny in Meadville, PA. Also, Denison, Wooster, Hiram, and I believe Wabash in Indiana. This is just off memory here. MOst of those schools are in eastern and southern Ohio. Which would be much further than GCC, Thiel,Waynesburg, Bethany, Geneva, St. Vincent.

Just courious as this is news to me, but  this would send shockwaves through the football community.

Conversations in this have been greatly lately lets keep this going.

[Pat Coleman]

I remember in 1999 Carnegie Mellon swore we were running up the score on them ---- it wasn't that, even our back ups were inspired and frankly, CMU wasn't as good as they felt they were. 

Running up the score on those guys is a good thing. 

I remember CMU running up the score on my alma mater back in the early '90s. Didn't help them get into the playoffs.