FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Kovo]

It is confirmed... Bethel doesn't have the capacity to handle two events on Saturday on their campus...

"Football fans will park at a nearby off-campus location and will be shuttled to the stadium. This shuttle is free and will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m."

Poor field, no parking, crap weather.  Nice job with the site selection vetting process, NCAA!!!

The parking lot is right across the street. Not enough reason to take away the home field that Bethel earned with its strength of schedule this year.

I'm not suggesting that Bethel didn't have a great season or play a strong schedule Pat, but the NCAA should have reviewed the entire situation and made a better decision.  In 2006, NCC had to go on the road to play Concordia WI in the first round of the playoffs, but the game was hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran.  There are numerous other facilities in the Minneapolis area that could have hosted this weekend's game.  I should note that everyone at Bethel knew that there were going to be three concerts this coming Saturday, and that the school had struggled to handle parking related to basketball games on concert day in the past.  This information was known and available to the NCAA.

Pat, the situation that I pointed out as comparable was the NCC v. Concordia WI game which was entirely due to field quality and seating capacity issues.  Concordia WI has subsequently built a nice (albeit small) facility in 2012, but that was not available back in 2006.  Pat, though you may think it is an insignificant issue, it speaks to the lack of consistent attention and focus that the NCAA puts on DIII.  Remote parking with shuttle buses and concrete-hard and injury-producing playing fields are two things I would think that the NCAA would focus on.  Throw all of this on top of the strength of schedule issues I raised before and, yes North Central does have a legitimate beef and this is a forum for discussing all things DIII football.  This all said, you will still see hundreds of Cardinal fans in Arden Hills on Saturday cheering on their team on the beautiful Bethel campus while enjoying the hospitality of the Royals' staff, student body, alumni, and fans.

There are no seating capacity issues at Bethel, however. The grandstand, facilities and concessions are basically exactly the same as at Wheaton. The field has been well-cared for and the weather in Minnesota has been fairly good on game days all season. They moved the game two weeks ago specifically so they could preserve the field for an extra week.

I guess I find it interesting that North Central benefited from strength of schedule so much that it had the defending national champion come to its place in 2010 and now you guys are griping about having to go on the road in the third round because of, let's be honest, parking.

The NCAA has never valued the fan experience over seeding in this tournament and that shouldn't be a surprise.

Pat,

I don't think anyone has suggested that NC should be at home or has complained about traveling to Minnesota.  Quite frankly, the collective board seems understand the SOS criteria and is well aware that Bethel is way ahead of NC, although there has been some discussion as to how SOS is calculated, which I think is a fair debate.  After all, seeding teams is an art as much as we try to try it into a science.  And, considering NC has never played a semi-final game this game is huge not only for NC but for the CCIW which has had one semi-finalist since 1988. 

With that said, there are a number of concerns raised, most notably field conditions (which is legitimate), and parking (which makes zero difference on the game being played, as the team bus will roll up to the stadium).  The answer may be that neither is a problem, and let's get ready to tee it up.  However, to discuss other options near Bethel-----even though the game will be played at Bethel (period end of the story, finished) has made for
a lively discussion, since there is concern that the outcome could turn on field conditions which would be unfortunate.  And, I haven't heard anyone say that the field will in no way be an issue.

Yes, 2010 was a gift for NC, although I do recall some UWW posters were not thrilled. In that game, the snow removal plan went exceptional well, and rarely to we hear of the snow storm in discussing that game, but talk about the play on the field.  I hope that we remember this game for the same reason----the play on the field

[New Tradition]

Yes, 2010 was a gift for NC, although I do recall some UWW posters were not thrilled. In that game, the snow removal plan went exceptional well, and rarely to we hear of the snow storm in discussing that game, but talk about the play on the field.  I hope that we remember this game for the same reason----the play on the field

This video does a nice job chronicling the snow removal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Lq6R_GyAo

[AO]

And, I haven't heard anyone say that the field will in no way be an issue.

The field will in no way be an issue.  The field is consistent and does not give an advantage to either team.  Be thankful the snow/wind will probably be better than this.

[robertgoulet]

And, I haven't heard anyone say that the field will in no way be an issue.

The field will in no way be an issue.  The field is consistent and does not give an advantage to either team.  Be thankful the snow/wind will probably be better than this.

As long as the outcome was the same as in 1986 (a CCIW victory), I don't think any NCC people would care if the snow/wind was that bad

[HScoach]

And, I haven't heard anyone say that the field will in no way be an issue.

The field will in no way be an issue.  The field is consistent and does not give an advantage to either team.  Be thankful the snow/wind will probably be better than this.

While obviously consistent, field and weather conditions are often a factor.   If your best player is a pocket passing QB and you're playing in 30 mph winds and rain, the weather is a factor.    If your best player is a scat-back type runner ala Barry Sanders, playing on a muddy grass field is a factor.    The question isn't weather the cold and frozen field will be a factor, it's which team is better suited to minimize the negative impact.

[New Tradition]

And, I haven't heard anyone say that the field will in no way be an issue.

The field will in no way be an issue.  The field is consistent and does not give an advantage to either team.  Be thankful the snow/wind will probably be better than this.

As long as the outcome was the same as in 1986 (a CCIW victory), I don't think any NCC people would care if the snow/wind was that bad

I think this is the other Augustana in South Dakota.
http://www.augie.edu/
http://www.goaugie.com/index.aspx?tab=football&path=football
More confusingly, their mascot and colors are the same...

[hazzben]

I think we're all looking at this the wrong way. Football has always been a game uniquely played in the elements, come rain, snow, sleet or frozen ground. It's what makes the game great. Muddy jerseys & frozen breath are part of what makes football great and many of the 'classic games' in College & NFL history have involved frozen fields and freezing temps.

I think we embrace it. Our teams get to experience something akin to the Ice Bowl and the old games at Metropolitan stadium and frigid January games at Soldier field. How cool is that?! Is it going to be ridiculously cold...yep. Is the field going to be a frozen factor...yep. And that's what makes the potential for the game to be extra memorable.

Here's a few historic pics of cold weather games to get our blood pumping:

Classic Bethel game v. Augsburg - featured in Sports Illustrated

Cowboys, Roger Staubach & Landry preparing for a cold playoff game v. the Vikings at the old Met

Another couple cold weather playoff game in MN at the Met

Vikings v. 49ers in 69

Michigan v. Penn State in the 1950 Snow Bowl

Snow Bowl pt 2

The Ice Bowl...'nuff said

This gets me pumped. Let's play some cold weather football. Cold, frozen ground, frosty breath, hard ball...bring it on! This has the potential to be a unique, awesome environment.

[shepherd]

Copied this link to the Capital One Academic All America Team list which includes 2 people from Augustana and one from North Central.
Congratulations guys for a great accomplishment.  Don't forget  to thank your parents for being great parents too.

http://www.ascsports.org/documents/2013/12/3/2013_CapOne_D3_AAA_Football_Team.pdf

Listed this because I wanted to mention that their is a billboard I have been trying to remember to take a picture of on Roosevelt rd rt38 on the boarder of West Chicago and Winfield of three academic Augustana all Americans on it.  Its really a great billboard.  The only athlete I remember is 1971 Ken Anderson, a hurdler and someone else.  I will try to get a picture of it.

[New Tradition]

I think we're all looking at this the wrong way. Football has always been a game uniquely played in the elements, come rain, snow, sleet or frozen ground. It's what makes the game great. Muddy jerseys & frozen breath are part of what makes football great and many of the 'classic games' in College & NFL history have involved frozen fields and freezing temps.

I think we embrace it. Our teams get to experience something akin to the Ice Bowl and the old games at Metropolitan stadium and frigid January games at Soldier field. How cool is that?! Is it going to be ridiculously cold...yep. Is the field going to be a frozen factor...yep. And that's what makes the potential for the game to be extra memorable.

Here's a few historic pics of cold weather games to get our blood pumping:

Classic Bethel game v. Augsburg - featured in Sports Illustrated

Cowboys, Roger Staubach & Landry preparing for a cold playoff game v. the Vikings at the old Met

Another couple cold weather playoff game in MN at the Met

Vikings v. 49ers in 69

Michigan v. Penn State in the 1950 Snow Bowl

Snow Bowl pt 2

The Ice Bowl...'nuff said

This gets me pumped. Let's play some cold weather football. Cold, frozen ground, frosty breath, hard ball...bring it on! This has the potential to be a unique, awesome environment.

Great post!  Reminds me of the 1934 NFL Championship game played at the Polo Grounds in New York.  The Giants came back from a 13-3 deficit to defeat the Bears 30-13 by scoring 27 4th quarter points.  The Giants famously switched to sneakers at halftime due to the frozen ground resulting form a rain the previous night that then froze, making the field like a parking lot.

I can't figure out how to include the pics in the post like hazzben so beautifully did, but here's the link to a pic of the Giants in sneakers:
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/245/209/sneaker_display_image.jpg?1275503337

[hazzben]

I can't figure out how to include the pics in the post like hazzben so beautifully did, but here's the link to a pic of the Giants in sneakers:
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/245/209/sneaker_display_image.jpg?1275503337

I got your back 

[Mr. Ypsi]

I don't know about UM/PennSt. in 1950 (I don't think they played), but THE Snow Bowl was UM/OSU that year (November 25th).  UM won 9-3, with all 12 points essentially by the defenses.  (OSU got their 3 by a FG, but it was set up by a blocked punt.  UM scored on a blocked punt out of the end zone for a safety, and a blocked punt recovered in the end zone for a TD.)  UM had ZERO first downs that day.  There were FORTY-FIVE punts, often on first down, as coaches quickly figured out that being on offense was a loser's game!  Attendance was virtually nil as no one could get to the game.

Arguably the weirdest game ever played!

[Stagg Again!!]

Ok, a break from football for one minute.  I just read that the NY Yankees have agreed to sign Jacoby Ellsbury from the Red Sox for $153MM and SEVEN years guaranteed with an option for an eighth!!!!  Ellsbury is 30 years old, has played 96 games per year over the past FOUR years.  During that period, he has batted .297; has hit an average of FOUR HRs and 53 RBIs per year (aside from the 32 HRs  and 105 RBIs he had in 2011!!).  I wouldn't put a lot of money on the Yankees to win the World Series in the next 5-10 years!!  What a stunningly bad move.

[formerd3db]

I don't know about UM/PennSt. in 1950 (I don't think they played), but THE Snow Bowl was UM/OSU that year (November 25th).  UM won 9-3, with all 12 points essentially by the defenses.  (OSU got their 3 by a FG, but it was set up by a blocked punt.  UM scored on a blocked punt out of the end zone for a safety, and a blocked punt recovered in the end zone for a TD.)  UM had ZERO first downs that day.  There were FORTY-FIVE punts, often on first down, as coaches quickly figured out that being on offense was a loser's game!  Attendance was virtually nil as no one could get to the game.

Arguably the weirdest game ever played!

Mr. Ypsi:

Actually, my late father, who later graduated from U of Mich for both undergrad and grad school (architecture), was at that famed Snow Bowl game.  Dad had been recruited heavily by U of Mich in his mid high school years for football and baseball, until a collapsed lung injury in track (high jump) ended his athletic career. He ended up having surgery almost died from that and was hospitalized in U of Mich Medical Center for a long time.  Boy, I'm glad he didn't!   He would have never seen that game,...among other things of course!   Seriously, though, I do remember him telling me about the Snow Bowl and, of course, seeing some of those photos you guys posted on here.

[Gregory Sager]

The Yankees can afford to pay Ellsbury that absurd amount of money. They mint money, for all practical purposes. They can take any number of wild gambles like that with contracts that would bankrupt a small-market team.

[Mr. Ypsi]

The Yankees can afford to pay Ellsbury that absurd amount of money. They mint money, for all practical purposes. They can take any number of wild gambles like that with contracts that would bankrupt a small-market team.

True.  The Dodgers now have the TV contract to be the Yankees-West.  The Tigers are definitely NOT a large market team, but are blessed to have an owner with deep pockets who is obsessed with winning a WS before he dies (he's in his late 80s) - they will compete with anyone.  The Tigers will win it all in 2014 - you heard it first here!