FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

Its also clear he doesn't actually care about a solution to better the D3 playoff format and his only interest is the prolinging of his son's team's season.

The reality is if you are 9-1 from the CCIW you go to the playoffs.

And as Wheaton proved last year, you might even make it at 8-2!

[Though the odds ain't good.]

[RadioNotes]

I agree with New Tradition.  I got into the D3 football when my son played at NCC. 
It wasn't hard after 4 years of HS football to begin to enjoy the atmosphere with the CARD fans.  Although we don't have D3 near us, we do continue to follow the CARDS every Saturday just like last year---except only via radio!   IF we lived near by we WOULD BE there!  The CARDS will heal and be back better than ever.....although it was a shortened year, sometimes the hardest lessons are painful!  Makes the previous years teams undefeated year all that more impressive, and next year they will work even harder!  Lesson learned!  So, here we will just have to root on our local HS team as they did make the playoffs......

[formerd3db]

Well said New Tradition and Sager and RadioN.  I'm sorry that newcardfan feels that way, however, as the "Sage" said, it is his right.  Yet, I couldn't agree with the other colleagues here more.  What they relate was made even more evident to me than it was before (and I admit already having a high passion for DIII anyway from my own playing days) at our renunion this year at Homecoming and the 100 Years Celebration of Football at my alma mater.  Seeing so many former teammates, coaches, administrators, alumni, parents and friends just brought to mind even more all the tremendous contributions they made to my own life and development that goes way beyond the football field.  The memories of the atomosphere at the campus as well as the commeraderie, even though many of us have not seen each other in some years will last a lifetime.  That has also kept me involved and close to the game since then, like the others have mentioned.  I would also just add that many of the parents during my collegiate years shared that same bond and many still keep in contact to this day.

Coming out of high school, I had always wanted to play college football.  While I was no superstar by any such stretch of the imagination, nor was I heavily recruited, I did have some minor offers from a couple of DI schools and considered walking on at another "major name school", actually my dad's alma mater.  I also knew about the small college teams in our state and a few outside.  Being that the academic tracks that I was interested in were basically the same strength at all these larger and smaller schools, I admit I looked at the football aspect perhaps much more at that time.  While I knew I might have a chance to get some playing time towards the end of my career at one of the larger schools, I chose the smaller college (DIII) and I have no regrets and would do it all over again.  I wouldn't trade my experiences there for anything.  In addition, my parents gave up their longtime season tickets to his alma mater to come and watch my games and those of my brother when he eventually played in college (we actually played against each other my senior year, he being a freshman) and the shared times and memories they had with other parents of our teammates was a lifetime of memories for them as well.  I'm not saying that for those who chose a DII or DI program for their career will not have similar positive experiences and not get a good education too, because that does occur in many, many instances as well.  Rather, I agree with what has been shared by our other posting colleagues that DIII is "a different animal" and experience, the purpose and philosophy being intentional for all those reasons we all know.    

So "to each his own" as that old saying goes.  However, I hope that ncf might try seeing this in a different perspective and perhaps have some additional enjoyment in many other ways when both his son's collegiate playing days are over.  Just my opinon.  Thanks for sharing yours, all of you.    

BTW, enjoy your team's games tomorrow on this, the last regular weekend of the 2009 season.  Drive safe everyone.    

[New Tradition]

BTW, enjoy your team's games tomorrow on this, the last regular weekend of the 2009 season.

And you, sir, enjoy your 200th karma point!  (And the games too)

[formerd3db]

Thank you New Tradition, you are most kind.  Have a great weekend and we'll talk with you and friends on here again soon. 

[Tailgater]

Nice first post by ncc_fan. You're absolutely right, teams have to win beginning in week 1. You might take one loss, and still get into the playoffs. Two losses almost always eliminates you. Newcardfan might be surprised to know that it wasn't very long ago that 28 teams were invited to the playoffs. There's more Pool A bids now, but imagine just two from Pool C!

Newcardfan, maybe you only care about a four year period. But many of us have supported and followed Div III football (and sports) for a long period of time. Personally, I like how the playoff system has evolved. Teams and players know that if they have a good season, they will earn the right to be part of the playoffs.

Since two losses will keep you out of the play-offs, then you have to schedule weak non-confernce opponents. Going 8-2 is a pretty good season. It shouldn't eliminate your team from the post season almost automatically. Football usually brings in the most money for a program so they should be treated differently.
As for caring for my four year period only-so what? I only go to games to watch my kids play. I never watched a DIII game before my entered college and I'll never watch one after he leaves.We still have one left in grade school to follow.

Yeah.... CCIW schools are rolling in dough from ticket sales! 

I guess Newcardfan isn't a football fan. Instead he appears to simply be a player fan. I love the game and still attend High School games and College (mostly DIII) games whenever possible. I don't require a kid participating to enjoy a great sport. I Can't think of any better entertainment for the cost. No wonder schools with football programs are raking in the cash. 

[Tailgater]

As for caring for my four year period only-so what? I only go to games to watch my kids play. I never watched a DIII game before my entered college and I'll never watch one after he leaves.We still have one left in grade school to follow.

Hopefully NCC and the CCIW will change your mind.  Before I started my career at NCC, the only D3 football I had ever seen was when I was being recruited.  When I had finished playing, my family continued to watch my brother, who also played for the Cardinals, for 3 years.  I am currently in AZ and unable to attend ANY games (AHHHHHH SO FRUSTRATED) but my parents and brother still attend games regularly.  They will be in attendance tomorrow, and even made the trip out to Augustana.  

My parents loved going on road trips and following the team.  They built relationships with other parents who had (sometimes younger) kids playing for the team and continue to attend to watch their friends' kids after both my brother's and my careers had ended.  I know Tailgater no longer has any kids at Carthage, but he still follows his son's alma mater.  I'd be willing to bet that he attends and cares for many of the same reasons that my parents still do.

IMHO, D3 has an effect on people who watch it for any period of time that makes them continue to care for years after their children are done playing.  I think that part of it is the fond memories that you build watching your kid sweat, bleed and strive to help his team do something special.  Another part of it is that D3 is the most pure form of football (no chance of getting recruited to play at a big school, no scholarships, extremely little chance of going pro), so people enjoy watching the kids play hard for no other reason than pure and simple love of the game.  The final reason I have is that it is just plain entertaining.  Easily the most fun thing to do on a Saturday afternoon/evening in the fall.  

Hit the nail on the head New Tradition. I have relationships with players, parents, Coaching staff and Administration at Carthage that will last a lifetime.

[ncc58]

I had to smile at the passion shown in the posts by Mr. Sager, New Tradition, formerd3db, and Tailgater, Kudos too to Mr. Ypsi and USee whose opinions I regard highly. This is what the D3 experience is all about. Mugsy hasn't responded but I would expect the same from him. Ask your son in 10, 15 , 20 years who he is. Whatever profession he chooses, he is always a college football player. And the experiences he shared with his teammates and coaches, and his opponents. helped mold him as a person. The opportunity to play college football is a gift. You create a relationship with your teammates and your school that lasts forever. Good luck to all those players who will be playing their last game today. My last game was many years ago, but I remember it vividly. I'll be on my way soon to watch the Battle of the Birds!

[usee]

According to Pat's updated brackets, he has IWU hosting Wabash in Round 1 next Saturday. That would be a great matchup.

http://www.d3football.com/dailydose/2009/11/12/our-projected-field-of-32-2/

[Carthage Fan]

I picked the wrong day to stay home and get some work done on my basement..... great win for Carthage today.  Way to go Red Men!

[usee]

Final Playoff projection on front page has IWU hosting Coe now. I have a hard time believing this will happen just to avoid Coe/Central matchup. I would think they could keep Depauw in the North (let Coe play at Monmouth) and have Wabash travel to IWU. We will see tomorrow on the selection show.

[Mr. Ypsi]

If they are going to import a second 'West' team to the 'North', I'd be more likely to bet on Monmouth than Coe.  Guess we'll know in about 14 hours.

[Pat Coleman]

Bringing Monmouth over would deny IWU a home game and give one to St. Thomas. They are a little closer geographically but not by a wide margin.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Bringing Monmouth over would deny IWU a home game and give one to St. Thomas. They are a little closer geographically but not by a wide margin.

Well, when you put it that way - bring on Coe!

Besides, we owe them a beat down for '07 (when we tied for the CCIW title but lost a Pool C because of non-con stumbles against Coe and MSJ)!

We can deal with Monmouth NEXT year (on the non-con schedule).

[Titan Q]

Congratulations to Norm Eash and the Titans for winning the AQ.  Quite an accomplishment considering the hole they dug themselves in with the Millikin loss.  Special mention to coach Mike Murray and his defense - what an effort in league play this year.