FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[matblake]

I predict a North Park victory tomorrow.

If they don't win tomorrow there is no hope of them winning a CCIW game this year.

It would sackcloth and ashes time indeed. 

[Gregory Sager]

There are 30 freshmen among the 44 players listed on Olivet's two-deep. If NPU can't win tomorrow, Scott Pethtel will have the bus drivers head back to Chicago with empty buses, because the Vikings will be walking home from central Michigan.

Incidentally, I'll again be on the call for tomorrow's NPU @ Olivet webcast (audio only). Kickoff time is 1 pm EST, noon CST.

[dahlby]

Mr Y,
I remember going to Mt Rushmore in the early 50's when the parking lot was still gravel and the only building was a small shack that sold refreshments and trinkets. Wall Drug was a single building back then. The HWY  (14) was 2 lane.

There is some progress on Crazy Horse, but being non-government funded and family run, it will be a work in progress. When I was last there 2 years ago, a worker said that they are in no hurry to finish, because it keeps bringing people back to check the progress. It too, like Wall Drug, is also getting to be a tourist trap, although I do enjoy people watching from all over the country.

Have fun.

[79jaybird]

Greg/NPU fans making the trip to Olivet, I highly recommend a restaurant called "The Gavel" which is in downtown Charlotte (next town over).  Good food and good times.  Safe travels to all.

Usee- I agree with you I just don't see EC being in the game next week in Naperville.  I would think the Cards would be a 10-14 point favorite. If it was at EC, I could see the spread being maybe 7-10 points, but the combination of being at home and all the skills NC possesses,  just don't see an EC W coming out of this one.

[bluejay4ever]

Usee- I agree with you I just don't see EC being in the game next week in Naperville.  I would think the Cards would be a 10-14 point favorite. If it was at EC, I could see the spread being maybe 7-10 points, but the combination of being at home and all the skills NC possesses,  just don't see an EC W coming out of this one.

Jaybird! I can't take it anymore. You are so negative on almost every post on the Jays these days. You don't even give hope.

Listen I don't know if they are going to beat NC but I know they have the best shot they ever have. They have a senior class that is the core to this years team, a running game that can keep NC offense off the field, and defense that brings it.

As for coaching. I don't remember who mentioned that Coach Lester and his staff are not "great" coaches. I not only feel they are but they are also great mentors. Being a division III coach they have more experience and knowledge then most staffs in the country on the X and O side. Besides that they are tremendous in the community, they stress family values, and care as much for the kids off the field as on. They have helped set up mentor programs in the business world where players can mentor former players which has opened up an entire networking group for these young men. They have also been able to connect with the administration, help raise money for other sports programs, and bring the community back to care about Elmhurst football. At the golf outing there were over 150 people who participated. Not long ago there were not even 150 people in the stands. I understand everyone judges by wins and losses and I know that this staff is not only one of the best out there but all the items I mentioned above really has put pride behind the shield again. I coached for 5 years after I graduated, including a couple with this staff. They are the definition of what a Division III program is. I have never been more proud, then I am today.

Lets not forget how North Central got here. They ponied up and hired one of the best high school football coaches in the state. With his connections he had a couple key division one players transfer in (QB and WR, whose names escape me from 6-8 years ago). Had a couple stellar years and was able to capitalize on that success by getting top tier recruits from one of the richest areas in the country. I give them a ton of credit but what happened was quick, most programs have to build and it takes time.

Jaybird, all I am saying is I still remember you coming out of Goebel (sp?) hall. I was coming out of the locker room. I saw you and you asked me about the football team. I told you to talk to Coach Krohn. You joined and the rest is history. We were terrible, no doubt but they were the best years looking back. Put away the hate for a while. Wherever that comes from these days, whatever happened bury it. Its not about you and administration or the coaches because I don't know what happened, it's about those kids. About the possibility of them getting the feeling we had only a hand full of times with one key victory over Wheaton in our careers. Maybe some positive Karma would help those kids, for goodness sake I think Elmhurst deserves it, those kids deserve it, and that community deserves it. The coaching staff also deserves it for the countless hours that go into what they have built.

From the words of one our favorite speakers who often visited us and can still be heard in the stands sometimes you just got to BELIEVE!


(modified by GS for formatting)

[matblake]

Usee- I agree with you I just don't see EC being in the game next week in Naperville.  I would think the Cards would be a 10-14 point favorite. If it was at EC, I could see the spread being maybe 7-10 points, but the combination of being at home and all the skills NC possesses,  just don't see an EC W coming out of this one.

Jaybird! I can't take it anymore. You are so negative on almost every post on the Jays these days. You don't even give hope.

Listen I don't know if they are going to beat NC but I know they have the best shot they ever have. They have a senior class that is the core to this years team, a running game that can keep NC offense off the field, and defense that brings it.

As for coaching. I don't remember who mentioned that Coach Lester and his staff are not "great" coaches. I not only feel they are but they are also great mentors. Being a division III coach they have more experience and knowledge then most staffs in the country on the X and O side. Besides that they are tremendous in the community, they stress family values, and care as much for the kids off the field as on. They have helped set up mentor programs in the business world where players can mentor former players which has opened up an entire networking group for these young men. They have also been able to connect with the administration, help raise money for other sports programs, and bring the community back to care about Elmhurst football. At the golf outing there were over 150 people who participated. Not long ago there were not even 150 people in the stands. I understand everyone judges by wins and losses and I know that this staff is not only one of the best out there but all the items I mentioned above really has put pride behind the shield again. I coached for 5 years after I graduated, including a couple with this staff. They are the definition of what a Division III program is. I have never been more proud, then I am today.

Lets not forget how North Central got here. They ponied up and hired one of the best high school football coaches in the state. With his connections he had a couple key division one players transfer in (QB and WR, whose names escape me from 6-8 years ago). Had a couple stellar years and was able to capitalize on that success by getting top tier recruits from one of the richest areas in the country. I give them a ton of credit but what happened was quick, most programs have to build and it takes time.

Jaybird, all I am saying is I still remember you coming out of Goebel (sp?) hall. I was coming out of the locker room. I saw you and you asked me about the football team. I told you to talk to Coach Krohn. You joined and the rest is history. We were terrible, no doubt but they were the best years looking back. Put away the hate for a while. Wherever that comes from these days, whatever happened bury it. Its not about you and administration or the coaches because I don't know what happened, it's about those kids. About the possibility of them getting the feeling we had only a hand full of times with one key victory over Wheaton in our careers. Maybe some positive Karma would help those kids, for goodness sake I think Elmhurst deserves it, those kids deserve it, and that community deserves it. The coaching staff also deserves it for the countless hours that go into what they have built.

From the words of one our favorite speakers who often visited us and can still be heard in the stands sometimes you just got to BELIEVE!

I admire your standing with your team as they try to build something 4ever, but the difference between EC and NCC is results.  Right now NCC has proven consistent results.  EC does not, unless you count beating Wheaton or IWU once every 7 to 10 years or so.  We all stand behind our teams around here, but until you get consistent results, there is going to be some doubt.  Could Elmhurst beat NCC this year, sure!  Some people might even be praying for it to happen.  From this post, I just feel that you are confusing winning and running a program the right way.  Unfortunately, sometimes they don't have anything to do with each other.  I have a feeling, especially in D3 that many programs are run the right way, but don't get the results their fans desire as far as wins and losses.  That's what is great about all of this.  It is about winning and losing on the field, but it is also about teaching young men about competition, seeing things through, battling against adversity, hard work, and working together.  People tend to call things as they see them, and are willing to sit down to a steaming plate of crow when they are wrong.  But until EC provides them a reason to eat, there isn't any need to blindly believe, outside of the regular fan's belief in their team. 

(modified by GS for formatting)

[bluejay4ever]

matblake:

I agree with you, that not one year makes a great program. I understand that. What I am trying to get through to Jaybird is too look at how far this program has come. Yes there is a ton of room for improvement still. I understand all that. Jaybird constantly has negative posts. Our program for 20 years was stuck in the same struggles that North Park is at currently. All I am saying is to believe in where it has come, and where it is going. Nothing happens as quickly as we would like but the continued negative overtones of Jaybird towards the program is not a representation of what many alumni feel where the program is at today. As well as the belief that Elmhurst can take the next step to not only compete for conference championships but do it consistently. That is all I am saying. It wasn't that long ago when two wins in a season was where people put the expectations. There are actual expectations now, that is the difference. Instead of focusing on the negative, have a little faith. Enjoy the ride and you never know it might just turn out the way you want it. Why be negative, it wastes energy. Have fun with it and hope. Hope for a good year, and hope that it is the start of something special long term. 

[formerd3db]

matblake and bluejay4ever:

Indeed, there is always hope (no pun intended), however, there is always reality as well.  I would respectfully disagree with you that jaybird is always negative, rather I think he is trying to be cautiously realistic in many instances.  Without question, running a program "the right way" for all the reasons you mention, is always what should be done and should be strived for with the the won/loss record being of secondary (or less) importance.  Nonetheless, you must admit that even at our DIII level, a substantial number of institutions have their administrators who do exactly that i.e. pin the importance on the W/L record and, the head coach is then held accountable, as much as that is painful and disappointing to see happen (and it shouldn't), yet it does occur.  Obviously, no one likes to lose all the time, however, when that starts to become a pattern and/or when progress isn't being made in a program over a particular amount of time/years, it has been seen that changes are eventually made, regardless of how great a coach has been in all aspects including the most important of mentoring and teaching our young men what is really important in life beyond and aside from football as "the game" in and of itself.  Positivity is indeed good and to strive for, however, being realistic is just as important as well.  

[Augie6]

matblake:

I agree with you, that not one year makes a great program. I understand that. What I am trying to get through to Jaybird is too look at how far this program has come. Yes there is a ton of room for improvement still. I understand all that. Jaybird constantly has negative posts. Our program for 20 years was stuck in the same struggles that North Park is at currently. All I am saying is to believe in where it has come, and where it is going. Nothing happens as quickly as we would like but the continued negative overtones of Jaybird towards the program is not a representation of what many alumni feel where the program is at today. As well as the belief that Elmhurst can take the next step to not only compete for conference championships but do it consistently. That is all I am saying. It wasn't that long ago when two wins in a season was where people put the expectations. There are actual expectations now, that is the difference. Instead of focusing on the negative, have a little faith. Enjoy the ride and you never know it might just turn out the way you want it. Why be negative, it wastes energy. Have fun with it and hope. Hope for a good year, and hope that it is the start of something special long term. 

bluejay,

The funny thing is, many on this board used to get on jaybird for being over optimistic about the EC program in past seasons, myself included.  I don't really see his posts as being negative toward the EC program, just realistic.  I think many agree that this is one of the strongest teams EC has put on the field in the past few decades.  They are 3-0 and looking good.  However, since the 2003 season, they have gone 3-0 to start the season 9 times, with the only blemish being a 2-1 start in 2011.  In three of those seasons, they actually started 4-0 and in one season (2005) 5-0.  So over the past ten years, EC has gone 29-1 heading into conference play.  During that same span, EC's conference record is 25-38.  So while I understand your optimism about the 2012 EC team, I also understand why jaybird has some doubts about EC heading into conference play.  After many years of 3-0 starts followed by disappointment in the CCIW games, I would certainly have my enthusiasm tempered, considerably.  If EC breaks through this year, I'm sure Jaybird will be the first to say he was wrong to doubt EC and happily so.

[Gregory Sager]

Our program for 20 years was stuck in the same struggles that North Park is at currently.

No, it wasn't. Elmhurst's previous situation and NPU's perennial situation are apples and oranges.

bluejay,

The funny thing is, many on this board used to get on jaybird for being over optimistic about the EC program in past seasons, myself included.  I don't really see his posts as being negative toward the EC program, just realistic.  I think many agree that this is one of the strongest teams EC has put on the field in the past few decades.  They are 3-0 and looking good.  However, since the 2003 season, they have gone 3-0 to start the season 9 times, with the only blemish being a 2-1 start in 2011.  In three of those seasons, they actually started 4-0 and in one season (2005) 5-0.  So over the past ten years, EC has gone 29-1 heading into conference play.  During that same span, EC's conference record is 25-38.  So while I understand your optimism about the 2012 EC team, I also understand why jaybird has some doubts about EC heading into conference play.  After many years of 3-0 starts followed by disappointment in the CCIW games, I would certainly have my enthusiasm tempered, considerably.  If EC breaks through this year, I'm sure Jaybird will be the first to say he was wrong to doubt EC and happily so.

Well said, Augie6.

[matblake]

Thanks for fixing the formatting in my post above GS.  I didn't realize I had screwed it up and the lack of correct formatting must have made it confusing.

[formerd3db]

bluejay,

The funny thing is, many on this board used to get on jaybird for being over optimistic about the EC program in past seasons, myself included.  I don't really see his posts as being negative toward the EC program, just realistic.  I think many agree that this is one of the strongest teams EC has put on the field in the past few decades.  They are 3-0 and looking good.  However, since the 2003 season, they have gone 3-0 to start the season 9 times, with the only blemish being a 2-1 start in 2011.  In three of those seasons, they actually started 4-0 and in one season (2005) 5-0.  So over the past ten years, EC has gone 29-1 heading into conference play.  During that same span, EC's conference record is 25-38.  So while I understand your optimism about the 2012 EC team, I also understand why jaybird has some doubts about EC heading into conference play.  After many years of 3-0 starts followed by disappointment in the CCIW games, I would certainly have my enthusiasm tempered, considerably.  If EC breaks through this year, I'm sure Jaybird will be the first to say he was wrong to doubt EC and happily so.

Well said, Augie6.

Ditto.

[Titan Q]

IWU vs Hope stories...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/illinois-wesleyan-vs-hope-preview/article_d2141200-0465-11e2-8cce-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/sports_hope/x1217098116/Hope-College-Illinois-Wesleyan-football-preview

http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2012/09/flying_dutchmen_looking_to_bre.html

http://www.hollandsentinel.com/newsnow/x1505344780/Hope-College-football-looks-to-limit-mistakes-when-it-hosts-No-15-Illinois-Wesleyan


Alan Babbit from the Holland Sentinel predicts: IWU 42 Hope 28.

IWU RB T.J. Stinde (ankle) will not play -- he's become that guy that just can never stay healthy.

[Titan Q]

The atmosphere of the IWU @ Hope NCAA Round 2 basketball game last March...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEuAYQ3q7kw


I hope it's not that rowdy in Holland today.

[NCF]

Usee- I agree with you I just don't see EC being in the game next week in Naperville.  I would think the Cards would be a 10-14 point favorite. If it was at EC, I could see the spread being maybe 7-10 points, but the combination of being at home and all the skills NC possesses,  just don't see an EC W coming out of this one.

Jaybird! I can't take it anymore. You are so negative on almost every post on the Jays these days. You don't even give hope.

Listen I don't know if they are going to beat NC but I know they have the best shot they ever have. They have a senior class that is the core to this years team, a running game that can keep NC offense off the field, and defense that brings it.

As for coaching. I don't remember who mentioned that Coach Lester and his staff are not "great" coaches. I not only feel they are but they are also great mentors. Being a division III coach they have more experience and knowledge then most staffs in the country on the X and O side. Besides that they are tremendous in the community, they stress family values, and care as much for the kids off the field as on. They have helped set up mentor programs in the business world where players can mentor former players which has opened up an entire networking group for these young men. They have also been able to connect with the administration, help raise money for other sports programs, and bring the community back to care about Elmhurst football. At the golf outing there were over 150 people who participated. Not long ago there were not even 150 people in the stands. I understand everyone judges by wins and losses and I know that this staff is not only one of the best out there but all the items I mentioned above really has put pride behind the shield again. I coached for 5 years after I graduated, including a couple with this staff. They are the definition of what a Division III program is. I have never been more proud, then I am today.

Lets not forget how North Central got here. They ponied up and hired one of the best high school football coaches in the state. With his connections he had a couple key division one players transfer in (QB and WR, whose names escape me from 6-8 years ago). Had a couple stellar years and was able to capitalize on that success by getting top tier recruits from one of the richest areas in the country. I give them a ton of credit but what happened was quick, most programs have to build and it takes time.

Jaybird, all I am saying is I still remember you coming out of Goebel (sp?) hall. I was coming out of the locker room. I saw you and you asked me about the football team. I told you to talk to Coach Krohn. You joined and the rest is history. We were terrible, no doubt but they were the best years looking back. Put away the hate for a while. Wherever that comes from these days, whatever happened bury it. Its not about you and administration or the coaches because I don’t know what happened, it's about those kids. About the possibility of them getting the feeling we had only a hand full of times with one key victory over Wheaton in our careers. Maybe some positive Karma would help those kids, for goodness sake I think Elmhurst deserves it, those kids deserve it, and that community deserves it. The coaching staff also deserves it for the countless hours that go into what they have built.

From the words of one our favorite speakers who often visited us and can still be heard in the stands sometimes you just got to BELIEVE!


(modified by GS for formatting)

This could be a great week on the boards! Just an FYI jaybird4ever-NC also has a defense that "brings it". Every game for them i s a must win so you better believe they will not be a pushover. Take away even just one of the turnovers in game one and they'd be 3-0 as well. If EC pulls off the upset in Naperville then hats off to them. I, for one, hope for a Cardinal victory!