FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[USee]

The Ivy League is set to announce tomorrow there will be no fall sports. 3 of the schools have already said only freshman and juniors will attend in fall and soph and seniors in spring.  That likely means no sports all year.  It's and interesting precedent they are settting.

It's very much in keeping with what we've seen in D3 thus far, in that the vast majority of the schools that have canceled fall sports in our division of the NCAA have been well-heeled institutions in the Northeast that have the deep pockets which make athletics a strictly optional campus-life function rather than a key aspect of admissions and operating budget.

Judging from the competitiveness of some of the Ivy League sports programs, I think "Optional Campus-Life Function" is a bit of an old stereotype. Harvard Basketball is signing top 100 recruits and getting top 20 recruiting classes. There are many Ivy League NFL players. I think you are right in the sense the administrations are not beholden to the revenue of major college sports, but those are areas of focus for many of the Ivy League schools.

[augiefan]

Sorry to learn of the passing of Coach Reade. What a legendary coach. His tenure at Augie will never be surpassed. Rest In Peace Coach.

[formerd3db]

Sorry to learn of the passing of Coach Reade. What a legendary coach. His tenure at Augie will never be surpassed. Rest In Peace Coach.

My condolences to his family and all of you Augustana alumni. While I never met him, I have head nothing but great admiration for him as a coach and mentor. I did see him coach one time in the Stagg Bowl when they had their run. Our defensive coordinator, who was an AA, played for him and related how much Coach R influenced his life and shared with me that he often looks back on that time in his career with the cosch to remind him of how he can cintinue to improve in various ways today. Many of us who had the privilage of playing for coaches like that are fortunate to have had such sincere and tremendous mentors-I certainly did with my college coaches. Augustana lost a great one, however, his legacy will live on forever. He had a great and important life.

[formerd3db]

Since the topic of the Ivy League has been discussed, can anyone tell me (or share your opinion) as to why the administrators of that league continue to have that discrepancy of not allowing the football teams to participate in the NCAA post season playoffs, while allowing other sports such as ice hockey and basketball to participate in those? Just doesn't make sense to me.

[jaybird44]

Not sure how this will affect WashU...

Carnegie Mellon cancelling fall sports for 2020:

https://athletics.cmu.edu/generalnews/2019-2020/cmu2020fallstatement

Decision came after the UAA made this statement:

https://washubears.com/general/2020-21/releases/20200708fnfmig

[Gregory Sager]

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that Wash U and Chicago will try to hook up with the CCIW and/or the MWC to fill the void in the five affected fall sports.

Of course, this doesn't affect football.

[Pat Coleman]

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that Wash U and Chicago will try to hook up with the CCIW and/or the MWC to fill the void in the five affected fall sports.

Of course, this doesn't affect football.

It doesn't affect football, but it does. The schools can't very well only compete in football in the fall, so if they don't find a scheduling solution for their other sports, I would suspect they call them all off.

Witness Carnegie Mellon today -- with the OAC and PAC already having stated they will focus on conference games, where would CMU find opponents for its non-football sports?

[Gregory Sager]

Yes, that's true. I should be more specific, and say that strictly in terms of scheduling slots it doesn't affect football.

[markerickson]

The Centennial Conference has suspended all fall sports:  https://www.centennial.org/sports/general/2020-21/fall_2020

Stanford just eliminated 11 varsity sports:  https://www.chronicle.com/article/Live-Coronavirus-Updates-/249135?utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_1346583&cid=at&source=ams&sourceId=1720165

[BIG BLUE BEN]

Hello Everyone! Long time follower, finally pulled the trigger and made an account so we can have someone to defend the Big Blue around here lol (I appreciate the guys who have posted about Millikin in the past). I will try to be the "Millikin" guy in here providing updates, insight and stats from Millikin games.

Millikin WR (2013-2016):
Although I went 11-29 in my college career, I was fortunate enough to play my Senior Year with first year Coach Dan Gritti, along with getting the chance to play 2 seasons with record shattering QB "Nicco Stepina" who will be a legend in Decatur for many years to come. It brings me pride to think that we started turning the ship my senior year when we beat Augy for the first time in our careers and won 3 CCIW games for the first time in like 4 years. I think Coach Gritti is the perfect man for this job, and I look forward towards seeing what they can do in 2020.

2020 Millikin Preview:
Coach Gritti is master when it comes to small details, and although the Defense has been towards the bottom of the league in total D, they have been in or around the top 25 nationally in Sacks/tackles for loss every year Gritti has been there (without a single 1st team ALL CCIW D-lineman). Gritti himself coaches the D-Line which is very rare for a HC. Gritti uses unorthodox stunts on the D-line (almost every play) that have proven to give even the Top teams in the CCIW trouble. 2020 will also be the first season where every player on the team was recruited by Gritti & staff, so I think you will see vintage Gritti team: fast/athletic/undersized, great special teams/ explosive offensively with a bend but don't break style of defense that looks for to make teams nickel and dime them up the field in hopes of forcing a TO). With that said, they will be undersized defensively (per usual) but very experienced and sound. I expect Millikin to improve their Defensive statistics dramatically, especially run defense.
(Link to Gritti's Stunts) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4-9Y5wOT5o&t=2129s

Gritti's prep/practice time devoted to special teams is truly "special" and correct me if I am wrong but since Gritti's arrival in 2016, nobody had blocked more punts than Millikin (12) in the CCIW. With the talent he is working with probably ranked (5th-6th) in the conference, he has showed again and again that regardless of talent, he will have Millikin ready to play on Saturdays.
•   Blocked Punts
o   2016- 5 (6th nationally/1st in CCIW)
o   2017- 2 (22nd nationally/3rd in CCIW)
o   2018- 1 (80th nationally/tied for 2nd in CCIW)
o   2019- 4 (4th nationally/1st in CCIW)

The Defense will be the key for Millikin this season, and I think you will see Millikin's best Defense in the last 5 years in 2020. The big question is, can the offense led by Senior Cal Porhte keep up the scoring we have been used to in recent years thanks to the contributions of Nicco Stepina and Jordan Smith... This 2020 class is apparently, "the most talented class in the Gritti era".

Congrats to NCC on the Title! HUGE for the CCIW no matter who your a fan of. It is going to help everyone recruiting kids to "come play against the best". The CCIW has had and I believe continues to be the SEC of D3, and year in and year out it has at least 3 teams capable of making a deep run in the playoffs. If the selection committee chose the best 32 teams in the country every year, I think the CCIW would have 3-4 teams in the dance each year.

Hope we get football this year fellas, stay safe out there.

GO BIG BLUE
God Bless!

[Pat Coleman]

Welcome to the board! Definitely appreciate hearing a voice from Millikin.

[Titan Q]

Hearing that all of the Fall sports cancellations are giving CCIW and WIAC Presidents (and other top administrators) pause.

There should have been announcements from both leagues this past week (presumably a conf-only plan like others). The delay is due to growing concerns.

[HAMBO]

North Park is starting on time in late August, but will conduct classes on Labor Day and during what would have been fall break. Classes will end at Thanksgiving, with all fall-semester finals to be conducted online after Thanksgiving. Some classes will be conducted online as well, and the ones that aren't will mostly be held in larger spaces on campus, such as Anderson Chapel, in order to provide better social distancing. Dining hall service is being revamped to emphasize take-out meals, masks in public indoor spaces and periodic temperature checks will be mandatory, and most campus activity will take place in the Johnson Science and Community Center, which, being only a few years old, has the best HVAC system on campus and can provide better and cleaner air circulation.

As of last report, all systems are go with NPU athletics for the fall, although it would not surprise me if there will eventually be some changes to the schedules of various Vikings fall sports to accommodate what seems to be a growing movement in D3 to restrict student-athlete travel this coming school year. Nothing's been changed yet, but, with regard to football, I wonder if the September 5 trip to Minnesota to play Bethel is going to take place as planned.

I'm looking forward to getting back behind the mic at the Holmgren Athletic Complex!

[HAMBO]

Hello Everyone! Long time follower, finally pulled the trigger and made an account so we can have someone to defend the Big Blue around here lol (I appreciate the guys who have posted about Millikin in the past). I will try to be the "Millikin" guy in here providing updates, insight and stats from Millikin games.

Millikin WR (2013-2016):
Although I went 11-29 in my college career, I was fortunate enough to play my Senior Year with first year Coach Dan Gritti, along with getting the chance to play 2 seasons with record shattering QB "Nicco Stepina" who will be a legend in Decatur for many years to come. It brings me pride to think that we started turning the ship my senior year when we beat Augy for the first time in our careers and won 3 CCIW games for the first time in like 4 years. I think Coach Gritti is the perfect man for this job, and I look forward towards seeing what they can do in 2020.

2020 Millikin Preview:
Coach Gritti is master when it comes to small details, and although the Defense has been towards the bottom of the league in total D, they have been in or around the top 25 nationally in Sacks/tackles for loss every year Gritti has been there (without a single 1st team ALL CCIW D-lineman). Gritti himself coaches the D-Line which is very rare for a HC. Gritti uses unorthodox stunts on the D-line (almost every play) that have proven to give even the Top teams in the CCIW trouble. 2020 will also be the first season where every player on the team was recruited by Gritti & staff, so I think you will see vintage Gritti team: fast/athletic/undersized, great special teams/ explosive offensively with a bend but don't break style of defense that looks for to make teams nickel and dime them up the field in hopes of forcing a TO). With that said, they will be undersized defensively (per usual) but very experienced and sound. I expect Millikin to improve their Defensive statistics dramatically, especially run defense.
(Link to Gritti's Stunts) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4-9Y5wOT5o&t=2129s

Gritti's prep/practice time devoted to special teams is truly "special" and correct me if I am wrong but since Gritti's arrival in 2016, nobody had blocked more punts than Millikin (12) in the CCIW. With the talent he is working with probably ranked (5th-6th) in the conference, he has showed again and again that regardless of talent, he will have Millikin ready to play on Saturdays.
•   Blocked Punts
o   2016- 5 (6th nationally/1st in CCIW)
o   2017- 2 (22nd nationally/3rd in CCIW)
o   2018- 1 (80th nationally/tied for 2nd in CCIW)
o   2019- 4 (4th nationally/1st in CCIW)

The Defense will be the key for Millikin this season, and I think you will see Millikin's best Defense in the last 5 years in 2020. The big question is, can the offense led by Senior Cal Porhte keep up the scoring we have been used to in recent years thanks to the contributions of Nicco Stepina and Jordan Smith... This 2020 class is apparently, "the most talented class in the Gritti era".

Congrats to NCC on the Title! HUGE for the CCIW no matter who your a fan of. It is going to help everyone recruiting kids to "come play against the best". The CCIW has had and I believe continues to be the SEC of D3, and year in and year out it has at least 3 teams capable of making a deep run in the playoffs. If the selection committee chose the best 32 teams in the country every year, I think the CCIW would have 3-4 teams in the dance each year.

Hope we get football this year fellas, stay safe out there.

GO BIG BLUE
God Bless!

Hello Everyone! Long time follower, finally pulled the trigger and made an account so we can have someone to defend the Big Blue around here lol (I appreciate the guys who have posted about Millikin in the past). I will try to be the "Millikin" guy in here providing updates, insight and stats from Millikin games.

Millikin WR (2013-2016):
Although I went 11-29 in my college career, I was fortunate enough to play my Senior Year with first year Coach Dan Gritti, along with getting the chance to play 2 seasons with record shattering QB "Nicco Stepina" who will be a legend in Decatur for many years to come. It brings me pride to think that we started turning the ship my senior year when we beat Augy for the first time in our careers and won 3 CCIW games for the first time in like 4 years. I think Coach Gritti is the perfect man for this job, and I look forward towards seeing what they can do in 2020.

2020 Millikin Preview:
Coach Gritti is master when it comes to small details, and although the Defense has been towards the bottom of the league in total D, they have been in or around the top 25 nationally in Sacks/tackles for loss every year Gritti has been there (without a single 1st team ALL CCIW D-lineman). Gritti himself coaches the D-Line which is very rare for a HC. Gritti uses unorthodox stunts on the D-line (almost every play) that have proven to give even the Top teams in the CCIW trouble. 2020 will also be the first season where every player on the team was recruited by Gritti & staff, so I think you will see vintage Gritti team: fast/athletic/undersized, great special teams/ explosive offensively with a bend but don't break style of defense that looks for to make teams nickel and dime them up the field in hopes of forcing a TO). With that said, they will be undersized defensively (per usual) but very experienced and sound. I expect Millikin to improve their Defensive statistics dramatically, especially run defense.
(Link to Gritti's Stunts) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4-9Y5wOT5o&t=2129s

Gritti's prep/practice time devoted to special teams is truly "special" and correct me if I am wrong but since Gritti's arrival in 2016, nobody had blocked more punts than Millikin (12) in the CCIW. With the talent he is working with probably ranked (5th-6th) in the conference, he has showed again and again that regardless of talent, he will have Millikin ready to play on Saturdays.
•   Blocked Punts
o   2016- 5 (6th nationally/1st in CCIW)
o   2017- 2 (22nd nationally/3rd in CCIW)
o   2018- 1 (80th nationally/tied for 2nd in CCIW)
o   2019- 4 (4th nationally/1st in CCIW)

The Defense will be the key for Millikin this season, and I think you will see Millikin's best Defense in the last 5 years in 2020. The big question is, can the offense led by Senior Cal Porhte keep up the scoring we have been used to in recent years thanks to the contributions of Nicco Stepina and Jordan Smith... This 2020 class is apparently, "the most talented class in the Gritti era".

Congrats to NCC on the Title! HUGE for the CCIW no matter who your a fan of. It is going to help everyone recruiting kids to "come play against the best". The CCIW has had and I believe continues to be the SEC of D3, and year in and year out it has at least 3 teams capable of making a deep run in the playoffs. If the selection committee chose the best 32 teams in the country every year, I think the CCIW would have 3-4 teams in the dance each year.

Hope we get football this year fellas, stay safe out there.

GO BIG BLUE
God Bless!

Thank you for giving this board the Millikin perspective.

[Titan Q]

IWU at Franklin opener cancelled due to HCAC guidelines.

https://www.iwusports.com/news/2020/7/13/football-season-opener-at-franklin-canceled.aspx