FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Carroll over Wisconsin Lutheran, 51-7, up at Schneider.

[markerickson]

Does the "get rid of Norm" cycle begin in six days?

[devildog29]

Does the "get rid of Norm" cycle begin in six days?

I can't see any way where that would ever be anyone's decision other than Norm himself.  I believe this is year 35 or 36 for him.  I'm not sure anyone has a read on what number he has in his head.  My pipedream was always him retiring early enough to still make the job attractive enough for Rob Zvonar to want it.  But between Rob's age and what I'm sure is a salary IWU wouldn't be able to match at this point, I figure that ship has sailed.   By all indications Norm remains very healthy (he was always an early A.M. Shirk fitness hound) so I could see him wanting to continue through 40 years. 

[ncc_fan]

Does the "get rid of Norm" cycle begin in six days?

I can't see any way where that would ever be anyone's decision other than Norm himself.  I believe this is year 35 or 36 for him.  I'm not sure anyone has a read on what number he has in his head.  My pipedream was always him retiring early enough to still make the job attractive enough for Rob Zvonar to want it. But between Rob's age and what I'm sure is a salary IWU wouldn't be able to match at this point, I figure that ship has sailed.   By all indications Norm remains very healthy (he was always an early A.M. Shirk fitness hound) so I could see him wanting to continue through 40 years.

Or Norm could retire late enough to make the job attractive to Zvonar.  I believe John Thorne was in his mid 50s when took the NCC job in 2002; it's likely he was eligible for an Illinois TRS pension under early retirement rules.  Zvonar will be eligible for early retirement and a TRS pension in 3 years.  The state imposes quite a hit for retiring early, though:  a 6% reduction in pension for each year under age 60 unless the retiree has 35 years of service.

[79jaybird]

NccFan-  Wasn't John Thorne a retired Chemistry Teacher when he took the NC job?  I remember talking to him about his job as a Chem Prof but don't know for certain if he was fully retired prior to taking the HC job.

[New Tradition]

NccFan-  Wasn't John Thorne a retired Chemistry Teacher when he took the NC job?  I remember talking to him about his job as a Chem Prof but don't know for certain if he was fully retired prior to taking the HC job.

Yes and yes.  He was hired during his final year as a high school chemistry teacher, which actually hurt recruiting because he couldn't hit the road and didn't have an experience doing so. Luckily, he got some very, very late commits including Radtke, Holden, and Earnest. Mike Jaber from Glenbard East came that year, too, which was a big get, but he didn't last beyond the 2002 season. 

[79jaybird]

Thank you New Tradition and yes this all jives now. I remember Elmhurst really wanted Radtke because we knew how talented a player he was.

[New Tradition]

Thank you New Tradition and yes this all jives now. I remember Elmhurst really wanted Radtke because we knew how talented a player he was.

Almost half of the starting Elmhurst offense were Glenbard North alumni in 2002.  Demma, Massell, Allen, Brogan, and Evans (who was the lone Elmhurst GBN commit from my class).  Coach Krohn liked the school a bunch and recruited anyone who was interested in playing at the D3 level from there pretty hard.  He'd have been pretty happen with any/all of us, I think.  I was impressed at the effort he put in recruiting me, and I'm easily the least talented of everyone I named in this entire post. 

Elmhurst did eventually get a lights out GBN linebacker a couple years later in Ward Brady. 

[The Third Division]

NccFan-  Wasn't John Thorne a retired Chemistry Teacher when he took the NC job?  I remember talking to him about his job as a Chem Prof but don't know for certain if he was fully retired prior to taking the HC job.

at least he didn't become a meth cook!

[79jaybird]

New Tradition-  On the air we called it "panther pride" line.  I also remember meeting you at Fitz's pub a few times after the games with Demma's folks .  That group was a great fit for Elmhurst.  Evans was Demma's go to guy on 3rd down.   Sadly, once they all graduated Elmhurst fell a few rungs.

[79jaybird]

This weekend's Augie/Elmhurst game is interesting. I think defensively Elmhurst will be able to keep the Jays within a shot of a win.  I just don't think Elmhurst offense will be able to mount longstanding drives and stay on the field for a long (enough) time.

[Gregory Sager]

Strictly as a catalyst for discussion, and not as an endorsement, I'm posting Logan Hansen's CCIW game projections for tomorrow:

@ Augustana 36, Elmhurst 13   (AC 92.5%, EU 7.5%)
Carroll 31, @ North Park 22   (CU 72.5%, NPU 27.5%)
@ North Central 60, Carthage 0   (NCC 100%, CC 0%)
Wheaton 39, @ Illinois Wesleyan 18   (WC 91%, IWU 9%)
Washington (MO) 39, @ Millikin 7   (WU 98%, MU 2%)

[79jaybird]

Greg-  I agree with who they favor, but IMO the margin by which they think X team is going to win, other than North Central  seems pretty steep?  You agree?

[Pat Coleman]

Greg-  I agree with who they favor, but IMO the margin by which they think X team is going to win, other than North Central  seems pretty steep?  You agree?

I think Wheaton and Wash U will win by more than predicted, actually.

[New Tradition]

Greg-  I agree with who they favor, but IMO the margin by which they think X team is going to win, other than North Central  seems pretty steep?  You agree?

I think Wheaton and Wash U will win by more than predicted, actually.

Same.  And quite possibly Carroll, too.  I also think Elmhurst pulls it out.