FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Jim Matson]

Speaking of Wheaton's defense (and the need for more stout!), do we have any details on potential line-ups?  I am pining for the days of old...

[lakeshore]

We (alumni) can't wait to see this kid

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060709/HSSports09/607090454

[blitzkrieg]

79jaybird- My son will be a fresman this year. How much will he play at the scrimmage?

Comet - Forgive me if you have already posted this information, but what position does your son play?  Where is he on the depth chart? From an outsiders perspective, how talented is he?

[Comet 14]

blitzkrieg- My son will play corner or safety in college. He is a freshman so as of today I would say he is on the bottom of the depth chart until he proves otherwise, as it should be. I don't really know how many returning db's are on the roster. I know there are 3 incoming freshman at that position. As far as how talented he is I am a little biased but I can list some of his accomplishments. His Junior year he led the sauk valley area in int's with 11. He was named First team all Quad City times Defense, all conference despite missing 2 games on D because he was the back-up QB and the starter was injured. his senior year he only had 5 int's in 5 games. The head coach has a philosophy of not playing his QB on defense and my son is not one to complain. The d quardinator finally one out half way through the season and Jordan got to play defense. He didn,t recieve many honors his senior year because he was the Qb of a running team and didn't play enough defense to get noticed. He was also the defensive player of the year on his? basketball team and mvp of his baseball team batting over 400 on the season and over500 in conference. are you an allumn or just a d-3 fan

[79jaybird]

Comet14--  To answer your question,  most of the posters on this board are former players, longtime fans, or parents of former players.  I find this a great board to chat with former players and/or opponents and enjoy reliving the memories.
Sounds like Jordan has quite the awards and a good resume.  Keep in mind the CCIW and D-3 is much different and faster than HS, but I hope he has success in the CCIW.
HikerJim,  I talked for a good hour with Coach Swider last week and he didn't have a "set" lineup as in past years.  (I don't like to jump the gun with names) however he mentioned that there are a few returning vets in certain positions, however there are many positions "open for the taking" to the guy who works the hardest to earn that role.  I still think with the role model and great person Coach Swider is, he will have Wheaton prepared to compete.  I still see them finishing in the Top 3 this year.

[79jaybird]

Over on the MIAA Board they are looking at the best/worst football stadiums.  What are all of your thoughts on CCIW Stadiums?  I will give you my take.
Augustana:  I like the historic aspect of the pressbox, nice addition with the new Astroplay surface, but I don't like the view of the Quad City Industrial Bldg.  I know some like that historic nature, but for me, I don't really like the view of that old building.
Carthage:  I am looking forward to seeing their new Stadium and pressbox this fall.  Synthetic Turf is good, nice views of the campus.  The old "treehouse" pressbox gave me goosebumps and I was always worried that it would break.  This and the old pressbox was too small and cramped.
Elmhurst:  Nice synthetic turf, but I think I have seen high schools have better Stadiums.  The views of the campus are great, but the actual Stadium stigma isn't quite there.  Their pressbox is adequate, but you still have all the media personnel within arms reach of each other.
North Central:  Probably my favorite Stadium.  The main entrance to Benedetti-Wehrli has class, and prestige that makes you excited to enter that facility.  Their pressbox is not the best, but still pretty good.  The only downer is that when the sun sets, you get the sun glare right in your face, making it hard to see the action.
North Park:  I will say the new additions to Holmgren Field are a 100% improvement, but the canal, the city traffic, just makes me feel like it's all crammed together. (Some of this is not NPU's fault b/c they are landlocked)
Their pressbox is o.k. but again everybody is mixed together which sometimes can cause a traffic jam.
Millikin:  I like going down to Millkin.  I love their Jumbotron on the North end of Lindsay, and the double decker Blue Pressbox is very stylish.  The natural grass has it's charm, but I have seen that field get chewed up.
IWU- Probably my 3rd favorite Stadium to go to.  I like the National Historic Places and 5th oldest fb stadium flavor to it.  I like the "fortress" feeling you have that you are in a football frenzy environment.  My drawback is their pressbox is much like Car/Elm/NPU where everybody is clumped together. 
Wheaton- My second favorite place and my first choice for pressboxes.  I like the new turf with their endzones painted with Wheaton colors!  I like the large home stands and when filled, creates a great atmosphere.  Visiting teams get their own enclosed pressboxes which I like.
The only downer is that across the field you are looking at railroad tracks again.
Let me know what you all think and during your playing days, what schools were your favorite/least favorite places to go to.

[mr_b]

North Park:  I will say the new additions to Holmgren Field are a 100% improvement, but the canal, the city traffic, just makes me feel like it's all crammed together. (Some of this is not NPU's fault b/c they are landlocked)
Their pressbox is o.k. but again everybody is mixed together which sometimes can cause a traffic jam.

Jaybird,

You can't imagine the improvement that Holmgren Field represents over Hedstrand Field.  Yes, it is crowded due to the very nature of the land we have to work with, but the stands are great and the pressbox is infinitely better than the old double-decker rattletrap that it replaced.  When the coaches upstairs would stomp in anger, the pressbox would sway so much we feared we would tumble backwards into the North Branch River.  The new turf is permanently striped (for football, baseball, and soccer), which leads to some confusion, but at least the yard lines are visible from the pressbox.  We used to pray for an overcast day because when the sun came out, the yard lines were completely obliterated from view.  What's more, the old press box had plastic windows that made it seem like we were watching the game through a Tupperware bowl.  It was awful!

[79jaybird]

mr-b, I share with your feelings and remember some of those "issues" with the old stadium. I used to feel ( as a visiting broadcaster in the pressbox), that like I was in an airplane looking down to the ground through those plastic windows.  I can also recall a day where there were storm warnings all around us and very windy.. I was afraid we would end up in the canal behind us. 
I met with Coach Pethtel last month and I think NPU's accomodations and facilities (the new practice facility just south of the campus is going to be beautiful!) will help steer the athletics programs in the right direction.  Best of luck to NPU this year. 

[Comet 14]

79jaybird- I don't want to come across like I a was bragging I was just answering blitzkriegs post. He asked how talented my son was. I look forward to meeting you when the season starts. My son is # 45 I hope you get to call his # alot.

[79jaybird]

Comet14-- Not at all,  and if it were my Son, I probably would be doing the same thing. 
I hope I get to call a lot of Bluejays numbers/names this year.  I too look forward to meeting you this Fall.  I am trying to open up my schedule to allow me to go and see the UWW/Elm scrimmage.  I want to who is replacing Luna, Brogan, Evans, etc.  The offense is what worries me the most having to replace these guys.

[CCIW]

Unfortunately, I think this may be the year that the Thunder drift into the second half of the CCIW final standings.  While the QB position has been strengthened, the O and D lines will likely not improve and they could be weaker than last year.  The wide receiver position is the weakest it has been in a number of years.  Linebacker is a similar story.  The current recruiting class is small with limited top talent.  These are not just my personal opinions, but the concerned opinions of friends close the program and staff.  Let's hope the Thunder surprise us.   

[79jaybird]

cciw- I wouldn't completely write off Wheaton yet.  I think Coach Swider and Co. will have the Thunder still in the hunt.
I agree they don't have the talent (well I should say depths of talent)  they had during their mini dynasty with Musso and the rest, but you never know what happens.  Their game vs. Albion and then later Hope, should give us a pretty good indicator of what Wheaton will bring to the CCIW slate this year.

[Jim Matson]

CCIW, that was my concern at the beginning of the 05 season.  Last year we all had very high hopes for the season and were looking for a return to the playoffs.  It ended up as a frustrating year.  This year, I think Wheaton fans are ready for a bit of a re-build - not that I want to concede anything, but I doubt we'll be making a run for the crown.  Here's hoping for a Wheaton men's besketball type of a re-building year!

[usee]

don't break out the violins too quickly for the Thunder. this isn't even comparable to the basketball debacle when their best player and several others walked out leaving Harris w a JV team to start. Wheaton returns some pretty talented people on both sides of the ball. while i think they will be as good this year as they were last year and they were 3 plays from making the playoffs. i don't think they are any worse than a top 3 team (but they may be 3rd of 3)

[matblake]

Here is the preview for this year's Wheaton team. 
http://www.wheaton.edu/Athletics/football/Preview.html