FB: Northwest Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

---Hazel said Menlo is going to play as an independent this fall, but still has the Washington schools on its schedule. The school plans on moving up to Division II soon.[/i]

I don't get it...seriously, thanks to all who helped me understand recently how divisions and affiliations work for certain schools...
That being said...how does a school of 750 undergrads go to D-2?

The number of students is a little deceiving when you start talking about different classifications, the biggest factor is the amount of scholarships offered at the D2 level. Another example would be Grand Valley State in D2. They have a student body of roughly 22,000, which would seem more in line with 1A, but they think D2 is a better fit for their overall athletic department, and don't want the expense of offering more scholarships and adhering to the requirements of higher classifications. Wake Forest in 1A is tiny, only around 8,000, but they've been 1A for so many years, and have the financial ability to offer all the scholarships across all sports, etc. Hope this helps.

And Davidson College (d1 basketball, 1aa in football) has only 1,700 students.  Student enrollment has virtually nothing to do with classification - this ain't high school.   D3 NYU has a larger enrollment than most d1 schools.

[dahlby]

Regarding Menlo....I was told today that Menlo will be going all NAIA either next year or the year after.
As most already know Menlo is currently NAIA in some sports and D3 in others.

I also heard today that a few schools from the NAIA Conference here in Southern California will be going D2 in the near future.

And finally, D2 school UCSD might be adding football.

We will see what happens.

[badgerwarhawk]

Catdomealumni.com Video of the Week: 2009 Linfield vs Puget Sound

2009 Linfield vs Puget Sound

next week: 2010 Spring Ball Highlights

BONUS ACTION!

ADvantage Catdome: 'Cats Baseball Sweeps PLU to clinch NWC title and Playoff Berth!

WC11, I enjoy your videos and I think you and your assistants do a really great job putting them together.  But just once I'd like to see the other team score or at least complete a play of ten yards or more.  Come on man, show UPS some love, they put 35 on the board that day.   

[wildcat11]

show UPS some love, they put 35 on the board that day.   

I have no idea what you're talking about! 

[Pat Coleman]

It's awesome that we're getting the story about Menlo from everybody BUT MENLO.

Actually, I haven't seen anything on Menlo's NWC status from the NWC.

[wildcat11]

Have a treat up on the blog this morning for all of you marks for the 2002 Linfield team.

[Las Vegas Wildcards]

Re: "The Streak"


Had the chance to watch a ESPN documentary I taped a few years ago, it was about a high school sports record streak(which has since ended). While I was watching, I couldn't help but notice the similarity to Linfield, in terms of quality people, and class throughout the program. Great  veteran head coach, who helped develop student-athletes into success stories once their playing careers ended after college.

But there was one important difference. The coach was very concerned about this school's streak, in both his words and actions. It was clear this record was very, very important to him and the community.

There are many reasons for Linfield's incredible streak, but one of the most overlooked may well be the approach of people within the program about this national record. There is obviously pride among coaches, players, alumni, and fans of the program, but it seems to be measured, unlike the high school program I just mentioned. Over the years, it seems the Wildcats have a very business-like approach, not underestimating opponents, and not getting too over confident after major victories. My theory is, this was true going back to the Paul Durham era, when the streak began. I've had the opportunity to speak with some of the players from that era, and it's remarkable how much they sound like the players of today.

Yes, it's true, Linfield would have received more national recognition if they were a D1 school about this record. However, I don't think that would have fundamentally changed the successful approach by the people inside the program.













































































































     

[rbaikie]

Menlo has their 2010 schedule, noting the fact that they are transitioning to the NAIA. I also saw on a couple of NWC websites the notation that Menlo is now a non-conference game.

[Ralph Turner]

Menlo has their 2010 schedule, noting the fact that they are transitioning to the NAIA. I also saw on a couple of NWC websites the notation that Menlo is now a non-conference game.

Wow!

Why?  Why go to the NAIA in football?  The travel schedule is no better!

http://www.menloathletics.com/article/3663.php

Here are the teams that play NAIA football.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/naia/member-services/championships/Qualifcation_Plans/qual_plans_pdf/qual_FB.pdf

Montana is farther away than the NWC!

Azusa Pacific and Eastern Oregon are the only two NAIA teams west of the Bitterroot Range

[dahlby]

Why would Menlo go NAIA? Who knows? We can only ask questions:

Were they only admitted to the NW Conference because they needed a team to have an automatic qualifier?

Do they have a problem qualifying academically for NW Conference standards?

Do they have a problem qualifying for NCAA D3 scholarship limitations?

Do they feel they align more with NAIA teams?

By the way, I have no personal feelings against the NAIA as I attended an NAIA school. The NAIA has a definite place in US Sports.

I would be interested in the answers to these questions from any of you NW Conference followers.

[wildcat11]

I think that most of us that follow the NWC saw Menlo leaving the NWC one day if one of the non-football members brought back the sport.  As soon as Pacific made the announcement I think most of us felt it was just a matter of time before this happened.  I'm just surprised that it happened so soon...I thought that Menlo would stick around at least one more season.

As far as Menlo in the NAIA...it appears that they are just trying to use the NAIA as a stop gap to an eventual move to Division II.  That's what I've heard from other people that have some pretty good contacts on the situation.  Also, there are rumors of other California DII's adding football or Menlo could join the GNAC, who would except any new DII members with open arms.

[dahlby]

Wildcat11:

As I previously posted, I knew that Menlo was going NAIA, but I had heard nothing regarding D2.
Maybe with additional funds to give scholarships, they could compete at that level. Additionally, if they had the extra funding, it is one way to increase enrollment at the school, which to them is what it is all about.

Having been a Chapman follower since the program was started back in the early 90's, I am saddened to see us lose another D3 opponent. As an independent, it is hard enough to schedule as it is, without spending an arm and a leg to travel. Chapman is fortunate that the SCIAC schedules us as if we were a member, although I do understand that it also is another local game for them.

Maybe someday we will be at a level where we can schedule your 'Cats.

I do wish Menlo the best of luck in their new endeavors, as I have met several staff from there and they have always been pleasant to converse with. Thanks for your response.

[snoop dawg]

wc....what schools in Ca  are D2's? The only one I know of is Humbolt.  From what I've heard about Menlo's facilities, I dont think they will make it into d2.

[RedandPurple]

Re: "The Streak"


Had the chance to watch a ESPN documentary I taped a few years ago, it was about a high school sports record streak(which has since ended). While I was watching, I couldn't help but notice the similarity to Linfield, in terms of quality people, and class throughout the program. Great  veteran head coach, who helped develop student-athletes into success stories once their playing careers ended after college.

But there was one important difference. The coach was very concerned about this school's streak, in both his words and actions. It was clear this record was very, very important to him and the community.

There are many reasons for Linfield's incredible streak, but one of the most overlooked may well be the approach of people within the program about this national record. There is obviously pride among coaches, players, alumni, and fans of the program, but it seems to be measured, unlike the high school program I just mentioned. Over the years, it seems the Wildcats have a very business-like approach, not underestimating opponents, and not getting too over confident after major victories. My theory is, this was true going back to the Paul Durham era, when the streak began. I've had the opportunity to speak with some of the players from that era, and it's remarkable how much they sound like the players of today.

Yes, it's true, Linfield would have received more national recognition if they were a D1 school about this record. However, I don't think that would have fundamentally changed the successful approach by the people inside the program.

Steel:
Would that high school be the De La Salle Spartans from Concord, California? Their 151game winning streak was ended by Bellevue (Wash.) I concur with your point of view. Although THE STREAK is important, I never heard any Linfield players discussing it. Of course no one wanted to be a member of the team that let THE STREAK end and they played hard to ensure it didn't come to an end on their watch. Like many of us know on this board; CATDOME is a state of mind!

What's up with the gap in your post? 

[Gray Fox]

Did anyone notice that Menlo has eleven games scheduled?