MBB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Walter17]

Colleges and Universities often try to find outside sources of income through facility rental through out the summer.  I know Trinity gets lucky every summer with two big groups (one being a Mormon church camp and the other being Army reserve) paying to use their dorms and facilities for a few weeks each.

Trinity looks to get back in action tomorrow night against SUNY-IT, who lost to Southwestern last night.

I know I say it often, but scacsid, I really think you guys have developed the most appealing D3 conference website out there!

[frank_ezelle]

Millsaps will switch over to a new sports website in about a week.  From what I've seen and heard, it's going to be very nice and Millsaps fans are going to really  love the new look and features.

[FlightofthePetrel]

The Oglethorpe accreditation issue is a carryover from the previous year.  Essentially SACS continued the probation for another year.  The timing of the economic downturn was unfortunate for OU and their efforts to get off probation.

pbrooks, I have heard that the economic downturn and its effects on financial issues inside the SACS accreditation profile will make the reviewers' jobs harder.

Strong leadership at the Presidential level will help OU.

I tried to find something on the Oglethorpe web addressing the funding/accreditation issue and was unsuccessful.  The only thing I did find was a page listing facility rentals which I guess could be one way to close the gap.   

I searched my inbox for the most recent letter the President of the University had sent out to all students and the few alumni who still check the Oglethorpe E-mail on a regular basis.  Somehow the letter must have been deleted but from what I gathered from it was- The review board noted that Oglethorpe had made great progress over the past 2 years and that the SACS was satisfied with their progress but they wanted to make sure Oglethorpe maintained that level of performance over another years period before they were to award full accreditation.  I don't know all the specifics of our dire financial situation other than it was bad... real bad.  Unfortunately Dr. Schall had to inherit this mess.  Luckily for us at OU I believe that he was the right man for the job and boy did we need him badly.  Pbrooks noted that strong leadership at the Presidential level will help OU... well I believe we have extremely strong leadership at the Presidential level and each year more and more people are buying into Dr. Schall's plan.  I believe he will, in time, lead Oglethorpe out of this hole they are in and in the future will build OU into a stronger University.

Next time I receive any information I'll try to post it on since it seems to be a topic of interest each time it's brought up.


While the idea of Oglethorpe leaving the SCAC to join the GSAC and the likes of Huntigdon, Lagrange etc. would make much more sense economically and geographically it does not make sense for the overall goal of the University.  If we were to move to the GSAC it would be a huge step back rather than a huge step forward.  Being a part of the prestigious SCAC is an honor and definitely an attractive feature that helps attract students.  Right now OU is at the bottom of the conference in nearly every aspect (minus Women's bball and Men's Golf) and seems to drag the conference down.  I have hope that with the new leadership in place at the school we can improve our standing in the SCAC and be an asset rather than a hindrance.  Right now OU needs the SCAC more than the SCAC needs Oglethorpe.

[Ralph Turner]

The Oglethorpe accreditation issue is a carryover from the previous year.  Essentially SACS continued the probation for another year.  The timing of the economic downturn was unfortunate for OU and their efforts to get off probation.

pbrooks, I have heard that the economic downturn and its effects on financial issues inside the SACS accreditation profile will make the reviewers' jobs harder.

Strong leadership at the Presidential level will help OU.

I don't want to be mis-construed on a matter as serious as accreditation, so let me re-visit my remarks.

The first remark concerned a conversation with a person who has considerable experience with the SACS process.  Specifically that person's context was concerning the impact on the endowments and "bottom lines" in general across the board that the market downturn has had.

With that background, my second comment was geared towards an understanding that greater wisdom in discerning the leadership that a school's current administration will provide in this environment by SACS and the SACS examiners.

I am confident that the OU board and the whole OU community will be given an ample opportunity to work this process out.  That is an affirmation of the strong leadership that can accomplish the goals at hand.

I do not and have not impugned the integrity of the university with those comments.  If the "SWOT" (Strength/Weakness/Opportunity/Threat) analysis by the board and administration sees the SCAC affiliation as a key "Strength", and the travel budget necessary to stay in the SCAC is justified by that "Strength", then the university will do what it must to stay in the SCAC.

No malice assumed...I just want to be very precise in this posting.

[pbrooks3]

Colonels are now ready for the new year and perhaps another road game as they drop their home rematch to Maryville tonight 78-72. Don't have any details yet  on tonight's game but it appears opponents have found a chink in Centre's armor. Last night it was ineffective post play. Tonight,Centre led in the 1st half taking a halftime lead 29-25. I would have taken a 7-3 record 2+ months ago knowing the team had lost Nestheide and Britt. The way they played on the road and were defending in the earlier games gave me cause for optimism. It's disappointing to have 2 losses at home during the holiday tournament where the team normally shines. The silver lining in all of this is these games have no bearing on conference play. Now it's time to hit the road against DePauw.  Then perhaps the Colonels can come back home again and pretend like they're playing in a hostile environment against the SCAC.  Go Road Colonels!   

[OLD STUDENT/ATHLETE]

Centre won tonight 78-72 against Maryville. The D3hoops score was reversed; the boxscore is correct. First half was ugly with both teams playing poorly. Senior Kris Bentley had a career high bushel of 3's in the second half to pull Centre ahead, 22 pts overall. Pre-season All-American Danny Noll was his consistent contributor with 23 pts. Centre has a tough game on Sunday at DePauw. Happy New Year to all, and to all a Good Night!!!

[pbrooks3]

Old Student Athlete, thanks for straightening out this Centre fan!  It helps when we have posters who attend the games. A lesson learned from a quick-trigger poster.  Certainly glad I was wrong on this one!

[frank_ezelle]

I know that some of the teams have already gotten back into action since Christmas, but things really start tomorrow night with a big weekend of SCAC Conference games.  This is the schedule as shown at http://www.scacsports.com/sports/mbkb/index and they don't show any links for audio, video, or live stats other than what is indicated below:

1/2/09--Men's Basketball

Oglethorpe @ Rhodes 6:00 PM
Millsaps @ Trinity (Tex.) 7:00 PM
Sewanee @ Birmingham-Southern 7:00 PM (Live stats)
Hendrix @ Southwestern (Tex.) 7:00 PM

1/3/09--Men's Basketball
Colorado Col. @ Austin 1:00 PM
Hendrix @ Trinity (Tex.) 7:00 PM

1/4/09--Men's Basketball
Centre @ DePauw 1:00 PM (Live stats Audio)
Oglethorpe @ Birmingham-Southern 2:00 PM (Live stats)
Sewanee @ Rhodes 2:00 PM
Millsaps @ Southwestern (Tex.) 2:00 PM
Austin @ Dallas 4:00 PM

[Walter17]

Trinity held off SUNY-IT last night with a 95-85 win.  It was a very unconventional, fast paced game for the Tigers.  Moon responded to making last week's Co-SCAC player of the week by stepping up and having his best game of the season with 28 pts, shooting 6-8 from the 3 pt. line.  Trinity really set the tone in the first half by shooting 54% (including 8-13 for 3) in the first half.  It was a typical story of a hot shooting team coming out a little cold in the second half.  SUNY-IT bothered Trinity with a 3/4 court press and all of a sudden it was within 8 or 9.  Trinity really showed some poise by keeping their heads on and not getting flustered. 

I am very excited to see this team head into the remainder of conference play. 

[Ralph Turner]

Trinity held off SUNY-IT last night with a 95-85 win.  It was a very unconventional, fast paced game for the Tigers.  Moon responded to making last week's Co-SCAC player of the week by stepping up and having his best game of the season with 28 pts, shooting 6-8 from the 3 pt. line.  Trinity really set the tone in the first half by shooting 54% (including 8-13 for 3) in the first half.  It was a typical story of a hot shooting team coming out a little cold in the second half.  SUNY-IT bothered Trinity with a 3/4 court press and all of a sudden it was within 8 or 9.  Trinity really showed some poise by keeping their heads on and not getting flustered. 

I am very excited to see this team head into the remainder of conference play. 

There is the key to beating Trinity.  SUNY-IT is not that good.

An ASC team will probably try that.

[Walter17]

That is a good point.  I think it's because not too many SCAC teams put a lot of pressure in the back court, so they probably don't practice against a press very often.  A couple of teams have tried to put in a press against Trinity this season, but SUNY IT was really the first to create some problems with it.  I would like to think that it had something to do with Trinity just coming back from their Holiday break, but backcourt pressure has always seemed to be a point of emphasis on opponent's scouting reports.

It appears that Mary Hardin Baylor stepped up in a big game.  If UMHB plays well in the ASC, the win early this season may be a big one for Trinity.

[frank_ezelle]

I've looked on the SCAC and the Trinity websites and I can't find any links to audio, video or live stats for the Millsaps-Trinity game this evening.  Do any of our Trinity folks know of anything that might be available for tonight's game? 

[Ralph Turner]

I've looked on the SCAC and the Trinity websites and I can't find any links to audio, video or live stats for the Millsaps-Trinity game this evening.  Do any of our Trinity folks know of anything that might be available for tonight's game? 

The front page right side rail has the links to the Trinity-Millsaps games.

[pbrooks3]

I've looked on the SCAC and the Trinity websites and I can't find any links to audio, video or live stats for the Millsaps-Trinity game this evening.  Do any of our Trinity folks know of anything that might be available for tonight's game? 

I found another possible link for you Frank - this may be the same one Ralph gave you -
http://www.trinity.edu/departments/athletics/SportsInfo/Sp_Info.htm

[frank_ezelle]

Thanks.  When I looked earlier the top story was the one posted Dec. 31.  I'm not sure that I would have looked back at the Trinity site for the story they posted this afternoon with the links.  (at least that's my story and I'm sticking with it)