BB: UMAC: Upper Midwest Athletic Conference

MIACLUV · March 23, 2010, 04:44:45 PM

First I would like to congratulate Bethany and St. Scholastica on there good starts (BLC 8-2 & CSS 11-3). The rest of the UMAC, C'MON 7-32! REALLY, quit costing the two decent teams a chance at the tournament. You're going to murder their chances to get a bid with that stinkyness!
Also some nice UMAC action at the dome this thursday. I was perusing the WIAC schedules and I saw that Bethany gets the Titans. That should be a nice test, also St. Scholastica has Augs in the morning game. I may just have to roll out of bed to get another look at these squads.
Lastly, wasn't the Smith kid who once upon a time was as Hamline a coach at Bethany last year? I saw his name in the stats and did a little research, sure enough that's him. How is this legal? If he got paid or was given anything, isn't that a violation? It would be interesting to no a little more about the rules here, maybe somone with a little more knowledge could enlighten us.

biggio34 · March 23, 2010, 05:11:41 PM

Quote from: MIACLUV on March 23, 2010, 04:44:45 PM
Lastly, wasn't the Smith kid who once upon a time was as Hamline a coach at Bethany last year? I saw his name in the stats and did a little research, sure enough that's him. How is this legal? If he got paid or was given anything, isn't that a violation? It would be interesting to no a little more about the rules here, maybe somone with a little more knowledge could enlighten us.

Interesting... I have no idea if its the same person, but I do see the name Ben Smith in their listing of assistant coaches for last year. It's a pretty common name though, maybe it is a different person??

Doesn't seem like it would be right to have a coach one year be a player the next year to me, but I have no idea, maybe it's perfectly legal??

Just Bill · March 23, 2010, 09:54:14 PM

It is legal. A college kid can have a job, can't he?

I have no knowledge on the case, but wouldn't be uncommon for a head coach to keep someone who's not on the team (for injury, for grades, not quite good enough, can't make a full commitment) as a "student assistant coach". Maybe the coach likes the kid, but he just couldn't play for whatever reason, but the coach thought he was worth keeping around. Typically a student assistant coach may not be much more than a glorified team manager or an extra guy to keep the pitching chart. If he got paid at all (doubtful) it wouldn't matter. He's getting paid to coach, not to play. It'd be the same as a player making money coaching a summer team. Plus, he no longer attends the school that may or may not have paid him to coach, so what would be the problem.

biggio34 · March 23, 2010, 11:22:17 PM

Quote from: Just Bill on March 23, 2010, 09:54:14 PM
It is legal. A college kid can have a job, can't he?

I have no knowledge on the case, but wouldn't be uncommon for a head coach to keep someone who's not on the team (for injury, for grades, not quite good enough, can't make a full commitment) as a "student assistant coach". Maybe the coach likes the kid, but he just couldn't play for whatever reason, but the coach thought he was worth keeping around. Typically a student assistant coach may not be much more than a glorified team manager or an extra guy to keep the pitching chart. If he got paid at all (doubtful) it wouldn't matter. He's getting paid to coach, not to play. It'd be the same as a player making money coaching a summer team. Plus, he no longer attends the school that may or may not have paid him to coach, so what would be the problem.

I agree that it shouldn't be an issue, but just seems like the sort of thing the NCAA would be picky and annoying about. And regarding your last sentence... He does attend the school that may or may not have paid him to coach, last year he was a coach for Bethany, and this year he is their starting second baseman.

paulisdeadman · March 24, 2010, 03:56:22 PM

That fact that MIACLUV brought it up makes me think that there is nothing to worry about. Last time I checked being a student assistant wasn't a violation. More interested in miacluv's angle? I think Mr Luv might be more worried about the UMAC's top 2 then he leads on.

biggio34 · March 24, 2010, 04:25:26 PM

Quote from: paulisdeadman on March 24, 2010, 03:56:22 PM
That fact that MIACLUV brought it up makes me think that there is nothing to worry about. Last time I checked being a student assistant wasn't a violation. More interested in miacluv's angle? I think Mr Luv might be more worried about the UMAC's top 2 then he leads on.

We will get to see how those top 2 stack up against the MIAC.

So far Bethany is 5-1 vs MIAC with 5 games remaining... 2 against St. Olaf, 2 against Gustavus, and a single against Macalaster.

CSS is 2-2, also with 5 games remaininig... 2 against Augsburg (tomorrow), 2 against St. Olaf, and a single against St. Thomas.

These games obviously mean alot more to CSS and Bethany as they don't have the auto bid, but I'm sure the MIAC'ers dont take them lightly either. Can't wait for more!

MIACLUV · March 24, 2010, 05:12:44 PM

Quote from: paulisdeadman on March 24, 2010, 03:56:22 PM
That fact that MIACLUV brought it up makes me think that there is nothing to worry about. Last time I checked being a student assistant wasn't a violation. More interested in miacluv's angle? I think Mr Luv might be more worried about the UMAC's top 2 then he leads on.

More curious than anything why he left Hamline? What took him to Bethany? Why is he listed as a coach rather than a student assistant on old web pages (google: Ben Smith Bethany Lutheran). If he had eligibility, why didn't he play last year? You seem to have the answers so lets have it. If he's the student assistant than I don't think there's any rules against that. Be interested to know if he left because he wasn't a big fan of Verdugo, or was he not asked back, because I believe he started at Mankato State and left there as well. You're just a fan

so you might not have the answers.

paulisdeadman · March 25, 2010, 10:27:02 AM

Big games for the Vikings against Oshkosh. Anyone (besides MIACLUV) have any predictions on today's games? Hope the vikings show up ready to play.

beejo · March 25, 2010, 10:43:05 AM

CSS and Augsburg are playing right now. CSS up 8-0 after two innings.

To watch/listen:
http://www.ifan.tv/ads/css/css.html

beejo · March 25, 2010, 01:59:34 PM

CSS wins both, 15-2 and 5-3.

BigPoppa · March 25, 2010, 02:36:36 PM

Quote from: beejo on March 25, 2010, 01:59:34 PM
CSS wins both, 15-2 and 5-3.

Another win over the MIAC looks good in the eyes of the selection committee as the UMAC takes a beating when compared to the "other" MN conference.

paulisdeadman · March 25, 2010, 07:18:06 PM

Bethany splits today. Lost 2-1, won 6-2. Good outings by hallahan and dorris. Good split for the Vikings.

JohnnyU · March 25, 2010, 09:35:24 PM

Even if they would have lost both, just playing Oshkosh helps BLC. It raised their OWP from .180 to .280! The win was a bonus.

JohnnyU · March 25, 2010, 09:39:16 PM

By the way an average OWP is .500. .280 is still last place in the midwest.

MIACLUV · March 26, 2010, 05:20:38 PM

Quote from: paulisdeadman on March 25, 2010, 10:27:02 AM
Big games for the Vikings against Oshkosh. Anyone (besides MIACLUV) have any predictions on today's games? Hope the vikings show up ready to play.

Congrats, that's a great split for your squad. There's no need to exclude a fellow poster, just because they have criticism of your beloved Vikings. Are you that guy who's blood boils when your at a game and someone sitting close to you isn't cheering for your squad. It'll be ok, you have a good team. Be happy

. And be greatful you don't have the Tommies!