FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Nobody I talked to at Wesley really wanted to come out and say it but they apparently were blaming it on the rain and field conditions. That concerns me as a voter because one would expect a Top 25 team to be competitive in any field conditions, unless you're playing Linfield or Mount Union.

[gobombers15]

Field is the same for both teams. I hate the whole weather/field excuse.

[msuredhawk]

 

[rams1102]

Phil,

I was there, but tell me how do you really feel.


LET'S  GO  MIGHTY  RED  HAWKS  !!!!!!!!!

[rams1102]

ACMob,

We're tied for negative karma.

[religion_major]

ACMob,

It would come down to quality of wins.  http://www.d3football.com/qow.php

Pat's database updates once all the scores come in.  So check it Saturday night. Profs would definitely rise.  Would they be No. 1, I don't think so.  They are below Cortland right now and the Red Dragons already have two losses.

It's interesting that Wesley has the best SOS......considering they lost to Brockport 47-0.

I am still kinda puzzled by that.  How did a team whose lowest scoring output was 31 going into the game, get shutout and like, get doublemonkey-stomped by Brockport.  Not saying that Brockport isn't good, cause they are a decent team, but 47-0!?!?!?

I believe QOWI only counts in-region games.  Dispite both being ACFC, Wesley is a South Region team while Brockport St. is an East Region team.  That being said, I think that one of the main reasons that Wesley is ranked bellow Bridgewater in the South Regional Rankings (other than that BC's coach is on the committee) is that doublemonkey stomp at the hands of Brockport St.

[JT]

The Profs also don't get any points for beating D1-AA Robert Morris.  One less game in the calculation.  That is why the loss to Willy P really hurts QOW wise.

[3redhawks]

rams1102,

I agree with you 100%.  It's embarrasing that people have to park to come to a game here.  I was really impressed at TCNJ with their parking deck and the fact that we didn't have to pay.  But again, football is not a priority to the Pres. at MSU.  What she doesn't understand is  that athletics is still a big part of the kids life at college.  I don't know what else to do to get more people to the games.   
     LET'S GO REDHAWKS!! YOU ROCK!

[phil]

JT
That's why I couldn't understand why the Rowan posters made such a big deal out of beating Robert Morris several weeks ago. Granted, it must have been an inspirational win for all in attendance – but it was against a mediocre (they're 2-7 now) 1AA team – in a game that couldn't possibly help Rowan in any way down the road to the playoffs. The sooner that Rowan, Montclair and TCNJ can dump Robert Morris, Iona and LaSalle from the respective schedules, the better. Thank goodness Buffalo State is on the way.

The schedule-maker for Rowan's basketball team must have had some "devine" intervention when constructing their '05-'06 season. The Prof's non-NJAC schedule includes Philadelphia Bible, Gwynedd-Mercy, Lancaster Bible, Immaculata and Valley Forge Christian. The non-NJAC and non-denominational schedule includes Williamson Trade and Penn State-Abington.

I'm sure there's plenty of jokes to be had over the quantity of religious schools the Prof's have scheduled, and it would be funny if so many of these games weren't against non-DIII opponents. I'm sure just like in football, there are few teams knocking on Rowan's door to play the Profs (or Montclair, or TCNJ...).

3redhawks,
To paraphrase a former President of TCNJ, "Athletics is a window unto the college". For many people it's a point of entry to see an athletic event and experience the college. In the newspapers it's free PR. That's why TCNJ builds some sort of event around every home game – whether it be a Hall of Fame induction, Alumni Weekend/Homecoming, All American awards ceremony or honoring a national championship team. They also encourage tailgating. As a result you see a lot of families in the stands as well as people from the community. Montclair needs to treat athletics as a business that needs public relations (and not the negative kind President Cole created by axing several sports before the ex-wrestling coach "bought" his team back in). They need to win the students back, get the families out and then generate interest in the community. As it is right now it's as if the administration opens the gate to the stadium and tells the coaches to lock it up when they're done using it. I swear that the only thing keeping MSU football from turning into a vintage WPU team is Giancola and his staff. If things stay the same and Montclair doesn't make an inspired hire once Giancola retires – watch out cellar!

[gobombers]

Nobody I talked to at Wesley really wanted to come out and say it but they apparently were blaming it on the rain and field conditions. That concerns me as a voter because one would expect a Top 25 team to be competitive in any field conditions, unless you're playing Linfield or Mount Union.

Pat, since Wesley may be looking at moving into the East Region for the playoffs, what is your opinion of them taking a home game away from someone already in the East?  I know I would not be happy with them getting a top 4 seed (especially one over the Bombers should IC beat Cortland), after losing to B-port that badly, when the Bombers beat B-port.

[rams1102]

3redhawks,

You are correct about Susan Cole. She was not at the Graduation Convocation for Humanities and Soacial Sciences. Not even a mention why she was not there. I was really angry, and after I calmed down in August I sent an e-mail to her and cc'd Gera and Pennington. After a response from Pennington who I guess speaks for Cole, I insisted that they answer all of my questions. Finailly she did and we agreed to disagree. They basically care only about the upper crust and forget the little people. She said the new turf will be put on Sam Mills Field next year. That's another sore spot for me. I told her that the coaches need wireless head sets and please put them in for next year. I'm still trying to find a sponser.(Cost approx $9,000.00) Penningtons response was would I like to donate them to the team. Talk about aristocratic. I'm like you, I don't know how to get into their heads, since they know it all. My daughter got a good education, and is currently working and doing well. As a wise man once told me. Academia : You're the problem and their the solution, and their right(and they are ) and you're wrong.

Will you be going to Glassboro? I'll be there. This is a real big game for the team. We need the win for a possible ECAC bid and a building block for next year. This game is not about revenge for last year, rather it's an opportunity for this program to grow. Let's Get It Done !!!

LET'S  GO  MIGHTY  RED  HAWKS  !!!!!!!!

[3redhawks]

rams1102

You know for sure we'll be there.  Haven't missed a game in 7 years!   

GOOD LUCK REDHAWKS! PLAY SMART! PLAY TO WIN!

[bandgpres]

Pat , I was looking at the "current poll " regarding rivalry games being played this weekend...............I truly believe that Rowan vs. MSU is a huge rivalry game ! This game has always been traditionally played as the last game of the NJAC regular season schedule.......Countless times this game has determined the NJAC championship and even before the NCAA automatic bid , determined a playoff spot as well...........I think the "luster" of this rivalry has diminished a bit ' cause TCNJ has sported some good teams . Factor in that coach Giancola is a Glassboro St. grad , the whole North Jerseyvs. South Jersey mentality and I don't think you'll find a bigger rivalry! And THIS year is no different!                              Ps. This commentary is not meant to criticize but rather to provide some info. to those that may not know the history.

[JT]

Phil,

Since I didn't see or hear the game, I am not sure what to make of Robert Morris D1-AA.  Sight unseen I put RM on the level of West Conn, by comparing a common opponent played by each team (St. Peter's) one year apart. I don't know if I'm close in my assessment.

Rowan has made a habit of keeping teams in games and turning it on at the end.  The Profs paid a price for that last week, when they were unable to flip the switch.

However, Rowan plays very well when they are mad or have a chip on the shoulder (see Montclair 2004, Del Val 2004).  I am hoping that this is the case on Saturday.  We will see.

I don't think the Cortland's, Rowan's, Montclair's, and TCNJ's will be able to look past Kean or William Paterson down the road.  Buff St might be turning the corner. I can see the day coming where the NJAC becomes more like the WIAC or OAC competative wise.  One where the winner more or less survives the season.

The only big question is how long coaches in their late 50's - mid 60's (WPU, Kean) want to coach.

[phil]

JT
I believe Cocuzza is already 65 years young while Giancola and Miello are both 58 or 59. I was wondering about just this issue when both Kean and WPU made their head coaching decisions. I suppose 5 or 6 years of righting the ship and putting it on the correct course is better than what has been happening over the last couple decades.

Now I'd like to see WPU drop Plymouth, Husson and Mt. Ida and schedule some better out of conference schools.

...and I agree about that chip on Rowan's collective shoulder. There's still too much talent and pride on the Rowan sidelines to turn in a clunker against Montclair State.

BandG,
To have a rivalry you need to have interest in the game beyond the players and one group of fans. Montclair and TCNJ used to put 5,000+ people in the stands (8,600 at Montclair in '82) because they had strong programs and they are the oldest continuing football game in the state. Now it's more of a rivalry among players because of Montclair's fan base. And face it, New Jersey just doesn't have a game even close to the rivalry and fan/student interest that Cortland v. Ithaca generates. The closest you come is TCNJ v. Rowan because the students at both schools support this game in a big way.