FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[bandgpres]

Phil , I totally agree that fan base is a contributing factor in defining a rivalry however it's usually what's at stake that makes a rivalry last.I was coaching at GSC in '82 and made a point of attending the TSC/MSC game, so I know of what you speak .I believe you guys had already beat us in week 4 and Eric had you "up" 'cause he knew the conference was in the bag if you beat Montclair.............Hence the rivalry was born.
Our rivalry with TCNJ has evolved due to the competitiveness and geographical proximity..............It's great that the students have caught on to the level of competition on the field..............Like we've said many a time before..............We always "get up " for each other.................Maybe that's why Rowan laid an egg Vs. Willy P . last week.
Rowan looks at the Montclair game as a 1st round playoff game.........At least for the last 15 years.........The 15 years prior to that was almost exclusively for a share or the Conf. title out-right.

[JT]

Phil,

The coaches at the NJAC media in August spoke of a power conference.  The contention was that there more than enough in-state kids to build good programs.  Keep the kids from going to St. Peter's, Monmouth, FDU, Del Valley, Lycoming, Wesley etc.

Accorsi even "dreamed" of getting Stockton, Ramapo, NJCU, RC, and RN to play football.  It was part of his keynote.

Stockton would be great for me.  Every off year a three or four day weekend of football and Texas Hold 'Em.  Good thing my better half never reads this stuff.

The Hold 'Em bug has taken hold.  Used to be a decent poker and blackjack player back in the day.  It wasn't a reputable career in 1990.

Actually she hated the Texas Hold 'Em jag I was on recently.  But now she calls it the vacation fund.  Still a long... long way to go... before you see me on ESPN, but its been a mildly profitable hobby.

[Warren Thompson]

NJAC folk:

All this banter is most enlightening (and certainly entertaining), but ... the burning question is, Where on earth is the legendary Z-Man?

[JT]

Z man is alive and well and fiesty as ever.  Maybe it became un-PC to post on post patterns as an administrator at Rowan.  I saw Z (sans cape, regular Rowanites are not aware of his super powers) at homecoming driving either the Grand Marshal or the Mayor (I'm not sure which at this point).

Warren,

I will forward Z's email so you can banter offline.  We email each other semi-frequently during the season, so I'm sure he'll trade banter with you.

[Warren Thompson]

JT:

It's nice to know that the Zster is alive and well. Whether sporting a cape or merely running 'round in his underwear, he's sorely missed.

BTW I assume he still has "connections" to certain "families"  (who shall remain nameless) .... 

[Pat Coleman]

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.

I believe that although Brockport is a non-regional opponent for Wesley, that it will probably be taken into account as a common opponent if seeding them compared to East teams.

[ACMob]

AC,

I'm mad at you. You have more negative karma then me. 

There you go Dave, I am just trying to help you catch up to AC.

Alright Dave--  I gonna pull out RU Fan's "Expert Guide to Negative Karma" 2005 edition if you get too far ahead of me. 

Let's see--  Go on the big "MAC" board and tell them that RU will smoke 'em once again if they meet each other in the playoffs.  I still think that DVC, Union, and IC all can get beat this weekend.   

GO PROFS!!

[Rowdy Rowdy Bomber]

in case any of you forgot.






cortland sucks.

[JAY]

Very interesting to hear that Rowan Head Coach was looking to create a powerhouse conference. Has anybody talked to Stockton, Ramapo, or Rutgers-Camden about starting football. Would be very interesting to hear from them.  This would be great for someone on this web to start. Schools in Florida jumped all over a few years back.. Jacksonville, Florida International, Florida Atlantic.

I would like to see this happen. A super power conference in NJAC.

[Knightstalker]

I would love to see NJCU bring back football, I just don't think it is happening anytime soon. 

[phil]

• Ramapo dropped football admist funding problems and scandal rumors.
• NJCU dropped football for a myriad of reasons not the least of which were budget related.
• Camden and Newark would have many of the same problems that NJCU had – plus a lack of on-campus facilities and a huge recruiting hurdle.
• Stockton could be viable, but has never made even an ounce of interest public.

Quite frankly, we should be thankful for the new coaching regimes at Kean and WPU after watching NJCU's football program dissolve.

...and would we really want to see schools like Camden, Newark and NJCU take up football? Shades of Mt. Ida and Husson. Can you imagine how weak the bottom half of the NJAC would be then? NJCU had huge recruiting difficulties. How do they start from scratch again, and where do Newark and Camden find 60-80 kids to fill out their rosters?

The addition of Cortland, Buffalo and WestConn with the strengthening of Kean and WPU, does far more for the conference than having a handful of New Jersey DIII schools add new football programs.

[Dr. xGSC]

I go away for a few days and what do I miss:

RU getting embarrassed by WPU. I just don't understand how RU can let themselves down in a game against WPU. Not taking anything away from WPU (well okay I am), but seriously, an RU team, ranked in the top 5 in D3 should not lose to a WPU. Congrats to WPU!

Now onto bigger (and hopefully better) issues. Bring on MSU. 

RU: Play 4 quarters of great RU football. This game is huge and will define your season and post-season as well. This is a first round playoff game, treat it as such. Hopefully Rankin will be on and the D will bring pain and punishment to the O of MSU. 

PS. Gotta play great on special teams, decrease the penalties and turnovers.

[rowanlb92]

Dr.xgsc,
If Rankin plays the way he played the last few weeks againsy MSU, we can start preparing for next years season.

It looks like I should be able to make it down this weekend.  I hope to see a different prof team on the feild than last week.

[JT]

I think that was just a dream of Accorsi's one big NJ conference.  The coaches generally believe that with the current seven, there was a power conference potential with the NJAC.  At the time(August), there was hope that both Buff St and Brockport would join.

xGSC/Rowanlb92,

When Rankin reads and reacts, he throws a nice ball.  He doesn't have a cannon, but the arm is decent.  Sometimes when he's trying to make something happen, he puts too much of a soft touch on the ball.  It makes that particular pass easy to pick off.  I think most of his picks this year have been lollipops.

When he's trying and force things, it might be better put it a place where only the WR can get it.  Otherwise throw it away.  Just an observation IMHO.

I like the kid and hope he has a breakout game against MSU.

[RU Fan]

JT

From your "Around the Region" column comes the understatement of the Rowan year: "Rowan might be fading without quarterback Mike Orihel."   'Ya think   Last year with Orihel, the Profs beat Willy P 61-6 and Orihel was 10 for 12, no ints, threw for 252 yds, 3 tds throwing, 2 tds rushing  and was out of the game early in the 3rd quarter.  (Do you think the Willy P recruiters will share that with the recruits?)

Its time for RU to step it up and get it done with the players who are still healthy.  Sure Bond and Orihel make a big difference but they aren't the only quality players on this team.  You're playing for pride now - not to mention the playoffs and the NJAC.  Here's your chance to show what you got.

AC

Since you obviously have the "Official RU Fan Guide to Negative Karma - Premier Hard Cover Edition", I would like to remind you that I have never received your 39¢ payment for that fine publication.  Use it in good health.  As a shortcut to a huge chunk of NK, just tell the truth to all of those fanatics out there who don't want to hear it.  You'll be amazed at the results.

Rowanlb92

I think for Rankin to be effective, you have to let Rankin do what he does best.  It doesn't apear that has happened.  Also, the D has to be mad dog aggressive at this point since all of the marbles are on the line.  I'm sure they will play better this week because they couldn't possibly play worse.  Like I said above, its all about pride now.

GO PROFS !!