FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[Rowan28]

https://www.rowanathletics.com/news/2024/6/26/pat-ruley-13-named-the-eighth-head-football-coach-in-rowan-history.aspx

[MRMIKESMITH]

https://www.rowanathletics.com/news/2024/6/26/pat-ruley-13-named-the-eighth-head-football-coach-in-rowan-history.aspx

Great Hire! I'd go even further, a damn great hire!

[CNU85]

A question for the D3 experts....

How many times has an at-large team won the the Stagg Bowl?

[wally_wabash]

A question for the D3 experts....

How many times has an at-large team won the the Stagg Bowl?

What a great question. 

2019 - North Central
2016 - UMHB (yes, I know...also technically a Pool B here so at-large yes, but maybe not in the spirit of the question as they were a 10-0 conference champion)

and then very first Pool Era champion was Pacific Lutheran in 1999.  Also a Pool B, but not a conference champion so probably still fits the question.

[CNU85]

Thanks Wally.

[RowanPhan]

Been awhile since I last posted here... had trouble logging onto the board.  Looks like Rowan hired a great coach, the defense will be fun to watch. Profs still have a very tough schedule, so we'll see how much the new can swing things around in year 1.

Can't wait til August - hopefully then we'll get an update on the team during camp

I should have my yearly Rowan Preview completed by end of Aug

[thewaterboy]

No votes for any team in the NJAC in the preseason top 25... wow! This conference pre-COVID and post-COVID are two different worlds.

[MRMIKESMITH]

No votes for any team in the NJAC in the preseason top 25... wow! This conference pre-COVID and post-COVID are two different worlds.

Agree! I think CNU and Rowan made some rather drastic moves that will help them. NJAC administrators don't even know if the conference will be around in 5 years. They not sure if they want to be an IVY (NESCAC/ODAC) school. There is no identity for the conference.

[CNU85]

No votes for any team in the NJAC in the preseason top 25... wow! This conference pre-COVID and post-COVID are two different worlds.

Agree! I think CNU and Rowan made some rather drastic moves that will help them. NJAC administrators don't even know if the conference will be around in 5 years. They not sure if they want to be an IVY (NESCAC/ODAC) school. There is no identity for the conference.

Let's keep the conversation rolling:
1. Do you have insight to share on the conference comment?
2. What has CNU and Rowan done drastically to improve? I know Rowan has a new HC and he will bring some energy.

Thanks for the input! Curious to your thoughts and insight.

[RowanPhan]

As a fan/alum, I'm excited about the new HC at Rowan.  The new HC has been on few interviews,  I noted that they may start recruiting outside of NJ (for example, heavily in the Baltimore area).  This may be tied to changes in the tuition for out-of-state athletes (I don't know the specifics of the details here).  Overall this is great news.  Both PA and DE are within 30 minute drive of Glassboro.  There may be an opportunity to recruit talent in Delaware now that Wesley is gone.

Recruiting aside.. the ENERGY that coach brings to Glassboro is off the charts. I'm really excited for this new chapter in Rowan football.

Also, it appears Rowan and Montclair State are formulating a rivalry game - it may center around the Pork Roll/ Taylor Ham debate. A rivalry game with trophy would be cool to see.

Outside of that, new HC is taking over a Rowan team with a lot of talented players on both sides of the ball. Don't be surprised if Rowan has a break out season

[RowanPhan]

I'm writing up a Rowan season preview (which I do every year),  is anyone interested in writing up short previews for the other NJAC schools - I'd love to add them into my yearly Rowan preview.

Any takers for CNU, TCNJ, WPU, Montclair, Kean?  If yes, ping me your quick blurbs.

[CNU85]

I would normally jump at the opportunity to provide a season preview for CNU. But I'm too close to the program. I wouldn't be able to easily delineate between public knowledge and insider scoops that the coach wouldn't want me to share.

[Rowan28]

Before the season write ups what is everyone thinking for league standings?  Feels like this conference wants to turn the corner. Will be interesting how they do in the OC games.

[CNU85]

I'm not sure yet where things could shape up. It will be interesting.

Did you notice the first 4 games on the schedule for Salisbury? Brutal! The bright side of those games is that  3 of them are at home.

[Pat Coleman]

The podcast we dropped earlier this week features both Mike Palazzo from Montclair and Pat Ruley from Rowan:
https://www.d3blogs.com/d3football/2024/07/30/atn-podcast-355-qbs-vs-cancer-the-breakfast-bowl-and-the-coneheads/