FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[D3viewer]

What's going on in the NJAC?  Why are perennially strong teams settling back into the pack?

One of the issues is the 100 man roster limit. Teams like Wesley and Del Val can over recruit since they have no limit. Eventually I think the NJAC will do away with the 100 limit. Also with Kean becoming more successful and having top facilities you have Rowan MSU and Kean all within 2 hour drives competing for some of the same kids. So it is getting tougher for one team to get all the top players and keep them for all 4years. I do not think we will ever see another early 2000s MSU or Rowan team.

In terms of the top 25, cortland and rowan are right around where they should be. All the teams have competitive non conference games so we can see who has a solid team early on.

Plus..you have added in the last 5 years or so..a couple of quality teams from Upstate NY that battle week to week and have some of the finest facilities in conf. Cortland's stadium is Div 1AA worthy..a cathedral. Brockport will have (starting this season) better facilities than any NJ school..but they will be leaving for the E8.They (NY schools) may not recruit directly with the NJ schools..but steal wins from them. A team like Montclair..just needs  to open the windows with a complete overhaul. It seems to have gotten very stale there. Giancola and O "Conner have been there forever. After awhile there just needs to be a culture change. And no offense to the fans on this board..but it looks like they play in an industrial park. Not very attractive to recruits. Kean has passed them by in the facilities dept as the previous poster pointed out. Kean has a younger coaching staff as well. Rowan's facilities don't seem to be the greatest either but they manage to chug along. They don't get the transfers or as much talent on offense it seems as they used to. They used to be bit more dynamic and innovative on offense.

[bman]

When did the 100 man roster go into effect?  Is this a recentthing, or did it always apply in the NJAC?

[Knightstalker]

The roster limit has been in place for a long time in the NJAC.

[D3MAFAN]

The roster limit has been in place for a long time in the NJAC.

In addition to that, some of the prices of in-state tution is higher than out-of-state tuition for other surrounding schools. I think that for the NJAC as whole, if they want to be considered a top conference in the country, yet alone the East, they may have to start considering removing the roster limit. I see to many of New Jersey players going out-of-state to play for other teams.

[D3viewer]

The roster limit has been in place for a long time in the NJAC.

In addition to that, some of the prices of in-state tution is higher than out-of-state tuition for other surrounding schools. I think that for the NJAC as whole, if they want to be considered a top conference in the country, yet alone the East, they may have to start considering removing the roster limit. I see to many of New Jersey players going out-of-state to play for other teams.

Remember..not every kid in NJ wants to go to a state college. If you want to play at  a private school you pretty much have to look out of state. I think FDU Madison is the only private D3 football school  in NJ . Area wise NJ is a small state..so going out of state (distance wise) is not much of a factor. Central PA is only 2 1/2 hours away .

[bman]

I was really asking (well, #1 because I didn't know...) because I was wondering if there was a correlation between the roster limit, and the recent decline of the conference's general ranking.  I think since it's been clearly stated that the limit has been in place for quite some time, other factors are in play.

Since New Jersey is "Stronger than the Storm", let see if NJ schools are stronger than their out of state/conference opponents.

We need DrX to come on here and opine on the decline...

[phil]

"TCNJ coach retires in face of suspension"
After 37 years and 212 victories, I can think of a multitude of better headlines to sum up coach Hamilton's contribution to TCNJ. A two game suspension is a side note.

The timing of his announcement is poor to say the least.

[Pat Coleman]

Agreed. I wish he hadn't chosen to retire now but there was no other way we could portray the story. Sorry, Phil.

[Jonny Utah]

The roster limit has been in place for a long time in the NJAC.

In addition to that, some of the prices of in-state tution is higher than out-of-state tuition for other surrounding schools. I think that for the NJAC as whole, if they want to be considered a top conference in the country, yet alone the East, they may have to start considering removing the roster limit. I see to many of New Jersey players going out-of-state to play for other teams.

Remember..not every kid in NJ wants to go to a state college. If you want to play at  a private school you pretty much have to look out of state. I think FDU Madison is the only private D3 football school  in NJ . Area wise NJ is a small state..so going out of state (distance wise) is not much of a factor. Central PA is only 2 1/2 hours away .

K.C. Keeler leaving Rowan had an impact on the NJAC as well.

[D3MAFAN]

The roster limit has been in place for a long time in the NJAC.

In addition to that, some of the prices of in-state tution is higher than out-of-state tuition for other surrounding schools. I think that for the NJAC as whole, if they want to be considered a top conference in the country, yet alone the East, they may have to start considering removing the roster limit. I see to many of New Jersey players going out-of-state to play for other teams.

Remember..not every kid in NJ wants to go to a state college. If you want to play at  a private school you pretty much have to look out of state. I think FDU Madison is the only private D3 football school  in NJ . Area wise NJ is a small state..so going out of state (distance wise) is not much of a factor. Central PA is only 2 1/2 hours away .

K.C. Keeler leaving Rowan had an impact on the NJAC as well.

No more transfers!

[bman]

The roster limit has been in place for a long time in the NJAC.

In addition to that, some of the prices of in-state tution is higher than out-of-state tuition for other surrounding schools. I think that for the NJAC as whole, if they want to be considered a top conference in the country, yet alone the East, they may have to start considering removing the roster limit. I see to many of New Jersey players going out-of-state to play for other teams.

Remember..not every kid in NJ wants to go to a state college. If you want to play at  a private school you pretty much have to look out of state. I think FDU Madison is the only private D3 football school  in NJ . Area wise NJ is a small state..so going out of state (distance wise) is not much of a factor. Central PA is only 2 1/2 hours away .

K.C. Keeler leaving Rowan had an impact on the NJAC as well.

lol...knew someone would go there....+K Utes

[hazzben]

"TCNJ coach retires in face of suspension"
After 37 years and 212 victories, I can think of a multitude of better headlines to sum up coach Hamilton's contribution to TCNJ. A two game suspension is a side note.

The timing of his announcement is poor to say the least.

I'm with Pat, you can't paint over the story. There's definitely a ton of controversy here. From an outsider's perspective, I'd be glad they didn't delve more into the reason behind the suspension and his son's getting let go. I thought they were fairly gracious in leaving unsaid what the scuttlebutt is regarding how this all got stirred up in the first place.

All that to say, sad way to end a career. And really unfortunate for the players. Crappy way to start your Sr. year 

[dlippiel]

Well stated hazzben +k. A tough way for it to end for sure but  dlip thinks the post/article/whatever you want to call it was quite appropriate. Anyone with a brain and any d3 knowledge will be able to recognize all the time and positives Hamilton gave to that program. He was an excellent coach for sure.

[D3viewer]

TCNJ names Wayne Dickens interim Head Coach. Somewhat unusual to name an interim HC from outside the program. Usually an interim HC is just an on staff assistant that warms the chair until an official search has been done. The cupboard was bare for TCNJ I guess.. Bobby Acosta leaving to be HC at Widener. Coach Ham's son getting the ax as well.
Looks like they did some kind of search, but not a permanent one..if he does well the interim tag may be removed.
This guy is a Jersey native..but has been the HC at D2 Kentucky St for the last 4 years. They finished 2-8. He was also the OC. They ranked 155 out of 158 teams in total offense last season in D2. Ouch.
Kentucky State is a historically black college. His color palette will change considerably when he hits the TCNJ campus and team.
They themselves (KSU) hired an interim Head Coach for the spring..so this guy must've been canned or resigned.
Anyway..good luck to him.

[Dr. xGSC]

Just an FYI - Rowan University will have a brand new, plush, turf field for the upcoming 2013 season. In addition, Rowan will also have a brand new, and very much needed, new locker room/team house for current Rowan players, as well as, visiting teams.