FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mr.MIAC]

It's interesting how some folks approach the evolution of football, seeing the willful imperilment of players as somehow inherent to the game. Football will always include a certain amount of physicality that requires durability. However, the game has evolved throughout its history to become a safer endeavor for the players, those who risk their safety for our enjoyment. Player safety should be of paramount importance especially in college athletics, since the goal is to enhance education. That's why the NCAA established safety as one of its guiding principles, stating, "It is the responsibility of each member institution to protect the health of, and provide a safe environment for, each of its participating student-athletes." I seem to remember that a legendary coach also placed great emphasis on safety, banning practices common across all levels of the game, to protect the health of his players and safeguard their future. Maybe instead of talking about how efforts to improve player safety are diluting football, folks could use the principle of safety as a necessary starting point. Safety measures could then be assessed based on their efficacy and the degree to which they would irreparably alter the nature of the game if implemented. Focusing on the "pussification" of football instead of player safety implies that one prioritizes his or her viewing pleasure over the health of those young men on the field. 

[faunch]

Am I the first to recognize the Reverend? 

You may be Nemesis Oz

Wouldn't the Reverend be wearing something from Vineyard Vines?

I'm more of a Kiton sort of guy.

I stopped in at T.J. Maxx the other night and couldn't find any of that Kiton stuff...should I try Marshalls?

[Mr.MIAC]

Am I the first to recognize the Reverend? 

You may be Nemesis Oz

Wouldn't the Reverend be wearing something from Vineyard Vines?

I'm more of a Kiton sort of guy.

I stopped in at T.J. Maxx the other night and couldn't find any of that Kiton stuff...should I try Marshalls?

You can order online! 

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/c/designers-kiton-cat46990747

[SJUrube]

Taking issue with rules designed around player safety, which the new weather policy is setting out to do, won't be a popular opinion but there are a few aspects I hope they've considered.

- Do we think athletes competing in all outdoor sports are at the same risk? With the constant activity required in soccer I would place it at the top of the list for how hot weather conditions could create an unsafe environment. I'm not sure I see the same with golf or baseball/softball. But those sports, and everything in between, are treated the same when it comes to cancellation.

- My understanding is the conditions at the NCAA DIII track meet last year would have resulted in a postponement if it was any MIAC meet. Nationals is only two weeks after the MIAC conference meet so similar weather conditions could happen. Most track and field athletes, with the exception of the longest distances, want the warmest weather possible. Outdoor DIII track is crap-shoot as far as the weather goes so any warm/hot day is a gift.

- The water breaks that were implemented during the opening week of the football season, at least at the SJU vs Stout game seemed to always come at standard breaks in the action - for ex: change in possession, end of quarter. I don't recall any coming in the middle of the drive. After a change in possession players are entering the field from a 5-10 minute break already. Wouldn't the added in-game breaks make more sense if they occurred for the benefit of the players on the field?

- How is practice accounted for within these rules? I might be missing a number of cases but aren't nearly all of the football related deaths occurring during practice or conditioning periods? I know methods have changed over the years but in most sports practice is usually harder than the games/event. If steps are being done to protect players on game day there should at least be equal or greater measures put in place for practice days.

[BDB]

People around the country that think it's winter in Minnesota 24/7/365 must find this discussion surprising.

[Mr.MIAC]

People around the country that think it's winter in Minnesota 24/7/365 must find this discussion surprising.

No kidding. It's funny how outsiders perceive Minnesota. I can't tell you how many times people in DC, after finding out that I'm from the place, have asked about the movie/television show Fargo.

[sjusection105]

A wise man once said "you can't drink all day, unless you start early..."

You've been talking to my brother-in-law?   

Over Labor Day weekend, I cracked a morning beer, and one of my sister-in-laws gave me some crap.  I showed her the can and told her that I didn't want to make them liars.

For that very reason, I always have at least a 6-pack of All Day IPA in my garage fridge 

[MadRedFan]

SJU vs. GAC now at 7pm at St. Peter HS.  No, really . . .

I'm sorry, I don't wish to see any student-athletes at risk, but I think this is all pretty dumb.  There's gotta be a better way.

[sjusection105]

The SJU webpage that show upcoming events currently shows the game tomorrow night @ 7:00PM St. Peter High School (lights I guess). The Gustavus website still showing 1:00PM kick off at Hollingsworth Field.

[sfury]

I don't think the rule is needed.

I also don't think it's a sign of any bigger plot involving the takedown of football/America/our children.

As Bench said (and I've been agreeing a lot with Bench lately and, no, I will not give up my SJU diploma just for saying so) it most likely isn't going to be that big of a deal. And if it is, hey, they can change it!

Then again, maybe it will become a weekly issue in a few years as the Earth warms and fall disappears from Minnesota.

Until then, onward.

Also, if football is around in 35 years, it's almost a certainty that every team's practice at every level will look like a John Gagliardi practice from 100 years earlier. That's being ahead of your time and something of a genius. (see, I still get in my sju propaganda)

 

[DuffMan]

SJU vs. GAC now at 7pm at St. Peter HS. 

So, I'm guessing no video, then.

[MiacMan]

SJU vs. GAC now at 7pm at St. Peter HS. 

So, I'm guessing no video, then.

You can always tune into the Tommie game and wait for updates  That's what Faunch is gonna do 

[AO]

SJU vs. GAC now at 7pm at St. Peter HS. 

So, I'm guessing no video, then.

That field is so close Gustavus could run a new line out there before the game if there's no reliable connection currently.

[DuffMan]

That's what Faunch is gonna do 

I heard that Faunch was going to the U$T game as a personal guest of St. Glenn.

[MiacMan]

That's what Faunch is gonna do 

I heard that Faunch was going to the U$T game as a personal guest of St. Glenn.

Yep and beers after the game at his neighbor's house (St. Glenn)