MBB: Midwest Conference

[wizbegs1304]

Given the current economy, it might be a tougher year to get recruits.

Actually now is the time to go to school...with the economy down, its better to get into school, come out a few years down the road when things are better.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Given the current economy, it might be a tougher year to get recruits.

Actually now is the time to go to school...with the economy down, its better to get into school, come out a few years down the road when things are better.

I taught at Eastern Michigan for 32 years - enrollment always rose during recessions.  But that is a 'cheap' state school - not sure the same thing would hold for private schools.

[augiefan]

I think the concern for expensive private colleges like those in the MWC and the CCIW is that talented players will opt for state schools with lower tuitions or even junior colleges. Although there are no athletic scholarships at DIII schools, traditionally the schools have found ways to provide academic scholarships or on campus jobs for athletes, but that may no longer be enough. Also, the schools are hurting financially with their investments and endowment funds devastated by the economy.

The WIAC schools should have a field day in landing recruits in this economy. As if they were not already tough enough to compete against in athletics.

[Mr. Ypsi]

The 'bottom line' difference between publics and privates is not nearly as large as the list prices would suggest.  But I'm sure many students (and more relevantly, their parents) can't make it past the initial 'sticker shock'.  And (while I haven't heard of it yet) it wouldn't surprise me if less 'well-endowed' privates had to cut back on financial aid, thus expanding the gap.

While the WIAC schools are probably hurting from budget shortfalls, I suspect you're right that there has never been a better time to be a WIAC coach!

[wizbegs1304]

I disagree, I think its still best either way, if you go to a public and pay public cost you win there, but if you got to a private and get out early (the main reason you got a private) then you win there.

Augiefan in Wisconsin kids are not going to go play JUCO ball over going to Lawrence, Carroll, or Norberts, maybe in Illinois where JUCO's are better...but not here.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I disagree, I think its still best either way, if you go to a public and pay public cost you win there, but if you got to a private and get out early (the main reason you got a private) then you win there.

Augiefan in Wisconsin kids are not going to go play JUCO ball over going to Lawrence, Carroll, or Norberts, maybe in Illinois where JUCO's are better...but not here.

While 4-year graduation rates are much higher at privates, there are many, many students at publics who graduate in 4 years (or less).

I suspect most of the difference in 4-year graduation rates (my impression, not data based) is the much greater number of part-timers at publics (many of my students were working full-time, or at least 20+ hours a week, in order to attend at all).  I don't know of anything (save perhaps the 'culture') which would make it harder to graduate in 4 years from a public.

[Gregory Sager]

The 'bottom line' difference between publics and privates is not nearly as large as the list prices would suggest.  But I'm sure many students (and more relevantly, their parents) can't make it past the initial 'sticker shock'.  And (while I haven't heard of it yet) it wouldn't surprise me if less 'well-endowed' privates had to cut back on financial aid, thus expanding the gap.

The bottom-line difference is smaller than list prices suggest, as Chuck said, but that bottom-line difference does not include the long-term debt incurred by students who opt for a private-school education and thus have to take out bank loans to pay for it. And since the long-term prospects for the economy are not looking much better than the short-term prospects, I think that the more astute families of college-bound students will be more chary of taking on long-term debt in order to finance a college education.

[wizbegs1304]

I disagree, I think its still best either way, if you go to a public and pay public cost you win there, but if you got to a private and get out early (the main reason you got a private) then you win there.

Augiefan in Wisconsin kids are not going to go play JUCO ball over going to Lawrence, Carroll, or Norberts, maybe in Illinois where JUCO's are better...but not here.

While 4-year graduation rates are much higher at privates, there are many, many students at publics who graduate in 4 years (or less).

I suspect most of the difference in 4-year graduation rates (my impression, not data based) is the much greater number of part-timers at publics (many of my students were working full-time, or at least 20+ hours a week, in order to attend at all).  I don't know of anything (save perhaps the 'culture') which would make it harder to graduate in 4 years from a public.

Show me kids who have graduated from publics in four years...that doesn't happen these days...if they do there sure not in athletics

[Mr. Ypsi]

I disagree, I think its still best either way, if you go to a public and pay public cost you win there, but if you got to a private and get out early (the main reason you got a private) then you win there.

Augiefan in Wisconsin kids are not going to go play JUCO ball over going to Lawrence, Carroll, or Norberts, maybe in Illinois where JUCO's are better...but not here.

While 4-year graduation rates are much higher at privates, there are many, many students at publics who graduate in 4 years (or less).

I suspect most of the difference in 4-year graduation rates (my impression, not data based) is the much greater number of part-timers at publics (many of my students were working full-time, or at least 20+ hours a week, in order to attend at all).  I don't know of anything (save perhaps the 'culture') which would make it harder to graduate in 4 years from a public.

Show me kids who have graduated from publics in four years...that doesn't happen these days...if they do there sure not in athletics

Wow - into gross overstatement much?!

Even at the d1 level, many, many athletes get their degree in 4 years.  At EMU, at least 40-50% of the student body graduate in four years.  Four years may no longer be the 'norm' it once was, but it is still very common and I'm sure at many schools still the majority situation.

[No One In Particular]

The 'bottom line' difference between publics and privates is not nearly as large as the list prices would suggest.  But I'm sure many students (and more relevantly, their parents) can't make it past the initial 'sticker shock'.  And (while I haven't heard of it yet) it wouldn't surprise me if less 'well-endowed' privates had to cut back on financial aid, thus expanding the gap.

The bottom-line difference is smaller than list prices suggest, as Chuck said, but that bottom-line difference does not include the long-term debt incurred by students who opt for a private-school education and thus have to take out bank loans to pay for it. And since the long-term prospects for the economy are not looking much better than the short-term prospects, I think that the more astute families of college-bound students will be more chary of taking on long-term debt in order to finance a college education.

I actually thought chary was a misspelling and had to go to dictionary.com to find out there is a definition for it...well done. An advantage for private colleges - at least the one I attended - is the financial plan is generally guaranteed  for the four years after a comprehensive review of what the family may or may not be able to contribute and is rather affordable for most, not all....it may be that way at public schools now as well, not sure...the APRs are usually low,  3 - 4 % and tax deductible $ for $ so actually if you consider the potential return, it's a great investment. There's incentive to complete in four years.

[larry_u]

for my 1000 post, I felt as though I should do something significant and make it worthwhile.  Then I realized that its April and the seaosn won't be for another 7 months.  Thus:



BETTER DEAD THAN RED!!!!!!!!!!!

LU! LU! LU! LU!

OK, back to your regularly scheduled down time...

[fightintitan2006]

Based on the assumption that all non-graduating players return, how does everyone think the MWC shapes up next season?

My picks:
1. SNC
2. LU
3. RC
4. CC
5. LF
6. KC
7. MC
8. GC
9. BC
10. IC

5-8 is probably a smorgasbord of teams with around 7 wins give or take one or two.

[WLCALUM83]

Here's news about a prep player headed Ripon's direction:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/43078327.html

[sac]

I don't recall ever seeing a Lake Forest poster on here but here's a good one heading to Lake Forest from Michigan...........a brief snippet from a basketball blog I follow.

Holly's Jordan Fowler commits to Lake Forest College
Posted by Jared Field | Hotbed Hoops April 21, 2009 18:08PM
Categories: High School Hoops
One of Mid-Michigan's top senior point guards has committed to Lake Forest College near Chicago, Illinois.

Jordan Fowler, arguably the top player in the Flint Metro League as a senior, chose Lake Forest over several in-state division three programs. The 5-10 pure point had opportunities to walk-on at the division two level, but felt LFC was his best option.

Fowler will play for 3-time Midwest Conference coach of the year Chris Conger.

And, I still think he's underrated.


Stephen Bell who ranks Michigan Seniors prior to the season had him as the #8 point gaurd in all of Michigan.   While I don't often agree with his rankings or the process and reasoning he uses............the general rule of thumb is if you make his list you'll be a pretty good D3 player somewhere.

[13wapiti]

Fowler is a great point guard.  He is unselfish and has superb court vision and a sweet left hand pull up jump shot that seems like it always hits the mark.  He is also an excellent free throw shooter-almost automatic and regularly gets a ton of steals.  My boy played with him on the AAU circuit and found him to be an excellent teammate.  A real good get for Lake Forest.