FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[AUPOP]

Looking at Maryville's remaining schedule, AU may be their biggest fans for the next 4 games.

Just finished looking at that and you are probably right......

[CNUALUM9]

Congrats to Tunde Ogun for becoming CNU all time leading rusher, and he did it in just 3 years.

Yeah good thing he got that record.  I'm sure that's all CNU was hoping to accomplish yesterday.  Their main goal was to get him the record and winning a football game was not on the agenda. 

[Bishop64]

Congratulations Bishops, job well done!

[KEEPING IT REAL]

What you trying to say.  Can't congradulate a player for a good job?

[Bishop64]

What you trying to say.  Can't congradulate a player for a good job?

Are you talking to me?

[Pat Coleman]

Congrats to Tunde Ogun for becoming CNU all time leading rusher, and he did it in just 3 years.

Yeah good thing he got that record.  I'm sure that's all CNU was hoping to accomplish yesterday.  Their main goal was to get him the record and winning a football game was not on the agenda. 

Plus, considering the age of the program, it's not surprising someone can set a program record in three years.

[KEEPING IT REAL]

No I'm not talking to you Bishop. 

[hasanova]

Congratulations to Greensboro, NCWC, Methodist and Averett.  I have to admit, a couple of those scores surprised me.  Looks as though the Bishops have the upper hand down the stretch!

[Allen C]

I would have to agree. Its not looking good for anyone else to win it.

[Ryan Tipps]

Keep an eye out this week and you might hear what the coach himself has to say about being the conference frontrunner

[Three Sails]

Couple of footnotes for AU Pop and others on the discussion about funding, community support and and supportive president at CNU:

1) Yes - in Virginia no state funds can be used for athletics and so alumni support, community sponsorship, etc. is critical.  However considerable funding also comes from student fees beyond the cost of tuition.  Several years ago, adding football at ODU was contingent on significant increases in student fees.  Most other state assisted schools help fund athletics in this way also.  Currently at CNU, student fees are being used to expand the Freeman Center complex. 

2) As '85 indicated, Senator Trible's ability to raise funding through private sources and corporations has been instrumental in moving CNU forward.  In addition, his connections  within the legislative process and abilty to compete among other VA public institutions for govt. funding and state bond financing have also been critical to CNU's growth. 

3) Credit for cultivating community support goes to CNU Atheltics who actively seek sponsorships.  In the past years they have brought in State Farm, Pepsi, Chick-fli-a, POMOCO, Papa Johns and Buffalo Wild Wings as corproate sponsors who sponsor halftime contests for students, have corporate outings and bring their employees to the games, bring their mascots and provide fan give-a-ways.  In the weeks prior to this season, when you ordered pizza from Papa Johns in this area you got a CNU football schedule magnet delivered with your pie.  Buffalo Wild Wings provides a DJ for tailgating.  CNU has done a great job with reaching out like this which generates increased revenue, promotes the program, adds to the game day atmosphere and works to increase attendance.   

Just some other factors which can move the University and the athletic program forward. 

[Allen C]

Thanks three sails...That is really good info. No doubt the Captains athletic department and all of those involved have boosted the program quickly and effectively. All of the schools should use CNU as an example. I commend them for the job they have done.

I also am grateful to learn about the tax revenues not supporting athletics. I really (incorrectly) thought that this was providing an unfair advantage for the public vs private argument....I stand corrected, and apologize for all of the cussing i have done...not on the board, but as a result of not knowing.

Still, the tuition discrepancy makes it harder, especially in tough economic times for private colleges to retain students. I know that Ferrum lost 5 or 6 players that would have been in the lineup consistently, and I am pretty sure most of these were due to economic hardships. Two DB's, 1 LB, 1 WR. 1 QB, and a kicker.....This hurt them quite a bit.

On a positive note, Ferrum continues to grow its enrollment, and is raising funds to build a 4M dollar Athletic Center. This will also help with retention.

Thanks again for the info.

[ProudFightingScot]

Congrats to Averett on their win against the Fighting Scots.  Your team kept their poise when down 21-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Our offense seemed to shut down after the 1st quarter and had only 99 yards of total offense in the last 3 quarters.  I'm disappointed that we didn't finish off Averett when we had a chance and that seems to be a problem with our team. 

It was a great crowd for the game and still think we've got one of the best venues for Division III football.

[WFU34]

Proud Fighting Scot - believe me, after the 1st quarter we all thought it would be a long afternoon for AU.  What happened to your team is not uncommon, i.e., get a big lead early can sometimes work against you (but it still is preferable to playing from behind early).  These are kids after all and can have a tendency to lose that "edge" that built the big lead in the first place (happens in the pros too).  Once you lose it - and give the opponent an opportunity to get back in it, it's tough to turn it back on.

Beautiful campus.  Your fans and venue were first class, really got into the all the festivities.  Had an older gentleman who play at MC back in the '50's sitting next to me in the 1st half and was a true sportsman.  Your field was in very good shape considering the weather leading up to the game and had a tremendous atomsphere.  Only complaint (plus the cold wind which unless MC had a direct line to the "Man Upstairs" you had no control over) was that concessions ran out of hot drinks by half-time, at the very least they could have been selling some Jack Daniels (instead of diet cokes) to warm up "old bones".

You season is still savalable - just beat NCWC and CNU in the upcoming weeks.  I'm sure all of AU fans will be rooting for you.

Last question - is Wesley Idelette the younger brother of Willie Idelette who played at Wake Forest a few years back?

[narch]

I also am grateful to learn about the tax revenues not supporting athletics. I really (incorrectly) thought that this was providing an unfair advantage for the public vs private argument....I stand corrected, and apologize for all of the cussing i have done...not on the board, but as a result of not knowing.

while tax revenue in VA doesn't DIRECTLY fund the athletic program, it certainly funds the program INDIRECTLY in many ways

for instance, public funding for athletic facilities would be a political nightmare (the "my tax dollars are supporting a bunch of dumb jocks" mentality), but who is going to argue that the students in state schools don't need outstanding academic facilities?  on the other hand, raising funds for specialized programs like athletics or the arts is much easier with private donors who want to see their name on a plaque in a facility that brings thousands of people (many unaffiliated with the school) through its doors - since facility funding dollars are finite, a public institution can focus private funding ventures on athletic facilities while their private counterparts must raise funds for both

you can continue to cuss