FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[Ryan Tipps]

WHY would CNU not have the talent?

Just a guess, but the waning of CNU's dominance appears to coincide with the rise of ODU's football team on the south side of Hampton Roads. Roughly 35 guys on ODU's roster (more than a third of the whole team) come from the metropolitan area that encompasses both schools.

I have to believe that many of them would have strongly considered CNU if ODU and its new football team were not available. That's a talent drain right there.

[D-BAT]

Could the addition of football at ODU be hurting CNU?  Maybe not, but I would think it thins the local talent pool some.

But don't the CNU coaches have the entire state of VA to recruit from as well as the Carolina area? ... not just the Hampton Roads Metro area.

[Ryan Tipps]

But don't the CNU coaches have the entire state of VA to recruit from as well as the Carolina area? ... not just the Hampton Roads Metro area.

Yes, they do, but there are a lot of football-playing schools in Virginia competing for those kids. And lot of small schools draw students from their own neck of the woods. CNU essentially used to have a monopoly on students who wanted to remain in the Hampton Roads area and attend a traditional college setting (I say "traditional" because some students may not want to go to the historically black colleges in the region).

Bottom line, as I said earlier, ODU snagged about three dozen players who could have more than conceivably competed for a spot on CNU's team. There are bound to be some playmakers in that pool that CNU does not have.

[Ralph Turner]

But don't the CNU coaches have the entire state of VA to recruit from as well as the Carolina area? ... not just the Hampton Roads Metro area.

Yes, they do, but there are a lot of football-playing schools in Virginia competing for those kids. And lot of small schools draw students from their own neck of the woods. CNU essentially used to have a monopoly on students who wanted to remain in the Hampton Roads area and attend a traditional college setting (I say "traditional" because some students may not want to go to the historically black colleges in the region).

Bottom line, as I said earlier, ODU snagged about three dozen players who could have more than conceivably competed for a spot on CNU's team. There are bound to be some playmakers in that pool that CNU does not have.

All ODU has to do to impact CNU football is to get the 2-3 Hampton Roads players each year that would be stellar D-III players, to get a little Playing Time at ODU.

Losing 10-12 players out of the top 44 is a killer!

[KEEPING IT REAL]

They need to go D2 OR D1AA. Give the schlorships. Come off the money or their problems continue. Only 3000+ for the first home game.

[Bishop64]

I find it difficult to see the recruiting situation at CNU to be much more difficult than say a Methodist University, NCWC, Guilford, and Greensboro in NC.  or any of the other Div III schools in Virginia.  In NC There are 5 Div.1A, 7 Div. IAA, 14 Div. II and 4 Div III.  That does not include the Virginia or SC schools in all Divisions that recruit in NC.  Recruiting is difficult for all Div. III schools; especially schools located closer to the scholarship programs. If you look at the rosters of NCWC or Methodist, You will find only a minimum number of players within a 50-60 mile radius of there location. The secret has to be the effort put into recruiting, regardless of the school. As an old saying goes, if the fish aren't biting here, try another spot! But then again, what do I know

[skunks_sidekick]

Hello All You USA ers!

I have been reading this discussion with interest, and felt the need to chime in. 

As a follower of Mount Union football for quite a while, I can tell you that having a large roster is a very important tool in maintaining a successful program.  For Mount, many times their best competition is at practice throughout the week.  There is always kids waiting in the wings, and willing to work their arse off for the chance to play on Saturday.  Coach Kehres would prefer NOT to have 240 kids on his roster, but he has always kept to his belief that if a kid is willing to come out and work hard, even with little chance of playing time, who is he to tell him "no".  The freshman/JV team (s) really aid in keeping the younger guys engaged, and interested.  These kids are told (with a few exceptions) that they should not expect to play before they are juniors, and that's just the "Mount way". 

Having said all that, I am somewhat surprised that CNU isn't consistently better year in and year out.  My son (who is a freshman in high school) thought it was very cool that there is a D-III school near Virginia Beach (he has vacationed there a few times).  We ended up getting online, looking at the campus photos, read about the very reasonable tuition, and came away with a very favorable impression.  It seems like recruiting to that school should be easier than many other like schools in the area. 


I think it really comes down to the coach/coaches selling the program and school, and backing up the sales pitch with results.  Mount was very average before Coach Kehres became the head coach.  Having the "right guy" makes all the difference in the world.  Oh, and one more thing.  As good as a recruiting hotbed as Ohio can be, Mount has had great success in recent years recruiting Florida.  Evidently they just grow really fast kids in that state.   

A certain freshman RB/LB is keeping his eye on CNU's football team.  Maybe in a few years CNU can add Ohio as one of the states its successfully recruited.   

[Ryan Tipps]

I find it difficult to see the recruiting situation at CNU to be much more difficult than say a Methodist University, NCWC, Guilford, and Greensboro in NC.  or any of the other Div III schools in Virginia. 

I don't think it's more difficult at CNU than anywhere else, I just think that it used to be a little easier for CNU than the others. With the addition of ODU, I just believe that that has helped level the USA South recruiting universe and forced CNU to work a little harder at getting its share of the abundance of talent from the Hampton Roads area.

[Bishop64]

I find it difficult to see the recruiting situation at CNU to be much more difficult than say a Methodist University, NCWC, Guilford, and Greensboro in NC.  or any of the other Div III schools in Virginia.

I don't think it's more difficult at CNU than anywhere else, I just think that it used to be a little easier for CNU than the others. With the addition of ODU, I just believe that that has helped level the USA South recruiting universe and forced CNU to work a little harder at getting its share of the abundance of talent from the Hampton Roads area.

Now that, I can agree on. A good example might be the situation with Methodist. When Campbell decided to
crank up football again, It probably affected Methodist. If it has not, it more than likely will in the future. I do know of one kid who was planning tp attend NCWC untill Chowan went scholarship. He ended up there. I guess the point I was making is it is never easy for D III to recruit. Sometimes you have to think out of the box.

[abnrgr]

Well....I think it is harder for the "psedo mini Dukes" (or those who try to be like Duke when recruiting) than CNU. It should be easier for the CNU. Should.

I will not mention those who think they are mini Dukes but they just kill themsleves running for the 3.5 GPA player. Clue: they are in NC.

I like the MC and GC-Pride approach to players. The normal well rounded guy. Not saying anything about CNU as I know little about the school.

[Bishop64]

See ya, Good By! Oh, by the way....what's wrong with a 3.5 GPA"? Just asking....
One used up 70yr old Vietnam Vet, speciial forces, just asking a question.....

[Ryan Tipps]

what's wrong with a 3.5 GPA"? Just asking....

I took the previous comment to mean that a 3.5 GPA is a pretty high standard for schools to shoot for. Nothing "wrong" with that per se, but it may help their teams if they get well-rounded kids who are good in a variety of things (leadership, extracurriculars, etc.) but maybe not just intensely GPA smart.

[Bishop64]

what's wrong with a 3.5 GPA"? Just asking....

I took the previous comment to mean that a 3.5 GPA is a pretty high standard for schools to shoot for. Nothing "wrong" with that per se, but it may help their teams if they get well-rounded kids who are good in a variety of things (leadership, extracurriculars, etc.) but maybe not just intensely GPA smart.

Ryan, I took it it mean the same thing.  Maybe I didn't phrase it properly. I was attempting to make a"tongue in cheek" comment to emphasize the fact that grades are important and should be considered. If I offended anyone, I apologize. It was not meant in that tone. My "see you later" and "good Bye" only infered that I was signing off. I agree that a well  rounded kid should be considered, the fact is Division III is ,"in  my personal opinion", the only Division that truly empahasis grades above football.

[Ryan Tipps]

Oopth. I didn't realize that your question was meant tongue-in-cheek.

My bad.

[WFU34]

What I find interesting is the discussion regarding the challenges of recruiting for the DIII schools, particularly in the NC & Va Beach area & the complaint that the larger local programs are taking the kids.  To a lesser degree, its not much like the challenges the ACC faces vs. the SEC, i.e., the best ACC area kids almost always choose USC, UGA, UT, etc over an NC/VA ACC school.

The real issue (and I may offend some here) is that while the NC High School football has improved in recent years, its not on a par with other states overall.  That equates to less talent available for the DI schools and it filters down to the lower ranks.

The only solution (although it may be difficult for some schools) is to expand it's recruiting area.  For instance, Averett has made a strategic decision to heavily recruit in Florida, 25%+ of their roster comes from that state (and trust me, Danville isn't on anyone's #1 destination list) because:

1)  There is an abundance of talent there
2)  There is limited options to play after HS if you're not offered a D-I scholarship.

Southern schools have a lot to offer, if they expand their base, i.e., possibly up Notrh, you might get more talent.