FB: USA South Athletic Conference

[allsky7]

The one I can't recall exactly is where the teams have to walk through a tunnel under I-81 to get to the field from the locker rooms. I'm having brain freeze on which game that was. But it was unique. I think the teams stay on the field during halftime because walking back and forth would take longer than halftime lasts.
I liked CNU for parking and the stadium is pretty incredible for D3, but the online directions need to be updated to reflect the change in the roads in the area since they were written.
But of the ones I've seen I must say MC has the only field where its tradition for some to park behind the end zone in what I think is technically off campus but not sure and be able to pop a top or five to watch the games.
The fact soccer has its own field at Maryville (now with lights) makes a huge impact on the quality of the field. The overusage of field issue showed up last year at the Titans Stadium where it was in rough shape after hosting NFL plus Tenn State's home gams, a few lawn concerts in late summer.

     I'm not positive where the exact boundary is but I think the end of the football field you refer to IS on campus. I believe campus ends at Court St. directly behind where the tailgaters are. Tailgating at Maryville has improved dramatically in the last 10 or 15 years. For homecoming at least, there are large tailgate parties at both ends of the field. I think they finally figured out that if alums come back and have a good time, they are more generous with their checkbooks. 

[moshergc9]

The USAC really messed up today.

  The championship game between the cnu and gc womans lax team was cancelled and the ncaa bid went to the higher seed with no makeup.

How ridiculous is that?

Imagine playing an entire season with the goal to get to the championship game only to have the game taken away and given to the team with the higher seed. 

Roll Pride

Shootem up Cowboys 5-5

[Eh-You]

I know that the Averett folks that read this, especially players and coaches will tar and feather me, but Averett is the worst of the worst.  Kept too wet, the turf is not tight at all.  The soccer team plays on the field and tears it up in addition to the football team. Chowan has a better field than Averett. Hopefully they have made some adjustments this spring and summer. 

Tar and Feather? I'm not a player or coach, but I give you a standing O! I agree 100%. Not sure about adjustments but I've got my fingers crossed.

[CNU85]

Congrats to RobRod of CNU - named to the first ever USA National team!

[narch]

numerous monarch student-athletes were recognized at the athletic awards night tuesday night, among them was former monarch o-lineman, rhyan breen

The Rita Wiggs Courageous Monarch Award is named in honor of former Methodist Athletic Director and current USA South Athletic Conference Commissioner Rita Wiggs following her battle with cancer.  Senior football player Rhyan Breen was presented the award after overcoming numerous adversities this year.  Last season Breen was a USA South All-Conference football player but spent the summer in rehabbing his knee after a torn ACL last spring.  His father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but Breen set goals to return to the football field and graduate in three years so his father could see him.  Breen was back on the field in six months but unfortunately his father passed away during the season.  He is set to graduate this spring in his set time frame of three years where presenter Wiggs reminded the audience, "his father will have a front row seat from up above."

rhyan really embodies d3 football, if you ask me - he came to mu tipping the scales at about 220 lbs, and was lightly recruited as an athlete in high school (heavily recruited as a student, though) - 3 years later, rhyan is a 2 year starter (tipping the scales at about 270), an all-conference performer and heading to law school after graduating in 3 years...congrats, rhyan and all other monarchs who received awards on  tuesday night

[hasanova]

numerous monarch student-athletes were recognized at the athletic awards night tuesday night, among them was former monarch o-lineman, rhyan breen

The Rita Wiggs Courageous Monarch Award is named in honor of former Methodist Athletic Director and current USA South Athletic Conference Commissioner Rita Wiggs following her battle with cancer.  Senior football player Rhyan Breen was presented the award after overcoming numerous adversities this year.  Last season Breen was a USA South All-Conference football player but spent the summer in rehabbing his knee after a torn ACL last spring.  His father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but Breen set goals to return to the football field and graduate in three years so his father could see him.  Breen was back on the field in six months but unfortunately his father passed away during the season.  He is set to graduate this spring in his set time frame of three years where presenter Wiggs reminded the audience, "his father will have a front row seat from up above."

rhyan really embodies d3 football, if you ask me - he came to mu tipping the scales at about 220 lbs, and was lightly recruited as an athlete in high school (heavily recruited as a student, though) - 3 years later, rhyan is a 2 year starter (tipping the scales at about 270), an all-conference performer and heading to law school after graduating in 3 years...congrats, rhyan and all other monarchs who received awards on  tuesday night

Thanks for sharing this, narch.  Rhyan sounds like a great young man.  I believe his Dad's spirit will be with him wherever he goes.

[allsky7]

numerous monarch student-athletes were recognized at the athletic awards night tuesday night, among them was former monarch o-lineman, rhyan breen

The Rita Wiggs Courageous Monarch Award is named in honor of former Methodist Athletic Director and current USA South Athletic Conference Commissioner Rita Wiggs following her battle with cancer.  Senior football player Rhyan Breen was presented the award after overcoming numerous adversities this year.  Last season Breen was a USA South All-Conference football player but spent the summer in rehabbing his knee after a torn ACL last spring.  His father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but Breen set goals to return to the football field and graduate in three years so his father could see him.  Breen was back on the field in six months but unfortunately his father passed away during the season.  He is set to graduate this spring in his set time frame of three years where presenter Wiggs reminded the audience, "his father will have a front row seat from up above."

rhyan really embodies d3 football, if you ask me - he came to mu tipping the scales at about 220 lbs, and was lightly recruited as an athlete in high school (heavily recruited as a student, though) - 3 years later, rhyan is a 2 year starter (tipping the scales at about 270), an all-conference performer and heading to law school after graduating in 3 years...congrats, rhyan and all other monarchs who received awards on  tuesday night

Thanks for sharing this, narch.  Rhyan sounds like a great young man.  I believe his Dad's spirit will be with him wherever he goes.

     Ditto.....good story!!  8)

[narch]

monarch spring report from the fayetteville observer...interesting to see who coach sypult blames for losing this past season

they bring up some concern about hill returning to play football next year, which i had not previously heard...the monarchs need him if they're going to be successful

i did hear that the monarchs got frim committment from a VERY GOOD kicker...he has hit from 54 yards in game situations in high school and regularly hits from 55 and out in practice...he was offered some small d2 scholarship $$$ and was invited to walk-on at a d1aa program (he's a kicker...there aren't many d2's or d1aa's who are going to invest much in a kicker)...let's see if he can do it in the college game

[allsky7]

monarch spring report from the fayetteville observer...interesting to see who coach sypult blames for losing this past season

they bring up some concern about hill returning to play football next year, which i had not previously heard...the monarchs need him if they're going to be successful

i did hear that the monarchs got frim committment from a VERY GOOD kicker...he has hit from 54 yards in game situations in high school and regularly hits from 55 and out in practice...he was offered some small d2 scholarship $$$ and was invited to walk-on at a d1aa program (he's a kicker...there aren't many d2's or d1aa's who are going to invest much in a kicker)...let's see if he can do it in the college game

     Not a knock on this kid. I wish him well but strong legs are a dime a dozen.  Strong legged kickers with their head screwed on right that are accurate aren't so common. Hitting from 54 is great but what kind of consistency does he have from closer in? I'll take a consistent kicker who hits from 40 in any day. If you hit from 54 in or even 50 consistently, most likely, you won't be kicking at the D3 level unless someone just missed the boat. There are exceptions but it just not the rule in D3.
     Hey, I hit a 54 yarder in college.......in practice.......off a tee.....back when the goal post were a half mile wide......with a 40 MPH wind at my back. Does that count? 
     On another note.....snappers and holders don't get enough credit either. I was blessed to have both in HS AND college. Not an easy task to perform consistently in game situations.

[moshergc9]

kickers are lame people.

the end

[narch]

Hitting from 54 is great but what kind of consistency does he have from closer in? I'll take a consistent kicker who hits from 40 in any day. If you hit from 54 in or even 50 consistently, most likely, you won't be kicking at the D3 level unless someone just missed the boat. There are exceptions but it just not the rule in D3.

we'll see...i know the monarch coaches are excited, so it's good enough for me at this point

[allsky7]

kickers are lame people.

the end

      You think so huh? Perhaps they are just smart enough to do a job where they don't have to crack their skull over and over and end up with brain damage or arthritis by the time they are 40. 

[CaptainChris]

Yeah it's called soccer. This is a football board.

[allsky7]

Yeah it's called soccer. This is a football board.

     WOW... no love for the kickers..... All the lugheads don't seem to mind kickers when they hit the 40 yarder to win the game.  It's ok though...I understand the love/hate relationship. Been there, done that. For the record, I was not one of those pinko, new wave music listening, 95 pound bench pressing, futbol types.  I was a straight on ala George Blanda / Mark Mosely type kicker that ate middle linebackers for lunch.  LOL.

[kickerdad]

kickers are lame people.

the end

It is a known fact that kickers are a different bread. They are either loved or hated (nothing inbetween) But think about this - a kicker has just as much to think about and concentrate on as anyone else on the team. He has to make sure plant foot is correct, body is in correct position before and after kick, hips aren't turning one way or the other incorrectly, leg speed, follow through, snap, hold, field conditions (field too wet, field too hard). Plus in the back of his mind he is worried about the rush and wondering if he will get taken out by an over zealous lineman and end up with broken leg, hyper extended knee, concussion and so on. And don't forget if he is the kick off guy, in most cases he is given the responsibility to be the safety net in case the other 10 guys don't do their job. But then he remembers he is only 150 to 175 lbs (soaken wet) and he is going to have to tackle a 180 to 220 lb running back that is already in full stride and moving like a freight train. If he makes the tackle or slows him down enough or knocks him out of bounds he is the hero. But if he gets run over and buried in the ground with a broken collar bone, or what ever else breaks, and the guys scores or the runner is the guy from Mt. Union and has after burners and leaves the kicker in the dust....then he becomes the team dog.

Unless you have been there and done it, give them a break. Protect your kicker and he will win games for you. Piss him off and you might get a foot where you don't want it. 

Just something for everyone to think about.

And by the way, I played center and truly wanted my son to follow in my footsteps and be able to have fun in the line where things can really get ugly and dirty and you have to be a real man to be there; but he is a kicker and I support him all the way.