MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Mr. Ypsi]

I see on the 'open dates' board that Wheaton seeks a scrimmage, November 7-11 (home or up to 2 hours away).

How about an IWU-Wheaton scrimmage for Hurricane relief?!  Properly handled, I could envision this raising MANY thousands of dollars (and both schools have endowments such that one would hope there would be NO charge to athletic departments - ALL proceeds to charity).  Properly pitched, I'd bet EITHER facility could have a sell-out crowd at even $20 a person (it's for CHARITY - not too mention a helluva game!) - toss in a charity auction and whatever other fund-raising gimmicks; we're starting to get to significant money!

I have no idea whether either Wheaton or Wesleyan would go for the idea, but would anyone near Wheaton or Bloomington like to run with this ball?!

[petemcb]

Excellent post, Cabonney.  I'd be good for at least 2 tickets  -  at either location.  Both schools draw a good enough crowd to host a game like that profitably.  I like it.

[emeritusprof]

Would it be so outrageous as to rely on some college official's odometer reading to determine mileage between two schools?  Or, is that too simple.

Reminds me of the story of how church officials were drafting a new encyclopedia in Rome and could not agree on the number of teeth in a horse.  Some pragmatist was looking out the window, saw a horse, and said, "Hey, there's a horse.  Let's go out and count his teeth."

He was excommunicated.

[True Basketball Fan]

You wouldn't happen to know what new names they will adopt, would you?  They always seem to come up with a stupid name (a la Marquette).

One would think Carthage wouldn't be far behind.  However, it is costly to change a nickname, more than most realize.  For that reason, maybe they'll leave the small colleges alone.  Not sure?!

[petemcb]

True Basketball Fan, clemency implies that those three schools will not need to change their names. 

[True Basketball Fan]

I don't use that word.....in fact, I have never heard it used before.  However, the way it was used in the previous post by King Dennis sounded like it was negative, so I didn't bother to look it up.  My karma dives even deeper with yet another blunder.......oh well!

[emeritusprof]

Since clemency is an executive privilege exercised in the criminal justice system, perhaps the NCAA thinks of itself as the Governor, while member schools are the convicts.

If all they are doing is letting schools retain their allegiance to Native symbolism and/or names, "clemency" is an inappropirate word.  But, as with jargon and gobbyldegook, it may have an "official" ring.

[True Basketball Fan]

WOW!  I don't think Sager could've even come up with that one!!

[David Collinge]

It was Dennis that used the word "clemency," not the NCAA.  Keep your knuckleheads straight. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

KD,

There is an important distinction, however, between Utes, Chippewas, and Seminoles on one side, and Redmen (or McMurry Indians, etc.) on the other (at least as I see it; who knows what the NCAA sees?!) - the former are all SPECIFIC tribal names.  Since those specific tribes were okay with the name, the NCAA (presumably) felt that other objectors had no legitimate standing.

But whose support is needed for the 'generic' Redmen, Indians (Braves, Warriors, etc.) to render the objections moot?  (That's a real question; I've no idea how the NCAA is thinking!)

This topic has a thread on the General Division III issues board for anyone interested.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Pete,

Does your reply mean that you are now the chair of the 'Katrina Scrimmage' committee?!  For balance, perhaps you could get Q or Titan Hammer as co-chair. 

IF this really happens, put me down for two tickets (even though I probably couldn't physically attend!

[Ralph Turner]

If it really happens, then let me know where to send a check to the Katrina Relief Pre-season Scrimmage.

Pete, you could market Commemorative T-shirts, bumper stickers and Coozies.

Wow!  Someone might even sneak unofficial pictures of the scrimmage onto the D3Hoops front page.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ralph,

If I can conjure up the LOCAL talent to actually pull this off, you may have come up with the way to turn 4 or 5 figures into 6 figures - I'd order the t-shirts (though I don't do bumper stickers, and [being a sheltered Illinois and Michigan guy] have no idea what 'Coozies' are)! 

C'mon citizens (or nearby) of Wheaton and Bloomington - this COULD happen!

[Mr. Ypsi]

I confess that this began as a late-night thought, but this really could work!  If not IWU-Wheaton (the 'obvious' match-up from recent bball seasons), how about Augie (a bball scrimmage occurs JUST after the fball season!) or NC or Elmhurst (proximity - you KNOW you want to take them out with their graduated seniors!) or NP (I'm sure I don't even NEED to hype this rivalry!); Carthage and Millikin will have to invent their own reasons, but I'm sure they exist!

C'mon folks!  SOMEONE can turn this 'request for a scrimmage' into a HUGE win for hurricane relief!  I'll up my 'ante' to five tickets!  SOMEONE make this happen!  (If no one else will, I'll try, but I just don't think it will work as well from 300 miles away.)

[joehakes]

Q,

Now everyone will be mad at the NCAA again.  Believe it or not folks, there are reasons, both philosophical and otherwise, for rules.

TBF,

I thought that you might think that clemency involved some decision by Mark Twain.