MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[krytonite]

Actually the video was made as a recruiting tool.

[sac]

Closing the Terry Smith file.

Year.    W-L   MIAA
07-08  3-21  3-11  8th
08-09  6-19  4-10  7th
09-10  4-22  1-13  8th

13-62  8-34


Hard to find much of trend in the W/L's.....hidden in all those losses were a number of close calls along the way.  Smith had Alma playing a slow deliberate pace and it worked to some success, if you measure success as being within striking distance of a favored opponent.  There were a number of tough single digit losses and even had Hope and Calvin sweating bullets a couple times.  Including taking the Knights to OT in the regular season finale last year.

The 09-10 MIAA season probably gets a half an asterisk....2 or 3 players walked out on the team after the first MIAA loss to Kzoo.  No telling what kind of difference that makes in the record, maybe a win or two which would have been enough to finish 7th.  But Alma was in trouble early and in hindsight, maybe this was a red flag on the Smith tenure.

There was little doubt I saw Alma compete much harder than they had in a number of years, but the difference in personnel was clear from the minute warm-ups started.  Smith's biggest win probably came at Albion two years ago in a 71-65 shocker on Sr day for the Brits.  Without looking to closely, I believe this was Alma's only win vs a winning program under Smith.


What does the future hold for Alma?

Sept 7 is a pretty bad date in the calender to not have a head coach in place or to be putting a want-ad out.  Similar to the last time Alma needed a head coach, its late in the game (much later this time) and Smith was actually a kind of rescue hire it seemed 3 summers ago.

The Scots return only 8 players listed from last years Varsity, 3 of 5 starters and bunch of JV'ers that I really know very little about.  A few of those kids did get a bump to varsity after the early MIAA defections.  Supposedly Alma has a couple pretty good players coming in the fall.....and of course a new gym makes its debut.

Charlie Goffnet is the only assistant listed on staff, he retired as the women's coach a couple years ago or so.  Right now he seems the most logical choice to step in and lead the team for this year.  I have no idea if he will, it seems unlikely to be honest, but what other options does Alma have really at this time?

[sac]

Back in the mid 90's or so, the 7 team MIAA had 4 coaches with nearly 20 years at their school, another with a decade and two others nearing a decade.

In 2010-11 only VandeStreak(Calvin) has over 10 years at his current school, with Harmon (Trine 8yrs) and Passage (Kzoo 8yrs) next in line.  5 schools have coaches with 4 years or less as the head coach at their current school.

-------------------

Also Kzoo has made some upgrades to Anderson Athletic Center, New baskets, scoreboard with stats, new lighting and a new logo on the floor.

http://www.kzoo.edu/sports/mb/

[hopefan]

 I have no idea if he will, it seems unlikely to be honest, but what other options does Alma have really at this time?

Sac, I'd have to imagine that there are young assistants throughout the Great Lakes and Midwest who would love to move up to a head coaching position..  perhaps a more upbeat move than having a fellow who may be looking at it as only a fill in....  I've been away from the MIAA for so long.... when was the last time Alma had a winning record in conference..  I certainly remember winning Olivet teams, Kalamazoo teams, Adrian teams... but Alma... it escapes me....

[Flying Dutch Fan]

 I have no idea if he will, it seems unlikely to be honest, but what other options does Alma have really at this time?

Sac, I'd have to imagine that there are young assistants throughout the Great Lakes and Midwest who would love to move up to a head coaching position..  perhaps a more upbeat move than having a fellow who may be looking at it as only a fill in....  I've been away from the MIAA for so long.... when was the last time Alma had a winning record in conference..  I certainly remember winning Olivet teams, Kalamazoo teams, Adrian teams... but Alma... it escapes me....

Dug into the MIAA and Alma web archives and could only find this:

Last winning season for Alma was 96-97 (The MIAA season record archives don't go further back).  They were 14-12 overall, but only 5-7 in the MIAA

Last MIAA Championship for Alma (actually co-champs with Albion) was 77-78, with a 9-3 record in the MIAA.

[hopefan]

no championship since late 70's ... and I didn't move to Michigan until 1980 - no wonder I couldn't remember a winner....

[Gregory Sager]

Last MIAA Championship for Alma (actually co-champs with Albion) was 77-78, with a 9-3 record in the MIAA.

That must've been a darned good Scots team to have shared the MIAA crown with Albion, because that Brits squad, led by All-American John Nibert, made it to the Final Four.

[oldknight]

Last MIAA Championship for Alma (actually co-champs with Albion) was 77-78, with a 9-3 record in the MIAA.

That must've been a darned good Scots team to have shared the MIAA crown with Albion, because that Brits squad, led by All-American John Nibert, made it to the Final Four.

Going strictly by memory, that Alma squad was led by a hard nosed point guard named Dan Stolz, nephew of MSU football coach, Denny Stolz. I believe the Scots' head coach was . . . .  Eddie Douma.

[almcguirejr]

Last MIAA Championship for Alma (actually co-champs with Albion) was 77-78, with a 9-3 record in the MIAA.

That must've been a darned good Scots team to have shared the MIAA crown with Albion, because that Brits squad, led by All-American John Nibert, made it to the Final Four.

Going strictly by memory, that Alma squad was led by a hard nosed point guard named Dan Stolz, nephew of MSU football coach, Denny Stolz. I believe the Scots' head coach was . . . .  Eddie Douma.

Douma was at Alma in 73-74.  He was at LSSU in 77-78.

[hopehoopfan]

Having been a freshman at Alma that year, I recall with fairly good clarity the Dan Stolz led team. The coach was Bill Klenk and here is a link to the team photo.http://alma.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p4045coll5&CISOPTR=10470&CISOBOX=1&REC=9

[sac]

Having been a freshman at Alma that year, I recall with fairly good clarity the Dan Stolz led team. The coach was Bill Klenk and here is a link to the team photo.http://alma.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p4045coll5&CISOPTR=10470&CISOBOX=1&REC=9

that deserves a bravo!

[hopehoopfan]

Having been a freshman at Alma that year, I recall with fairly good clarity the Dan Stolz led team. The coach was Bill Klenk and here is a link to the team photo.http://alma.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p4045coll5&CISOPTR=10470&CISOBOX=1&REC=9

Because the names are not associated in the order of the pictures, Stolz(22) was supported offensively from Dave Froelich(34) and Jim Davidson(20). Overall, a very well balanced team.

[RFMichigan]

no championship since late 70's ... and I didn't move to Michigan until 1980 - no wonder I couldn't remember a winner....

I could have sworn that Hope and Alma shared the conference title in 80-81 when Alma had the Parkes brothers from Manistee, but the archives don't lie.

[almcguirejr]

Tom Crean assisted with Alma basketball team in 1989.

[ziggy]

Let's cap off a great "Blue" weekend with a victory from the guys in the shade called "Honolulu"!