MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[calvin_grad]

Canonie with a lay-up at the buzzer!!  Calvin beats Trine on the road 66-64. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

From my experience, the number of teams charging for streaming is down and continues to go down. That doesn't mean some schools, like Mount, wont change course and start charging... the tendencies and pattern are just going in the opposite direction. Again, Mount didn't want to do it... but those responsible for streaming felt they had no choice and having talked to them about it, I understand their predicament.

The other thing that is interesting is the new options out there for schools through companies to try and get some kind of money back for the investment. There are schools who have put in 5-6 figures worth of money into these efforts and when done right that is NOT a one-time thing. The good schools have yearly budgets and plans to keep their streaming top-notch. Some streaming entities (like Blue Frame) are coming up with advertising options that may help schools out. It may add in more media timeouts (though, those are becoming popular for teams when media isn't even there), but we can handle that if it gives schools a few bucks to stream better quality.

The irony on the game you wanted to watch: Williams charges as well and they have never been worth the cost of watching. Some schools, like Williams, have their heads in the sand about it (just like coaches and archiving video - I need to see if I can speak to the coaches association about this, actually)... at least schools like Mount understand the ramifications and didn't make the decision lightly. There are D1s who charge a lot who don't provide much in return. Sadly, some schools see that model and run to it. The idea of charging more to parents of students who are already paying a lot... or to alums who already paid a lot... for education seems completely backwards to me... but some schools don't see it that way ... or care.

Dave.  You have more experience with this than I do, but the people you really need to talk with about this issue are those responsible for collecting donations, and dealing with alums.  I served on a fund raising board at Calvin, and it was repeatedly mentioned at these meetings that live streaming pays dividends.  Live streaming is not limited to sporting events.  Calvin does a number of other events, and they are well received.  Use of live streaming is only limited by copyright in some cases, and the creativity of the school and individuals involved.  In today's world students need to learn about video conferencing, and all the resources that are available to communicate with various public's.  Schools that view it only as a cost item or the "property" of the athletic dept. are missing out on one of the most cost effective ways to get a message out.

I have preached much of this for quite some time... including to one Division III conference where I was asked (paid even!) to make a presentation to the ADs and presidents. My point was it is far bigger than athletics, but that athletics has the highest number of events and is also the most visible. I make a comparison to the uniforms student-athletes wear. It says "school name" on their chest and so does the web streaming efforts (including announcers and such). So do it, do it right, invest in it, and keep investing in it. There are huge returns on this and PPV is one way that will kill those returns.

Now here is the biggest item about web streaming that is not appreciated... most viewers are NOT from the group putting the web stream together. Sure, you are going to have parents, family, alums of a school tuning in, but the vast majority of those tuning in are from the opposition or people like us who want to watch. Put the best effort forth and it will come back in spades even from the opposition. I can't tell you how many times I have had to remind ADs and others that their reputation is on the line (and online) and while they may not care, it speaks volumes.

And I will mention the biggest kicker... it is a recruiting tool. I know schools who actually put the web streaming/production office on the tour. Tout the fact they have the best in the division and brag about it (though, ironically many of them still hide the archives SMH). It is a big difference for parents who may not be able to make the trip. I have even been told the story of a female SA who watched all of the team's home games (and probably a majority of their away games since the conference mandates web streaming) and decided on the school because of what she saw from the team and how they interacted. The parents liked it as well since they didn't have to worry about traveling ten hours to catch games if they couldn't do it.

For example, Adrian's feed is terrible, but at least I can watch without having to spend 5 hours in the car heading to and from Adrian.

I sympathize (and will now watch Hope at Kalamazoo online rather than drive the 2 hour round trip) . . . but, of course, that's a financial incentive for schools not to stream . . . if it costs them some ticket sales and attendance. Even so, I suspect most who watch online would not be there w/o the streaming, and it's a nice service for fans. 
Hope, btw, does a first class streaming job, with multiple cameras, replays, and announcers . . . and perhaps gives real time TV communications experience to the students in its TV communications program (if they're the ones doing it).

I was always critical of Hope for being late to the streaming game, but as you said they now do a first class job.  I do note that last year, despite streaming almost all men's and women's home games, they continued to lead D3 in home attendance for both genders.  Hard to tell what impact streaming had on home attendance.

1. Thank you. We work hard to make the stream as close as possible to a game you'd watch on ESPN (although there is obviously room for growth). That is another huge benefit to streaming games regularly and for free. As a senior at Hope, it has provided me valuable experience that truly can't be replaced by something learned in a classroom. I know five alums who graduated last year and were involved in our broadcasts that have already earned jobs in media/broadcasting related fields. This should be added incentive to find a way to make streaming a regularly occurring and free thing (I understand this is easier said than done... thank you Lorence and Vander Zwart Financial Planning). Let me know if you have any requests or suggestions for broadcasts of any Hope athletic events (i.e. get rid of that awful play-by-play guy  ).

2. Hope, as many know, has a large local fan base, including hundreds of season ticket holders, that a lot of other D3 programs don't have. In general, if people can make it to the game, they will. Because of this, I think streaming doesn't keep anyone at home that intended on going the game. It simply allows alum and family that are out of town to watch... at least in my experience. I'm not sure how attendance at other D3 schools is affected by streaming, but I am sure that it is the right step for any program to be streaming all games for free if they can, and I believe most schools can... but then again, I don't know much about other schools. Anyone care to weigh in?

My final takeaway is that schools should make a point to create a program (typically within the Communication department) that provides broadcasting experience to students. It can be a club, a few classes, or just a few on-campus jobs. Our broadcasts are made possible by students, and it provides real-world experience that leads directly to careers. It starts with a camera, someone who can move it, and someone who can talk about sports. Games can be streamed for free via YouTube and we know student workers don't make that much. That's what it was when I started, it's grown to a four camera broadcast with replays, and we hope to continue growing. The point is: it starts with the students (and a couple grand for a camera and some cords ).

You guys have come a long way, but if you ever want some outside assistance to improve (because everyone can improve), talk to Alan who has my base proposal .

This is the other part of what I have done with web streaming professionally... and encourage ADs and Presidents to "get" ... it is a real-life work-place opportunity for students. They don't have to be involved in athletics. They can be involved in film, TV, media or whatever majors or not. Make it a well-paid job (some make it minimum wage; other make it the highest paying job on campus) and take it as seriously as if it was a job after college. The experience alone would make it a slam dunk for students. I am a big proponent that learning doesn't have to happen just in the classroom... and honestly shouldn't be just in the classroom. I was a business major who did an extra internship at a TV station and the rest is history.

As for the argument that fans won't come if there is streaming... those who are looking for an excuse to not going to the game will find it. Web streaming isn't going to make the argument for them. Maybe in a national championship weekend I could see the point (though, numbers don't justify it there, either), but not on a local level. I suspect if they were on the fence about going to a game, they wouldn't even both turning it on anyway. I hear that argument a lot... and I don't buy it. In fact, I argue many people want to go to the game and then go home and watch it again (like NFL and such on the DVR)... but I won't get off track and start talking about archives. Many people already know my point of view on it.

[almcguirejr]

Canonie with a lay-up at the buzzer!!  Calvin beats Trine on the road 66-64. 

That was a good win.  KVS went with Canonie, Kronemeyer, Welch , De Witte and Siegel the last few minutes no it paid off.  Siegel had another good game. Welch was very effective.  Trine played terrible defense on Calvin's last 2 possessions and Canonie scored on 2 lay ups that weren't contested very well. Calvin won despite shooting 10-21 from the line. 

[oldknight]

Calvin overcomes a miserable free throw shooting performance (10-21), gets two huge late driving layups from Tony Canonie and steals one on the road from Trine 64-62. Mike Siegel off the bench with 17 points and 6 boards. Van Boxel with a nice job off the bench with a perfect scoring line and 7 points in 16 minutes.

[oldknight]

Canonie with a lay-up at the buzzer!!  Calvin beats Trine on the road 66-64. 

That was a good win.  KVS went with Canonie, Kronemeyer, Welch , De Witte and Siegel the last few minutes no it paid off.  Siegel had another good game. Welch was very effective.  Trine played terrible defense on Calvin's last 2 possessions and Canonie scored on 2 lay ups that weren't contested very well. Calvin won despite shooting 10-21 from the line.  Didn't see Denney's Technical, is that why he didn't play at the end of the game?

You're unlikely to ever see a Cam Denney technical. They're typically an under the breath comment made directly at the ref.

[maroonandgold]

Really an interesting and much more competitive night around the league!  Olivet comes from close and even behind to pull out a win, Albion plays Hope much closer than I expected, and Calvin pulls out a tough road game.  Only Alma had a laugher that I thought might be closer.  It sounds as if the league might quite competitive from second place down, as many predicted.

[TUAngola]

Canonie with a lay-up at the buzzer!!  Calvin beats Trine on the road 66-64. 

That was a good win.  KVS went with Canonie, Kronemeyer, Welch , De Witte and Siegel the last few minutes no it paid off.  Siegel had another good game. Welch was very effective.  Trine played terrible defense on Calvin's last 2 possessions and Canonie scored on 2 lay ups that weren't contested very well. Calvin won despite shooting 10-21 from the line.  Didn't see Denney's Technical, is that why he didn't play at the end of the game?

You're unlikely to ever see a Cam Denney technical. They're typically an under the breath comment made directly at the ref.

I was on the home end of the court when the ref T'd Denney up.  He didn't like the foul call on him and told the ref to call it on the other end too, ref took offense and up went the T.

Sloppy game, especially second half.  Too many fouls, no flow.  Calvin should beat Trine without Dodson for 10 minutes and Cummings for 5 and then did.  You were right on the Calvin buckets at the end, just too easy.  It was Dixon's man too who beat him to the hoop.  Without a rim protector in there is was easy pickings.  We just don't have the length to compete when we go to the bench.  Copeland was impressive again for Trine.  Dixon tried to do too much isolation, I just don't like that kind of basketball, but I guess when the shot clock winds down you want the ball in his hands over anyone else on the team.

[almcguirejr]

Tonight's win was KVS's 400th win at Calvin.

[oldknight]

Calvin basketball is trash. When beating Geneva and Grace are signature wins, it's embarrassing.

Actually, if Calvin has a "signature win" it would have to be Carthage (8-3 overall, 2-1 in the CCIW).

... with a nice road victory today over WIAC preseason favorite UW-Oshkosh up in Bib-Overall City.

With an even more impressive win tonight against your North Parkers in Chicago.

[sac]

Hope 85  Albion 79

I must sound like a broken record but it was a pretty typical Hope/Albion game at Kresge tonight.  Hope found themselves down by 7 and 8 a couple times early in the 2nd half before rallying for a pretty solid win.  Three things really stood out to me down the stretch of this one. 

1.  Hope's 2nd half shot quality was really excellent, there's a reason they shot 62% in the second half and it was because they went inside relentlessly on the Britons resulting in easy buckets and many ft trips. 

2.  Hope's overall poise was just a shade better than Albion, tight game in the last few minutes and Albion threw up 2 or 3 less than quality shots when something else might have come open.  I really think the Britons are still unsure who to go to down the stretch on offense, whereas Hope went to Blackledge repeatedly.

3.   Lastly, the Britons have really struggled to get consistent stops against everyone I've seen them play  (OWU, LaCrosse, NCC and North Park all quality Hope comparisons) and tonight was no different.  I can't think of one  late 2nd half stop that was actually a good defensive play rather than a simple missed shot or careless turnover.


Albion played without their 6-8 string bean center Kurt Douglas who was in a boot and backup guard Arshawn Parker.  I should know better but I relaxed a bit when I saw Douglas in street clothes.  Quay Burks was terrific in probably the most action and best game he's played for the Brits in his place.  I'm kind of mixed on whether that's the best game I've seen Albion play this year, but it probably was.

I pretty much saw the game I expected to see.  It was "fun".


Hope:  Blackledge 27, Hawkins 19, Stuive 18, Carlson 11
Albion:  Branch 18, Wheeler 14, Zahran 14, Fordham 12

[sac]

Alma absolutely bombed Kzoo tonight with 20 3-point makes on 36 attempts.  Kzoo's been in pretty much every game they've played this year and given last years 2 close losses to Alma getting beat 107-63 is certainly a bit shocking.

Alma scored 107 points and shot 3 ft's.



Edit**   Kzoo may have lost leading scorer  Adam Dykema to a leg injury early in the second half up at Alma.  Not an injury that will be easy for the Hornets to overcome. 

[Young Knight 14]

Good win for Calvin last night.  Glad to see them pull out a W in a close game on the road to open up MIAA play.  I personally am a big fan of both Welch and Siegel taking minutes from Denney and Bykerk.  I think Welch is more physical than Bykerk which lead to more points in the paint for Calvin and foul trouble for Trine.  Siegel, who occasionally can seem out of control with the ball, has done nothing but good things over the past few games.  Interesting side notes: both teams committed fewer than 10 turnovers, Calvin shot better from the field than the free throw line, and Calvin's bench out scored Trine's 33-6.

[KnightSlappy]

Siegel, who occasionally can seem out of control with the ball, has done nothing but good things over the past few games.

I mentioned to Ziggy on an internet messaging platform that Siegel does not pass the eye test, but his recent production level will certainly play. I'm not 100% confident that it will hold up (though I hope it does).

I think Welch is more physical than Bykerk

[sac]

Stevens Point
http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2017/01/uw-stevens-point-bob-semling-suspended-postseason-ban

I'm not sure UWSP was ever going to rise to a ranking in the Central Region, but I assume this takes them out of that picture and will be one less shot at a ranked opponent for Hope.  Best bets now UW-River Falls and Williams

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Stevens Point
http://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2017/01/uw-stevens-point-bob-semling-suspended-postseason-ban

I'm not sure UWSP was ever going to rise to a ranking in the Central Region, but I assume this takes them out of that picture and will be one less shot at a ranked opponent for Hope.  Best bets now UW-River Falls and Williams

Well, they are also out of the WIAC tournament... thus, removing a lot of things in play including winning the title, but not able to participate in the NCAA tournament.