FB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Sabretooth Tiger]

What's the scoop on "POOL C"?  Will any of the SCIAC teams be in contention for a pool c bid?   I just heard this term over the weekend and haven't looked into it yet.....I'm sure you guys can fill me in faster than I can track down the information!  LOL

Highly unlikely.  Oxy is unranked in the region.  Cal Lu is 8, Redlands is 9 . . . either one losing will drop their ranking . . . limited # of bids . . . no pool C for the second place sciac team.

Tooth you forget that a Redlands win and Cal Lu loss would help Redlands in the race as Redlands needs that for a Pool C bid.  Redlands would slide into that 8 spot.  This would be the year that the SCIAC would have a serious bid for a Pool C bid.  If UWW gets shipped out that would open a spot.  The likelyhood of a rematch would exist.  You could see an IIAC team or MIAC team shipped out to play Linfield and the Cali teams would get to fight it out again keeping it a one flight bracket.  I don't know if that will happen but it is possible for two SCIAC teams to get there. 

excellent points

[stoonk]

If SAturday would just get here a little bit faster we wouldn;t have to worry about any of this!

Kingsmen4 ask for a purple tee shirt and found one for you! Will give it to you Saturday .No writing on it -just plain purple! Will look for you in East endzone with your buddy D.H.

[OxyBob]

I don't know if that will happen but it is possible for two SCIAC teams to get there. 

Every year the same silly discussion.

Two SCIAC teams have never made it to the playoffs, and this year will be no different. If CLU beats Redlands then CLU is in and Redlands is out. If Redlands beats CLU and Oxy beats Whittier then CLU is in and Redlands is out. If Redlands beats CLU and Whittier beats Oxy then Redlands is in and CLU is out. Even if the unprecedented occurred and the selection committee took both UR and CLU, then guess what? It'd be CLU @ Redlands in Round 1, with the winner likely playing @ Linfield in Round 2.

Sorry to interrupt. You can now go back to your fantasy playoffs match-ups.

OxyBob

[Gray Fox]

Sorry to interrupt. You can now go back to your fantasy playoffs match-ups.
OxyBob

Are you telling us that the NCAA Selection Committee doesn't read our posts?

[jdD3FBfan]

I don't know if that will happen but it is possible for two SCIAC teams to get there. 

Every year the same silly discussion.

Two SCIAC teams have never made it to the playoffs, and this year will be no different. If CLU beats Redlands then CLU is in and Redlands is out. If Redlands beats CLU and Oxy beats Whittier then CLU is in and Redlands is out. If Redlands beats CLU and Whittier beats Oxy then Redlands is in and CLU is out. Even if the unprecedented occurred and the selection committee took both UR and CLU, then guess what? It'd be CLU @ Redlands in Round 1, with the winner likely playing @ Linfield in Round 2.

Sorry to interrupt. You can now go back to your fantasy playoffs match-ups.

OxyBob

Well I guess I will choose to "fantasize" that there is a SLIM CHANCE of the Bulldogs getting a POOL C Bid.  It will make my 7 hour drive down south a little more interesting!!!!  LOL  I guess I should just take pleasure in knowing how hard it will be for Oxy to have to cheer on Redlands for a peice of the "Championship Pie"!  Okay, now I'm starting to sound like you guys.  What happened to my positive attitude?  No more blogging for me.......

[DutchFan2004]

I don't know if that will happen but it is possible for two SCIAC teams to get there. 

Every year the same silly discussion.

Two SCIAC teams have never made it to the playoffs, and this year will be no different. If CLU beats Redlands then CLU is in and Redlands is out. If Redlands beats CLU and Oxy beats Whittier then CLU is in and Redlands is out. If Redlands beats CLU and Whittier beats Oxy then Redlands is in and CLU is out. Even if the unprecedented occurred and the selection committee took both UR and CLU, then guess what? It'd be CLU @ Redlands in Round 1, with the winner likely playing @ Linfield in Round 2.

Sorry to interrupt. You can now go back to your fantasy playoffs match-ups.

OxyBob

So you are saying that it is not possible?  I would argue with the number of teams that have two losses it is possible.  I don't think it is likely, but if the NCAA ever wants to look impartial and give the SCIAC a pool C bid it is this year.  How many years does the SCIAC have two teams with one loss?  You are the SCIAC stat man so you should have the knowledge about such things.  With Redlands winning they would jump the AQ in the SCIAC in the regional rankings to #8.  With UWW moving to the North (if that happens) that now would put them at #7 so if the NCAA ever wants that monkey off their back they could send a different team to Linfield  keeping the NWC/SCIAC matchup for the second round and they look more even handed.  I know this doesn't seem real likely and I would put this at about a 20% chance and that is assuming that Redlands wins.  If Redlands does not win it is not even possible. 

[jdD3FBfan]

Seniors' last game

"When you're playing for the final time in front of your home crowd, or taking the field for the last time, period, it makes it seem like those four years went by awfully quickly.

The extremely lucky among us may get 60-game careers, but for most, that number is closer to 40. For NESCAC teams, it's a scant 32. Add in the fact that one or two or three of those years might be spent waiting in the wings for a chance to start, and a football season is one to cherish.

As Around the Nation often repeats, there are few opportunities in tackle football after the college days are done. Flag football doesn't quite simulate the game like a rec league might for ex-baseball or basketball players. A college football career is fleeting.

So take a second to enjoy it all as the last Saturday or two approaches. The last practice, the last tailgate, the last chance to drive in the morning of the game to see your son play. However you enjoy the Division III game, we hope you won't leave us for good, but we realize you might never be as close to the game as you are now. Although Division III players don't really do it for the recognition, now's a great time to tell someone you enjoyed watching them play or lining up alongside them. Any ex-player will tell you. The moments come and go.

Although the yearly turnover helps keep the college game from stagnating, it's cruel almost. As soon as you begin to master the game, your 40 chances are up, and graduation is here.

As you take the field (or your seats) on Saturday, remember -- enjoy." Keith McMillan

Thanks Keith for reminding us what "ALL" the seniors will be feeling this weekend!

[D O.C.]

Are you telling us that the NCAA Selection Committee doesn't read our posts?

Yes. Just OxyBob's.

[Nihon Tiger]

Well, if the selection committee reads Michelle Gardener's articles, the Bulldogs should be a playoff shoe-in!  Then they would know that it was injuries that caused the close game with Chapman, and bad officiating that led to the Oxy loss, etc. 

In all seriousness, I think that if Redlands beats Cal-Lu, they should be in the playoffs.  I'm not saying they will make the playoffs, just that in my opinion they should.  One overtime loss in 9 games, with a win over Whitworth (and Cal-Lu in this scenario) in the regular season is a good resume.  Their resume would be just as good as Willamette's, but without the extra loss.

Also, since the SCIAC has lost in the first round so many times, I think from now on we should get to take the best 2 players from the SCIAC's other teams to playoffs, just like in youth soccer and Mighty Ducks 2.  How hilarious and awesome would that be?  Who would you take?

My opinion:

CLU could take Selway or a reciever from Redlands and either Groh/Wertheimer from Oxy.  Would suck trying to have Selway learn the offense in 1 week...

Redlands could take Stuart from CLU and Groh/Wertheimer.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Are you telling us that the NCAA Selection Committee doesn't read our posts?

Yes. Just OxyBob's.

Well, that alone could explain why the SCIAC gets no Pool C bids!

[1Buckeye]

Doing some research.  My son is a high school senior.  He has visited some SCIAC schools.  He likes the campus and academics at Claremont.  What's the story with the football program?  Seems to be in low to middle of conference and coach has been there for a long time.  Any insight??
Thanks.

[Nihon Tiger]

Hi 1Buckeye,

     I played against Claremont in the '05-'08 seasons for Occidental College.  I'll try to help you with as much info as I can.  The first thing I would suggest is to check the D3football.com team page and Claremont's athletic website, which it sounds like you've probably already done.

Claremont is probably the #2 academic school in the SCIAC, with Pomona at #1, Occidental at #3, and the rest a bit farther down.  Their team is usually respectable, but hasn't had a legitimate shot at a league title in a long, long time.  They rarely if ever beat Oxy, Cal Lutheran, or Redlands, the league's top teams.  Sometimes they have trouble beating the bottom teams such as rival Pomona or La Verne as well. 

I'm not really sure the reasons for Claremont's inability to be competetive in the SCIAC.  Could be coaching, could be difficulties recruiting with tough admissions standards.  There is no reason to expect a change anytime soon though.

As far as the coach being there a long time, D3 schools aren't like D1 or NFL teams where coaching positions are constantly changing.  D3 coaches have a lot more longevity in general, and its not always necessarily an idicator of coaching prowess.

One thing to take into account is that Claremont's other athletic teams are usually among the best in the SCIAC, so if your son is interested in doubling up and playing basketball, track, rugby, baseball etc. Claremont is probably a good choice.

My opinion is that if your son wants to play on an average SCIAC football team and go to a great academic school, and is ok with going 5-4 or 4-5 every year, Claremont is a good choice.  That's not an insult either, I think the D3 experience is worthwhile even on a middling team.  If winning a league championship and playing on an excellent football team is your son's wish, look at Oxy, Redlands, or CLU.

I will do a little bit of Alma Mater promotion and tell you that Oxy has won 4 of the last 5 league championships, is a similar academic school to Claremont, and often competes with them for recruits/students.  To prove my point a bit: I actually know of a pair of brothers and another set of twin sisters from the past couple years, where one of brothers/sisters attended CMS and the other Oxy in each case, if that makes sense.  The brothers both played football too.  Your son should take a look at Oxy if he hasn't already.

[Kingsmen4]

Doing some research.  My son is a high school senior.  He has visited some SCIAC schools.  He likes the campus and academics at Claremont.  What's the story with the football program?  Seems to be in low to middle of conference and coach has been there for a long time.  Any insight??
Thanks.

Spend a Friday and Saturday at CLU's campus and you would be hard pressed to want to go back to Eagle Rock (The arm pit of Pasadena), Redlands (San Bernardino...enough said), or Claremont (same story). Just my feelings 

The academics are not as highly revered as Claremont's, Oxy's, or Pomona's, but not many schools on the west coast are - those are top notch academic institutions. The best part about CLU's academics is the professors and staff. If you talk to anyone familiar with the school, they will tell you that the professors have relevant and current real world experience to draw from in their teachings. Business professors are former/current CEO's, CPA's, Marketing Directors, etc. English and Religion professors are published authors and esteemed figures. Science professors are ...well, scientists? Most of all, they are all approachable and willing to do whatever it takes to cater to your style of learning. Meeting outside of class for tutoring, advice, etc. is not uncommon and actually encouraged. I still communicate with many of my professors today and bounce business ideas off of them – and going through the process of transitioning from a student to a working graduate I received open help and advice from counselors and professors that I never had classes with or had previously met.

As far as football goes, I can't speak on anything I did not experience myself, so I won't comment on the other programs in the SCIAC (accept that I beat every single one of them while I was there) ;-). I can tell you that the coaching staff at CLU is unlike anywhere else. Coach Mac is the most down to earth, honest coach I have ever played for. He doesn't sell dreams and build up the program or school to something it isn't, he just tells it like it is. The rest of the coaching staff is about as diverse as it gets. Old school, new school, from all over the country, some cal-lu alum, some not. The coaches realize that the players are what make the team, and they give them that respect to run the team as their own - but step in when need be. The players are pretty interesting. Very diverse backgrounds, but everyone gets along and loves to play football with one another. There is a strong group of leadership that gets passed down, beyond just the 4 captains each year (leadership is an emphasis for all players). Also, I guarantee you will not find another group of characters that you will find at CLU – coaching staff, players, alumni, fans – if you don't get anything from being a part of CLU football, you will get a laugh I guarantee you that.

When it comes to location and loving where you are going to school (at the end of the day, football and academics are great, but if you don't like the area you are in, you won't get a positive college experience) CLU is a great place to be. Beautiful campus and community, and close to everything that is LA (Hollywood, Malibu, TRAFFIC) without being IN it. Very diverse group of students, with a laid back yet focused atmosphere. The athletes make up a large part of the student population, all getting along well and supporting each other. 

Needless to say, I looked very hard into many of the SCIAC schools, as well as places like USD in San Diego, and schools back east - and I could not have been happier with my experience at CLU.

I suggest making the trip out to Thousand Oaks this Saturday if you haven't already, it will be a great day to see what CLU is all about - there will be around 100 parents and alumni in the park next to the field tailgating after the game that would love to tell you how great the CLU family is!


GO LU

[jdD3FBfan]

Doing some research.  My son is a high school senior.  He has visited some SCIAC schools.  He likes the campus and academics at Claremont.  What's the story with the football program?  Seems to be in low to middle of conference and coach has been there for a long time.  Any insight??
Thanks.

The academics are not as highly revered as Claremont's, Oxy's, or Pomona's, but not many schools on the west coast are - those are top notch academic institutions. The best part about CLU's academics is the professors and staff. If you talk to anyone familiar with the school, they will tell you that the professors have relevant and current real world experience to draw from in their teachings. Business professors are former/current CEO's, CPA's, Marketing Directors, etc. English and Religion professors are published authors and esteemed figures. Science professors are ...well, scientists? Most of all, they are all approachable and willing to do whatever it takes to cater to your style of learning. Meeting outside of class for tutoring, advice, etc. is not uncommon and actually encouraged. I still communicate with many of my professors today and bounce business ideas off of them – and going through the process of transitioning from a student to a working graduate I received open help and advice from counselors and professors that I never had classes with or had previously met.

As far as football goes, I can't speak on anything I did not experience myself, so I won't comment on the other programs in the SCIAC (accept that I beat every single one of them while I was there) ;-). I can tell you that the coaching staff at CLU is unlike anywhere else. Coach Mac is the most down to earth, honest coach I have ever played for. He doesn't sell dreams and build up the program or school to something it isn't, he just tells it like it is. The rest of the coaching staff is about as diverse as it gets. Old school, new school, from all over the country, some cal-lu alum, some not. The coaches realize that the players are what make the team, and they give them that respect to run the team as their own - but step in when need be. The players are pretty interesting. Very diverse backgrounds, but everyone gets along and loves to play football with one another. There is a strong group of leadership that gets passed down, beyond just the 4 captains each year (leadership is an emphasis for all players). Also, I guarantee you will not find another group of characters that you will find at CLU – coaching staff, players, alumni, fans – if you don't get anything from being a part of CLU football, you will get a laugh I guarantee you that.

When it comes to location and loving where you are going to school (at the end of the day, football and academics are great, but if you don't like the area you are in, you won't get a positive college experience) CLU is a great place to be. Beautiful campus and community, and close to everything that is LA (Hollywood, Malibu, TRAFFIC) without being IN it. Very diverse group of students, with a laid back yet focused atmosphere. The athletes make up a large part of the student population, all getting along well and supporting each other. 

Needless to say, I looked very hard into many of the SCIAC schools, as well as places like USD in San Diego, and schools back east - and I could not have been happier with my experience at CLU.

I suggest making the trip out to Thousand Oaks this Saturday if you haven't already, it will be a great day to see what CLU is all about - there will be around 100 parents and alumni in the park next to the field tailgating after the game that would love to tell you how great the CLU family is!


GO LU

Well we visited EVERY SINGLE SCIAC college once before the recruiting process and then AGAIN for recruiting weekends (some schools a couple of times).  My son was initially leaning towards Claremont, Oxy & Chapman.  The only thing that bothered him was that he felt when he asked the coaches questions he got the same answers no matter what school he was at.  I'll be honest, there is no way in Hell I thought he would end up at Redlands (or any school that wasn't by a beach!!!!) I'd have bet money he would have ended up at Cal Poly sitting on the bench), but he was so drawn to the honestly of the Redlands coaching staff he just couldn't let it go! He applied and was accepted at 25 schools (not all had football teams)!  He knew if he wanted to play football he would have to narrow down the field to DIV III and DIV II teams so slowly the list got SHORTER.

It was a very STRESSFUL time in all OF OUR LIVES! He ultimately picked Redlands because when we were at one of their recruiting weekends  all the "incoming freshmen" were obsessed with how much playing time they were going to get (which seemed like a standard topic of conversation at recruiting weekends) the Redlands Coaches were the ONLY ones who said....."We'll be honest......it's not impossible, but it's not likely any freshmen will get significant playing time if any"!  The room would go quiet and I thought....wow, that's a really good way NOT to get players to pick your school, talk about bursting their little bubbles!!!!!!! Especially these players who were the "STARS" of their High School teams.  We did two recruiting weekends at Redlands and both times the reaction in the room was the same..........SHOCK! 

When I expressed that to my son he said, "Hey, at least they are honest and they said it was possible, just not likely"!  He'd talked to players at other "overnighters" and they were promised the world and were still sitting on the bench.  He said, "Mom, if you are good enough you will play, if not, you'd better work a little harder"! So I think his "FOOTBALL ATTITUDE" was a good fit for Redlands. 

I think your son will make the right decision for "HIM"!  If possible I would visit the schools as many times as possible.  Do the "overnight" recruiting weekends and he'll know where he fits in.  Utlimately we let our son decide.  If I had my choice he would be at Williamette or Linfield (I'm an Oregon girl!)  He's never second guessed his decision and he has been fortunate to get a lot of playing time as a freshmen (so it is possible)!

Good luck to you and your son.  I think you can find positive things about every school and football program if you have an open mind!  Where ever they end up will become "THE BEST SCHOOL EVER" to them anyway!

[jdD3FBfan]

Well, if the selection committee reads Michelle Gardener's articles, the Bulldogs should be a playoff shoe-in!  Then they would know that it was injuries that caused the close game with Chapman, and bad officiating that led to the Oxy loss, etc. 

In all seriousness, I think that if Redlands beats Cal-Lu, they should be in the playoffs.  I'm not saying they will make the playoffs, just that in my opinion they should.  One overtime loss in 9 games, with a win over Whitworth (and Cal-Lu in this scenario) in the regular season is a good resume.  Their resume would be just as good as Willamette's, but without the extra loss.

I like the way you are thinking!