FB: Empire 8

[JQV]

Buff State may have seen it coming but was probably in denial.  When you are winning you figure that alone will bring kids to you.  Also, I think it is hard for coaches to evaluate their recruiting attributes because they are too close to the program.  It is the old "who wouldn't want to play for me?" mentality.

I also wonder just how good they really were back then.  They drummed IC a few years but, most of those games came the week after Cortaca (what an assanine schedule that was).  Maybe they read too much into beating during the inevitable hangover that comes out of Cortaca.  Who knows.  Bottom line, they are a shell of what they used to be.

[pg04]

Are there any Buff State posters on here to actually defend themselves? I haven't seen a Buff State poster in years.

[AUPepBand]

Yeah, it sounds rough eh?

But the demise of Buff State's program coincides directly with Brockport's improvement in the early 2000's, and Fisher's gigantic upgrade in facilities.

I think the demise started when Boyes left coaching for the AD job:

Jerry Boyes, director, Intercollegiate Athletics, received the Western New York College Football Meritorious Service Award in August for his 15 seasons of service as the Bengals' head football coach from 1986 to 2000. During that span, Buffalo State posted a record of 89-62. Over Boyes's final 10 seasons at the helm, his team went 78-28 and made 10-consecutive postseason appearances, including seven trips to the NCAA playoffs and three ECAC Bowl Championships.

IMO the coaching staff has much more to do with recruiting success than any of the aforementioned factors. After all, no one has mentioned AU for its fabulous facilities, its phabulous P.E. program (none), pretty price (although its annually list among top values), so why the heck do 75 to 80 freshmen go over the river and through the woods to play football at a college in the hills in the middle of nowhere. No wait, "middle" makes it sound too central. It's more like "off on the far edge of nowhere."

[bomber27]

Superman,

While Ithaca's architecture is lacking, nothing beats sitting in the stands before my first friday night meeting and looking out at the Finger lakes.  besides running out of the tunnel on my first cortaca jug game.  The atmosphere is unmatched.  Who are the Bills anyway, CFL?

[fisheralum91]

I gotta tell you,
When i was at Fisher-allbeit 15+years ago- the campus was nothing to rave about...
Since however- i have been back only once- and it is unreal the growth that has taken place!

[aufan]

AUPepBand,  Any word on Julio? 

[theicdubbz]

real quick on the campus appearances... here is a quick summary of what IC is building in the next two years. http://www.ithaca.edu/ithacan/expansion/ I have already posted about the new athletics center that will be built within the next 4 years.   

I have seen Fisher multiple times and it seems significantly smaller than IC.  Is IC the largest school in the E8?  If so, thats a plus and minus in recruiting. meening too big or too small in the view of the athlete.

[fisheralum91]

Hey dubbz!
Fisher may look smaller in campus size- but what lies beneath is the ability to expand across the street-
Even if it means taking over the golf course.

Plenty of room there- yet a little tight now on the other side!

[AUPepBand]

AUPepBand,  Any word on Julio? 

Sadly, nothing new to report.  Keep praying.

[superman57]

while the campus is small that's what makes it so beautiful, A) It takes 10 minutes max to walk from the furthest dorms to classes, B) while I have been there they try very hard to keep up the campus looking nice,  When I say that I didn't like the Ithaca college, it has nothing to do with the scenery the view is great, but all the buildings look alike so I think that takes away from the overall campus Ithaca is Gorges, but IC is not in my opinion, and that is only my opinion, everyone has different things they look for, when I went to fisher for the first time I knew that it was the school for me.  And I believe that RIT might be the biggest school in the e8

[gobombers]

While I can hardly believe I am debating architecture on the E8 boards, IC's campus is much nicer than it used to be, given that a lot of the buildings were dating from the 60s.  The old Terrace Dorms before the facelift were absolutely hideous.

I do have to say the groundskeeping was always great.  The change of flowers every 5 days at the Campus Center reminded me where all my tuition was going!

Boyes moving to the AD role had a devastating impact on Buff State's program, as they were very, very good for a number of years, and even stole some "Little Red" kids out from under our nose if I remember correctly.

[fisheralum91]

Superman-
RIT may be the biggest - yet ugliest campus in the league---hands down!

[FLA10]

Having played at Ithaca a few times I have to say that there is no better game day atmosphere.  Even being the away team, it was a great place to play.

[fisheralum91]

Has AU improved as well?
All I remember was the "brady bunch backyard" turf that turned your arms and leg into instant road rash!

[FLA10]

As of last year it was that same old "blow out your knee" turf