FB: Empire 8

[lewdogg11]

There are several proponents, including SJFC HC Paul Vosburgh, for a NYS "superconference".  RT aka Eric Ren has gone so far to propose structuring it like the SEC with both "East" and "West" sub-divisions.

Below is my take on one way it could play out (certainly won't be the last time this comes up):

NYS East Division:

1. Springfield*
2. WPI*
3. Saint Lawrence
4. Merchant Marine
5. Hartwick
6. RPI
7. Union

NYS West Division:

1. Hobart
2. Rochester
3. SJFC
4. Ithaca
5. Alfred
6. Utica
7.  Cortland (assuming they left the NJAC could be Buff St in lieu or in addition to CSU)

* Grandfathered in due to LL/E8 alignments

The set up This would still allow for minimum of 2 OOC games and could add a 10th or 11th game to some schedules when the champs of the "NYS East" or "NYS West" battle it out.  

I like the 'idea' of this, but it really throws a wrench into post-season activity, which kind of doesn't make it worth it.  Even if you have 2 AQ's but have a 'Super-Champion', everyone else would need the last week off in case they make that championship game, the 2 champs would be really playing for nothing other than bragging rights/higher seeding and it just kind of defeats the entire purpose in my opinion.

The NEFC's model works because they only deserve 1 AQ, but of those 14 teams, to only have 1 team assured of a playoff spot, that would be ridiculous, and to have the 2 AQ's basically start the playoffs with a war the week before, it hurts the East's chances of being successful in the playoffs quite a bit.

[bomber3]

Bombers -- Ithaca games aren't free.  I think it is $4 for an adult and student get in free.  Now if a person wanted to stroll on in without paying I don't think anyone would stop you but there definitely is a charge to get into Bomber home games.

Also, I love that conference idea but it won't happen in my lifetime.  And you could kiss Ithaca's winning season streak good bye within about 2-3 years too if that played out.

[DanPadavona]

Fact that Buff State found E8 acceptance is certainly a start. Now if only the rest of NYS could come together. Twas a dream of the late Cortland administrator Bob Weber who tried for years to get a Thruway conference in motion.

Very true Jere.  I just don't think Cortland is interested anymore and have found a home in the NJAC.  Depending on who you talk to, they had a very real offer on the table a few years ago and turned it down.  One of the assistant coaches tipped me off to it, but when I wrote about it, I upset some folks at SUNY.

I don't like the super conference idea either.  As was already brought up, it would be Pool C purgatory.  We'd send the Pool A champion, and everyone else would probably be sitting on 2 or 3 losses.  If we want to get more NYS teams into the tourney, then send a solid E8, NJAC, or LL squad to the ECFC and let them pwn their way to a 10-0 record.

In a perfect world...Springfield would join the NEFC and fight for numerous titles.  Two solid LL/E8 participants would join the ECFC and fight it out for a championship, while raising the level of the programs under them.  The E8, MAC and NJAC would send their champions.  And Eastern Region would have 5 solid championship teams (at least 1 undefeated) and 1 or 2 Pool C bids to split up.

[Jonny Utah]

Dan what you need to do is get the media involved so that NY taxpayers know their money is being spent on d3 overnight football trips to NJ!  That will get them out of that conference.

In all seriousness, the NJ schools should be included.  Every upstate team should be required to play one of them every year or two so they can fill their schedules.

And why not just add a 3rd or 4th east conference with the minumum amount of teams so you can guarantee 2 more pool a spots?

[jdex]

Going back in history, plenty of coaches thought a state conference had merit, but were shot down by administrations

We know a lot of stubbornness lingers on Cortland's part, and rightfully so. Am sure they feel a debt of gratitude to New Jersey. Still, travelling expenses do add up . . . in all seriousness

[Pat Coleman]

Turning to the "Irony of Ironies" Department, Pep finds it slightly amusing that the website that poked fun at Alfred folk for not initially realizing they were, as a #6 seed, actually HOSTING a first round game with East Region #3 seed SUNY-Maritime, would actually list on Alfred's team schedule that the game was played AT Maritime.

But then, more than likely, PC did that in jest.  

Not I. Was changed ex post facto.

11/20/2010 5:02 PM EST    [details] whitehouse@alfred.edu    Adding http://www.saxons.alfred.edu/stats/1339.htm (BS)   
11/21/2010 10:23 AM EST    [details] jguster@sunymaritime.edu    Home team changed to Maritime (N.Y.), Visitor team changed to Alfred, Score set to 0-60   
11/21/2010 10:25 AM EST    [details] jguster@sunymaritime.edu    The stat was update in event   

[Yanks 99]

Anyone else check out the 10 x Gagliaridi Finalists?  Most are pretty good...but there are two pretty weak finalists:


Quincy Daniels
Mary Hardin-Baylor senior running back, Belton, Texas
Playoff team's leading rusher with 922 yards and 15 TDs; rushed for 100-plus yards in six of his nine games. Team and American Southwest Conference career rushing leader. Business administration major received National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award. Active with local elementary mentor program and food drive.

Ben Wartman
St. Thomas senior running back, Prior Lake, Minn.
Rushed for 738 yards on playoff team despite missing two games to injury. Holds team scoring and rushing records. Finance major named as lone D-III recipient of National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award. On student-athlete advisory committee; volunteers with Special Olympics, toy drive.


Come on now...two running backs with under 1,000 yards rushing?  Stats don't mean everything...but a possible National Player of the Year award going to a guy who averages 92 yards rushing per game?  Or congrats...you rushed for 100 yards 6 times this year...let's add your name to the greats like Blake Elliott and Justin Beaver.  I am not putting these guys character into question...not at all...they all seem like outstanding young men who will all likely do great things in life.  But if the Gagliardi continues to go down this path of nominating quality guys who had "average" football years, they are going to eventually make themselves obsolete.  No one wants to see that happen...and if it does...it would be criminal...

[sjfcards]

Any AU fans making the trip to Cortland for the game this weekend?

[labart96]

This is where Pat usually chimes in to remind folks that the Gagliaridi isn't a "Heisman equilvalent" (i.e., best college football player).

It's a combo of football, academics, community service, etc. so football stats are only a third (at best) of the criteria that's being considered.

[Yanks 99]

This is where Pat usually chimes in to remind folks that the Gagliaridi isn't a "Heisman equilvalent" (i.e., best college football player).

It's a combo of football, academics, community service, etc. so football stats are only a third (at best) of the criteria that's being considered.

Well, if what you actually do on the football field is considered the 3rd most important criteria...then the award has become a joke.

[AUKaz00]

Any AU fans making the trip to Cortland for the game this weekend?

Pulling together a band right now.  You're welcome to join us if you want; we'll have extra kazoos or, better yet, any instrument you can play!

[saxontad]

Any AU fans making the trip to Cortland for the game this weekend?

I am.  I know many parents will be.  As I have said before, I am the old fart with the cane!!

On Saxon Warriors!!

[Yanks 99]

This is where Pat usually chimes in to remind folks that the Gagliaridi isn't a "Heisman equilvalent" (i.e., best college football player).

It's a combo of football, academics, community service, etc. so football stats are only a third (at best) of the criteria that's being considered.

Well, if what you actually do on the football field is considered the 3rd most important criteria...then the award has become a joke.

Straight from the Gagliardi website: "The Gagliardi Trophy was first presented in 1993. Since that time, the award has become one of the leading collegiate football awards and is widely recognized as the premier individual award in Division III football, honoring excellence in athletics, academics and community service."

Seems to me that excellene in athletics is their first criteria...not who serves the most meals in the soup kitchen.  Apparently "excellence" constitutes rushing for 92 yards a game...

[labart96]

This is where Pat usually chimes in to remind folks that the Gagliaridi isn't a "Heisman equilvalent" (i.e., best college football player).

It's a combo of football, academics, community service, etc. so football stats are only a third (at best) of the criteria that's being considered.

Well, if what you actually do on the football field is considered the 3rd most important criteria...then the award has become a joke.

That's not what I said - and I doubt anyone else would agree with you that the award for the most outstanding DIII football playing student-athlete is a joke.

[Yanks 99]

This is where Pat usually chimes in to remind folks that the Gagliaridi isn't a "Heisman equilvalent" (i.e., best college football player).

It's a combo of football, academics, community service, etc. so football stats are only a third (at best) of the criteria that's being considered.

Well, if what you actually do on the football field is considered the 3rd most important criteria...then the award has become a joke.

That's not what I said - and I doubt anyone else would agree with you that the award for the most outstanding DIII football playing student-athlete is a joke.

You are correct...I read that wrong about the "3rd most important".  I apologize about that.

I have said this for the past few years though...you should not have "average" guys up for this national award.  Excellence on the football field should be the #1 criteria.  You think Justin Beaver won the award because of his GPA?  Or because he did some local community work?  Or could it be that he left with a National Championship and the 11th highest rushing total in college football history?

What about Brett Elliott?  Did he win the award because he was a model citizen...or was it the National Championship and the record 61 TD passes he threw that year?

Use the other criteria to break a tie...