FB: Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

I don't mind seeing the best two teams in the country play at the end.  Its usually a great game too.  I'm looking forward to it.

At the end of the day, I take some solace in that. As nice as upsets/variety is, there's a lot to be said for having the consensus two best teams in the country in the title game

Pep is happy to see the top two play for the walnut and bronze as well....knowing full well that the Saxons, just like the Cardinals, Bombers, Red Dragons, etal had their shot at the Mount.

And as Pep types, Coach Murray is likely out on the road making up for lost time in trying to land the student-athletes who will get the Saxons closer to the top.

Anyone ever take a look at Mount Union's roster? Without spending a lot of time, a quick count revealed 14 players from the state of Florida, players from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, California...NEW YORK! And there were also "a few" from Ohio.

A look at Whitewater's roster shows most players from Wisconsin or Illinois.

On Saxon Warriors!

[Doid23]

But the football coach in me loves watching these two programs play in that final game.  I don't mind seeing the best two teams in the country play at the end.  Its usually a great game too.  I'm looking forward to it.

Always agree with that sentiment. But sometimes (ok, always) it feels like they're the ONLY two teams in the country. Part of me says thank god for UWW. Interesting breakdown of the hometowns.

[fisheralum91]

I have heard rumblings that date back a ways that it had been mentioned that Fisher would never be the next Mt. Union, because President Bain wanted to focus on  academics.  While i understand that there is a strong focus on the academics,
I find it hard to believe that rumor to be true as Fisher is, I speak, in the middle of yet another multi million dollar athletic complex expansion.

[Pat Coleman]

Anyone ever take a look at Mount Union's roster? Without spending a lot of time, a quick count revealed 14 players from the state of Florida, players from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, California...NEW YORK! And there were also "a few" from Ohio.

This is a relatively recent development, by the way. A decade ago you would have been hard-pressed to find a key contributor from outside Ohio or Western PA.

[seventiesraider]

Anyone ever take a look at Mount Union's roster? Without spending a lot of time, a quick count revealed 14 players from the state of Florida, players from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, California...NEW YORK! And there were also "a few" from Ohio.

This is a relatively recent development, by the way. A decade ago you would have been hard-pressed to find a key contributor from outside Ohio or Western PA.

Agreed, I remember how unusual Rex (Chris)  Kern was, being from the St John's area of Minnesota. With the national exposure has come a wider area of recruiting with kids showing up from California or even out of the country for a look around campus. Recruiting has also changed drastically with football fairs all around Florida and other states. There is also the self marketing tool of YouTube where kids send their video all over free of charge.

A quick count of the number of colleges and universities in Ohio will point out that only a fool would sit back and see who shows up. Competition for students is very tough in Ohio and as a college parent currently, I'm happy with the buyer's market

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Anyone ever take a look at Mount Union's roster? Without spending a lot of time, a quick count revealed 14 players from the state of Florida, players from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, California...NEW YORK! And there were also "a few" from Ohio.

This is a relatively recent development, by the way. A decade ago you would have been hard-pressed to find a key contributor from outside Ohio or Western PA.

Agreed, I remember how unusual Rex Kern was, being from the St John's area of Minnesota. With the national exposure has come a wider area of recruiting with kids showing up from California or even out of the country for a look around campus. Recruiting has also changed drastically with football fairs all around Florida and other states. There is also the self marketing tool of YouTube where kids send their video all over free of charge.

I quick count of the number of colleges and universities in Ohio will point out that only a fool would sit back and see who shows up. Competition for students is very tough in Ohio and as a college parent currently, I'm happy with the buyer's market

Chris Kern?

[seventiesraider]

Oooppps, Chris Kern

[AUPepBand]

Anyone ever take a look at Mount Union's roster? Without spending a lot of time, a quick count revealed 14 players from the state of Florida, players from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, California...NEW YORK! And there were also "a few" from Ohio.

This is a relatively recent development, by the way. A decade ago you would have been hard-pressed to find a key contributor from outside Ohio or Western PA.

Back in the late 1980s, early 1990s, Alfred had an AU grad and, Pep believes, former assistant coach, who made some nice contacts with Florida kids. At the time, there wasn't a lot of opportunity in that state to play if one didn't get recruited by Florida State, Miami or the Gator program. For a state with highly competitive high school football programs, Pep can't think of a single Florida D3 football program. Perhaps Coach Murray needs to spend some time in Florida...

Incidentally, one of those Florida recruits is now in the AU Sports Hall of Fame...Paul McDonnell, who hailed from Avon Park, FL where Pep now has three retired uncles (and their wives), sons of the longtime voice of Merrill Field.

On Saxon Warriors!

[seventiesraider]

Ohio colleges and universities have long been a haven of east coast kids. Given the population, there simply aren't enough schools in the east. My freshman roommates were from Rumson NJ and Wellesley, MA. BTW, I was an Omaha Westside High School grad. Nothing new or clandestine about the enrollment  

[HScoach]

Anyone ever take a look at Mount Union's roster? Without spending a lot of time, a quick count revealed 14 players from the state of Florida, players from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, California...NEW YORK! And there were also "a few" from Ohio.

This is a relatively recent development, by the way. A decade ago you would have been hard-pressed to find a key contributor from outside Ohio or Western PA.

The increase in the number of out-of-state kids are also a result of the large number of ex-Mount guys that played for Kehres that are now HS coaches around the country. 

[labart96]

Anyone ever take a look at Mount Union's roster? Without spending a lot of time, a quick count revealed 14 players from the state of Florida, players from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, California...NEW YORK! And there were also "a few" from Ohio.

This is a relatively recent development, by the way. A decade ago you would have been hard-pressed to find a key contributor from outside Ohio or Western PA.

The increase in the number of out-of-state kids are also a result of the large number of ex-Mount guys that played for Kehres that are now HS coaches around the country. 

Being on ESPN every year for the past 10 years probably doesn't hurt recruiting either.....

[AUKaz00]

Finally got my Christmas shopping done for Pep.  A year truly fitting of "best of" status for the Saxons...

[sjfcards]

Happy holidays to all of the Empire 8 posters. Enjoy the time with family and friends.

[maxpower]

Merry Christmas!

[AUPepBand]

Silent night after night after night after night....

Anybody out there?