FB: Empire 8

[saxontad]

I hope it's Coach Puccio for the Saxons.  Coach Murray did such a good job over the years.  Best wishes Coach.  We'll never forget you.

On Saxon Warriors!!

[MooseKnuckles]

   Thanks all for the input on Utica.  I agree with "Utes"...would like to see graduation rates of only football players in 4-6 years.  Nevertheless, it appears Utica has some work to do in the Empire 8 "classroom".  Speaking of the Empire 8, I saw that Brockport will join in 2014.  How does that work?  Do they tell Frostburg or Salisbury to move along?  In that same vein, why does Cortland play in the NJAC?  I think the Empire 8 is considered one of the tougher DIII football conferences.  Cortland is usually tough as well and would fit right in.  I'm sure the idea of an all NY Empire 8 is enticing to many fans.  Many factors to consider with travel, costs, etc.  What about Hobart?  Have they ever shown an interest in joining?  What are you guys thoughts on an all NY Empire 8?

Welcome to the boards mooseknuckles.......

As far as the E8, I think Salisbury and Frostburg were always going to be looked at as temporary members.  And I don't think they would ever be asked to leave, they did the league a favor in the first place and are probably welcome to stay as long as they want.

Cortland will probably want to stay in the NJAC, as it is filled with similar schools, and I would also add that you don't want to have every league have all the great teams.  Balance is nice.

The all NY d3 league discussion has been beaten like 1000 dead horses, and will basically not happen.

Hobart isn't going anywhere, they are in a upstate league for the most part anyway.

   Lotsa Empire 8 changes happening...don't feel so bad for being a dead horse beater now.  So if Frostburg and Salisbury are out and Brockport, Cortland and Morrisville are in that makes nine.  Hobart should join the party.  What to name the new conference?  "The Not So Big 10", "The Empire X" (Yes...as in roman numeral), "The Upstate Association of 10"...anybody else?

[dlippiel]

The TOGT11 ("...this one goes to 11) Conference!

[AUPepBand]

   Thanks all for the input on Utica.  I agree with "Utes"...would like to see graduation rates of only football players in 4-6 years.  Nevertheless, it appears Utica has some work to do in the Empire 8 "classroom".  Speaking of the Empire 8, I saw that Brockport will join in 2014.  How does that work?  Do they tell Frostburg or Salisbury to move along?  In that same vein, why does Cortland play in the NJAC?  I think the Empire 8 is considered one of the tougher DIII football conferences.  Cortland is usually tough as well and would fit right in.  I'm sure the idea of an all NY Empire 8 is enticing to many fans.  Many factors to consider with travel, costs, etc.  What about Hobart?  Have they ever shown an interest in joining?  What are you guys thoughts on an all NY Empire 8?

Welcome to the boards mooseknuckles.......

As far as the E8, I think Salisbury and Frostburg were always going to be looked at as temporary members.  And I don't think they would ever be asked to leave, they did the league a favor in the first place and are probably welcome to stay as long as they want.

Cortland will probably want to stay in the NJAC, as it is filled with similar schools, and I would also add that you don't want to have every league have all the great teams.  Balance is nice.

The all NY d3 league discussion has been beaten like 1000 dead horses, and will basically not happen.

Hobart isn't going anywhere, they are in a upstate league for the most part anyway.

   Lotsa Empire 8 changes happening...don't feel so bad for being a dead horse beater now.  So if Frostburg and Salisbury are out and Brockport, Cortland and Morrisville are in that makes nine.  Hobart should join the party.  What to name the new conference?  "The Not So Big 10", "The Empire X" (Yes...as in roman numeral), "The Upstate Association of 10"...anybody else?

Pep never liked a conference adopting a number in its name because it looks silly when the number of members changes. And, of course, the Empire 8 currently has NINE members (albeit Houghton College is a provisional member dependent on their acceptance into the NCAA), five of which field football teams.

The addition of Buffalo State in 2012, Brockport State in 2014 and Cortland and Morrisville States in 2015 as associate members for football only, (plus the departure in 2015 of Frostburg and Salisbury States) will leave the Empire 8 Football Conference with nine members.

Should Stevens ever decide all the travel of its teams through the cow pastures of Western New York is too costly and join the CUNY or another nearby conference, the Empire 8, assuming the successful addition of Houghton, will bring it back to eight and will have only institutions from the Empire State. Then it could become the Empire State Conference but at this juncture, who wants another name change?

[saxontad]

Pep,


I am delighted that Bob Rankl is going to lead the Saxon program.  Do you know if Coach Puccio is staying on??

On Saxon Warriors!! 

[AUPepBand]

Pep,


I am delighted that Bob Rankl is going to lead the Saxon program.  Do you know if Coach Puccio is staying on??

On Saxon Warriors!!

saxontad:
Sent you a PM.

On Saxon Warriors!

[AUPepBand]

Pep is happy to report that the Saxons have picked up a tenth game for the 2014 season as the Husson Eagles will be visiting Yunevich Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6. Will be good for AU to get a home game under their belt before traveling to RPI. While some will say Alfred picked up a cupcake, Pep would argue that with Gabby Price on the sidelines again, the Eagles went from 2-8 in 2012 to 5-5 in 2013.

Alfred has met Husson twice before, winning 24-7 in Bangor, ME in 2006 and taking a 53-21 game at Merrill Field in 2007.

On Saxon Warriors!

[Bombers798891]

While some will say Alfred picked up a cupcake, Pep would argue that with Gabby Price on the sidelines again, the Eagles went from 2-8 in 2012 to 5-5 in 2013.

Playing a middle of the pack ECFC team at home isn't a cupcake?

[AUPepBand]

While some will say Alfred picked up a cupcake, Pep would argue that with Gabby Price on the sidelines again, the Eagles went from 2-8 in 2012 to 5-5 in 2013.

Playing a middle of the pack ECFC team at home isn't a cupcake?

Considering the fact it was slim pickin's to get a 10th game, Pep is just happy to have a home opener---cupcake or not!

[Upstate]

Fisher picked up a cupcake this year in Alfred State....

I'm not sure if they're a fully accredited D3 program yet or not, either way that game is going to get ugly quick...

Fisher also has a week 2 BYE after facing Otterbein at Growney in week 1...

[D3MAFAN]

Fisher picked up a cupcake this year in Alfred State....

I'm not sure if they're a fully accredited D3 program yet or not, either way that game is going to get ugly quick...

Fisher also has a week 2 BYE after facing Otterbein at Growney in week 1...

Has Alfred finish completing their schedule? I notice that Alfred State plays Newport News Apprentice twice, once in October and again in November on dates that are currently open for Alfred. Hopefully, Alfred and Alfred State can play this year.

[AUPepBand]

Fisher picked up a cupcake this year in Alfred State....

I'm not sure if they're a fully accredited D3 program yet or not, either way that game is going to get ugly quick...

Fisher also has a week 2 BYE after facing Otterbein at Growney in week 1...

Wow! St. John Fisher will be playing across the street (Time TBA) when the Saxons are hosting Frostburg State with a 12 noon kickoff. Heck, if they make it a night game, Pep can catch TWO D3 games in one day encountering just ONE traffic light in his travels.

Incidentally, Alfred is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the installation of the one-and-only traffic light on June 6. The light was first installed in early June 1974, about the time Pep got his driver's license, perhaps in an attempt to slow Pep down on the drive to AACS.

On Saxon Warriors!

D3MAFAN-MG: Alfred University has 10 games on the 2014 schedule. And, it is Pep's understanding that current administration at AU would rather not have the Saxons and Pioneers meet on the gridiron in this two-bar, one-traffic-light town.

[sjfcards]

Fisher picked up a cupcake this year in Alfred State....

I'm not sure if they're a fully accredited D3 program yet or not, either way that game is going to get ugly quick...

Fisher also has a week 2 BYE after facing Otterbein at Growney in week 1...

I am with Pep on this cupcake thing. If the alternative for Fisher was a 9 game schedule, than I am happy with the Alfred State game. If they turned down a more traditional opponent that would make me scratch my head a little. Better to play anyone than no one. 

Either way, I was pumped that the schedule came out and gave me an excuse to have some D3 football discussion. My wife always hates when the Fisher schedule is released, and when the new rosters are posted on the webpage. She knows it means I am going to spend the next day (at least) checking YouTube videos and discussing football at length.

[D3MAFAN]

Fisher picked up a cupcake this year in Alfred State....

I'm not sure if they're a fully accredited D3 program yet or not, either way that game is going to get ugly quick...

Fisher also has a week 2 BYE after facing Otterbein at Growney in week 1...

Wow! St. John Fisher will be playing across the street (Time TBA) when the Saxons are hosting Frostburg State with a 12 noon kickoff. Heck, if they make it a night game, Pep can catch TWO D3 games in one day encountering just ONE traffic light in his travels.

Incidentally, Alfred is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the installation of the one-and-only traffic light on June 6. The light was first installed in early June 1974, about the time Pep got his driver's license, perhaps in an attempt to slow Pep down on the drive to AACS.

On Saxon Warriors!

D3MAFAN-MG: Alfred University has 10 games on the 2014 schedule. And, it is Pep's understanding that current administration at AU would rather not have the Saxons and Pioneers meet on the gridiron in this two-bar, one-traffic-light town.

Who does Alfred play for the 10th game, D3 Football only has 9 games.

[Pat Coleman]

They just added Husson and Husson hasn't posted all the games to its schedule yet.