FB: Empire 8

AUPepBand · December 22, 2006, 10:48:36 PM

Alfred at one time had some Florida kids on its roster. An AU alum and former player assisted with recruiting at one time and, living in Florida, persuaded some Floridians to enroll at AU.

Florida has no D3 football-playing schools and, if high school stars couldn't get recruited to the "big three" (Florida, U.Miami, Florida State) they'd look elsewhere, hence some boys came north to AU. Now, however, it seems there's a glut of football programs in Florida that have gone DI....South Florida, Central Florida, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Florida Pacific....

Seems there's more places for Floridians to play in-state than ever before. But still no D-3.

JQV · December 23, 2006, 01:28:39 AM

The Chairman signs on to wish all a Merry Christmas and what does he find? Yet another Floridian? E8 Nation is getting to be outstanding.

Floridians by JoseQ's count:

1) The Chairman
2) PG04
3) kirasdad
4) Florida2

BobNapoleone · December 23, 2006, 06:31:53 AM

Quote from: fisheralum91 on December 22, 2006, 08:46:40 AM
Happy and safe holidays boys!

Everybody have a great Holiday!

+K and a Merry Christmas to all.....

Sir Spiedie · December 23, 2006, 10:03:41 AM

Very true, Florida has more DI schools with the addition of FAU, FIU, UCF and
USF, and has one NAIA school that I am aware of, Webber. That said, with each DI school giving 20-25 scholarships a year (some which go to out of staters), that leaves alot of very good players without a place to go. Some go to the big schools as walk-ons. Lots of luck with that unless you are a specialist like a kicker or long snapper. Alot have grade/SAT issues which preclude them from many DIII schools. Alot are just afraid of the cold. Some look at the tuitions/cost and (mistakenly in my opinion) just give up.
But some DIII schools aggressively recruit Florida kids, especially in the Midwest. St. Olafs, for example has around 20 Florida kids on its roster. Union must make it a priority. Northern and eastern DIII represents a golden opportunity for these Florida kids with nowhere else to go. I'm surprised the DIII coaches haven't pursued them more aggressively. Maybe it's the small recruiting budgets.

Kira & Jaxon's Dad · December 23, 2006, 10:21:09 AM

MTU has started to bring in kids from FL the past few years. Also, there are no Junior College/Community College Teams in FL currently. Although, I read in the paper earlier this year that the State Legislature might consider recinding the law against them.

fisheralum91 · December 23, 2006, 12:13:24 PM

....and to all a good night!.......

Safe holiday everyone!

AUPepBand · December 23, 2006, 10:32:20 PM

Quote from: Florida2 on December 23, 2006, 10:03:41 AM
Very true, Florida has more DI schools with the addition of FAU, FIU, UCF and
USF, and has one NAIA school that I am aware of, Webber. That said, with each DI school giving 20-25 scholarships a year (some which go to out of staters), that leaves alot of very good players without a place to go. Some go to the big schools as walk-ons. Lots of luck with that unless you are a specialist like a kicker or long snapper. Alot have grade/SAT issues which preclude them from many DIII schools. Alot are just afraid of the cold. Some look at the tuitions/cost and (mistakenly in my opinion) just give up.
But some DIII schools aggressively recruit Florida kids, especially in the Midwest. St. Olafs, for example has around 20 Florida kids on its roster. Union must make it a priority. Northern and eastern DIII represents a golden opportunity for these Florida kids with nowhere else to go. I'm surprised the DIII coaches haven't pursued them more aggressively. Maybe it's the small recruiting budgets.

AUPepBand would think it's just a matter of a program having connections there. Alumni can be good ambassadors for a D3 program. That was the case with AU 10-15 years ago. The alum who recruited there is no longer based in Florida.

AU also attracts out-of-staters who may be interested in a unique program such as ceramic engineering. AU's back-up punter is from St. Louis, MO....a long way from home. Although he graduates in May, he'll be here another year or two for grad school, going for a master's degree in materials science.

Sir Spiedie · December 24, 2006, 10:25:55 AM

Can anyone tell me when the Empire 8 schools start announcing their incoming classes. I know DI letter of intent day is around Feb1, but obviously that doesn,t apply here. Also, just how much time do you think really is spent on recruiting?
Do the schools use the "lists", scout high school games, visit out of state. I guess alot of iy is just kids sending e-mails expressing interest. Any insight? Thanks.

PS And a Merry Christmas to all!!!!!

superman57 · December 24, 2006, 10:55:38 AM

for the most part schools won't find out whose comming untill after may 1st when the deadline is....

Kira & Jaxon's Dad · December 24, 2006, 12:11:29 PM

Or in August when they find out who really shows up...

superman57 · December 24, 2006, 12:29:37 PM

agreed you never know who is going to show up and who isn't but...if you have an all-state kid who registers for classes chances are he's going to the school whether or not he chooses to play football...well I've given up trying to think like an 18 year old

Sir Spiedie · December 24, 2006, 12:51:45 PM

What is the May 1 deadline you are referring to?

superman57 · December 24, 2006, 12:57:15 PM

for all students to choose which school they are going to and to send in the deposit....

AUPepBand · December 24, 2006, 09:43:24 PM

Quote from: Florida2 on December 24, 2006, 10:25:55 AM
Can anyone tell me when the Empire 8 schools start announcing their incoming classes. I know DI letter of intent day is around Feb1, but obviously that doesn,t apply here. Also, just how much time do you think really is spent on recruiting?
Do the schools use the "lists", scout high school games, visit out of state. I guess alot of iy is just kids sending e-mails expressing interest. Any insight? Thanks.

PS And a Merry Christmas to all!!!!!

Alfred's coaching staff splits up the recruiting territory among them and, once the on-field season is completed, they are on the road. The coaches follow up on a prospect list but not sure from whence it comes. Alfred's team banquet, once held in early December, is now held in February to ease the conflict of recruiting vs. time to prepare for the banquet. Then the recruits are invited to a weekend visit of the AU campus during spring semester.

Having a post-season playoff game delays the recruiting process a week (as it has for the past three years at AU), but a successful season is also a good recruiting tool.

AUPepBand wishes all the E8 Nation a very Merry Christmas!
May the Christ Child who found no room at the Inn....find room in our hearts now and forever.

FisherAlum05 · December 25, 2006, 08:37:53 PM

AUPep hit it pretty much right on. E8 schools wont know definately who is coming until fairly late. But every school has a different application deadline. After the season, the coaches hit the road and recruit specific areas like Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Long Island, NYC, and the southern tier elmira area. Many NYS d3 schools recruit out of state in PA, OH, MA, and some other states depending on the school. D3 coaches spend alot of time recruiting because it is so vital since there are no scholarships. They watch tons of film on highschool players and create a list of "top prospects." These players come on overnight visits and are treated very well especially @ Fisher. But it's the same at basically every school i went on visits to about 8 different nys d3 schools.

Fisher's run this year should really help recruiting. January and February are big months for the schools since the bulk of the work is done then with trips to every area HS and a bunch of recruiting shows where all the schools are represented in one event. Tons of kids go to these as well. Hope this helps your knowledge of the d3 recruiting process. Merry Christmas!!