FB: Liberty League

[union89]

Prior to 2003, the last night game in which Union participated was in 1994 at SUNY-Albany.

dlip used to love back in the day when U used to annually take out Albany ST. He actually thinks he may have detested Albany (at the time) more that RPI (Albany was much more competitive during those years than RPI) which may be hard to believe. dlip will never forget or forgive the Danes for running up the score against Union in their last meeting. Sporting a D1/2 size roster in November of 1997 Albany 54 Union 0. Ford was classless running up the score and passing all over the Dutch to their 8 foot TE. dlip never walked away from a Union game so pissed in his life. If Bob Ford was in front of him after that game that stupid hat he wears would have been properly placed! As dlip recalls Albany starters never left the field. All kidding aside that was a rivalry to remember.

Dlip, No doubt, Union-Albany was a ridiculously intense rivalry. Most of the games were night games, and some pretty intense crowds. The fact that many of the Union Coaches (Bagnoli, Audino, Priore, Toop, Fogerty, etc.) coached at Albany before coming to Union in the early 80's (turning the program around), it basically took it to a whole new level.  Add onto that the state school-private school factor, the fact that a lot of the kids played against each other (or on the same team) in high school, proximity, etc, and it was a perfect brew for a rivalry. I agree with Frank, Bob Ford was as classy as they come, but had started to become "Bobby Bowden" by the late 90's, but still a bitter pill when I heard about them running up the score. Too much mutual respect for that to ever happen in the '80's.

As for RPI-Union, The Shoes Game was basically a non event, just wasn't competitive. I remember when I was coaching, was scouting another game so missed the game (1987 or 1988), and called in to find out that Union had lost to RPI, was absolutely stunned, couldn't even comprehend that it was a possibility. Obviously a lot has changed, and very glad to see over the past twenty years that it has regained it's relevance, especially given the history.

Doid is wise......Doid is also very old, is very hairy and has a giant head, but.....

Doid is wise...........

All true, very old, hairy (well, in certain areas), and a giant head. As to the head, I wonder who got my enormous size 8 helmet when I left UColl.....hmmm, who could that be...thinking, thinking...oh, I remember, that would be the one and only U89.

Stuart Mackenzie: Look at the size of that boy's heed.
Tony Giardino: Shhh!
Stuart Mackenzie: I'm not kidding, it's like an orange on a toothpick.
Tony Giardino: Shhh, you're going to give the boy a complex.
Stuart Mackenzie: Well, that's a huge noggin. That's a virtual planetoid.
Tony Giardino: Shh!
Stuart Mackenzie: Has it's own weather system.
Tony Giardino: Sh, sh, shh.
Stuart Mackenzie: HEAD! MOVE!

Stuart Mackenzie: I'm not kidding, that boy's head is like Sputnik; spherical but quite pointy at parts! Now that was offside, wasn't it? He'll be crying himself to sleep tonight, on his huge pillow.

I too am all 3 of those things.....I am only wise in the ways of football......as for life in general, ahhhh not so much.

[dlippiel]

Simple statement: Can't ****in wait until Friday!

[Frank Rossi]

I think Frank's got a valid point.  JT was also a little (dirty) NJAC centric too, in fairness, but I generally check the midatlantic and one or two others and there is much more blinders on here.  I think Dew's a good dood, and have no doubt this is on a subconscious level, but it's fair to point out in general.  I can recall in prior years Utica games being listed as a game to watch when, in reality (and this is meant with the utmost respect) there hasn't been a Utica game that's really relevant yet.  They simply haven't competed for the E8 or East region relevance yet, so having them regularly discussed is a bit of overkill.  They may in the future and a story here or there about a scare, near upset or something, but there's still nothing to suggest that Utica will come in above 4th place in the E8 this year (while they may be better this year, that was my point with respect to the RPI game, it's not one to tout, but the WPI win was a better win).  

RS,  This may be the hater in me coming out because Bart is looking likely to not get back to the NCAA's for a sixth straight year (I'm just hoping for a winning record), but I feel like the parity isn't because all the teams are improved, but rather that all have similar levels of deficiencies.  Be it injuries, too many new guy starting, or just geneal positional weakness, I don't see a team that could beat any of the top 7 - 10 teams in the country right now (obviously the top 2-3 are in their own class).  That being said, I give more lip service to the MAC and (to a lesser extent) the NJAC than I really know about them.  If Del Valley wins the MAC, that may prove the point since we have the Wesley game (A very fine team) as maybe the toughest out of conference game (sans SJF's beatdown from MUC).

i will admit to being a little homerish, but i'm pretty good about letting people know when i do it. And I think I have a pretty fair column overall... I don't think the Guru would let me do it if I was over the top ridiculous about it.

I'd beg to differ a little, although only Guru would know for sure.  I know that there is pretty much an unspoken agreement between him and I in the years I've done work for D3sports.com that the most I can say in an official capacity for this site is that I am a radio broadcaster for Union College now for 15 seasons.  Any statement I make regarding Union in that capacity is rightfully scrutinized since there is not supposed to be bias on his site.  I think he understands we have the teams we root for and work for -- and that's part of the aura of D3 to have such involvements -- but I think he wants us to be mature about how much latitude we're given in what we do for the site in an official capacity.

That's at least my two cents based on personal experience over the years...

[dlippiel]

Well fellas let dlip be the first to officially light it for the weekend. There is nothing like ****in weekends in the fall during football season. Can't wait for U vs WPI tomorrow rain or shine. Here is a prediction dlip's Broncos return to reality this weekend when their #1 rated defense gets ****in vibrated by Romo/Homo and company. The Bronco gets Monkey stomped by the Star and Elway sells 20 cars this weekend to Broncos fans who miss him terribly!

[redswarm81]

RS,  This may be the hater in me coming out because Bart is looking likely to not get back to the NCAA's for a sixth straight year (I'm just hoping for a winning record), but I feel like the parity isn't because all the teams are improved, but rather that all have similar levels of deficiencies.  Be it injuries, too many new guy starting, or just genreal positional weakness, I don't see a team that could beat any of the top 7 - 10 teams in the country right now (obviously the top 2-3 are in their own class).  That being said, I give more lip service to the MAC and (to a lesser extent) the NJAC than I really know about them.  If Del Valley wins the MAC, that may prove the point since we have the Wesley game (A very fine team) as maybe the toughest out of conference game (sans SJF's beatdown from MUC).

PkA, use the hate.  Feed the hate.  Lay that hate on Roman Polanski.

At the Division III level, I don't really know how to tell the difference between parity due to similar improvement, and parity due to similar levels of deficiencies.  All teams have strengths and weaknesses, and the team that more effectively exploits its own strengths and its opponents weaknesses will usually win.

I'm probably more familiar with the Centennial Conference than the MAC.  Year after year, the MAC teams seem to beat the snot out of each other.  If the Empire 8 hadn't grabbed the cluster**** headlines early last year, the MAC would have likely have gotten more press on account of its mess of multiple teams with overlapping losses and tiebreaker scenarios.

Ever since Rowan has revealed itself as mere mortals, I've had no idea how to make sense of the NJ(&CT&NT)AC.

[pumkinattack]

You could be right about the parity situation, but it seems like most, particularly the ones with teams trying to work their way up are talking about parity in the sense that the lower tier teams are improving at a faster clip than the upper tier (if that's even the right description).  Hobart has definitely won many games by this exploitation and general superior execution rather than overall talent (which has been upgraded over the years).  This is why I'm not a fan of the playcalling at Bart the last two years and why Strom may have been a supreme double edged sword (I really think he's the best of the Swanson, Mizro, Strom, Doyle decade) for Bart as time goes by.   

I have this childhood revere for Pennsylvania kids having grown up on the NY/PA border, so I always thought highly of the MAC, but anecdotally the Del Val playoff game of 2004 (where they should've won by 14-17 over Bart instead of scraping by) and the Lyco game from last year has me totally down on the conference as on par or lower than the LL (at least at the top, they mave have better depth).

BTW, I'm a huge fan of Ninth Gate, which is a Planski dirceted flick, I believe. 

Dlip, had a morning meeting and working from home (generally these days) so I've actually cracked a beer already while doing some mundane excel stuff. 

[dlippiel]

It just seems to dlip that the East needs a savior. What he means by this is a big time dominating team to take the reigns and just bring an aspect of respect and NCAA consistency to the table. Obvioulsy Rowan use to be that and they are currently working to get beack there. Yes we have had our Cortland States, Ithacas, and SJF of a few years back but nothing consistent like Rowan, Ithaca, and Union and a few others used to be. Don't get dlip wrong he loves the fact that teams and even leagues are seemiongly playing out to be a bit more competitive. He loves the fact that a Susquehanna can beat a Union, Bart, RPI calibur team. Who knows even Wick without christ may be able to step up and give Ithaca a game and round out the E8. dlip knows and feels a certain amount of pride that our region just beats the everloving **** out of itself every regular season with traditional rivalries and brutal conference play. He just thinks that if one or even two teams can rise above in the next decade or so it may make things even more interesting here in the east and provide the fans of the region with some serious inspiration regarding the comparing of regions throughout D3 as a whole. Who knows maybe dlip is just blowing **** out his ass here during a quiet lunch on super Friday? Whatever the case a new (or even old) Beast of the East would be ****in welcomed by him!

[JT]

So Michael Moore, a multi-millionaire film director/producer, is pimping his newest crappy anti-American flick and says capitalism didn't do anything for him.  Yeah, and all those Big Mac's didn't make him fat slob.

[union89]

It just seems to dlip that the East needs a savior. What he means by this is a big time dominating team to take the reigns and just bring an aspect of respect and NCAA consistency to the table. Obvioulsy Rowan use to be that and they are currently working to get beack there. Yes we have had our Cortland States, Ithacas, and SJF of a few years back but nothing consistent like Rowan, Ithaca, and Union and a few others used to be. Don't get dlip wrong he loves the fact that teams and even leagues are seemiongly playing out to be a bit more competitive. He loves the fact that a Susquehanna can beat a Union, Bart, RPI calibur team. Who knows even Wick without christ may be able to step up and give Ithaca a game and round out the E8. dlip knows and feels a certain amount of pride that our region just beats the everloving **** out of itself every regular season with traditional rivalries and brutal conference play. He just thinks that if one or even two teams can rise above in the next decade or so it may make things even more interesting here in the east and provide the fans of the region with some serious inspiration regarding the comparing of regions throughout D3 as a whole. Who knows maybe dlip is just blowing **** out his ass here during a quiet lunch on super Friday? Whatever the case a new (or even old) Beast of the East would be ****in welcomed by him!

Just a thought.....teams like Mount & WW must look at the east region as the east region itself looks at the NEFC....U89 has thought this way for a while, but only now has posted it......

[lewdogg11]

So Michael Moore, a multi-millionaire film director/producer, is pimping his newest crappy anti-American flick and says capitalism didn't do anything for him.  Yeah, and all those Big Mac's didn't make him fat slob.

You really think he hates America, or is just brutally honest in pointing out some of the obvious flaws?

[pumkinattack]

Don't know about WW, but MUC probably had more respect for the East than the rest of the East has/had for the NEFC.  Though Curry may be changing that a little over the last two years.  

Lew/JT,

  I don't think Moore either hates America or is brutally honest (not sure what you mean by that).  I think he has an earnest opinion, however, like many people with positions, he doesn't truly understand any other side of what are always nuanced debates.  My sister is hardcore liberal, used to be a stage director in Boston and Berkeley, CA who is much older used to have me read all sorts of literature from that side of the table, but I (labels are BS, but if forced on me I guess libertarian would be the best) could never get her to understand the macroeconomic debate and how some of these things her side would decry (e.g. global free trade) increases the pie for all (and while possibly taking low skill jobs out of the USA is really creating a better life for some poor bastard in Africa or SE Asia as a consequence, even if they're standard of living is still below ours).  Point being, as long as someone isn't willing to take a step back a look at the picture from many different perspectives the most you can do is enflame and not really move the debate forward.  I saw this every day when I lived in DC with all these polarizing kids straight out of college who came there thinking they were future leaders but will never amount to anything more than being future technocrats because they think in linear, bi-polar ways about sides. 

[Doid23]

Don't know about WW, but MUC probably had more respect for the East than the rest of the East has/had for the NEFC.  Though Curry may be changing that a little over the last two years.  

Lew/JT,

  I don't think Moore either hates America or is brutally honest (not sure what you mean by that).  I think he has an earnest opinion, however, like many people with positions, he doesn't truly understand any other side of what are always nuanced debates.  My sister is hardcore liberal, used to be a stage director in Boston and Berkeley, CA who is much older used to have me read all sorts of literature from that side of the table, but I (labels are BS, but if forced on me I guess libertarian would be the best) could never get her to understand the macroeconomic debate and how some of these things her side would decry (e.g. global free trade) increases the pie for all (and while possibly taking low skill jobs out of the USA is really creating a better life for some poor bastard in Africa or SE Asia as a consequence, even if they're standard of living is still below ours).  Point being, as long as someone isn't willing to take a step back a look at the picture from many different perspectives the most you can do is enflame and not really move the debate forward.  I saw this every day when I lived in DC with all these polarizing kids straight out of college who came there thinking they were future leaders but will never amount to anything more than being future technocrats because they think in linear, bi-polar ways about sides. 

Well said.

[SaintsFAN]

re:  Michael Moore


SF chooses not to talk about him.  He's obviously entertaining for those who consume his product.... so he's obviously found his niche.  No matter who agrees with him.  While he may bring up some good points, IMO some of the stunts he pulls in this one (the yellow crime scene tape and bullhorn telling a bank he's come to collect our money back) are grandstanding.... and thus cheapens his 'work' in SF's eyes.


Out for the weekend.... enjoying some Leinenkugel Summer Shandy tonight since I've been watching my sister's kids all day.  Jeez, I'm so glad that I don't have any kids yet.  Well maybe one would be fine... but the three of them together is a nightmare (except when they are sleeping).

[JT]

So Michael Moore, a multi-millionaire film director/producer, is pimping his newest crappy anti-American flick and says capitalism didn't do anything for him.  Yeah, and all those Big Mac's didn't make him fat slob.

You really think he hates America, or is just brutally honest in pointing out some of the obvious flaws?

He takes full advantage of the gifts that this country offers, then puts out hate America crap filled with falsehoods and spin.  He's entitled to do what he wants, but pretending that capitalism did nothing for him, is completely disingenuous.

[union89]

So Michael Moore, a multi-millionaire film director/producer, is pimping his newest crappy anti-American flick and says capitalism didn't do anything for him.  Yeah, and all those Big Mac's didn't make him fat slob.

You really think he hates America, or is just brutally honest in pointing out some of the obvious flaws?

He takes full advantage of the gifts that this country offers, then puts out hate America crap filled with falsehoods and spin.  He's entitled to do what he wants, but pretending that capitalism did nothing for him, is completely disingenuous.

Agreed....he's a capitalist for Michael Moore.....all the lemmings who follow him are lining his pockets and he's laughing all the way to the bank.