FB: Midwest Conference

[judgetrainer]

Huh. Sometimes you need to check with a source before you decide something is not correct. The report regarding Mark Speckman is true. He is the new Lawrence OC. And yes, the Fly will appear at Ron Roberts Field this fall. I will need to study this beast. 

The connection, I think, is to work with a liberal arts school. And if Lawrence is anything it is a strong liberal arts school.

And, there is spring ball at Lawrence. Or was this year.

[badgerwarhawk]

Do you mean spring practice? 

[judgetrainer]

Yes. I was not involved in athletics when I was a student (and dinosaurs roamed) and so I was not aware that Lawrence actually had spring football practice until this week. Another activity to look forward to when I retire. 

[badgerwarhawk]

Huh. Sometimes you need to check with a source before you decide something is not correct. The report regarding Mark Speckman is true. He is the new Lawrence OC. And yes, the Fly will appear at Ron Roberts Field this fall. I will need to study this beast.

The connection, I think, is to work with a liberal arts school. And if Lawrence is anything it is a strong liberal arts school.

And, there is spring ball at Lawrence. Or was this year.

Here's a place to start: http://www.gregorydoublewing.com/FlyOffense.pdf

[scottie]

The most popular month of the year to talk about Lawrence football is.....June.    Sorry, couldn't help it.

[fulbakdad]

Ohhh Scottie, ouch!

As has been said many times on these boards.  "It's not the X's and the O's, it's the Johnny's and the Joe"s".

Lawrence needs to settle some things at the home front in order to start revving their engines.  The coach switch mid season last year didn't help.  And I thought I heard the roster was somewhere in the 30's or 40's? 

We'll see though I guess. 

[judgetrainer]

Oh, trust me, there is no ouch on that. Truth is truth.

I am old enough (class of 1988) that I was a student the last time Lawrence won a conference title and had a winning season. As I have told my fellow Larrys, I fantasize about winning again. And at this point it is a fantasy.

Still, the renovated stadium is a big start. The new coaching staff is another piece of the puzzle. The last guy (what's his name that quit after one game) was NOT a school decision. You do not fire someone one game into the season while raising money for the field. That was all him. So long, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

My hope this year: get me three wins total. I would be thrilled.

Meanwhile, this booster (erm, "booster") will just get comfortable here among you MWC fans.

[Captain_Joe08]

With U of Chicago leaving the SAA, it seems the likely landing spot for the Maroons could very well be the Midwest for football which could offset Carroll leaving the league.

[judgetrainer]

UofC returning to the Midwest would be a positive thing in my opinion.

[carletonknights]

I think UChi moving to the midwest is very exciting.  I wish Carleton would follow Mac's move.  Would be great to see the Knights playing against some other schools on the same academic level (no offense to the rest of the MIAC) with the likes of UChi, Grinnel, and Mac (and others)

[judgetrainer]

Just wondering out loud. What would be the make up of the ideal MWC?

Per the MCW website: Charter members were Beloit, Carleton, Coe, Cornell, Knox and Lawrence.  Hamline and Millikin joined the league in December 1921 but later withdrew. Ripon joined the Conference in 1923, Monmouth in 1924, Grinnell in 1940 and Lake Forest in 1974. Illinois College and St. Norbert joined in 1982 and Carroll followed in 1992. Carleton withdrew following the 1982-83 academic year.  St. Olaf also competed in the conference from 1952-74, as did the University of Chicago from 1976-87. Coe and Cornell withdrew following the 1996-97 academic year, and in 2012 Cornell returned to the league.

All of the current members are also part of the ACM except SNC and Carroll. Carroll is leaving after this year. Missing from the ACM are Colorado College (not a fit geographically and do they play football?), Carleton, St. Olaf, Luther, and Coe (probably a perfectly fine fit in the IIAC). Chicago would be the largest of the group but would fit geographically and certainly match up academically.

Would a 14 team conference work?

[Captain_Joe08]

Just wondering out loud. What would be the make up of the ideal MWC?

Per the MCW website: Charter members were Beloit, Carleton, Coe, Cornell, Knox and Lawrence.  Hamline and Millikin joined the league in December 1921 but later withdrew. Ripon joined the Conference in 1923, Monmouth in 1924, Grinnell in 1940 and Lake Forest in 1974. Illinois College and St. Norbert joined in 1982 and Carroll followed in 1992. Carleton withdrew following the 1982-83 academic year.  St. Olaf also competed in the conference from 1952-74, as did the University of Chicago from 1976-87. Coe and Cornell withdrew following the 1996-97 academic year, and in 2012 Cornell returned to the league.

All of the current members are also part of the ACM except SNC and Carroll. Carroll is leaving after this year. Missing from the ACM are Colorado College (not a fit geographically and do they play football?), Carleton, St. Olaf, Luther, and Coe (probably a perfectly fine fit in the IIAC). Chicago would be the largest of the group but would fit geographically and certainly match up academically.

Would a 14 team conference work?

I think so. Football would keep the same setup with a few alterations to the scheduling aspect. For other sports they may have to possibly expand the conference tournament to include a few more teams.

[gbpuckfan]

I don't see Coe coming back. U of C will be good for football. Marian might make a good fit but somehow doubt they would their current conference. But they already play hockey in conference with Lawrence, Lake Forest and SNC.

[Captain_Joe08]

I don't see Coe coming back. U of C will be good for football. Marian might make a good fit but somehow doubt they would their current conference. But they already play hockey in conference with Lawrence, Lake Forest and SNC.

Don't really think Marian would compete that well in the Midwest. They are middle of the pack in a majority of sports in the NACC.

[gbpuckfan]

I have no problem with beating the Sabres! But in terms of geography, etc, it might fit.