FB: Midwest Conference

[NewHawk]

Maybe, just maybe, Macalester didn't "PICK AND CHOOSE" a conference based on how "COMPETITIVE IT COULD BE".  Maybe, just maybe, the school made the decision to align itself with more similar, like minded institutions based on things like mission statements, admissions policies, and financial aid policies.

I can already guess where Duff Man will want to go with this:  this for him will be the very definition of picking and choosing.  This alignment with like-minded institutions for only football yet remaining in the MIAC for other sports is exactly what he is talking about.  Macalester being with "like-minded institutions based on things like mission statements, admissions policies, and financial aid policies", in my view, goes hand in hand with "how competitive it can be".  If that is what we want to do, in Duff Man's opinion, then Mac should join the Midwest Conference in all sports.  Personally, this is something I do not want to see happen; while this year has been nothing short of magical for the football team, joining the conference in all sports would be nightmarish for travel.  I would prefer that we maintain our century-long ties to the MIAC and, hopefully, return as a football member that can compete with the likes of U$T, Bethel, and SJU.  This may be awhile down the road, but I think it ought to happen. 

Now I think some on the MIAC boards want to have their cake and eat it too.  They can say what a disgrace it is that Macalester is picking and choosing the sports to play in-conference, yet know that Mac's departure from the conference would result in a severe dropping off for the conference's academic profile.  Here's a question for you though:  would you rather see a healthy Macalester football team in the MIAC, with 70ish members on the team, or do you want the team that left the MIAC with 30ish players that you used as your personal footstool?  In-conference parity is something for which to strive, and having a competitive Macalester football team is in the best interest of the entire MIAC.  Despite this, it doesn't sound like you even want us back as a football member anyway.  The same people who bemoan our "picking and choosing" similarly bemoan the prospects of a nine-game conference schedule. 

When Mac left for football to play an independent schedule, it was probably either that or drop the football program altogether.  Is that what you want?  A group of young men no longer able to fulfill their dream of playing college football?  An independent schedule was the option the school had to preserve that dream.  Now that the administration has finally invested in the program, the ultimate goal of a competitive Macalester Scots football team in the MIAC can turn from a dream into a reality.  I realize Mac's chances on Saturday are slim-to-none, facing up against the undefeated defending national champions, but no matter how it turns out, I will be proud of my Macalester Scots taking the field and giving it their all.  Go Scots

MAC did what it needed to do to make itself competitive and it seems to have worked because they are in the play-offs.  We are looking forward to seeing them in Round One.  Only 27 1/2 hours until the play offs begin. 

[grboob]

Time to change from Monkey Stomp to Cake Walk, as defined in earlier Wisconsin Conference posts:

How to do a Cake Walk:
Instructions

        1

        Place teams in a circle as if you were playing musical chairs. The number of chairs can vary based on the size of the gathering and the expected amount of interest in the Cake Walk.
        2

        Place a number on each chair, starting with 1 and going as high as necessary, depending on the number of chairs you have in the circle. Now take a number and place by each pastry. Have a nice display of the goodies on some tables so that everyone can see them.
         3

        Start some "We Are the Champions" on the stereo. Instruct the participants to walk around the chairs until the music stops. Participants should sit in the nearest chair when the music stops. Stop the music after 30 seconds or 1 minute.
        4

        Draw a number out of box or other container. The participant who sat in the chair with the corresponding number wins the prize for that round.


   

[OldAuggie]

Maybe, just maybe, Macalester didn't "PICK AND CHOOSE" a conference based on how "COMPETITIVE IT COULD BE".  Maybe, just maybe, the school made the decision to align itself with more similar, like minded institutions based on things like mission statements, admissions policies, and financial aid policies.

I can already guess where Duff Man will want to go with this:  this for him will be the very definition of picking and choosing.  This alignment with like-minded institutions for only football yet remaining in the MIAC for other sports is exactly what he is talking about.  Macalester being with "like-minded institutions based on things like mission statements, admissions policies, and financial aid policies", in my view, goes hand in hand with "how competitive it can be".  If that is what we want to do, in Duff Man's opinion, then Mac should join the Midwest Conference in all sports.  Personally, this is something I do not want to see happen; while this year has been nothing short of magical for the football team, joining the conference in all sports would be nightmarish for travel.  I would prefer that we maintain our century-long ties to the MIAC and, hopefully, return as a football member that can compete with the likes of U$T, Bethel, and SJU.  This may be awhile down the road, but I think it ought to happen. 

Now I think some on the MIAC boards want to have their cake and eat it too.  They can say what a disgrace it is that Macalester is picking and choosing the sports to play in-conference, yet know that Mac's departure from the conference would result in a severe dropping off for the conference's academic profile.  Here's a question for you though:  would you rather see a healthy Macalester football team in the MIAC, with 70ish members on the team, or do you want the team that left the MIAC with 30ish players that you used as your personal footstool?  In-conference parity is something for which to strive, and having a competitive Macalester football team is in the best interest of the entire MIAC.  Despite this, it doesn't sound like you even want us back as a football member anyway.  The same people who bemoan our "picking and choosing" similarly bemoan the prospects of a nine-game conference schedule. 

When Mac left for football to play an independent schedule, it was probably either that or drop the football program altogether.  Is that what you want?  A group of young men no longer able to fulfill their dream of playing college football?  An independent schedule was the option the school had to preserve that dream.  Now that the administration has finally invested in the program, the ultimate goal of a competitive Macalester Scots football team in the MIAC can turn from a dream into a reality.  I realize Mac's chances on Saturday are slim-to-none, facing up against the undefeated defending national champions, but no matter how it turns out, I will be proud of my Macalester Scots taking the field and giving it their all.  Go Scots

MAC did what it needed to do to make itself competitive and it seems to have worked because they are in the play-offs.  We are looking forward to seeing them in Round One.  Only 27 1/2 hours until the play offs begin.

In my opinion and take it for what it is worth, I hope Macalester rejoins the MIAC in Football. This goes with out saying but Mac is a prestigious school and if they are in the process of upgrading everything associated with the school to match their stellar national reputation then football should follow. A great article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune today:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/283443591.html

If Northwestern can play in the B1G and Stanford can dominate in the Pac 12 then Macalester can compete in the MIAC. It is really up to them.

[badgerwarhawk]

Badger,

Something else you might like.  This aired tonight on one of the local news stations here in the Cities:
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video/10873097-macalester-football-team-drafts-special-4-year-old/

This is very cool.  It's a wonderful thing that your program is doing for disabled children.  + karma to you but know that it's intended not only for you but for your football program.  You have my respect. 

[grboob]

Several Cake Walks predicted in the DIII Triple Take this morning.

Is a Cake Walk more than a -21 point loss, which is the standard set by the Monkey Stomp criteria?

[Maverick]

Good to see some interesting conversation and very good points brought up regarding Macalester and their football program situation...instead of just discussing Monkey Stomps and Cake Walks.

scottie - Believe it or not, Grinnell's non-conference schedule in basketball isn't all that bad.  Too much bad press last year must have had an effect on book and DVD sales.

gbpuckfan or any other SNC guys - What's the story on Opgenorth resigning after just one season?  Is McCarty a good choice as your new head coach?

[grboob]

And what's wrong with Monkey Stomps and Cake Walks?

[OzJohnnie]

Time to change from Monkey Stomp to Cake Walk, as defined in earlier Wisconsin Conference posts:

How to do a Cake Walk:
Instructions

        1

        Place teams in a circle as if you were playing musical chairs. The number of chairs can vary based on the size of the gathering and the expected amount of interest in the Cake Walk.
        2

        Place a number on each chair, starting with 1 and going as high as necessary, depending on the number of chairs you have in the circle. Now take a number and place by each pastry. Have a nice display of the goodies on some tables so that everyone can see them.
         3

        Start some "We Are the Champions" on the stereo. Instruct the participants to walk around the chairs until the music stops. Participants should sit in the nearest chair when the music stops. Stop the music after 30 seconds or 1 minute.
        4

        Draw a number out of box or other container. The participant who sat in the chair with the corresponding number wins the prize for that round.


   

Fours steps in the instructions?  There's no way WIAC people could think up something that complex.

[Maverick]

And what's wrong with Monkey Stomps and Cake Walks?

Nothing at all boob.  As long as it's Monmouth putting a Monkey Stomp on Knox or beating anyone else in a Cake Walk competition.

[grboob]

Oh!  You must be referring to the "real MWC Scots", the "People's  Champions" which Scottie was talking about last week???

[TwoArmedScot]

Maybe, just maybe, Macalester didn't "PICK AND CHOOSE" a conference based on how "COMPETITIVE IT COULD BE".  Maybe, just maybe, the school made the decision to align itself with more similar, like minded institutions based on things like mission statements, admissions policies, and financial aid policies.

I can already guess where Duff Man will want to go with this:  this for him will be the very definition of picking and choosing.  This alignment with like-minded institutions for only football yet remaining in the MIAC for other sports is exactly what he is talking about.  Macalester being with "like-minded institutions based on things like mission statements, admissions policies, and financial aid policies", in my view, goes hand in hand with "how competitive it can be".  If that is what we want to do, in Duff Man's opinion, then Mac should join the Midwest Conference in all sports.  Personally, this is something I do not want to see happen; while this year has been nothing short of magical for the football team, joining the conference in all sports would be nightmarish for travel.  I would prefer that we maintain our century-long ties to the MIAC and, hopefully, return as a football member that can compete with the likes of U$T, Bethel, and SJU.  This may be awhile down the road, but I think it ought to happen. 

Now I think some on the MIAC boards want to have their cake and eat it too.  They can say what a disgrace it is that Macalester is picking and choosing the sports to play in-conference, yet know that Mac's departure from the conference would result in a severe dropping off for the conference's academic profile.  Here's a question for you though:  would you rather see a healthy Macalester football team in the MIAC, with 70ish members on the team, or do you want the team that left the MIAC with 30ish players that you used as your personal footstool?  In-conference parity is something for which to strive, and having a competitive Macalester football team is in the best interest of the entire MIAC.  Despite this, it doesn't sound like you even want us back as a football member anyway.  The same people who bemoan our "picking and choosing" similarly bemoan the prospects of a nine-game conference schedule. 

When Mac left for football to play an independent schedule, it was probably either that or drop the football program altogether.  Is that what you want?  A group of young men no longer able to fulfill their dream of playing college football?  An independent schedule was the option the school had to preserve that dream.  Now that the administration has finally invested in the program, the ultimate goal of a competitive Macalester Scots football team in the MIAC can turn from a dream into a reality.  I realize Mac's chances on Saturday are slim-to-none, facing up against the undefeated defending national champions, but no matter how it turns out, I will be proud of my Macalester Scots taking the field and giving it their all.  Go Scots

Scottyeagle,

Agreed, it would be fantastic to see MAC back in the MIAC!

However, the school is set on being a top 25 academic institution in the country.  They are not going to make exceptions or bend on things like admissions and/or financial aid just so the football program can compete in the MIAC.  The bottom line is that when it comes to recruiting, Macalester will never be able to compete with the other MIAC schools...besides Carleton...because of the parity in admissions standards and financial aid policies. 

Do you know how many championships MAC and Carleton have combined in the MIAC?  I can't remember for sure, but I think it's something like 4 in a combined 80+ years of playing football in the MIAC.

Hopefully you're right though.  Hopefully they can build the program up enough so that some day the parity in admissions and financial aid won't be as big of an issue and then maybe they could get back into the MIAC.

[DBQ1965]

And what's wrong with Monkey Stomps and Cake Walks?

In the grammatically incorrect words of Howard Cosell (tell it like it is), "monkey stomp" and "cake walk" are immature and polite ways respectively to describe a mismatch.

[grboob]

Educate yourself on the storied history of Monkey Stomp

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hxwpLdvD6eqQPG_tDAIuCS8PlO9P3SJOTM5HPehmcOU/edit?usp=sharing

[bleedpurple]

Badger,

Something else you might like.  This aired tonight on one of the local news stations here in the Cities:
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/video/10873097-macalester-football-team-drafts-special-4-year-old/

This is very cool.  It's a wonderful thing that your program is doing for disabled children.  + karma to you but know that it's intended not only for you but for your football program.  You have my respect.

That is a great story! And what a great lesson for the guys on the team regarding serving and making a difference!  Your program and school has my respect as well.  This is one of the great things about the D3 playoffs IMO. It affords the opportunity to learn about other programs and the people associated with them. MAC making the playoffs must have upset the apple cart or something. The MIACers seem to feel a need to vent.  They've got two teams in the tournament, you'd think that would occupy them.

[hazzben]

Maybe, just maybe, Macalester didn't "PICK AND CHOOSE" a conference based on how "COMPETITIVE IT COULD BE".  Maybe, just maybe, the school made the decision to align itself with more similar, like minded institutions based on things like mission statements, admissions policies, and financial aid policies.

I call BS on this. If that was the case, why are you playing the rest of your sports in a conference that is such an odd fit?! 

You guys went to the MWC for competitive reasons in football. Fine, I think the MIAC should have given the rest of your sports the boot as well. And, FWIW, I don't want MAC to come back in football. Having 10 teams in the MIAC sponsoring football (one of them being MAC) won't help the top teams get at large bids for the playoffs as it will hurt SOS. I'd rather be able to schedule another quality non-con game.

Now I think some on the MIAC boards want to have their cake and eat it too.  They can say what a disgrace it is that Macalester is picking and choosing the sports to play in-conference, yet know that Mac's departure from the conference would result in a severe dropping off for the conference's academic profile.  Here's a question for you though:  would you rather see a healthy Macalester football team in the MIAC, with 70ish members on the team, or do you want the team that left the MIAC with 30ish players that you used as your personal footstool?  In-conference parity is something for which to strive, and having a competitive Macalester football team is in the best interest of the entire MIAC.  Despite this, it doesn't sound like you even want us back as a football member anyway.  The same people who bemoan our "picking and choosing" similarly bemoan the prospects of a nine-game conference schedule. 

I don't think it'd precipitate a 'severe drop off.' Contrary to the high minded attitudes of MAC and Carleton grads, the other MIAC institutions are very highly thought of. If MAC left, there'd be plenty of very good schools in the MIAC and Carleton as an elite school. Contrary to what you might think, some of us went to other MIAC schools despite getting accepted to schools with better academic reps and tougher admissions standards than MAC or Carleton. 

Again, I just don't want MAC to come back in football. 9 conference games each year pulls everyone's SoS back towards .500. SO, unless that school you're adding is a really good team, it doesn't benefit the other schools.

As for parity, I don't want conference parity. I want excellence and parity, we have the former and are increasingly improving the latter. There are plenty of conferences with remarkable parity and little quality. If I have to choose between the two, give me excellence.

Again, my beef isn't MAC leaving, it's that they stayed in the other sports and then guys like TAS are trying to tell us that it wasn't for competitive reasons. I think right now we have the worst possible option: MAC competing in a conference for football that isn't the MIAC. If that's the direction they want to go, then move all your sports. Or fully rejoin the MIAC. But if I'm honest, I'd rather have them leave all together. It'd help the basketball and baseball schedules as well. And we'd still retain Carleton, a better academic institution for our 'profile.'

That said, good luck today against UWW. Having played and coached in the NCAA playoffs, it's a great experience and I'm genuinely happy for the MAC players and coaches, who had nothing to do whatsoever with where MAC is currently playing.