FB: Midwest Conference

[gbpuckfan]

GB,

I beleieve other programs have hosted home playoff games at other stadiums before, but I am not 100% sure on that...I'm sure Pat knows.

I think Knox is almost completely hill seating and no actual seats, so I'm not sure the NCAA would like that much better. Its probably been 10 years since I was there, so it could have changed.

In the end, if the brackets fall the way of an 8-2 west coast team matching up against Monmouth, I think they would send them fence or fence, rather than change the seedings or make MC travel.

Knox rebuilt the stadium and it now has real stands - very nice from what I am told.

[gbpuckfan]

Monmouth moves up to #20:

AFCA Division III Coaches Poll
By The Associated Press
Through Oct. 19
                               Record  Pts  Pvs
1. Mount Union, Ohio (30)        6-0   990   1
2. Wisconsin-Whitewater (10)     6-0   968   2
3. Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas     6-0   912   3
4. Muhlenberg, Pa.               7-0   821   5
5. Wabash, Ind.                  6-0   818   4
6. North Central, Ill.           6-0   779   6
7. Wheaton, Ill.                 6-0   767   7
8. Washington & Jefferson, Pa.   6-0   718   8
9. Cortland State, N.Y.          6-0   671   9
10. Millsaps, Miss.               7-0   630  10
11. Trinity, Texas                6-0   594 t11
12. Case Western, Ohio            6-0   518  13
13. Hardin-Simmons, Texas         6-1   507  15
14. Wesley, Del.                  4-1   478  14
15. Willamette, Ore.              7-0   463  16
16. Salisbury, Md.                6-1   330  19
17. Hampden-Sydney, Va.           7-0   329  20
18. Otterbein, Ohio               6-0   315  21
19. Occidental, Calif.            5-0   241  22
20. Monmouth, Ill.                7-0   202  23
21. Curry, Mass.                  7-0   156  25
22. Rensselaer, N.Y.              5-0   114   -
23. Ithaca, N.Y.                  5-1    98   -
24. Wisconsin-Eau Claire          5-2    76 t11
25. Linfield, Ore.                4-1    75   -

[scottie]

[/quote] Knox rebuilt the stadium and it now has real stands - very nice from what I am told. [/quote]

The only reason why the Knox Bowl could possibly be an option is that the Scots should have very positive recent memories.  I'm still predicting they hit triple digits in the Turkey Bowl.    

Anway, there are still a lot of IFs that come into play before we give the Scots the outright championship.  Should the Scots get to host, I suppose they could call in the National Guard to keep all non-paying spectators no closer than 500 feet from the field at all times.  What a crock of "shut yo mouth."

 

[Maverick]

I suppose the Knox Bowl could be an option...and it wouldn't be a very bad option since MC hasn't lost a game there in quite awhile.

Sunny Lane Field, where Monmouth-Roseville HS plays their home games on the west side of town, could be an option also.  The Scots played their last 2 "home" games there about 10 years ago when Bobby Woll Field was unplayable after an extremely muddy game in the middle of the season.  I don't know the NCAA requirements well enough to know whether that field would qualify for a playoff game.

Regardless, it's a shame if Monmouth does get a home playoff game and isn't able to actually play it at home on Bobby Woll Field.  Also, congrats to the Scots on moving up to #20 in the AFCA Poll.

[SNCOLDAD]

I think it would be a real crime to determine home field by the facilities. Especially since Monmouth just completed a lot of work on their stadium. Who is going to a D3 1st round playoff and not pop the few bucks to watch? If they finish the season undefeated, they deserve a home game in the first round. I also think they can win one. They are probably rated high enough in the west to get a home game against a couple different teams.

As far as holding it at Knox, I don't think so. So Monmouth hasn't lost there for years. There is only one, maybe 2 teams that have, and one is Knox. Sorry. Low blow but it is kinda true. It just would not be the same. If they earn it, they deserve a HOME game.

Time to board a plane.

Just remember, scottie says   GO GREEN KNIGHTS

[gbpuckfan]

I think it would be a real crime to determine home field by the facilities.

Well, the truth is the NCAA had real concerns, as I recall, about Minahan - between the lights (both phyical position and their ability) and the lack of locker rooms at the facility. Obviously SNC has hosted, so it convinced the NCAA it was OK.

That said, the NCAA wants to make sure that playoff experiences are nice, somewhat equitable - and, yes, that its financial stake is assured.

That's why there are often specific seating minimums, lockerroom requirements, media room requirements, and on and on. And those do eliminate facilities.

[scottie]

A few shots of the MC enhancements - some recent, some a few years ago:

New "home" stands, press box, Scottie's private luxury suite, etc:   
http://www.monm.edu/slideshows/football-field/football-field10.htm

New "visitor" stands - while under construction:
http://www.monm.edu/slideshows/football-field/football-field6.htm

"Stadium" entrance - done a few years ago (Sorry, no brick walls):
http://www.monm.edu/aboutus/facilities/boucher_plaza.jpg

Location of the locker facilities - which are up to par with the rest of site:
http://www.monm.edu/huff/tour/index.htm

L E T   T H E M   H O S T   I N   2 0 0 8 ! ! !

[piopride10]

All this facility talk got me wondering... we should rank the conference facilities.  I played in the conference the previous 4 years and have a pretty good idea about all of the facilities, minus the new Knox and Monmouth improvements.  I would really like to hear some feedback from people about this and rank each on your own.  These are my rankings and reasons:

1. Beloit – Could their new complex be any nicer?  Maybe field turf?  No, let's keep this place natural.  Just an awesome experience for visiting teams with terrific locker rooms.

2. IC – Still quite a walk for visitors but what a great atmosphere and field.

3. Monmouth – Field turf in for next year, new seats and press box, entrance way, not to mention the open space a beauty of the campus itself.  Nice weight room.  2 rooms for offense and defense... pretty cool.  If only the locker rooms didn't look like storage areas...

4. Knox – Great new field, but still a hike for visitors.  Weight room is awesome though.  I haven't seen the new field in person but if I voted on the old Bowl it would have been near the bottom.

5. Carroll – Field turf is nice, but getting a little old.  New locker rooms are nice but should have been designed better (they should have made room for visiting teams and put in more than 10 shower heads).  The visiting lockers are not bad, but not great by any means.

6. Grinnell – Natural grass is always in great condition.  Construction this year hurt the appeal, but still pretty nice.

7. LFC – Good venue, especially if the visiting team wants to walk a mile before the game.

8. Ripon – Nice field turf, but what's the deal with the locker rooms?

9. St. Norbert – I know plans are being made to improve the facilities.  I just wish the conference powerhouse had a little more to offer.

10. Lawrence – Tradition or not, the Banta Bowl is cool to look at, but the field is terrible, plus the visiting team locker rooms leave a little to be desired (and the 3 mile walk)

This list is just my person opinion.  Of course I liked playing at Carroll the most but there's no doubt other schools have outdone themselves.  Let's hear what you all have to say.

[sncfballfan]

Wierd, piopride being biased again.  I understand that the visitors at SNC have it rough with having to ride the bus from the locker rooms, but come on, Carrol at #5???  You guys and Lawrence have the worst locker rooms possible.  Try fitting 100 guys in there, not to mention it's like a sauna....

[larry_u]

All this facility talk got me wondering... we should rank the conference facilities.  I played in the conference the previous 4 years and have a pretty good idea about all of the facilities, minus the new Knox and Monmouth improvements.  I would really like to hear some feedback from people about this and rank each on your own.  These are my rankings and reasons:

1. Beloit – Could their new complex be any nicer?  Maybe field turf?  No, let's keep this place natural.  Just an awesome experience for visiting teams with terrific locker rooms.

2. IC – Still quite a walk for visitors but what a great atmosphere and field.

3. Monmouth – Field turf in for next year, new seats and press box, entrance way, not to mention the open space a beauty of the campus itself.  Nice weight room.  2 rooms for offense and defense... pretty cool.  If only the locker rooms didn't look like storage areas...

4. Knox – Great new field, but still a hike for visitors.  Weight room is awesome though.  I haven't seen the new field in person but if I voted on the old Bowl it would have been near the bottom.

5. Carroll – Field turf is nice, but getting a little old.  New locker rooms are nice but should have been designed better (they should have made room for visiting teams and put in more than 10 shower heads).  The visiting lockers are not bad, but not great by any means.

6. Grinnell – Natural grass is always in great condition.  Construction this year hurt the appeal, but still pretty nice.

7. LFC – Good venue, especially if the visiting team wants to walk a mile before the game.

8. Ripon – Nice field turf, but what's the deal with the locker rooms?

9. St. Norbert – I know plans are being made to improve the facilities.  I just wish the conference powerhouse had a little more to offer.

10. Lawrence – Tradition or not, the Banta Bowl is cool to look at, but the field is terrible, plus the visiting team locker rooms leave a little to be desired (and the 3 mile walk)This list is just my person opinion.  Of course I liked playing at Carroll the most but there's no doubt other schools have outdone themselves.  Let's hear what you all have to say.

Its called Home field advantage....

Granted LU doesn't really take advantage, but still...

[piopride10]

Wow sncfballfan, you are amazing.  Calling me biased by putting my own team's facilities at #5?  Are you kidding me?!?!  You get defensive even about something as trivial as this.  I just wanted to see what people thought about the conference fields and stuff.  I didn't want to stir the pot and try to make people feel bad about how crummy their facilities are.  I unbiasedly ranked all of these.  Had there been any bias Carroll would have been #1, but on this issue I tried to be completely rational.  Sorry that Carroll makes you change in LOCKER ROOMS.  That's a weird idea... SNC should try it.

Larry - I understand the homefield advantage argument.  I've never really felt it exists in the conference (many will disagree with me) but I personally played a below average game there.  The LU players were way more confident with their footing than I was so the field definately played a major role.  I love the look of the Banta Bowl and the seating is awesome.  Does LU have any plans for improving the other aspects of its facilities?

[scottie]

SEE WHAT YOU DID, PP10???    

I'm very interested to see how the SNC/RC game shakes out.  (Not interested enough to watch it on the computer, but interested nonetheless.)  Still a lot at stake should the Scots somehow stub their collective toe. 


T H E   F A T   L A D Y   I S   B L O W I N G   U P   H E R   B A G P I P E S ! ! !

[sncfballfan]

Relax my man, there was no stirring the pot at all.  I am the first one to admit that the SNC facilities are TERRIBLE for both home and away teams, it's pathetic and a huge turn off to recruits.  As far as Carroll, I loved playing there with the upgrades they made, just commenting that the locker rooms for visiting teams were very poor. 

As far as #1, it's hard to argue with Beloit and how they accommodate the teams in their facilties. 

Sorry to ruffle your feathers but I should have known better since your alumni can never get the monkey off of their back to take down SNC 

[SNCOLDAD]

BOOM SHAKA LACKA!!!!! 8)

[rookie11]

Have the regional rankings been posted?