FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[muchacho]

Guilford has some of the nicest grass at this level according to my limited experience on the subject of D3football playing surfaces. However, the rest of their facilities are crap, and I'm glad to see they are being improved.
Meanwhile, the litterbox at Catholic has been removed, and the field turf project is underway. Good news on that front.

Trenches...Is the news that you are waiting on have anything to do with Coach Kiesel staying at Guilford?

[Trenches]

     muchacho.... no... as far as I know he's in for the long haul. He and his staff seem hell bent on making the GC squad a championship caliber team. They took a great step in the right direction this past year and kiesel won't be going anywhere (esp. if GC keeps improving).
   However, I think one of the most important things to Guilford's success is the presence of the GC's assisstant coaches. Although only formed last year, GC has one of the best groups of coaches I know of. I know it sounds like I'm just hoisting them up, but all biast aside, what they bring to GC's football program will likely be the single most important key to Guilford's future success on the field.

[hasanova]

     muchacho.... no... as far as I know he's in for the long haul. He and his staff seem hell bent on making the GC squad a championship caliber team. They took a great step in the right direction this past year and kiesel won't be going anywhere (esp. if GC keeps improving).
   However, I think one of the most important things to Guilford's success is the presence of the GC's assisstant coaches. Although only formed last year, GC has one of the best groups of coaches I know of. I know it sounds like I'm just hoisting them up, but all biast aside, what they bring to GC's football program will likely be the single most important key to Guilford's future success on the field.

All good to hear, Trenches.  I don't think I ever remember Guilford trying to recruit 50 players in one season, much less already having a commitment from 40 (according to Kiesel).  I've personally watched Guilford football for 36 years and this season has some high expectations I have rarely seen in my experience.  Heck, when I was a student they started my freshman year 2-2 and then won only once more at homecoming my senior season, a stretch of 32 losses in a row!  Sadly, the Quakers were 3-36 in my four years and before anyone says anything, I played soccer and not football!  lol  We were certainly not good, but in their defense, however, back then they were often trying to play over their head versus Furman, Western Carolina, and others.  To be honest, the school came really, really close to dropping football in the early seventies.

I can't tell you how happy I am that the school is FINALLY building a new press box (with restrooms!), beautifying the stadium, putting in a new scoreboard, improving the seating and adding a better track.  I'm sure they are also planning to renovate the visitor side seats as well.  What they really also need, though, is a FIELDHOUSE with a concession area that could be shared by football, both lacrosse teams and baseball.   I happen to know that part of what is holding this up is a land use plan that may involve moving the baseball field to another part of the campus.  With its explosive growth the past few years, Guilford is very tight for land in the quad and northern areas of the campus, but several hundred acres of undeveloped land are available east of the baseball field.  Eventually, I think you will see the baseball field relocated with dorms and a fieldhouse built where the baseball field is now. 

[Trenches]

hasa,
  I think those developments are a ways off. They recently just put some money into extending the baseball field (new fences, land development, that type stuff) and added new dugout fences. I agree that a true fieldhouse is needed though. Before the talks of the new press box, there were talks of a fieldhouse between (and set back some) the baseball and football field. It would include training room, weight room, and locker rooms. I never heard anything about a concession stand, but I agree that it would be great to have one along with all the other improvements of the field.
  You're right though, there is a ton of land on the eastern side of campus. I have heard a ton of stories about what they will do with that. But I tell ya, If Guilford keeps growing as it has been, those talks might need to be sped up into plans. I think it'll be great to watch the development of the whole campus over the next 10 or so years.

[hasanova]

hasa,
  I think those developments are a ways off. They recently just put some money into extending the baseball field (new fences, land development, that type stuff) and added new dugout fences. I agree that a true fieldhouse is needed though. Before the talks of the new press box, there were talks of a fieldhouse between (and set back some) the baseball and football field. It would include training room, weight room, and locker rooms. I never heard anything about a concession stand, but I agree that it would be great to have one along with all the other improvements of the field.
You're right though, there is a ton of land on the eastern side of campus. I have heard a ton of stories about what they will do with that. But I tell ya, If Guilford keeps growing as it has been, those talks might need to be sped up into plans. I think it'll be great to watch the development of the whole campus over the next 10 or so years.

Trenches, I have seen some plans and you are right, some of this stuff may be a few years down the road.  One of the proposals is to put a parking lot where the practice field is behind the natatorium (narch, that word is for you!  lol) and connect it directly to Friendly Avenue by extending Dolley Madison Road through the Guilford woods.  Besides wanting to keep ample green space, another thing that prevents wholesale development of the 340 acres on Guilford's campus is the previous designation of the woods as a National Historic Landmark due to it being a clandestine stop on the 19th century Underground Railroad.  Not sure if you know it, but a building is planned soon between Hege-Cox Hall and Founders Hall that will face the quad and an addition is also going to be built on the back of New Garden Hall.

Back to football - I am exciting about the 2006 season and wish you guys luck.  Go Quakers! 

[Trenches]

   I did know that part of the Guilford Campus was an underground railroad stop, however I didn't realize it that the historical ground associated with it spread over 340 acres.
  Interesting news. I hadn't heard of anything about the practice field being moved up by Dana Auditorium. The building between hege-cox and founders... i'm assuming some sort of academic building? I do believe I have heard of some sort of addition to the New Garden building. I love that open area out front, but that could all one day end up being used for some development as well.

As far as the good luck... thanks, but my days with the Quakers have come and gone  I'm with you in wishing the team the best of luck this year.

[hasanova]

   I did know that part of the Guilford Campus was an underground railroad stop, however I didn't realize it that the historical ground associated with it spread over 340 acres.
  Interesting news. I hadn't heard of anything about the practice field being moved up by Dana Auditorium. The building between hege-cox and founders... i'm assuming some sort of academic building? I do believe I have heard of some sort of addition to the New Garden building. I love that open area out front, but that could all one day end up being used for some development as well.

As far as the good luck... thanks, but my days with the Quakers have come and gone  I'm with you in wishing the team the best of luck this year.

Actually, what I was referring to was the practice field behind the pool (natatorium) which will become a parking lot.  No changes around Dana Auditorium.  A new practice field would have to be built on the north side of the campus.  Yes, I think the planned building on the quad between Hege-Cox and Founders would be an academic building, but the quad center is targeted to stay open - and it should.  Sorry, I didn't realize your playing days were over - glad you finished with a good year.  Maybe we can meet at a game this fall.

[Jacketlawyer]

Welcome back Trenches.  Stick around.  Hasanova and Jacketlawyers are two of only few pulling the non-BC fan load.

Kid, I pull for BC when they go to the playoffs!!

Yep, gotta stick up for my Jackets.  Hopefully this is they year that Arruza and Company get the Macon program on the road.  While I don't know what kind of recruits R-M is getting in, I feel a lot better knowing that all of the returning '05 freshmen will be sophomores.  I think freshmen were about 60% of the team last year.

When I get more information about the football team, I'll make some predictions.  But I think, for now, I'll just read the boards and let those more knowledgeable than I lead me to the promised land.

[religion_major]

Welcome back Trenches.  Stick around.  Hasanova and Jacketlawyers are two of only few pulling the non-BC fan load.

Kid, I pull for BC when they go to the playoffs!!

Yep, gotta stick up for my Jackets.  Hopefully this is they year that Arruza and Company get the Macon program on the road.  While I don't know what kind of recruits R-M is getting in, I feel a lot better knowing that all of the returning '05 freshmen will be sophomores.  I think freshmen were about 60% of the team last year.

When I get more information about the football team, I'll make some predictions.  But I think, for now, I'll just read the boards and let those more knowledgeable than I lead me to the promised land.

I think Kid was talking about you being one of the few non-BC fans that posts on this board.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Thanks, RM.

Yeah, I wish more posters were like you Jacketlawyer ... you support your team (win or lose) and respect the rest of the schools at the same time.  I hope I come across the same way ... I'm a (1) BC fan and then (2) ODAC fan.

[Jacketlawyer]

Thanks RM and Kid.  I just wanted to clarify the fact that I am an ODAC fan as much as a Randolph-Macon guy.  But I think the point got across!!

I enjoy the posters on these boards, and I have for some time.  I started reading 'em several years ago, but only recently decided to contribute.  I have flaws--sometimes I'm hard on my school, but it's only because I love 'em, and want them to compete!!

[religion_major]

Jacketlawyer,

Wanting your school to do well is not a flaw.  From my prespective it is nice to hear from someone not backing BC.

[Jacketlawyer]

Thanks, RM.

Yeah, I wish more posters were like you Jacketlawyer ... you support your team (win or lose) and respect the rest of the schools at the same time.  I hope I come across the same way ... I'm a (1) BC fan and then (2) ODAC fan.

Kid, you do come across that way, at least to me!  Thanks for the compliment.

[hasanova]

Hey, kid, FYI - I got a call today from someone very close to the Guilford football program and we talked a bit about this fall's team.  He said the Quakers should have a very good team and the coaching staff is working really hard to recruit needed players and move personnel to best help the team.  Among other things, he said:

1.  Josh Vogelbach #16 (rising soph QB) will definitely be back.
2.  Taylor Baker #2 (rising Jr. FS) will definitely be back.
3.  Devon White #6 (rising Sr. CB - transfer from Ariz Western JC last fall ) may have some issues with GPA.
4.  Josh Crowell #3 (rising Sr. CB/FS - transfer from Ariz Western JC last fall ) may not return - not sure of a reason.
5.  Demetrius Snead #24 (a rising Sr. RB - transfer from Ariz Western JC last fall) may not return - not sure of a reason.
6.  Danny Langston #18 (a QB) may be switched to a DB position.
7.  Recruits include a good TE with size who got DI looks from schools such as FSU.
8.  A 26 year old DB transfer who has played at one of the SUNY schools (I think he had a military career before entering college).
9.  OL recruits to fill holes left by graduating Kirwan, Matthews and Haase.

Somewhat interesting to me that all three players with question marks were transfers last fall from the same Arizona JuCo.

Hope this helps restore some of the faith you had in your source last week.  Peace

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Hope this helps restore some of the faith you had in your source last week.  Peace

Thanks, but I do wish Guilford to be at full strength next season.  Anything less sure doesn't help Bridgewater (and vis versa).

I wish White, Crowell and Snead well.

7.  Recruits include a good TE with size who got DI looks from schools such as FSU.
8.  A 26 year old DB transfer who has played at one of the SUNY schools (I think he had a military career before entering college).
9.  OL recruits to fill holes left by graduating Kirwan, Matthews and Haase.

Sounds like you guys are looking good for the next three or four years!  I hope Guilford releases a recruiting list near the end of May, early June (that's when I'll be releasing Bridgewater's).