FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[hasanova]

"While these seven will certainly be missed... "

Yep, I realize all the things you're saying are true, but I was purposely trying to look on the bright side for 2006.  And, as you noted, it will be especially interesting to look at the O-line starters this fall.  Granted, in a DIII program that's got good roster numbers and retention, you should be graduating many more, but this is where we are now.  As BC well knows, winning consistently changes a lot of things.  Hopefully, future graduation day photos will have a lot more mortarboards!  Hope so!

Hey, even programs that win and have large recruiting classes have "bad" players and retention problems.  Look at Bridgewater, for instance.  We had 29 graduate this May, but that recruiting class (the fall after our Stagg Bowl trip) was the largest we've ever had.  We had more than 125 incoming freshman in the fall of 2002 ... but only 29 stuck with it and played all four years.  So our retention (football-wise) was pretty bad - around 23%.  But maybe that's always the case, no matter what the size of the recruiting class is.  Maybe only one of four kids that come into a program actually stick it out on the field and are apart of the team for four years.  It could be the case that Guilford had 25 to 30 newcomers in 2002 and these seven are the 25% who made it all four years.

Wow, that's a mind-boggling number for BC!  I knew going to the Stagg Bowl would boost recruiting, but I never imagined it would make that much difference.  Not sure how many players Coach Ketchum brought in the last few years - my guess would be 20-25 per year with no winning team since '97 (8-2) until last years 5-5.  I know if the Quakers get 50 commitments this year it will be a big increase.   Typically, across the board, I'd say about 75% of all traditional-age incoming freshmen at Guilford will be there for graduation in 4-5 years, so the percentage for football certainly appears to be lower.  Maybe some back-to-back winning seasons will help that issue - I know it did in the 1980's when Guilford won with more consistency.  To me, getting a good education comes first and football second, but I'd like to see good results for both!

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Yeah ... in 2002, we had to hold a freshman summer camp a week before the returners came.  We'll never have that size recruiting class again ... 125 was a bit ridiculous.  Clearly overwhelming for a coaching staff, but equally as much for the kids.  I'm sure the coaches and recruits would rather have a 40 to 60 number.  Of course more would choose quality over quantity.

[Jacketlawyer]

Yeah ... in 2002, we had to hold a freshman summer camp a week before the returners came.  We'll never have that size recruiting class again ... 125 was a bit ridiculous.  Clearly overwhelming for a coaching staff, but equally as much for the kids.  I'm sure the coaches and recruits would rather have a 40 to 60 number.  Of course more would choose quality over quantity.

HECK, I remember that class.  I was mortified, thinking, hey man, why aren't some of those kids going to Randolph-Macon?   As I recall, the pre-season roster for Bridgewater ran out of numbers.

Anyhoo, I'm enjoying reading the Guilford/Bridgewater posts, and hope y'all will keep posting 'em.  If you get a little R-M information for me, other than the stuff that's already been posted, give me a shout.

Thanks!!!

[hasanova]

Just in case you don't read the USASAC Board, CNU85 says ODU is restarting football (on hiatus since 1940) in 2009.  Probably 1-AA, but may affect the overall talent pool in eastern Virginia.

[Jeremybozz]

I saw that Lindy's football magazine had W&J #7 in the nation and BC at #19. However, it predicted that BC's 6th ODAC crown in a row would not be easy.

[Ralph Turner]

Just in case you don't read the USASAC Board, CNU85 says ODU is restarting football (on hiatus since 1940) in 2009.  Probably 1-AA, but may affect the overall talent pool in eastern Virginia.

Hasanova, do you think that the ODU effect on the talent pool would be to dilute the D1-AA talent that then impacts the D-2's which in turn pulls away talent from the D3's?

[Jeremybozz]

That could happen but I think CNU might be impacted the most.

[Trenches]

Nice photo of Guilford's Coach Kiesel and the seven Seniors who graduated May 6.  Good luck guys!  Thanks for suiting up for the Quakers. 

While these seven will certainly be missed, it bodes well that only seven guys will be off the 2006 roster due to graduation. 


http://www.guilford.edu/athletics/index.cfm?ID=a000008

Glad you liked the photo. It was taken on my camera  ... I had to do some editing because it came out too bright. The day of the graduation was beautiful and a bit to sunny for that pic. BUt it turned out pretty well I think 

[hasanova]

Just in case you don't read the USASAC Board, CNU85 says ODU is restarting football (on hiatus since 1940) in 2009.  Probably 1-AA, but may affect the overall talent pool in eastern Virginia.

Hasanova, do you think that the ODU effect on the talent pool would be to dilute the D1-AA talent that then impacts the D-2's which in turn pulls away talent from the D3's?

Yes, I do think it will have a residual effect.  In my opinion, many I-AA programs tend to be more regionally based in their recruiting.  I see it initially impacting Norfolk State (DI-AA) in the MEAC and some CIAA DII's such as Virginia State, Virginia Union, St. Paul and even Elizabeth City State U. in NC.  I honestly don't think it will affect W&M very much (even though they're also a state school - ODU began in 1930 as a division of W&M by the way) because their academic standing and wider recruiting reach is slightly different than ODU's.  Finally, however, I do see it impacting the USASAC's DIII Christopher Newport, which is also a state supported school.  If you're good enough - and want to stay near home - why pay to play at CNU if ODU can give you a scholarship? 

[hasanova]

Nice photo of Guilford's Coach Kiesel and the seven Seniors who graduated May 6.  Good luck guys!  Thanks for suiting up for the Quakers. 

While these seven will certainly be missed, it bodes well that only seven guys will be off the 2006 roster due to graduation. 


http://www.guilford.edu/athletics/index.cfm?ID=a000008

Glad you liked the photo. It was taken on my camera  ... I had to do some editing because it came out too bright. The day of the graduation was beautiful and a bit to sunny for that pic. BUt it turned out pretty well I think 

Nice job - if you had to edit it, I think it came out fine.  I live about three miles from the campus and remember what a pretty day that was.  I can see the end of Founders and the gazebo behind the guys, so I can tell exactly where you were taking the photo.

By the way, do you know if Kiesel has hired a Defensive Coach to fill Snead's vacated spot?

[Ralph Turner]

Just in case you don't read the USASAC Board, CNU85 says ODU is restarting football (on hiatus since 1940) in 2009.  Probably 1-AA, but may affect the overall talent pool in eastern Virginia.

Hasanova, do you think that the ODU effect on the talent pool would be to dilute the D1-AA talent that then impacts the D-2's which in turn pulls away talent from the D3's?

Yes, I do think it will have a residual effect.  In my opinion, many I-AA programs tend to be more regionally based in their recruiting.  I see it initially impacting Norfolk State (DI-AA) in the MEAC and some CIAA DII's such as Virginia State, Virginia Union, St. Paul and even Elizabeth City State U. in NC.  I honestly don't think it will affect W&M very much (even though they're also a state school - ODU began in 1930 as a division of W&M by the way) because their academic standing and wider recruiting reach is slightly different than ODU's.  Finally, however, I do see it impacting the USASAC's DIII Christopher Newport, which is also a state supported school.  If you're good enough - and want to stay near home - why pay to play at CNU if ODU can give you a scholarship? 

How many football scholarships may D1-AA's give?  And over how many athletes will ODU spread those scholarships?

[hasanova]

How many football scholarships may D1-AA's give?  And over how many athletes will ODU spread those scholarships?

You know, I'm not sure without doing some research, but I bet some DI-AA schools have a handful of "stars" to whom they give a full scholarship and others get varying percentages from 25 to 75 or 80%.  I know that's how it was done when some current DIII schools were in the NAIA.

[Trenches]

By the way, do you know if Kiesel has hired a Defensive Coach to fill Snead's vacated spot?

I haven't heard much. I do know that they have had some decent candidates apply for the job. I just hope the change isnt too radical. This will make it the 4th def co. and the 4th def system in 4 years.

[Highlander]

I believe with the addition of ODU that all of the Virginia schools will feel the impact on recruiting. This will probrably alos impact the USA South since it might force more of those schools to look further south to feel their needs i.e. they might start to recruit more heavily in Georgia and Florida. I know that this is already the case with Averett.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

I purchased the Lindy's National College Football Preview today ... I'll post their top 25 on my web site tonight.

As Jeremybozz reported, BC is ranked No. 19.  Others of note are No. 1 Mount Union, No. 2 UW-Whitewater, No. 3 Rowan, No. 7 Washington & Jefferson, No. 8 Linfield, No. 14 Thiel, No. 16 Wesley and No. 24 Christopher Newport.

Congrats to Chris Barnette (Guilford WR), Stuart Sitterson (W&L PR/KR) and Jack Martin (W&L WR) for making Lindy's 2006 All-Division III Team.  Barnette made 1st team, while Sitterson and Martin made 2nd.

They tabbed the Bridgewater-Ferrum game as one of the top five games of the year.