FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

There are 104 student-athletes playing that final weekend. I don't think it's that big a deal.

Sixteen teams is waaaaaaaay too small a field for the largest football division on the planet.

[PrideSportBBallGuy]

There are 104 student-athletes playing that final weekend. I don't think it's that big a deal.

Sixteen teams is waaaaaaaay too small a field for the largest football division on the planet.

I even agree with Pat.  There are probably (probably certain) more athletes playing basketball during finals week than football players.  A 16 Team field is way too small.

[Jacketlawyer]

There are 104 student-athletes playing that final weekend. I don't think it's that big a deal.

Sixteen teams is waaaaaaaay too small a field for the largest football division on the planet.

I even agree with Pat.  There are probably (probably certain) more athletes playing basketball during finals week than football players.  A 16 Team field is way too small.

I agree with everyone on this topic.  I wish they'd enlarge all of the DIII playoffs (hoops, lacrosse) to accurately reflect the number of programs.  No money in it, though, or at least the kind of money you have in DI stuff.

I'm such a cynic. . . . 

[tigerfanalso]

I wouldn't want to be one of those 104 students playing in the championship and have the pressure of exams on top of the pressure of the game coupled with time (lack of) and travel during exam time. Academics are top priorty at this level and f'ball should not interfer with exams regardless of the number of students involved.

16 teams is small for D3, but reality is, only a hand full of teams (maybe 8) have a chance to win. So why include 32 if the number of teams capable of winning is so small? D3 f'ball is dominated by a few schools at the national level with not much parity and has been for years.   

Being included in the playoffs sounds great but with 32 going it is not that exclusive, much like the number of D1 bowl games(no longer exclusive). Half the D1 schools go to a bowl but that is all about $, recruiting and add'l practice time much different than D3.

[Pat Coleman]

I wouldn't want to be one of those 104 students playing in the championship and have the pressure of exams on top of the pressure of the game coupled with time (lack of) and travel during exam time. Academics are top priorty at this level and f'ball should not interfer with exams regardless of the number of students involved.

They seem to do just fine. Some even miss winter graduation (larger schools have it) to play in the Stagg Bowl. The last couple of years, UWW players have had degrees conferred on them in Salem by the chancellor or a top department official that comes to the game.

Students take all sorts of tests and do all sorts of projects and homework all season long. Some schools manage to get a bye week during midterms but most don't. If you're cramming at the last minute for finals then you should've planned your time better the rest of the fall. Practice and playing time for a sport forces kids to be better at time management and many times kids have said they actually do better in school during their playing season.

[allsky7]

I wouldn't want to be one of those 104 students playing in the championship and have the pressure of exams on top of the pressure of the game coupled with time (lack of) and travel during exam time. Academics are top priorty at this level and f'ball should not interfer with exams regardless of the number of students involved.

16 teams is small for D3, but reality is, only a hand full of teams (maybe 8) have a chance to win. So why include 32 if the number of teams capable of winning is so small? D3 f'ball is dominated by a few schools at the national level with not much parity and has been for years.   

Being included in the playoffs sounds great but with 32 going it is not that exclusive, much like the number of D1 bowl games(no longer exclusive). Half the D1 schools go to a bowl but that is all about $, recruiting and add'l practice time much different than D3.

     tiger...when you first posted on this topic I didn't agree with you. I'm still not sure I do but you make a compelling arguement. (exams/grades, etc) I am certainly no expert on D3 teams nationwide. I suspect that you are correct in that there are only a handful that can give the Purple Raiders and Warhawks of the world a run for their money. The problem is, if not for the AQ and you cut the number down to 16, IMHO, it is likely the ODAC would suffer as a result many years.
     Wacker got the ball rolling for the ODAC on the national scene but it was BC, that took it to another level. Man, I tell ya, as much as I would have preferred the Tigers to make it to Salem, it sure was exciting seeing the Eagles there. They truly raised the bar.
     I do agree that exam time is a tough time for players to miss class, whether it  affects 100 or 1000. I do think that most players are able to manage. If they don't, I suspect that maybe they were already on thin ice. Anyway, just my nickels worth.  8)

[Pat Coleman]

16 teams is small for D3, but reality is, only a hand full of teams (maybe 8) have a chance to win. So why include 32 if the number of teams capable of winning is so small? D3 f'ball is dominated by a few schools at the national level with not much parity and has been for years.   

Being included in the playoffs sounds great but with 32 going it is not that exclusive, much like the number of D1 bowl games(no longer exclusive). Half the D1 schools go to a bowl but that is all about $, recruiting and add'l practice time much different than D3.

I disagree with your "reality." In 1999 the national champion would not have even made the field. The 2000 and 2004 runner-up -- each of whom lost by a touchdown or less in games decided in the final minute -- would have been left out of your field. Are you sure they are not capable of winning the title?

Teams below a 4 seed (which you would deny playoff bids to) make the national quarterfinals and semifinals.

You compare the Division I bowl fiasco, where one-half of all teams qualify, to Division III? In Division III, 32 out of about 220 eligible (around one out of every seven teams) makes the playoffs.

I think you're missing the point.

[tigerfanalso]

Pat:

My only point with the D1 comparison is only to say that it makes sense for lots of D1 bowl games because D1 bowl games are all about money, recruiting and extra practice time.

You make a very good point regarding the 1999, 2000 & 2004 championship games. I was not aware those teams were seeded so low in their region.

I still say, 16 teams but change the process of regional rankings to make sure the 4 best teams in each region gets in. Sounds like that did not happen in the years you referenced. I have no idea if that is at all possible at the D3 level.

AllSky, although you didn't directly disagree with me, you certainly hinted in that direction.  Remember, you are much too young to disagree with me. I know Coach S taught you to respect your elders !!!!!!

[allsky7]

Pat:

My only point with the D1 comparison is only to say that it makes sense for lots of D1 bowl games because D1 bowl games are all about money, recruiting and extra practice time.

You make a very good point regarding the 1999, 2000 & 2004 championship games. I was not aware those teams were seeded so low in their region.

I still say, 16 teams but change the process of regional rankings to make sure the 4 best teams in each region gets in. Sounds like that did not happen in the years you referenced. I have no idea if that is at all possible at the D3 level.

AllSky, although you didn't directly disagree with me, you certainly hinted in that direction.  Remember, you are much too young to disagree with me. I know Coach S taught you to respect your elders !!!!!!

     LOL tiger....you are correct...Coach S and Mama S did teach me to respect my elders. It was that damn liberals arts education that ruined me. 

[yellow jacket]

JacketLawyer,

To turn things around, R-MC needs continuity at positions.  I think we finally have that.  This year, we will finally have all the main contributors back to several important positions (something we have never had before).  The O-Line will finally return alot of quality starters, we have more depth at every position than I have ever seen, and I have heard some of my teammates say they will put up with any conditioning or torture a coach can come up with b/c they want to play.

You look at BC, they have depth and returners every year.  Same with all the teams that are getting better.  What once were easy games even for R-MC (W&L, E&H, GC) are now beating us w/ authority. 

We have also regained our pride.  Many players I know would now not take any crap for non-football players about the state of the team.  It used to be people would rag on us and no one would care.  We have too much pride for that now.

Oh, and thanks for wishing me luck on the Series 7.  My company is giving me 2 1/2 weeks to finish it.  That thing is a beast!

Go Jackets

[kickerdad]

I may be talking to myself here since all the W&L folks have disappeared and Pride hates Averett, but once again I will ask........What will or does W&L have returning from the championship team this coming year. Averett has decided to play them for the next two years and I read on Averetts web site today that they will pick up Bridgewater next year.

And before anyone starts on me I have the upmost respect for both schools. I have family that graduated from W&L (trust me they "the family" are not jerks) they actually agree with Kmack and Matt on this. And my son was interviewed by Coach Clark and was accepted at Bridgewater before he made his choice to go to Averett.

I know what Bridgewater has (they are the CNU of the ODAC) I just hadn't heard anything out of Lexington in years and it surprised me that they won the championship last year.

[tigerfanalso]

Kickerdad

Can't help you with your question(s) regarding W&L but I would recommend
that you go onto their web site. Perhaps that could be a beginning point.

Last year (before many key injuries) W&L had a very good defense; a very good (great) wide out and a good QB. Don't remember names, but they had some very good players. Have no idea which positions are returning etc.

Good luck and best wishes for the 07 season.

[Jacketlawyer]

We have also regained our pride.  Many players I know would now not take any crap for non-football players about the state of the team.  It used to be people would rag on us and no one would care.  We have too much pride for that now.

Go Jackets

Muy bien!

I'm going to wait for the season to begin before I sign up entirely, YJ, but I like what you're writing and I've waited a while to read something like this.

But now I'm looking forward to the season to begin!

[allsky7]

We have also regained our pride.  Many players I know would now not take any crap for non-football players about the state of the team.  It used to be people would rag on us and no one would care.  We have too much pride for that now.

Go Jackets

Muy bien!

I'm going to wait for the season to begin before I sign up entirely, YJ, but I like what you're writing and I've waited a while to read something like this.

But now I'm looking forward to the season to begin!

     I don't like to wish my life away because more of my water has passed under the bridge than I likely have left but MEEE TOOO!!!! 
     Speaking of the season beginning...I saw where ESPN Gameday is doing their season opener in Blackburg for the ECU game. WOW...I'm sure that will be an emotional day. Almost brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. 

[willierobin]

It's almost July...let's get some predictions...here's mine:
1. Bridgewater - Still the most talent and should be angry after last year.
2. W&L - Most of the defense back. Teams will be gunning for them.
3. Guilford - Top qb back...loses some weapons. Defense improving.
4,5,6,7 - Too close too call - E&H loses its leaders (qb and mlb) - HSC loses most of its o-line and the big rb - Catholic and R-M were the youngest and lose the least (R-M still has qb questions).