FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[jknezek]

E&H leaving D-III.
https://www.d3sports.com/notables/2020/11/emory-henry-sets-sights-d2

That will be interesting. I can see what they are going for, given the plethora of D3 schools in VA and the relative scarcity of D2 schools. E&H has been very reliant on athletes to make numbers for a while, so if that stays the strategy, maybe this will give them an edge. Their facilities are probably fine for D2, at least the ones I remember. Certainly the main stadium. I don't recall the gym as well, but I don't remember it being bad.

I wish them luck. It was never one of my favorite places to visit for football games. Sure the crowd was passionate, but I also found them to be more than a bit angry and rude. The last time I was there several tried to pick fights with me and my fraternity brother who were wearing W&L gear. It was entertaining since he is a Federal Prosecutor for SW VA and is married to an E&H grad.

Otherwise, despite the emphasis on student athletes in the campus make up, they never seemed real good at any sport on a consistent basis. They never won a Commissioner's Cup, men's or women's let alone the overall, and never finished higher than 7th in the last 20 years. Mostly in the 8-11 range in the overall, which puts them as one of the last co-ed schools in the conference.

They are something of a geographic outlier in the ODAC, but it's still not real bad especially with the addition of Ferrum. E&H to RMC is less than 5 hours, Va Wes is less than 6 hours, I believe those are the 2 longest as Shenandoah is maybe more miles but a straight shot up I-81. I guess the trips will be shorter in the SAC though, much to my surprise. It doesn't look like they will have a road trip more than 4.5 hours and more than a few schools will be under 2 hours. At worst it is a wash but it does look better. So maybe that was also a big factor? Especially given the SAC is also a private school, liberal arts based conference.

Either way, good luck to E&H. Bummer for ODAC football scheduling, but I'm sure a lot of other sports, already overstuffed, aren't too upset at losing a middle of the conference, at best, program.

[HSCTiger fan]

Guilford is not the only ODAC school to cut majors. https://www.whsv.com/2020/11/09/bridgwater-college-votes-to-cut-majors-programs-and-jobs/

I've heard that there will not be a football season in the ODAC in the spring. Mainly because most of the schools cannot afford the testing they would be required to do for Covid-19. Has anyone else heard this?

Pat in the past there was a lot more to report on this time of year. I'm sure there might be many D3 football junkies who would be interested in hearing about the only D3 player in the country being nominated for such a prestigious award.

[R-MC Guy]

I believe that the ODAC has announced that they will be playing football in the spring (beginning in February) and that they will be publishing a schedule soon.

[Scots13]

Wow. Guilford and Bridgewater cutting Math as a major. I can think of at least 5 "majors" that should be axed well before Mathematics—but that wouldn't be politically correct. Welcome to educational priorities in the 21st Century, I guess. 

[Macon]

Wow. Guilford and Bridgewater cutting Math as a major. I can think of at least 5 "majors" that should be axed well before Mathematics—but that wouldn't be politically correct. Welcome to educational priorities in the 21st Century, I guess.

Couldn't agree more.  As an old Math major myself, it's hard to realize that schools jettison Math and keep Social Study types.  Math is a foundational major for such areas as Computer Sciences and Engineering.  No wonder we need foreign workers. 

Glad to say, contrary to these schools, that RMC is adding enrollment and majors.  Enrollment has increased for years, with records for freshmen and overall enrollment this fall.  Additionally, adding Engineering and Nursing majors this fall, with two new buildings to support these new majors.

Hate to see any school struggle, but too many low academic students populate small colleges, contributing to low retention rates.  Many of these student shouldn't be in school to begin with, often facilitated by the athletic programs.  Looking at a college with less than 1000 students including 100 freshmen football recruits is a huge red flag to me.  Once they realize that playing time is not going to happen, I bet most leave college.

Having said all that, I know there are a few exceptions where a low achieving high schooler will find their groove if giving the chance at the cultivating and supportive environment of small colleges.

[MUC57]

Wow. Guilford and Bridgewater cutting Math as a major. I can think of at least 5 "majors" that should be axed well before Mathematics—but that wouldn't be politically correct. Welcome to educational priorities in the 21st Century, I guess.

Couldn't agree more.  As an old Math major myself, it's hard to realize that schools jettison Math and keep Social Study types.  Math is a foundational major for such areas as Computer Sciences and Engineering.  No wonder we need foreign workers. 

Glad to say, contrary to these schools, that RMC is adding enrollment and majors.  Enrollment has increased for years, with records for freshmen and overall enrollment this fall.  Additionally, adding Engineering and Nursing majors this fall, with two new buildings to support these new majors.

Hate to see any school struggle, but too many low academic students populate small colleges, contributing to low retention rates.  Many of these student shouldn't be in school to begin with, often facilitated by the athletic programs.  Looking at a college with less than 1000 students including 100 freshmen football recruits is a huge red flag to me.  Once they realize that playing time is not going to happen, I bet most leave college.

Having said all that, I know there are a few exceptions where a low achieving high schooler will find their groove if giving the chance at the cultivating and supportive environment of small colleges.

Macon

Best to you and RMC. Liked your post. +K 🎓

[Macon]

Thanks, MUC, appreciate it.  Just to add some details/background to my post, here's a few links:

https://www.rmc.edu/departments/nursing/payne-hall

https://www.rmc.edu/news-and-calendar/news-stories/2020/08/27/r-mc-breaks-enrollment-records-students-move-in

https://www.rmc.edu/news-and-calendar/news-stories/2020/03/05/r-mc-establishes-bachelor-of-science-in-engineering

[Macon]

I just signed up to be a Patreon supporter for D3Sports.Com.  I'd strongly encourage others to do the same (see article on the Homepage).  Let's support the site to keep the conversations going!

[HSCTiger fan]

I just signed up to be a Patreon supporter for D3Sports.Com.  I'd strongly encourage others to do the same (see article on the Homepage).  Let's support the site to keep the conversations going!

Agreed. I love this site. Give what you can afford but let's all give something.

[y_jack_lok]

ODAC spring football schedule: https://odaconline.com/sports/fball/2020-21/schedule

Couldn't find a press release on the ODAC site, so here is the R-MC release: https://www.rmcathletics.com/sports/fball/2020-21/releases/20201209m788u1?fbclid=IwAR3EdBk8tLd4tb1XBuy6fIT-uSmZPtIrGtskZiZu-SQLTGC2Ox1bZmoUcG8

[hasanova]

[quote autscots13 link=topic=4747.msg1995444#msg1995444 date=1606241996]
Wow. Guilford and Bridgewater cutting Math as a major. I can think of at least 5 "majors" that should be axed well before Mathematics—but that wouldn't be politically correct. Welcome to educational priorities in the 21st Century, I guess.
[/quote]As a double major in Mathematics and Economics at Guilford in the '70's, I am very upset about this possibility.  A college without Math is incomprehensible to me and the alumni are fighting it tooth and nail.

[Macon]

[quote autscots13 link=topic=4747.msg1995444#msg1995444 date=1606241996]
Wow. Guilford and Bridgewater cutting Math as a major. I can think of at least 5 "majors" that should be axed well before Mathematics—but that wouldn't be politically correct. Welcome to educational priorities in the 21st Century, I guess.
As a double major in Mathematics and Economics at Guilford in the '70's, I am very upset about this possibility.  A college without Math is incomprehensible to me and the alumni are fighting it tooth and nail.

Very sorry that you're having to go through this tough situation.  Simply 'fighting it' may not be enough, but alums need to donate dollars and maybe big dollars.  May be a wake-up call, and hopefully GC alums will step up.  Truly wishing good luck to GC.

[WilsonField]

Long time follower first time poster. Quarantine has given me more time and finally decided to post. Will be interesting to see how going test optional affects W&L / the league. Have to imagine they are able to recruit some kids they previously couldn't with the 33 act / 1480 sat average. Hoping for some ball this winter!

[hasanova]

Guilford is not the only ODAC school to cut majors. https://www.whsv.com/2020/11/09/bridgwater-college-votes-to-cut-majors-programs-and-jobs/

I've heard that there will not be a football season in the ODAC in the spring. Mainly because most of the schools cannot afford the testing they would be required to do for Covid-19. Has anyone else heard this?

Pat in the past there was a lot more to report on this time of year. I'm sure there might be many D3 football junkies who would be interested in hearing about the only D3 player in the country being nominated for such a prestigious award.

The alumni and friends of Guilford complained so much about the interim President's proposals that the Board of Trustees put them on hold.  I do not think the initial plan will be implemented. Stay tuned.

[y_jack_lok]

BC head coach retiring.

https://odac.prestosports.com/sports/fball/2020-21/releases/20210105mrfkcl?fbclid=IwAR2GZoyHsRntRXA9qv0HoWZq0-N4HHIKAfnscRc4RhRkkUv6dYgOuHWUCBo