FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[muchacho]

Catholic's new conference for other sports is full of non football programs. I know there has been some thought about potentially joining the Centennial, but I don't think they want to add more programs. I'm not certain of it, but they may have tried to join the CC before the ODAC back when they were looking for a conference for football.
Catholic is geographically isolated from other football programs. I think the geographically diverse ACFC might offer Catholic a spot, but that option isn't very attractive without a berth to the playoffs.

[Pat Coleman]

I don't foresee Catholic leaving the ODAC. An eighth team would be attractive to the league -- that way teams don't have to play non-conference games at the end of the year just to fill their schedule.

It's also good for the conference to keep options open in case W&L decides it can't deal with the lesser academic schools around here (and in W&L's mine, that's all of them) and bolts for the Centennial itself.

[allsky7]

I don't foresee Catholic leaving the ODAC. An eighth team would be attractive to the league -- that way teams don't have to play non-conference games at the end of the year just to fill their schedule.

It's also good for the conference to keep options open in case W&L decides it can't deal with the lesser academic schools around here (and in W&L's mine, that's all of them) and bolts for the Centennial itself.

     I admit that I have a bias here but IMHO...W&L is a good fit for the ODAC. Academically, they are a notch up the pole from the other ODAC schools but the other ODAC schools are no slouches. Geographically, they couldn't be in a better spot. I don't have data to back this up but I think the Generals have held their own athletically over the years. I don't know what is going on behind closed doors in Lexington, but I would hate to see W&L leave the ODAC. I also think it would be a mistake.
     As for Catholic...I do think they are somewhat "outsiders". That is not intended as slam against CU. I believe that at least in part, this is because they don't participate in other sports besides football. Maryville, back in the day was somewhat in the same boat. Part of it maybe because the women weren't ODAC members or perhaps because they weren't original ODAC members. I'm not totally sure but that was my perception.

[hasanova]

Along with RMWC going coed and starting some male sports, perhaps the ODAC should invite Catholic to be a full member and create divisions along the lines of the ASC.  With CUA and the newly-named Randolph College, you would have 12 men's programs (albeit not in all sports for now).    As I mentioned a week or so ago and as reiterated by Pat Coleman today, an eight-team football conference (with CUA and EMU) is ideal because it prevents the late season out-of-conference game that all teams must now schedule.  Once conference play starts, there would be four ODAC games every week.

As the only school not in Virginia (or DC), I think Guilford also feels a small amount of isolation from the rest of the conference.   It has been more difficult to create natural rivalries and we don't get as much press coverage in our own state because everyone we play is outside of NC.  With that said, there are a lot of reasons to join a conference besides athletics and I believe Guilford is happy with their ODAC-affiliation.  Academically, culturally and historically, I see Guilford as a better fit for the ODAC than it is for their only other viable DIII option, the USASAC.  Almost 70% of Guilford's students are from out-of-state and a surprisingly high percentage are from northern Virginia, Maryland, NJ and points north.  By default, then, playing a DC-based school actually extends our "marketing" and alumni outreach to areas in which we're traditionally strong.   

Someone has to reside at the geographic extremes of any conference.  In the ODAC's case that's CUA in the north, VWC in the east, E&H in the west and Guilford in the south.   Granted, CUA has more options for an alternate conference affiliation, but I'd personally like to see them as a full member.   When you create a grid showing travel distances between all ODAC schools, CUA and Guilford often actually come across as more favorable trips than E&H and VWC.   

[muchacho]

CUA will not consider being a full member of the ODAC since they are forming a new conference, the Landmark Conference, next season for all sports besides football. While Catholic is the northernmost school in the ODAC, it will be the southernmost school in this new conference. Catholic's reasoning for ditching the CAC and creating the Landmark is to create ties to traditional alumni and recruiting areas in the northeast.
Football's allignment with the ODAC doesn't seem to fit with what the University's athletics program is trying to do. However, I don't see any change for Catholic in terms of football affiliation.

[allsky7]

Along with RMWC going coed and starting some male sports, perhaps the ODAC should invite Catholic to be a full member and create divisions along the lines of the ASC.  With CUA and the newly-named Randolph College, you would have 12 men's programs (albeit not in all sports for now).    As I mentioned a week or so ago and as reiterated by Pat Coleman today, an eight-team football conference (with CUA and EMU) is ideal because it prevents the late season out-of-conference game that all teams must now schedule.  Once conference play starts, there would be four ODAC games every week.

As the only school not in Virginia (or DC), I think Guilford also feels a small amount of isolation from the rest of the conference.   It has been more difficult to create natural rivalries and we don't get as much press coverage in our own state because everyone we play is outside of NC.  With that said, there are a lot of reasons to join a conference besides athletics and I believe Guilford is happy with their ODAC-affiliation.  Academically, culturally and historically, I see Guilford as a better fit for the ODAC than it is for their only other viable DIII option, the USASAC.  Almost 70% of Guilford's students are from out-of-state and a surprisingly high percentage are from northern Virginia, Maryland, NJ and points north.  By default, then, playing a DC-based school actually extends our "marketing" and alumni outreach to areas in which we're traditionally strong.   

Someone has to reside at the geographic extremes of any conference.  In the ODAC's case that's CUA in the north, VWC in the east, E&H in the west and Guilford in the south.   Granted, CUA has more options for an alternate conference affiliation, but I'd personally like to see them as a full member.   When you create a grid showing travel distances between all ODAC schools, CUA and Guilford often actually come across as more favorable trips than E&H and VWC.   

     Good points Hasa. IMO...except for being geographically challenged, Guilford is a very good fit for the ODAC. I do agree with the issues of GC being out of state. Even E&H gets pretty good coverage in the Richmond Times Dispatch. Or at least they used to under Wacker. Wacker was a U of R guy and had quite a few connections in the Richmond area. Not sure sure if that has changed since Montgomery took over. 
     Don't you mean Randolph College instead of R-MWC?   They have already changed their voice mail messages and web site to reflect the change even though I don't think the official change is until sometime down the road.
      I miss football!!!  I don't usually get into college basketball until about Feb. but guess I will have to come on over to the hoops boards.  8)

[hasanova]

allsky - Yeah, I mentioned that RMWC's new name will be Randolph College.  Their name change and coed status will take some time to absorb.  lol  According to muchacho's message, Catholic doesn't have any real interest in being a full member of the ODAC even if invited, but I hope they'll continue to be a football member.  I think their membership has been a good thing for the ODAC for more reasons than just creating an automatic playoff bid.

According to my sources, Guilford football is not going to play Ferrum in 2007 (unofficial) and has not played Maryville in a long time.  The Quakers entertain the Tigers in Greensboro this fall, so maybe you can pay a visit.  You have a lot of options when you claim three schools.  lol 

[Pat Coleman]

I would've liked to see Catholic as a full member of the ODAC as well but yes, with the advent of the Landmark that isn't going to happen.

I don't think Catholic wants to leave for football, either.

[allsky7]

allsky - Yeah, I mentioned that RMWC's new name will be Randolph College.  Their name change and coed status will take some time to absorb.  lol  According to muchacho's message, Catholic doesn't have any real interest in being a full member of the ODAC even if invited, but I hope they'll continue to be a football member.  I think their membership has been a good thing for the ODAC for more reasons than just creating an automatic playoff bid.

According to my sources, Guilford football is not going to play Ferrum in 2007 (unofficial) and has not played Maryville in a long time.  The Quakers entertain the Tigers in Greensboro this fall, so maybe you can pay a visit.  You have a lot of options when you claim three schools.  lol 

     Hasa....sure enough, you did mention Randolph. Wonder how I missed that. I must have actually been doing my real job and not paying attention. 
    I do have a lot of options with three schools. I didn't get to as many games this year as usual. Only saw H-SC/R-MC, Ferrum/Maryville, & MU/UWW. Did catch several on the radio or online. I missed homecoming at Maryville for only the second time since 1983. Course, 83-85 I was actually ON the field.  Maybe I can make it down to Gboro next year for the H-S game. Already have the BC / H-S game on my calendar for next year. I have to go down and party with the Stone Station crew at H-S so I can keep them out of trouble.    Ain't that right llama and skoal?  Speaking of SS...haven't heard anything from olinemom in some time. Hope she is doing Ok.
       Ok....I'm trying to get into basketball mode. Don't UVA and UNC play tonight? I'd love to go up to the new John Paul Jones Arena (named after the Led Zeppelin base player right?  ) and see a game but peasants like me can't afford a ticket. 

[Snakehandler]

Speaking of SS...haven't heard anything from olinemom in some time. Hope she is doing Ok.

She's Sleeping.

[Llamaguy]

allsky - Yeah, I mentioned that RMWC's new name will be Randolph College.  Their name change and coed status will take some time to absorb.  lol  According to muchacho's message, Catholic doesn't have any real interest in being a full member of the ODAC even if invited, but I hope they'll continue to be a football member.  I think their membership has been a good thing for the ODAC for more reasons than just creating an automatic playoff bid.

According to my sources, Guilford football is not going to play Ferrum in 2007 (unofficial) and has not played Maryville in a long time.  The Quakers entertain the Tigers in Greensboro this fall, so maybe you can pay a visit.  You have a lot of options when you claim three schools.  lol 

But that might change for 2008 or 2009. Word on the street is that Ferrum may be interested in joining the ODAC. BC is already ahead of the curse if this is true as they began playing Ferrum last year and I hear a more long term matchup may be in the works regardless. Food for thought.

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

Speaking of SS...haven't heard anything from olinemom in some time. Hope she is doing Ok.

She's Sleeping.

Hahaha ... now that's funny right there.  I don't care who you are.

[allsky7]

allsky - Yeah, I mentioned that RMWC's new name will be Randolph College.  Their name change and coed status will take some time to absorb.  lol  According to muchacho's message, Catholic doesn't have any real interest in being a full member of the ODAC even if invited, but I hope they'll continue to be a football member.  I think their membership has been a good thing for the ODAC for more reasons than just creating an automatic playoff bid.

According to my sources, Guilford football is not going to play Ferrum in 2007 (unofficial) and has not played Maryville in a long time.  The Quakers entertain the Tigers in Greensboro this fall, so maybe you can pay a visit.  You have a lot of options when you claim three schools.  lol 

       

But that might change for 2008 or 2009. Word on the street is that . BC is already ahead of the curse if this is true as they began playing Ferrum last year and I hear a more long term matchup may be in the works regardless. Food for thought.

"Ferrum may be interested in joining the ODAC"
     
     The question is does the ODAC want Ferrum? I personally would love to see it happen but am skeptical. Hey, if it does happen, then maybe we can get Maryville back in too and I would be loving life baby!!   Hell...one of the three is bound to beat BC at some point. 

[skoaltrain]

Speaking of SS...haven't heard anything from olinemom in some time. Hope she is doing Ok.

She's Sleeping.

Hahaha ... now that's funny right there.  I don't care who you are.

I'm rolling on the ground now. Funny Stuff....Here's a picture of me and my buddy laughing.

[allsky7]

Speaking of SS...haven't heard anything from olinemom in some time. Hope she is doing Ok.

She's Sleeping.

Hahaha ... now that's funny right there.  I don't care who you are.

I'm rolling on the ground now. Funny Stuff....Here's a picture of me and my buddy laughing.

SKOAL.....you ARE alive!!! Rumor going around up here in the hills that you have been MIA since the Stagg Bowl. Something about a couple of girls from Wisconsin or something.