FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

"Pedro came from Wheaton, he knows a good team when he sees it, and he also knows his predecessor apparently left the cupboard rather bare."

Above quote from K-Mack.

Hope you don't mind my jumping in here just to fill in a bit of the detail. I'm an R-MC alum living in St. Louis. Pedro Arruza played at Wheaton, but apparently never coached there. Immediately prior to being named R-MC head coach he was an assistant at Washington U here in St. Louis for about 5 years. Wash U competes well in football in the UAA but it's not really a football conference. So he really came directly from a fairly average conference. If I'm off about that, please correct me. Here's a link to Arruza's bio on the R-MC athletics page.

http://www.rmc.edu/athletics/football/PedroArruza.asp

Having said all that, I agree that it takes time to build a football program and this is certainly a pivotal year for R-MC in that regard.

Keith didn't say he coached at Wheaton, did he?

[Jacketlawyer]

I'm starting law school at Ohio Northern right now. . .

Have fun with that.

[abnrgr]

Lets hope the board does not get this way......

WETUMPKA, Ala. —  Three Prattville High School students and a Montgomery teenager have been charged with murder in a fatal shooting that apparently occurred after an argument over whether Wetumpka or Prattville has a better high school football team.

Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said the shooting occurred after an argument Friday night at a back-to-school event in Wetumpka.

Killed was Ramonda Mitchell, 35, of 114 Crenshaw Drive. Franklin said the shooting occurred about 4:30 a.m. Saturday in the Crenshaw community, just west of Wetumpka.

Charged in Mitchell's death are James Gray, 19, of Montgomery, and Justin Edwards, Greg Hall and Eric Hardison, all 18, of Prattville. They are being held in the Elmore County Jail under bonds of $500,000 each.

"What in the world are these children these days thinking about?" said Wanda Freeman, who lives in the Crenshaw community. "Why would you shoot somebody over something as silly as a football team? I just don't understand it. Nobody around here does."

Edwards, Hall and Hardison are seniors at Prattville High School, Autauga County schools Superintendent Larry Butler said.

[y_jack_lok]

For Pat Coleman. You are correct that K-Mack did not use the word "coached", but that's what I thought he meant. I didn't intend to be splitting semantic hairs. Just tried to add context. Apologies if I offended anyone.

[fmfdoc]

I was hoping my first post would be something more in depth, insightful and profound, but I guess that just isn't going to happen. Go easy on me guys, I am new to the ODAC, this board and only know what I have read from you guys and the media guides from last year. 

I have been reading the discussions for several months now and since the season is approaching feel it is time to weigh in on the predictions and the coaches press conference.
1. Logically the predictions are wrong. Preseason polls and predictions at any level are usually never right.

2. The teams like Catholic and RMC have something to prove. They are the most dangerous teams in the conference because they are overlooked. They may wind up spoiling someone's playoff chances this season. From what I recall in the last year's ODAC media guide, RMC was projected as having only a few Jr/Sr in starting roles. Assuming Yellow Jacket is right, the Sophs and Jrs from last year should be tired of 3 losing seasons and with the coach having 4 years of recruiting now he should be in the position to win a few. Yellow Jacket is on target with saying you must have more than 18% of the freshmen finishing the program in 4 years as seniors to be successful. 

3. The top three will not finish in that order. From past performance BC should be #1, but an off game could change that. The championship is theirs to lose.

4. The bottom three will not finish in that order. They all play each other and probably won't split.

5. Allsky7 nailed it, at the DIII level, unless you are a school of the Mount Union persuasion, the studs are just not there like the DI schools. 1 or 2 players can make a huge impact. He could be sandbagging, but like the W&L coach said- if he looses an RB, he is hosed. Generals08 and others have pointed out all the returning players they have, but lose a couple of linemen to injuries on either side of the line or a DB and your season's outlooks can change radically.

6. Stating the obvious, at all levels, from Pop Warner to the pros, the QB makes a huge difference. Talent and decision making capability is important, but time is vital. In order to pass you have to run. Therefore, the ability of the OL to provide that 5-7 seconds of protection or the big push is critical. I guess that is why the big is best and gi-normus (sic) is even better way of thinking prevails. Yet for the life of me, I don't understand the mentality of getting 315 pound O linemen with a 35+ % bodyfat and so slow you need a calendar to time them at any level. I was looking at rosters of DI and DI-AA, er Championship, teams recently and it seems even those "small school" teams have an OL that is consistently in excess of 300. Carrying that much excess weight at 20 can't be good for you. Who remembers the  'Fridge? (at peak 6'2" 328) It today's college world he is average size.

7. As far as size and hitting the weight room goes- every decent High School and even some Middle Schools are hitting weights heavily now. Most HS have their players in weight training classes during the day. I think every team can say, "Our players are bigger and stronger than last year." Correct me, but I have never seen a single lift max squat or bench determine the out come of a game. What does matter is if those guys that can lift heavy weights have the endurance to still be strong, intense and fast in the closing minutes of the 4th quarter if the game is on the line.

8. Deep rosters mean: "I have bodies to fill the positions. They may not be any good, but I have a body." What one of the DI coaches said the other day is better- "We have a tremendous amount of talent at every position and will be able to rotate players in and out throughout the entire game."

9. Re: most picturesque campus- at almost every college you can look at least one building and say:  "What the heck were they thinking when they built this thing?" Some colleges do a great job of keeping continuity even with new construction, while others look like a horrible hodgepodge of Frank Lloyd Wright meets Picasso.  Unless you go to Drexel or UAB, everyone's campus looks better than your own. Most of the time while you are in school the other team's players, uniforms, cheerleaders, facilities, coaches, co-eds and cafeteria food also looks better that your own school's does. If you had a good experience in college, it is only after you graduate and are working that you appreciate and fondly remember and love all the quirks of your alma mater's campus. Personally, I prefer a campus with all historic buildings like W&M or those built from mid-late 1800's or where all the buildings have the same architectural style and preferably have the mountains as a backdrop. Although I have only seen the photos of H/S new digs, the new grandstand appears to be top notch and very enviable.

[Jacketlawyer]

2. The teams like Catholic and RMC have something to prove. They are the most dangerous teams in the conference because they are overlooked. They may wind up spoiling someone's playoff chances this season. From what I recall in the last year's ODAC media guide, RMC was projected as having only a few Jr/Sr in starting roles. Assuming Yellow Jacket is right, the Sophs and Jrs from last year should be tired of 3 losing seasons and with the coach having 4 years of recruiting now he should be in the position to win a few. Yellow Jacket is on target with saying you must have more than 18% of the freshmen finishing the program in 4 years as seniors to be successful. 

Welcome aboard, fmfdoc.

You make good points.  I think what you see from some of the R-M posters (most notably myself) is frustration.  I've heard the above statement many times and every year I hope it comes true, but unfortunately precedent has, to date, dictated otherwise.  But if I'm wrong and this is the year R-M turns it around (oops, there I go again ), I'll be very glad to be wrong.

But when it comes to expertise on R-M's program, I usually defer to K-Mack.  He actually played at R-M in the early '90s when our program was good, and as such, I believe he has the credentials to be critical of the program should he decide to be.  I'm pretty much just a frustrated fan. . .

You're right also on BC.  It's Eagles' to lose this year.

[BTEXPRESS]

FMFDOC Excellent first post. I am also a fairly NEWBE on the boards. I have to agree about the colleges and their facilities. Spent most of the summer looking at various colleges with my son who will be a Senior in High School. He is interested in several ODAC schools. What is amazing to me is how much $$$$ these schools are putting into their campuses, ie new buildings, fitness centers, upgraded athletic facilities, etc. There must be a lot of wealthy alunmi out there. In a way, it is kind of neat to be heading into college for the first time with all the upgrades to the schools.

[allsky7]

I was hoping my first post would be something more in depth, insightful and profound, but I guess that just isn't going to happen. Go easy on me guys, I am new to the ODAC, this board and only know what I have read from you guys and the media guides from last year. 

I have been reading the discussions for several months now and since the season is approaching feel it is time to weigh in on the predictions and the coaches press conference.
1. Logically the predictions are wrong. Preseason polls and predictions at any level are usually never right.

2. The teams like Catholic and RMC have something to prove. They are the most dangerous teams in the conference because they are overlooked. They may wind up spoiling someone's playoff chances this season. From what I recall in the last year's ODAC media guide, RMC was projected as having only a few Jr/Sr in starting roles. Assuming Yellow Jacket is right, the Sophs and Jrs from last year should be tired of 3 losing seasons and with the coach having 4 years of recruiting now he should be in the position to win a few. Yellow Jacket is on target with saying you must have more than 18% of the freshmen finishing the program in 4 years as seniors to be successful. 

3. The top three will not finish in that order. From past performance BC should be #1, but an off game could change that. The championship is theirs to lose.

4. The bottom three will not finish in that order. They all play each other and probably won't split.

5. Allsky7 nailed it, at the DIII level, unless you are a school of the Mount Union persuasion, the studs are just not there like the DI schools. 1 or 2 players can make a huge impact. He could be sandbagging, but like the W&L coach said- if he looses an RB, he is hosed. Generals08 and others have pointed out all the returning players they have, but lose a couple of linemen to injuries on either side of the line or a DB and your season's outlooks can change radically.

6. Stating the obvious, at all levels, from Pop Warner to the pros, the QB makes a huge difference. Talent and decision making capability is important, but time is vital. In order to pass you have to run. Therefore, the ability of the OL to provide that 5-7 seconds of protection or the big push is critical. I guess that is why the big is best and gi-normus (sic) is even better way of thinking prevails. Yet for the life of me, I don't understand the mentality of getting 315 pound O linemen with a 35+ % bodyfat and so slow you need a calendar to time them at any level. I was looking at rosters of DI and DI-AA, er Championship, teams recently and it seems even those "small school" teams have an OL that is consistently in excess of 300. Carrying that much excess weight at 20 can't be good for you. Who remembers the  'Fridge? (at peak 6'2" 328) It today's college world he is average size.

7. As far as size and hitting the weight room goes- every decent High School and even some Middle Schools are hitting weights heavily now. Most HS have their players in weight training classes during the day. I think every team can say, "Our players are bigger and stronger than last year." Correct me, but I have never seen a single lift max squat or bench determine the out come of a game. What does matter is if those guys that can lift heavy weights have the endurance to still be strong, intense and fast in the closing minutes of the 4th quarter if the game is on the line.

8. Deep rosters mean: "I have bodies to fill the positions. They may not be any good, but I have a body." What one of the DI coaches said the other day is better- "We have a tremendous amount of talent at every position and will be able to rotate players in and out throughout the entire game."

9. Re: most picturesque campus- at almost every college you can look at least one building and say:  "What the heck were they thinking when they built this thing?" Some colleges do a great job of keeping continuity even with new construction, while others look like a horrible hodgepodge of Frank Lloyd Wright meets Picasso.  Unless you go to Drexel or UAB, everyone's campus looks better than your own. Most of the time while you are in school the other team's players, uniforms, cheerleaders, facilities, coaches, co-eds and cafeteria food also looks better that your own school's does. If you had a good experience in college, it is only after you graduate and are working that you appreciate and fondly remember and love all the quirks of your alma mater's campus. Personally, I prefer a campus with all historic buildings like W&M or those built from mid-late 1800's or where all the buildings have the same architectural style and preferably have the mountains as a backdrop. Although I have only seen the photos of H/S new digs, the new grandstand appears to be top notch and very enviable.

     Welcome to the ODAC fm!!  You make some great points. You may have said more in your first post than I have said in all 500+ of mine. 
     I think it highly likely that R-M and Catholic will knock someone off in the top 2 or 3 spots this year. The ODAC is often like that, but IMO, even more so this year.
     I also agree about the fat boys out there. D3 is famous for 5' 10" 275# lineman. You would think a leaner/quicker player would be a better option . Health wise, it can't be good for these guys to be this big but there must be something to the O line guys being this way. Just look at the NFL.  Remember Nate Newton and Larry Allen for the Cowboys? Those two side by side were bigger than my truck.  It scares me to think about guys like this running around outside in this heat we are having here in VA.
     There is no doubt that todays athletes are working in the weight room and are also working on overall conditioning. I used to be a strength coach on the HS level. A good strength  program will not make you a champion in of itself but it can elevate you to the next level. I think a strong strength and conditioning  program also has the added mental discipline benefit that is so crucial. If you bust your ass with these guys in June, it is more likely you will do the same in October.
     I can vouch for what most of these schools are doing to their campuses. I sell fitness equipment for a living. Colleges and Universities are by far my number one customer. It is not a luxury any longer and just at the larger schools. It is a tool they must have in the recruiting  war. I am not just talking about athletics. Campus recreation is huge. That is very good for me. 
     H-S is one of those schools that has done a great job of preserving the old architecture and being consistent with the new. (with the exception of the Kirby FH monster they tried to hide in the woods)    I'm sure to build that same building to the standard of most of the others would have cost a fortune.
     Again...welcome to the ODAC. GO TIGERS!!

[allsky7]

FMFDOC Excellent first post. I am also a fairly NEWBE on the boards. I have to agree about the colleges and their facilities. Spent most of the summer looking at various colleges with my son who will be a Senior in High School. He is interested in several ODAC schools. What is amazing to me is how much $$$$ these schools are putting into their campuses, ie new buildings, fitness centers, upgraded athletic facilities, etc. There must be a lot of wealthy alunmi out there. In a way, it is kind of neat to be heading into college for the first time with all the upgrades to the schools.

     BT....meant to say welcome to the ODAC to you in my other post.  Schools today really do not have a choice but to upgrade their facilities. It's not just about the education you recieve at a particular school these days. Obviously, that is still a huge factor but not the only one that comes into play. From my own personal bias, think of the WOW factor a new recruit and family will get when they walk into a new fitness center with top of the line equipment. This facility is geared toward all students and they don't have to go into the old intimidating weight room where  the football players are eating 100# DB's for lunch. 

[BTEXPRESS]

ALLSKY  You are right. We visited at least a dozen schools this summer. Mostly Division III schools for Football, however, we also visited several large Universities. Everyone of them had brand new or fairly new Fitness centers with state of the art equipment. The schools are using these centers as recruiting tools for ALL STUDENTS not just athletes. It is a good time to be in this line of work, that and selling FIELD TURF which every College and High School seem to be installing as well!

[kickerdad]

ALLSKY  You are right. We visited at least a dozen schools this summer. Mostly Division III schools for Football, however, we also visited several large Universities. Everyone of them had brand new or fairly new Fitness centers with state of the art equipment. The schools are using these centers as recruiting tools for ALL STUDENTS not just athletes. It is a good time to be in this line of work, that and selling FIELD TURF which every College and High School seem to be installing as well!

Someone please go sell Averett some turf and show them pictures of Guildford and HS's new stadium upgrades.

[BTEXPRESS]

Rumor has it that W & L will be upgrading their Football stadium as well

[tigerfanalso]

Hasa

I'll be in Greensboro with my family on the 22nd for the Guilford vs. HSC game. What hotel should I stay in ?

I think this could be one of the best match ups in the ODAC this year. I'm  looking forward to revisiting your campus  as I have not been to Guilford since 1976. At the time, your campus was appealing and I assume it has done nothing but improve over the years.

Any info you can offer regarding hotels would be greatly appreciated.

[abnrgr]

Tiger
No hotel in Greensboro I use.  Go back to Raleigh, Nice Hyatt. Maybe I did not use a hotel in the 99-2003 because I kept being tossed from the games

[pakownr97]

Tiger
No hotel in Greensboro I use.  Go back to Raleigh, Nice Hyatt. Maybe I did not use a hotel in the 99-2003 because I kept being tossed from the games

Alright ABNRGR, what did you do to get tossed from a D3 football game?  I thought I was obnoxious and loud, but I haven't been tossed out...yet.