FB: Old Dominion Athletic Conference

[EHCPride]

"In high school, Garcon was academically ineligible as a freshman and sophomore, played a backup role as a junior and only became a starter during his senior season. He found his way to Mt. Union after failing to qualify academically for Division I."

Not picking on Garcon, but didn't that stand out to anyone else?

[allsky7]

$10 million is not way high when you consider LC would need the following things:

1) a new stadium or a highly modified Shellenberger Field
2) a new indoor facility that would include at the bare minimum a new weight room, more athletic training space, more locker room space, more office space. I'm sure LC wouldn't settle for just that since future plans include a new student center that also will function as an indoor track/basketball/volleyball facility.
3) A new/upgraded practice field
4) The coaching staff
5) More athletic trainers
6) More sports information staff
7) A full-time equipment manager, or at least one who doesn't function as a men's lacrosse graduate assistant
8) A full-time facility manager, or at least one that doesn't function as a GA/full-time head coach
9) Increase in insurance expenses
10) Operating expenses for football (recruiting, travel, food, etc.)

The first three alone could run close to 10 millions given the stipulations on #2.

     I know a dude that can hook you up with top of the line stuff!! 

[Matt Barnhart (kid)]

"In high school, Garcon was academically ineligible as a freshman and sophomore, played a backup role as a junior and only became a starter during his senior season. He found his way to Mt. Union after failing to qualify academically for Division I."

Not picking on Garcon, but didn't that stand out to anyone else?

Unfortunately, isn't that more common than we realize?

If this is true, Mount Union certainly isn't the only school that accepts non-qualifying Division I athletes.

[Ryan Tipps]

"In high school, Garcon was academically ineligible as a freshman and sophomore, played a backup role as a junior and only became a starter during his senior season. He found his way to Mt. Union after failing to qualify academically for Division I."

Not picking on Garcon, but didn't that stand out to anyone else?

Unfortunately, isn't that more common than we realize?

If this is true, Mount Union certainly isn't the only school that accepts non-qualifying Division I athletes.

I'm curious as to how common that might be, but it's something that certainly varies state to state.

I was shocked when I moved to Virginia at hearing how tough UVa and Tech are to get into. Back in my native Indiana, people with barely over 2.0 high school GPAs could get into Purdue and Ball State, let alone lesser known places such as Indiana State. Government-funded schools there truely tried to be open for the masses. I'm guessing a player like Garcon could have gotten in.

Maybe the reporter in me just questions the above bolded statement about Garcon because it's unattributed. It doesn't say enough to make me trust it. Is that just Garcon's word? Did he actually shop around for D-1 or just apply to powerhouse Florida State -- a tough one to get accepted at -- and get rejected? Too many questions.

[Ryan Tipps]

If this is true, Mount Union certainly isn't the only school that accepts non-qualifying Division I athletes.

Also, just to point out, didn't Garcon play a year at Norwich before heading to Mount? His grades may have totally changed once he hit college, so maybe the news story isn't casting MUC in the right light.

[SaintsFAN]

I understand what you mean about UVA and VA Tech being tough to get into, but with guys like Marcus Vick getting into school....(maybe he's not the best example) but you know if players are good enough, they might be more inclined to bend some rules under coach's influence. 

Maybe Garcon wasn't good enough for a D1 coach to "stick his neck out" for him

[kickerdad]

I understand what you mean about UVA and VA Tech being tough to get into, but with guys like Marcus Vick getting into school....(maybe he's not the best example) but you know if players are good enough, they might be more inclined to bend some rules under coach's influence. 

Maybe Garcon wasn't good enough for a D1 coach to "stick his neck out" for him

Not sure Vick would have gotten a slight glance at University of Virginia.

[Ryan Tipps]

I understand what you mean about UVA and VA Tech being tough to get into, but with guys like Marcus Vick getting into school....(maybe he's not the best example) but you know if players are good enough, they might be more inclined to bend some rules under coach's influence. 

Maybe Garcon wasn't good enough for a D1 coach to "stick his neck out" for him

Not sure Vick would have gotten a slight glance at University of Virginia.

Sounds like something a Wahoo would say 

[allsky7]

I understand what you mean about UVA and VA Tech being tough to get into, but with guys like Marcus Vick getting into school....(maybe he's not the best example) but you know if players are good enough, they might be more inclined to bend some rules under coach's influence. 

Maybe Garcon wasn't good enough for a D1 coach to "stick his neck out" for him

Not sure Vick would have gotten a slight glance at University of Virginia.

Sounds like something a Wahoo would say 

      I'm sure there is a Hokie out there somewhere that may take offense but I bet if you listed all academic records of the Hokie players versus UVA, I'd bet the farm the Cavs come out significantly better off. 

[Ryan Tipps]

I understand what you mean about UVA and VA Tech being tough to get into, but with guys like Marcus Vick getting into school....(maybe he's not the best example) but you know if players are good enough, they might be more inclined to bend some rules under coach's influence. 

Maybe Garcon wasn't good enough for a D1 coach to "stick his neck out" for him

Not sure Vick would have gotten a slight glance at University of Virginia.

Sounds like something a Wahoo would say 

      I'm sure there is a Hokie out there somewhere that may take offense but I bet if you listed all academic records of the Hokie players versus UVA, I'd bet the farm the Cavs come out significantly better off. 

Oh, I don't doubt that either. I'm sure the Cav team has a much better GPA than the Hokies team, but I guess I'll just have to settle for the results on the field. 

Besides, I was just pulling his chain because I'm 99% sure based on his past posts that kickerdad is a U.Va. grad. And since I'm a Tech-in-law, I'd had to bring it up. 

[allsky7]

I understand what you mean about UVA and VA Tech being tough to get into, but with guys like Marcus Vick getting into school....(maybe he's not the best example) but you know if players are good enough, they might be more inclined to bend some rules under coach's influence. 

Maybe Garcon wasn't good enough for a D1 coach to "stick his neck out" for him

Not sure Vick would have gotten a slight glance at University of Virginia.

Sounds like something a Wahoo would say 

      I'm sure there is a Hokie out there somewhere that may take offense but I bet if you listed all academic records of the Hokie players versus UVA, I'd bet the farm the Cavs come out significantly better off. 

Oh, I don't doubt that either. I'm sure the Cav team has a much better GPA than the Hokies team, but I guess I'll just have to settle for the results on the field. 

Besides, I was just pulling his chain because I'm 99% sure based on his past posts that kickerdad is a U.Va. grad. And since I'm a Tech-in-law, I'd had to bring it up. 

      I think UVA does a pretty good job of maintaining their academic rep and still being  competitive in the ACC. Being a native Virginian, I try to pull for the kids that are local high school products. Both VT and UVA are pretty well represented. When the Hoos and Hokies play each other, I tend to pull for the one that has the most to lose in regards to their bowl situation. The Hokies have two Amherst County kids (Rose & McCoy) headed their way so will have to pull for those guys for sure next year.  8)

[kickerdad]

I understand what you mean about UVA and VA Tech being tough to get into, but with guys like Marcus Vick getting into school....(maybe he's not the best example) but you know if players are good enough, they might be more inclined to bend some rules under coach's influence. 

Maybe Garcon wasn't good enough for a D1 coach to "stick his neck out" for him

Not sure Vick would have gotten a slight glance at University of Virginia.

Sounds like something a Wahoo would say 

      I'm sure there is a Hokie out there somewhere that may take offense but I bet if you listed all academic records of the Hokie players versus UVA, I'd bet the farm the Cavs come out significantly better off. 

Oh, I don't doubt that either. I'm sure the Cav team has a much better GPA than the Hokies team, but I guess I'll just have to settle for the results on the field. 

Besides, I was just pulling his chain because I'm 99% sure based on his past posts that kickerdad is a U.Va. grad. And since I'm a Tech-in-law, I'd had to bring it up. 

Ryan,

You are forgiven my son......................Seriously, some of my best friends are VT grads (one even played for Tech and went on to play in the pro's) and we hassle each other unmercifully and right now I am on a terrible losing streak. However, we still love each other and have been friends for years. It is just like what I see on these boards. Folks have their teams and mess around with the opposition but yet we all respect each other and when we see each other at the games we have fun and enjoy the company and fellowship. Plus I have learned a lot in the past 3 years on these boards. At least I have learned who I can punch fun at and who not to direct comments to at all. ha-ha

If UVA keeps losing players because of grades and misbehavior they won't have enough to field a spring team, much less beat Tech this year.

[kickerdad]

I understand what you mean about UVA and VA Tech being tough to get into, but with guys like Marcus Vick getting into school....(maybe he's not the best example) but you know if players are good enough, they might be more inclined to bend some rules under coach's influence. 

Maybe Garcon wasn't good enough for a D1 coach to "stick his neck out" for him

Not sure Vick would have gotten a slight glance at University of Virginia.

Sounds like something a Wahoo would say 

      I'm sure there is a Hokie out there somewhere that may take offense but I bet if you listed all academic records of the Hokie players versus UVA, I'd bet the farm the Cavs come out significantly better off. 

Oh, I don't doubt that either. I'm sure the Cav team has a much better GPA than the Hokies team, but I guess I'll just have to settle for the results on the field. 

Besides, I was just pulling his chain because I'm 99% sure based on his past posts that kickerdad is a U.Va. grad. And since I'm a Tech-in-law, I'd had to bring it up. 

Ryan,

You are forgiven my son......................Seriously, some of my best friends are VT grads (one even played for Tech and went on to play in the pro's) and we hassle each other unmercifully and right now I am on a terrible losing streak. However, we still love each other and have been friends for years. It is just like what I see on these boards. Folks have their teams and mess around with the opposition but yet we all respect each other and when we see each other at the games we have fun and enjoy the company and fellowship. Plus I have learned a lot in the past 3 years on these boards. At least I have learned who I can punch fun at and who not to direct comments to at all. ha-ha

If UVA keeps losing players because of grades and misbehavior they won't have enough to field a spring team, much less beat Tech this year.

P.S. I am making no predications on Averett this year. They open with 3 out of conference games against 3 of the ODAC's top teams (Bridgewater, Washington & Lee and Guildford), plus they will scrimmage Emory & Henry.
Not a pretty picture for a team that went 0-10 last year. You would have never thought they tied CNU the year before for the Conference Title. Lose 24-26 Seniors and that's what happens. I hope they will be competitive this year with all the returning letterman but I don't have a clue what they are really going to look like.

[Ryan Tipps]

Ryan,

You are forgiven my son......................Seriously, some of my best friends are VT grads (one even played for Tech and went on to play in the pro's) and we hassle each other unmercifully and right now I am on a terrible losing streak. However, we still love each other and have been friends for years. It is just like what I see on these boards. Folks have their teams and mess around with the opposition but yet we all respect each other and when we see each other at the games we have fun and enjoy the company and fellowship. Plus I have learned a lot in the past 3 years on these boards. At least I have learned who I can punch fun at and who not to direct comments to at all. ha-ha

If UVA keeps losing players because of grades and misbehavior they won't have enough to field a spring team, much less beat Tech this year.

Punching a little fun here and there is part of what keeps these boards interesting.....especially in the off-season! 

When it comes down to it, if Tech and UVa. are lining up across from each other, I'm pulling for Tech every time. But if the Cavs are playing someone out of state, you can bet I want the home-staters to win.

Same thing with the teams I cover in my column. If a mid-Atlantic team is playing someone from the NJAC or LL or ASC, I'm certainly hoping my region pulls out the W. I enjoy the broader comraderie and support to it all that obviously goes beyond that one team people are especially vested in.

[allsky7]

Ryan,

You are forgiven my son......................Seriously, some of my best friends are VT grads (one even played for Tech and went on to play in the pro's) and we hassle each other unmercifully and right now I am on a terrible losing streak. However, we still love each other and have been friends for years. It is just like what I see on these boards. Folks have their teams and mess around with the opposition but yet we all respect each other and when we see each other at the games we have fun and enjoy the company and fellowship. Plus I have learned a lot in the past 3 years on these boards. At least I have learned who I can punch fun at and who not to direct comments to at all. ha-ha

If UVA keeps losing players because of grades and misbehavior they won't have enough to field a spring team, much less beat Tech this year.

Punching a little fun here and there is part of what keeps these boards interesting.....especially in the off-season! 

When it comes down to it, if Tech and UVa. are lining up across from each other, I'm pulling for Tech every time. But if the Cavs are playing someone out of state, you can bet I want the home-staters to win.

Same thing with the teams I cover in my column. If a mid-Atlantic team is playing someone from the NJAC or LL or ASC, I'm certainly hoping my region pulls out the W. I enjoy the broader comraderie and support to it all that obviously goes beyond that one team people are especially vested in.

     That is something I think we can thank Mr Coleman & Co. for. The D3 world has gotten much smaller in recent years. And that my friends, is a good thing. Not only has it become easier to be knowledgeable about D3 in other parts of the country, it has made the circles closer to you even tighter. The pure joy of the Tigers knocking the Jackets out of the playoffs on the gridiron AND the hardwood is tempered by the fact that they were deserving. Kinda ironic to have joy and disappointment all at the same time. Especially when mentioning H-SC and R-MC in the same breath.  You will notice that I put joy before disappointment.  In this age of technology where everything is at your fingertips, you sorta feel like you know these players and coaches on a closer level that wasn't possible a few short years ago. In most cases, that can't help but make you want to pull for them. I mean, as long as they aren't playing your team.