FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Ron Boerger]

The SCAC had, several years ago, expressed a goal to get to 12 schools total.  I don't see them adding any more now that B-SC has joined to make 12.  So, any growth in football would have to come from the schools that don't play football now.

• Southwestern - have the money to do it but no interest.  Billionare alumnus BJ "Red' McCombs who could have spearheaded a SW program instead threw a bunch of money at San Antonio University of the Incarnate Word who is starting a D2 program.
• Hendrix - formed a committee to look at it.  Sentiment at the school is mixed at best with some having the misconception that football is going to radically change the school's academics, focus, etc. etc.
• Oglethorpe - little interest and no money ($22M endowment).

The thing about ten teams, as the ASC has discovered, is that it takes away the ability to play teams outside the conference and limits flexiblity.   But if Hendrix decides to start a program, everyone will have to deal with that fact.  DePauw will only face Wabash, Millsaps will probably play Miss College, Trinity will play TLU, etc..

Starting football also means that a corresponding women's program would need to be started up to satisfy Title IX and due to the travel in the conference it costs a lot of money to fly these kids all over the country. 

[D3_DPUFan]

Thanks, Ron...good stuff.

$22 million endowment at Ogelthorpe...ouch!

[DPU3619]

The thing about ten teams, as the ASC has discovered, is that it takes away the ability to play teams outside the conference and limits flexiblity.   But if Hendrix decides to start a program, everyone will have to deal with that fact.  DePauw will only face Wabash, Millsaps will probably play Miss College, Trinity will play TLU, etc..

This is the problem I have with such an idea.  I wasn't really excited about having to break off 2 non-confs already to play 8 conference games this past year.  From a DePauw perspective, I enjoyed playing Hope every year.  That was a competitive series until a couple of years ago.  They don't play anymore.  No more Chicago.  At the same time, it does appear that CC and BSC have a chance to play some competitive football. 

I just don't forsee any good reason for the conference to continue to add more teams.  To what end?

[Ralph Turner]

Anyone have information or simply perspective on the future of the SCAC regarding football?

As a DePauw fan I like the schools in league in terms of academic quality, competitiveness, style of play and also the experiences the widespread geographic locations offer (for both student/athletes and parents). Do you see further expansion? At least one more to get to an even 10? If so, what schools might be considered?

Thanks for any insight you might be able to offer. 

Good answers above...

The SCAC is happy with its 12-member two-division format now.  This is what it has been trying to achieve for some time, and I don't think that they were prepared to divulge those long term plans until they got the right "new" members.

Austin College had coveted an SCAC bid for a long time.  They added a Phi Beta Kappa Chapter and committed to an increase in the athletic travel budget, to changes in focus in some sports, to facility upgrades, and to adding SCAC sports.

I do not think that the SCAC is prepared to add teams unless they get an inquiry from D-1 Centenary (Shreveport, LA) or some high profile D-2/ D-1's from the Carolinas.  (If a high profile NAIA Berry GA or NAIA Berea KY were to inquire, they might be admitted, just because those schools have the $400-$500 Million endowments that make them peer institutions!) I also wonder if Oglethorpe can keep up the pace.  They have for nearly 2 decades, tho'.  The next logical point is 16 teams.  Colorado College has 2 D-1 sports (Men's ice hockey and women's soccer) and does not field a baseball team.  That is what leads me to think the 16 is the next magic number.

Also, the "D-III/D-IV" thing will consume at least 2-3 years of everybody's time, so don't look for anything moving before at least 2010.

[TigerDad]

Interestingly, if you use the vote site that requires an e-mail address and voted earlier in the week, you can't vote again until the 16th.  Makes me wonder if they made an oops. 

http://mobileapp.espn.go.com/wireless/espn/redesign/affiliateSponsorPontiacGC?markupType=XHTML&src=featured&cId=null

Ron, the "oops" has been corrected by the ESPN web-spinners.  Just figured out today that you can no longer vote more than once per week at the the regular or mobile sites.  The link above also works from web-enabled cellphones, but again, only once per week.  They must be doing some IP checking, I guess.  DANG those nerds! 

Now it's gonna be tougher for the D3 Trinity-Millsaps play to keep winning over the D1 entries, but I'll be voting early and often from as many different PC's as possible!!!  Y'all do the same, please!

GO TIGERS ... win the Pontiac Scholarship!!   (A LITTLE HELP, Y'ALL?!)

[D3_DPUFan]

The SCAC is happy with its 12-member two-division format now.  This is what it has been trying to achieve for some time, and I don't think that they were prepared to divulge those long term plans until they got the right "new" members.

Austin College had coveted an SCAC bid for a long time.  They added a Phi Beta Kappa Chapter and committed to an increase in the athletic travel budget, to changes in focus in some sports, to facility upgrades, and to adding SCAC sports.

I do not think that the SCAC is prepared to add teams unless they get an inquiry from D-1 Centenary (Shreveport, LA) or some high profile D-2/ D-1's from the Carolinas.  (If a high profile NAIA Berry GA or NAIA Berea KY were to inquire, they might be admitted, just because those schools have the $400-$500 Million endowments that make them peer institutions!) I also wonder if Oglethorpe can keep up the pace.  They have for nearly 2 decades, tho'.  The next logical point is 16 teams.  Colorado College has 2 D-1 sports (Men's ice hockey and women's soccer) and does not field a baseball team.  That is what leads me to think the 16 is the next magic number.

Also, the "D-III/D-IV" thing will consume at least 2-3 years of everybody's time, so don't look for anything moving before at least 2010.

Thanks, Ralph...and probably right regarding DIII/DIV situation...

Wes---agree with you on Hope...that was a nice rivalry for DPU. Also would have liked to have seen Chicago become a regular...

[D3Navy]

This is long overdue, but I'd like to thank TigerDad for taking the time to send me private links to the 15 lateral TU play.  I was underway aboard Kitty Hawk and had not forwarded my Yahoo account, but had downloaded a bad copy and showed it to all who'd watch.  It was great to see it in technicolor when we returned to Japan after getting turned away in Hong Kong.  I know everyone is busy, but it meant a lot to me for someone to take the time to get the word to the fleet. 

You're a fine man, Scott. 

All the best, Tom

[D3_DPUFan]

For DPU fans---
I was watching the DVD of the Bell game this weekend and while Pyneberg's hit at the goal line at the end of the first half has gotten alot of attention (and rightfully so, it was an awesome hit from a great player), there was another impressive hit that went unnoticed. On Marks' score to make it 21-19 late in the game, OL Casey Ellinger absolutely destroyed #40 at the goal line. A textbook pancake block if there ever was one....perhaps not as sensational as the other hit...but wanted to give props to one of the hogs who did an super job that day (and will be back next year!).
   

[Ron Boerger]

Thank you for your service, Tom!!

Now, for those of you dying to vote for the Mississippi Miracle yet one more time, ESPN.com is doing something called "The Greatest Highlight with Chris Berman"  What is it?  According to the website it "is a chance for voters to help determine the all-time best highlight in a tournament-style setting. Along with Berman, you'll help narrows the field from the 100 candidates found below to a group of finalists that will be seeded in a highlight bracket. From that point on, it's win or go home for each highlight, as your votes will help determine which highlight advance to claim the crown of the best of all time."

Trinity-Millsaps is there, along with "Down Goes Frasier," Bartman, Bobby Thompson's "shot heard around the world", the Music City Miracle, that lateral play with the trombone player, and lots of other great, great highlights.  They need to narrow the field down from 100 to 8, so go here to vote.  "Our" play has the advantage of being recent but it will be a real uphill battle to make the cut. 

Merry Christmas to all!

[Ron Boerger]

BTW, congrats to Frank Ezelle who should be getting a nice check from ESPN for his photo displayed in conjunction with the contest above!

Too bad ESPN screwed up the caption, getting some very basic facts wrong.  At least they spelled Frank's name right!

[etg]

(El Tea Gray---re: Final 2007 D3football.com Poll)

SCAC representatives in the final 2007 poll:

#16---Trinity Tigers
tied for #33---Millsaps Majors

IMHO these seem about right. The 2008 Preseason Poll should probably start at approximately the same rankings? The main question for next season's Tigers on offense is at QB; should Caleb Urban (always a threat to run) get a "look" at QB during Spring work-outs, with Bryant Wilson (great 6'4" height) possibly moving to WR? On defense; Tigers need nearly a complete Black Flag reload?


                                                                             

[D3_DPUFan]

(El Tea Gray---re: Final 2007 D3football.com Poll)

SCAC representatives in the final 2007 poll:

#16---Trinity Tigers
tied for #33---Millsaps Majors

IMHO these seem about right. The 2008 Preseason Poll should probably start at approximately the same rankings? The main question for next season's Tigers on offense is at QB; should Caleb Urban (always a threat to run) get a "look" at QB during Spring work-outs, with Bryant Wilson (great 6'4" height) possibly moving to WR? On defense; Tigers need nearly a complete Black Flag reload?

Both teams I thought had very good squads this year...thought Trinity was a bit more physical while Millsaps was more athletic and had more overall team speed, especially on defense. Definitley don't think the ratings (#16 and #33) represents the disparity between the two teams....much, much closer than that.

regarding QB position...is Urban duel threat or just runner? Wilson, I assume is more pure drop back passer?

[evacuee]

Urban to quarterback?  I would be very surprised if that happened unless etg has intimate knowledge of the situation.  They've had a lot of success with pocket passers for quite a while. 

However, everyone has been pretty mobile and I don't know anything about Wilson in that capacity.  If there's any validity to that change, either Urban is a natural passer that doesn't need much preparation, or Coach Mohr wants to do something very different on offense. 

[Ron Boerger]

I'd be surprised to see Urban moved to QB.  He was pretty effective in his first year at WR/KR.

Also with all due respect to etg I think the gap between Millsaps and Trinity this year was much smaller than reflected in the final poll; after all, TU had to pull off one of the miracle plays of all time to get the h2h win.  I don't think Millsaps is losing as much to graduation as does Trinity and will not be surprised if they are ranked ahead of the Tigers next year, certainly in the SCAC coaches' poll.  The national polls are more "prove you can win before we put you up there". 

Also going to be interesting to see how/if the national publicity both Trinity and Millsaps received this year translates in terms of recruiting classes. 

[D3_DPUFan]

Also with all due respect to etg I think the gap between Millsaps and Trinity this year was much smaller than reflected in the final poll;

definitely agree, Ron...

Also going to be interesting to see how/if the national publicity both Trinity and Millsaps received this year translates in terms of recruiting classes. 

Personally, can't see that as having any impact on recruiting. Sure, it may make some kids more aware of the schools, but I don't think a freakish, schoolyard play is going to get too many kids excited about going to school there. Having said that, i DO think the publicity surrounding the play has been some great visibility for DIII football.