FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[D3_DPUFan]

I think that some of the Wabash posters took offense at my observation that Wabash went 7-0 versus the NCAC and 3-0 versus the UAA and 0-2 versus everyone else.   

I also remember the Wallies getting their panties in a ruffle at a post last year suggesting that Wabash would be a middle of the road team in the SCAC...

hmmm...let's look at this season. They wouldn't beat Millsaps or Trinity and obviously were stomped head to head against DePauw. I think they would have real trouble beating Rhodes and perhaps Centre, especially on the road. Yep, sometimes the truth can be painful...

[Ron Boerger]

I think that some of the Wabash posters took offense at my observation that Wabash went 7-0 versus the NCAC and 3-0 versus the UAA and 0-2 versus everyone else.   

The key to the improving SCAC is what type of program that BSC can start. 

...sometimes the truth can be painful...

Agree on BSC...the program seemed to take a bit of a step back this season, but if the school is committed to football I gotta think they can put things together. I'll tell you this, they gave us a game in Greencastle...also beat Colorado College on the road and smashed Sewannee at home in their new stadium...

Umm, BSC took a 'step back' because their former HC brought in a bunch of guys who couldn't cut the academics and left after football season was over (there was a story published to this effect earlier this year) ... which accounted for how few returning starters they had.  I think you saw improvement from them as the season progressed and the new guy seems to understand that his focus has to be on student-athletes that can fit into the BSC profile. 

At the end of the season BSC gave Millsaps a better game than anyone else in the SCAC ... tho all the Millsaps turnovers had something to do with it. 

[Ralph Turner]

I am looking for the mindshift in the Deep South to viewing D3 Football as an anticipated model for student-athletes.

I keep preaching that there are plenty of good student-athletes in the Deep South who end up at Tuscaloosa, or Gainesville, or Oxford, or Baton Rouge and never give a thought that they could be a starter   at BSC or Mississippi College or Millsaps or LaGrange or even Oglethorpe (when it gets pressed to add football to increase male enrollment as have BSC and Hendrix).

I think that Millsaps and BSC are helping achieve that critical mass of D3 schools playing creditable (amateur, student-athlete ) football.

[D3_DPUFan]

Umm, BSC took a 'step back' because their former HC brought in a bunch of guys who couldn't cut the academics and left after football season was over (there was a story published to this effect earlier this year) ... which accounted for how few returning starters they had.  I think you saw improvement from them as the season progressed and the new guy seems to understand that his focus has to be on student-athletes that can fit into the BSC profile. 

At the end of the season BSC gave Millsaps a better game than anyone else in the SCAC ... tho all the Millsaps

Yes, I remember that story. They were very competitive when they played us...and it did seem as though they were playing their best football at the end of the season..will be interesting to see how they shape up next season...anybody from BSC have insight into '09?

[D3_DPUFan]

I keep preaching that there are plenty of good student-athletes in the Deep South who end up at Tuscaloosa, or Gainesville, or Oxford, or Baton Rouge and never give a thought that they could be a starter   at BSC or Mississippi College or Millsaps or LaGrange or even Oglethorpe (when it gets pressed to add football to increase male enrollment as have BSC and Hendrix).

No doubt. When we played there in '07 there was a good crowd (both students and adults/alums) and seemed to be a real excitement about the program (especially when it looked as though they were goign to beat us)...the Tigers were luck to get out of there with a win. If BSC and others capture what the DIII model is all about, I think they could create some real powerhouses...

[scaccommish]

We just opened the door on another new area of the SCAC website - SCAC Interactive.

We will use this area to blog from championship events as well as post pictures and video. Also, we plan on a weekly (or bi-weekly podcast), featuring interviews with student-athletes and coaches.

To check out the inaugural podcast, click this link:

http://www.scacsports.com/inside_athletics/interactive

[D3_DPUFan]

We just opened the door on another new area of the SCAC website - SCAC Interactive.

Great work on the site...content rich, easy to navigate and continues to get better with new features. Nice work.

[Ron Boerger]

Congratulations to Millsaps' Juan Joseph and G John Shivers, Jr, the sole SCAC representatives on the D3football.com All-America team.

[D3_DPUFan]

Congratulations to Millsaps' Juan Joseph and G John Shivers, Jr, the sole SCAC representatives on the D3football.com All-America team.

Ditto...and good luck to Juan in his career, whatever path that might take.

[Ron Boerger]

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone in the SCAC (and anyone else who may read this)!

[rooski]

I keep preaching that there are plenty of good student-athletes in the Deep South who end up at Tuscaloosa, or Gainesville, or Oxford, or Baton Rouge and never give a thought that they could be a starter   at BSC or Mississippi College or Millsaps or LaGrange or even Oglethorpe (when it gets pressed to add football to increase male enrollment as have BSC and Hendrix).

Can't help but wonder how many actually do give it a thought but can't afford the D3 school without the financial help that the athletic scholarships offer and have to "settle for" the bigger programs... I know there are other financial aid opportunities but the monetary side of D3 may be a bigger hurdle than many are willing or able to tackle - and I suspect that it is a hurdle for the coaches when recruiting.

I'm not suggesting that there should be athletic scholarships at D3, but I do think it's a significant factor in the decision making process. As has been alluded to here before by others, I think it is one of the things that adds to the admiration we have for these student-athletes.

[rooski]

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone in the SCAC (and anyone else who may read this)!

... and to you as well, Ron!

[TigerDad]

My Christmas gift to all my fellow D3-SCAC message boarders is to pass this most excellent story along to all of you ... in three parts for your reading enjoyment.  The Christmas spirit lives.

1. First, the newspaper story ...

Grapevine Faith football fans cheer for Gainesville State for a day
by David Thomas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Monday, November 10, 2008
http://www.wacotrib.com/prep/content/living/stories/2008/11/10/11102008wacFBHfaith.html

2. Faith Christian coach Kris Hogan's e-mail sent to parents and fans ...

Grapevine Faith's night of football, goodwill
by Matt Wixon, Dallas Morning News "HS GameTime" Blog
Thursday, November 7, 2008
http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/11/grapevine-faiths-night-of-football-goodw.html

3. Finally, Sports Illustrated's version of the story ...

Life of Reilly:
There are some games where cheering for the other side feels better than winning.
by Rick Reilly, Sports Illustrated
November-December 2008
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373

Ladies and gentlemen, it just doesn't get any better than this.  Coach Hogan and Grapevine Faith players, parents and fans ... I SALUTE YOU.

May God Bless You All this season and in 2009.

[frank_ezelle]

Thanks for posting the links to that story.  I enjoyed the reading and it certainly is appropriate for this time of year.

It has been a great year on the SCAC message boards and thanks to all of you for making that possible.  Have a great close to 2008 and an even greater 2009.

[Tex]

Merry Christmas fellas!