FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[cush]

Holy smokes,  i would hate to be that visionforgrowth , in the comments section, person's dog...talk about hostile. Centenary is getting smoked at the d1 level on the athletic field and considering they a have $'s problems can't even afford to compete. The profile of the school is clearly d3 and if they could start a football program, they could attract students and offer something for the alumni/community  to rally around considering football is a religion in the south. The bigger theme is for d3 to expand across the south with school's like centenary joining up to reduce such attitudes ...still waiting on emory football but you will probably see pepsi vending machines on its campus before that happens. 

[TigerDad]

If I may put in my $.02 on the Trinity Athletics facilities and EM Stevens commentary ...

Trinity's athletic facilities, in general, are playable, but certainly inferior to most Texas 5A thru at least 3A high school facilities ... most noticeably, the antiquated EM Stevens football stadium.  In 1970, it may have been acceptable, folks, but my son played in many high school playoff games at FAR superior high school fields.  The grass field is playable and generally in good condition, but laughable when compared to almost every SCAC field ... and yes, I've been to almost every one. 

Early arriving fans will find a few open parking places in the nearby parking garage, but those later must fend for themselves ... NO university directional signs or attendants will assist the unfamiliar or late-comers.  I've frequently had to park 8-10 blocks away in neighborhoods rife with "NO PARKING" signs. Not exactly welcoming, even when compared to ANY "tiny" high school stadium in the state of Texas.

The home stands on the NW side are hot, uncomfortable, and unshaded except for very late afternoon games ... not to mention the very low seating capacity ... I would estimate no more than 2500 (if that).  Restroom facilities are dungeon-like.  The sound system is A JOKE, period.  It BLASTS the home crowd and the visitors simply cannot hear it at all.  One would think that a 2009 Best in the West university could overcome the engineering challenge of "decibels" and "acoustics" ... 

For the visiting fans, the newer aluminum bleachers on the SE side offer hundreds of seats to the few stragglers who bother to follow their teams from all corners of the USA ... to their dismay, they must suffer unbearable heat looking directly into the sun, especially in the three hours before sundown.  Older folks, young children or the frail in health should just stay home.  Combine that with NO restroom or concession stand facilities on their side and you have a guarantee of discomfort for all visiting fans.  Oh, sorry ... feel free to walk your butts all the way into "the Bell Center behind you" to potty and on your way back, stop by the folding card table for a delicious bottle of lukewarm icewater from Aramark.

The pressbox does provide the only shade to home spectators at early afternoon games and that not until halftime ... and only for the top 4-5 rows in the center section.  Seating capacity in the un-air-conditioned pressbox is less than 10 and unsuitable for radio or video broadcast.  Film crews must climb up a dangerous ladder and stand outdoors on top of the pressbox in the blazing sun ... or bring your own awning.  Appalling.  Seriously, folks, this is South Texas where it's > 90°F at kickoff time for all games until late October.  Perhaps that's why few students and NO San Antonio residents ever attend.  Parents, family and friends of players make up the typical crowd of 500-700 attendees ... I've counted them myself just for curiosity's sake.

EM Stevens Stadium renovations have been reported for at least the past five years, but no firm plans or schedule have been revealed.  I've heard talk of building a new stadium seating on the visitor's side and pushing the visitors to the old home side.  Add a high-tech "bridge" over the road or close it off completely ... either way, that would put visitors in more comfort (in the afternoon shade) and relegate the home crowd to the blazing Texas afternoon sun.  If that happens, it would be just plain stupid.  Any architect worth his/her salt should be able to use the on-campus stadium space to create a pleasant atmosphere for players and fans of both participating teams.  Or just don't do it, y'all.

Unfortunately, all this talk will mean little to me and my family ... this will be our last season of Trinity Tiger football.  Seriously, it's been a wonderful experience for us and I wouldn't trade it for any Field Turf stadium with reclining, rocking chair seating with a Bose sound system in the shade.  TU has a perpetual winning football program and it's been a blast to watch it for four years so far.  My son has made life-long friends on the team and enjoyed tremendous success in the classroom and on the field fo play.  It's just too bad the facilities are a detriment rather than an enhancement ... Trinity is such a fine university and should have enough pride to upgrade EM Stevens to a world- (or at least state-) class level. 

I applaud Coach Mohr and his staff for continuing to recruit excellent students who also play a darn good game of football ... each year their jobs grow more difficult as TU admission standards rise.  With UTSA and Incarnate Word starting up football programs in San Antonio in the next 2 years, I expect their efforts to reap fewer rewards.  More Texas high school football players will choose better facilities and athletic scholarships despite the history of winning at Trinity.  Though TU is "Best in Texas" and "Second in D3" in recent years, I daresay that will be difficult to maintain against UMHB, Hardin-Simmons, and the new SA programs without better support from the administration.  Perhaps the next TU president can prioritize differently.  Or not.  Too bad SA's Tom Benson was not a Trinity alum ... I understand UIW's new stadium is terrific.

There ... I said it and I'm not sorry I did, though I apologize in advance to any TU parents, alumni or friends that I may offend by my candor.  Guess that was more than 2 cents!   

[Ron Boerger]

Jimmy Watson is a sports columnist for the Shreveport Times.

Here is his column for today about the Centenary situation.  IMHO, it is more of the same that we saw from the Birmingham-Southern move in 2006, except BSC was experiencing more success in D-1 than Centenary currently is.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090605/SPORTS02/906050309/1001/SPORTS

Enjoy, and comment if you wish.   

Hmm, according to Mr. Watson's article:

"[ ...] student-athletes [...] make up more than 30 percent of the student population."

Talk about a tail wagging a dog. 

[Fico]

I agree with everything you said TigerDad, as a player we almost always skipped over showing recruits the field as it is an embarrassment.

It would not be that difficult to make the stadium a much more respectable place.  The seating capacity is fine, if they enclosed the visitor bleachers in a matching brick with the rest of the campus, upgraded the press box, and concession/bathrooms and covered both bleacher with an awning similar to Mt.Union  it would be a very nice place to watch a game.


The Prassel Lawn would make a great tailgating area if the administration would allow it, several schools in the conference not only allow it but they encourage it.  Their "student section" is always filled and loud... while our trickles in through half time and leaves early to start the post game festivities.  Also part of the reason very few locals show up to games I believe is because few know they are even going on there is no outreach to local media promoting games, ect... other than the post game interviews.  Hell UMHB has a billboard on the 35, you cannot tell me that they can afford something like that and we cannot.

While I loved playing on natural grass more than anything I think they should move to field turf which would allow the team to practice on the field instead of tear up the baseball field.  They have already done this on the intramural field, clearly the administration has the athletic departments best interests in mind.

While I attended we always talked about ripping the tennis courts up across the street from the stadium up, in front of North and South dormitories, and replacing that area with a two level garage which would increase parking greatly and would not interfere with any views from the balconies of aforementioned dorms.

There are several steps the university could take to upgrade the facilities and the atmosphere at games, here is to hoping the new administration has a more favorable outlook on athletics.  Trinity, with its academic standards continually on the rise, needs to be able to attract every quality player that can gain acceptance to the school.  Trinity cannot afford to lose kids to UMHB and HSU, due poor facilities and recent playoff success.  The pool of academically qualified players is so small; the only players Trinity should be losing are to programs of a higher division.  Trinity should not lose any qualified prospects to the likes of UMHB and HSU, there simply are not enough bodies to be brought in anymore.  Thus, Trinity needs an edge in every aspect of the program, and facilities are a huge black eye in this area.

Having said all that, and experiencing it all, including the weight room before the remodel, playing football at Trinity was the most enjoyable experience, to date, in my young life, and I would not  trade it for anything.

[Tex]

There's a story on the Millsaps website about Juan Joseph at CFL training camp.  At the bottom of the story is a link to a 4 minutes video that is mostly an interview of Juan with a few passing drill plays included in the mix.

Link:  http://www.gomajors.com/news/2009/6/4/FB_0604090646.aspx

I, for one, am happy to see him graduate!  I hope he does well. 

[Tex]

TIgerDad, well said on the facilities.

I had planned on buying a little RV when my son hit TU, only to find out there's no where I could expect to park it on campus.

I had some good conversations with Todd Graham when he coached that year at Rice.  The lack of support he got from the university in monetary terms was incredible.  Football was a very low priority for them. 

On outward appearances, I'd say it's a low priority for TU as well.  I can only imagine how difficult it is to recruit for this staff.  If any improvements were to be made before this upcoming season, they'd have had to be started already.  So, I'm not holding my breath.  Maybe we'll see something in 2010. 

[D3_DPUFan]

I, for one, am happy to see him graduate!  I hope he does well. 

I agree...but wish him well. Very talented player...

[Gray Fox]

TigerDad,

Outstanding post.  I've visited from Dallas three times for night games early in the season.  You describe the experience perfectly.

There are good facilities in the gym area behind the visitors stands.  Also, I've been allowed to participate in the school picnic they have before the first game.  So, from my point of view,  the fans are great.

[rooski]

I know that many of you are very close to DIII and these SCAC programs and their history and I very much appreciate your insight and opinions. As you know I am not a long time D3'er and don't have a depth of experience and knowledge from which to draw this remark, but that usually does not stop me.

Early on I too wrestled with the participation, facilities, support and funding questions - like most probably do. My impression is that the recent converstations on the board and the Colorado College situation are a reflection of 1) one of the statements in the NCAA Division III Philosophy that institutions should "support student-athletes... by providing adequate facilities, competent coaching and appropriate competitive opportunities {I have seen all but three of the SCAC football sites and would say that they are at least adequate. Also note that other areas of published DIII postions almost de-emphasize "the fan"}, and 2) the oversaturization of the D1 experience in our various sports media.

I found it easier to accept the differences when I came to realize how "satisfied" the student-athletes seemed to be with their DIII experience rather than spending too much energy on mine.

I'm sure I cannot begin to understand how difficult it must be to operate these athletics programs in the current financial climate and I absolutely am not in a position to be able to provide signifigant monetary assistance. Over the years I have learned that "things could always be better, but things could always be worse too."

So I try to keep in mind that even though it is not the big-time, these young people will still be able to take life long lessons and experiences with them as a result of their DIII athletics days. And I will long be grateful for the opportunities they have found.

[Tex]

With the stock market taking a dump this year, endowments are hurting pretty badly.

[Fico]

I would like to see what the endowment looks like currently, not too long ago it was a smidgen under $1B.

[TigerDad]

I found it easier to accept the differences when I came to realize how "satisfied" the student-athletes seemed to be with their DIII experience rather than spending too much energy on mine.

So I try to keep in mind that even though it is not the big-time, these young people will still be able to take life long lessons and experiences with them as a result of their DIII athletics days. And I will long be grateful for the opportunities they have found.

rooski ... first of all, "+1k" for your thoughtful post.  I applaud you for taking the right attitude about D3 football and for supporting your student-athletes.  Well done.

I would only follow up my earlier posting by re-emphasizing that the university politics and maneuvering for funds completely escape my interest, attention or understanding.  I know the problems exist, but I am disinterested except when my son and his teammates are affected.  As with other SCAC football programs, the Trinity athletes are without exception the finest group of young men with whom I have ever been associated.  Clearly they do not resemble the typical D1 athlete, nor should they.  I would only like them to enjoy the experience as much as possible.  Playing on a crappy football field does not affect their ability to perform or enjoy the camaraderie of their mates.  It just makes me feel like they're being cheated when compared to the university's other facilities and priorities.  In particular, Trinity University's $1B (yes, that's BILLION DOLLAR) endowment does not match up with a football field that is typical of a Texas Class 1A (smallest school division) high school facilities.  EM Stevens is not significantly different from Comanche Stadium in beautiful Shiner, Texas.

We are all on the same page here ... I support D3's philosophy and motives and I am proud that my son has excelled on the field and in the classroom.  I don't think he would be happier or better if the football field was nicer.  Frankly, I don't think he cares a bit.  But I do think the future success of TU football depends upon recruiting ... which depends, to some degree, upon the impression given by the character of coaches, the players, their record, and the facilities.  IMHO, TU's got three out of four.

As "Fico" wrote last week, no TU recruit would look at EM Stevens and say "Wow, I can't wait to play on that field!"  No visiting fan would say, "Wow, I can't wait to come back to TU for a game.  What a great place!".  And yet, San Antonio is a GREAT town to visit, the folks at TU are A-Number-One, and Trinity has one of the best football programs in Division III.

I'd just like to see TU step it up a notch.   OK, I'm done now.  8)

[crufootball]

I'm curious Trinity fans, would you rather the team practice on EM Stevens and then play its game on one of the nicer high school stadiums in San Antonio?

As a fan of UMHB, I am not sure what would be better playing on a relatively nice high school field (as we do now) or a not as good option on campus. 

[Gray Fox]

I'm curious Trinity fans, would you rather the team practice on EM Stevens and then play its game on one of the nicer high school stadiums in San Antonio?

As a fan of UMHB, I am not sure what would be better playing on a relatively nice high school field (as we do now) or a not as good option on campus. 

I am an outsider who has been to both sites more than once.  I think, on balance, I go for on campus games.  That makes it more a part of the whole college experience for all students.  The recent UMHB success in winning may hide this, since winning brings a good feeling.  But, long term,  on campus seems better to me.

[Ron Boerger]

On-campus.  Hard enough to get students to attend when it's convenient, if it's elsewhere Trinity students just won't come.  The 'nice field' across the street is way too large (plus Trinity doesn't get along all that well with the SAISD), the others are too far away.  Maybe Alamo Heights' stadium would work, it's not too far, but still don't see students going there.

What's odd is that the without question the other TU sports facilities are immaculate.  For crying out loud, they even put in FieldTurf on one of the intramural fields last year.   For whatever reason, tho, EM Stevens has been stuck in the '80s while everything else has been upgraded.   If you want to encourage football players to attend, you need to show them that they're as important as the other student-athletes - sadly, appearances are that's not the case.