FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[frank_ezelle]

Millsaps also has added a new member to their athletic staff:

Scott Slarks Joins Millsaps Sports Information Staff--Millsaps College athletic director Tim Wise announced today the addition of sports information assistant Scott Slarks to the athletic staff, becoming the second full-time employee responsible for the publicity of all 18 intercollegiate sports...... (link:  http://www.gomajors.com/news/2009/8/25/GEN_0825094835.aspx )

This may not be exciting news except to Millsaps athletes, coaches, and fans, plus the SCAC home office.  It's certainly exciting news to me.  About 5 years ago when I started taking photos for Millsaps the SID slot was a part-time job that paid about $10,000.  If they found someone who would take the job as a labor of love, such as board member "consultant", then it worked out okay.  If they found someone who was working two jobs to try and make a living, then it was a disaster--few stories were written, some sports went totally uncovered, stats were late getting to the SCAC office, media guides were slim or non-existent, the website was rarely updated, etc.

The addition of Kevin Maloney as a full-time SID has been fantastic and now the Millsaps athletes and coaches are getting the recognition they deserve.  The Millsaps website is great, news goes out to hometown newspapers, stories are submitted to all the D3sports website and all of the local media, and on and on.  It's like night and day compared to just a few years ago, but it has happened because Kevin willingly puts in 60-80 hour weeks in the fall and spring and even with that there are things that have to go undone.  Having a second full time person in the sports information department is going to be great for Millsaps.  

As a Millsaps fan, I greatly appreciate the realization of the Millsaps administration and Athletic Director Tim Wise of the need for a second staff member and I'm sure it will be a great decision.  It will go a long way in giving the athletes, the athletic programs, and the school the recognition that is deserved from their efforts.

[D3_DPUFan]

Millsaps also has added a new member to their athletic staff:

Scott Slarks Joins Millsaps Sports Information Staff--Millsaps College athletic director Tim Wise announced today the addition of sports information assistant Scott Slarks to the athletic staff, becoming the second full-time employee responsible for the publicity of all 18 intercollegiate sports...... (link:  http://www.gomajors.com/news/2009/8/25/GEN_0825094835.aspx )

This may not be exciting news except to Millsaps athletes, coaches, and fans, plus the SCAC home office.  It's certainly exciting news to me.  About 5 years ago when I started taking photos for Millsaps the SID slot was a part-time job that paid about $10,000.  If they found someone who would take the job as a labor of love, such as board member "consultant", then it worked out okay.  If they found someone who was working two jobs to try and make a living, then it was a disaster--few stories were written, some sports went totally uncovered, stats were late getting to the SCAC office, media guides were slim or non-existent, the website was rarely updated, etc.

The addition of Kevin Maloney as a full-time SID has been fantastic and now the Millsaps athletes and coaches are getting the recognition they deserve.  The Millsaps website is great, news goes out to hometown newspapers, stories are submitted to all the D3sports website and all of the local media, and on and on.  It's like night and day compared to just a few years ago, but it has happened because Kevin willingly puts in 60-80 hour weeks in the fall and spring and even with that there are things that have to go undone.  Having a second full time person in the sports information department is going to be great for Millsaps. 

As a Millsaps fan, I greatly appreciate the realization of the Millsaps administration and Athletic Director Tim Wise of the need for a second staff member and I'm sure it will be a great decision.  It will go a long way in giving the athletes, the athletic programs, and the school the recognition that is deserved from their efforts.

Good for Millsaps for investing in another sports information position. And kudos to you, Frank, for your efforts on behalf of student-athletes at MC. The SID position at the DIII level is a tirelss job to be sure, at least if you attempt to do it right. Here in Indiana, I continue to be amazed at the talents and the work ethic of DePauw's SID Bill Wagner. The depth of information and timlieness of posts on the DPU website are outstanding.

[TigerDad]

I've gotten to meet the SID's at several SCAC schools in my travels with the Trinity football team.  A fine bunch of guys and always a pleasure to meet.  I would assume they're mostly overworked and underpaid, but we appreciate their efforts on behalf of our athletes & fans!

[D3_DPUFan]

I've gotten to meet the SID's at several SCAC schools in my travels with the Trinity football team.  A fine bunch of guys and always a pleasure to meet.  I would assume they're mostly overworked and underpaid, but we appreciate their efforts on behalf of our athletes & fans!

Totally agree. What impresses me most is the dedication to their craft (at least the good ones). In this day and age that seems a lost art in some places.

[consultant]

Frank,
Thanks for the shoutout for SIDs.  The SIDs in the SCAC are first class, particularly veterans like Justin Parker at Trinity and Bill Wagner at DePauw.  I enjoyed my time serving Millsaps.  Kevin is doing a great job for the Majors.  I'm glad he is getting some support. 

Along the lines of SIDs....kudos to Dwayne Hanberry, former SCAC SID and now Mr. Commissioner.  The SCAC has completely transformed during Dwayne's multi-faceted tenure.

[Ron Boerger]

I did indeed make it to the Trinity - Howard Payne scrimmage today.  There's a lot of good things going on there along with the usual early-season opportunities for improvement.  The QB battle could still be up in the air as I thought the #2 QB played very well.  Kicking game seems to be in good hands as both the punter and place kicker did well.  Trinity blocked a number of HPU punt/field goal attempts.  The HPU offense had early success against the Trinity defense (on drills starting from the 35), but had almost no success on later drills starting at the 5 or 20.  Trinity spent a lot of time working the running game, with mixed success - Chris Baer was out attending to personal business.  HPU did have some luck throwing the ball and that will need to be worked out before TU faces Hal Mumme's flying circus next week.   All in all a good effort and I don't think there were any serious injuries, several stingers both ways.   It was a hot day without much breeze or cloud cover and the scrimmage ended about 2 hours after it began.  

A bit of news to report:  the 6'5" freshman QB from Boerne Champion, Chuck Thornally, decided to leave campus before school started.   Nobody really seems to know why.  

Along with a season preview, the Trinity 2009 roster has been posted to the Trinity football home page by our friend Justin Parker.  

[Ron Boerger]

Since we mentioned these guys earlier in the thread:  D2 Incarnate Word won its first-ever football game against "five-time defending Mexico champion" Monterrey Tech tonight, 42-39.   So that should clue folks in on the level of American football in Mexico. 

[jekelish]

That's good to know regarding Monterrey, since the 'Roos have them in a little over a month.

I will say that the team from Mexico we scrimmaged last week was better than I thought they'd be.  They were a bunch of BIG dudes, and they had a couple shifty playmakers.  That said, we looked awfully tough offensively when our first unit was on the field, and a couple new young guys look like they will make an immediate, and substantial, impact.

Bold prediction based only in part on the fact that I'm an AC homer: Ross Hasten leads the SCAC in rushing this season on his way to another 1st Team All-Conference selection.  He looked very, very good during that scrimmage.

[Ron Boerger]

They might not be shown because the 2009 roster hasn't been posted to TU's web site.  

Texas is a big state with LOTS of football players.  They go all over the country and kids at this level go to the schools that offer them the complete package.  That can be financial aid, that can be the fields the school is known for, someplace their siblings or parents went to, it can be the school with the "hot" football team or the one they think they have the best chance at getting playing time.  

When you look at the number of kids in Houston, it's no more "Trinity" territory than Dallas is.  Heck, look at how few San Antonio kids end up on the TU roster - all of five in '08.  

Agree with your comments Ron.  I am a Houston native that chose Millsaps over Trinity for many of the reasons you listed above.  I just found it interesting that of all the schools recruiting out there, Millsaps was able to land 9 players from two states and 400+ miles away.  It seems that some schools develop a nice pipeline in to certain locations for one reason or another.  The San Antonio comment somewhat applies, but I would think that a majority of kids choose to go away from home for college.

To finish this thought out, I just got a note from Zachary Levine at the Chronicle, they've updated their DB and it now reflects 30 Houston-area players at Trinity -  a darned good chunk of the team.  There must be some talent in H-town.   

[rooski]

That's good to know regarding Monterrey, since the 'Roos have them in a little over a month.

I will say that the team from Mexico we scrimmaged last week was better than I thought they'd be.  They were a bunch of BIG dudes, and they had a couple shifty playmakers.  That said, we looked awfully tough offensively when our first unit was on the field, and a couple new young guys look like they will make an immediate, and substantial, impact.

Bold prediction based only in part on the fact that I'm an AC homer: Ross Hasten leads the SCAC in rushing this season on his way to another 1st Team All-Conference selection.  He looked very, very good during that scrimmage.

Heck, Jekelish... Now you've gone and gotten me all excited. I may "boldly" seek to add a Kangaroo punter to your 1st Team All-SCAC prediction from what I saw last weekend {and last season}. And who knows what else we might want added before this season is over  .

On a serious note, I hope the boys can work through the emotion of this weekend's ceremony and turn in a fitting performance for their fallen teammate and friend. It will not be easy.

And here's hoping for a SCAC sweep this weekend! {I don't think there is any head-to-head  matchups.}

[wabashcpa]

SCAC Pick 'ems are posted - all are welcome to play.

[SaintsFAN]

That's good to know regarding Monterrey, since the 'Roos have them in a little over a month.

I will say that the team from Mexico we scrimmaged last week was better than I thought they'd be.  They were a bunch of BIG dudes, and they had a couple shifty playmakers.  That said, we looked awfully tough offensively when our first unit was on the field, and a couple new young guys look like they will make an immediate, and substantial, impact.

I would think their standards are alot more relaxed than D3 deals with the NCAA.  Think of NAIA but worse... probably had a 25 year old tailback or something..

[Ron Boerger]

I would think their standards are alot more relaxed than D3 deals with the NCAA.  Think of NAIA but worse... probably had a 25 year old tailback or something..

According to a SA Express-News story, UIW had problems getting a roster from Monterrey Tech, the film they got was incredibly grainy and years old. etc.   After getting a roster, Incarnate Word was told to ignore a bunch of it because the over-24 players would not be coming. 

[TigerDad]

Three days and six hours until the oblong leather ball is airborn ...

This week's games:
Birmingham-Southern College @ LaGrange in LaGrange, GA
Centre College @ Hanover College in Hanover, IN
Westminster College (MO) @ Rhodes College in Memphis, TN
Southwestern Assemblies of God University @ Austin College in Sherman, TX
Trinity University @ McMurry University in Abilene, TX
Millsaps College @ Mississippi College in Clinton, MS
University of the South (Sewanee) has a bye week.

SCAC Pickem Topic here:
http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=4796.0

GO SCAC ... GO TIGERS (all of them).

[Ron Boerger]

So according to a Notables story, there's going to be a game to replace the Aztec Bowl.  Still in Mexico, same weekend, but supposedly a better calibre of player from Mexico (what?  Monterrey Tech isn't the best football team in Mexico?  Not if this article is true).   Glad they're trying to revive the tradition. 

Only one catch:  AFCA's not going to underwrite costs, so any US player who is selected to participate (who will select?) will have to pay their own way ... at nearly $1500 a head.  Sounds steep, especially if you're a college student, and why should it cost someone from this part of the country the same to attend as someone from the Northeast?   

The organization putting this together, "Global Football", has some experience with D3 football teams, organizing tours for Illinois Wesleyan to Austria, North Central to Switzerland, and Wisconsin Eau Claire to Spain this past summer (according to their website).   I wish them luck putting this together.