FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[wally_wabash]

Following up on what we were talking about with DePauw's issues with the SCAC a couple of weeks ago - rumor going around over on the NCAC board is that Earlham is jumping ship from the NCAC at the end of this upcoming academic year for the Heartland. 

Something to certainly be advised of, I believe, since DePauw is probably the most logical choice for them even if DPU isn't looking for a new conference like some of us think they are.

One other thing that would need to be considered is whether or not the NCAC would want to replace Earlham or stay with the nine teams remaining.  I've heard again and again that the league had no interest in expanding beyond ten schools, so any DePauw to the NCAC noise prior to right now was all pie in the sky stuff.  But I think this Earlham thing has legs...there are enough smoke signals that makes me believe that there's a decent chance that the rumor has some legitimacy.  There are a lot of things that would make sense about DePauw coming to the NCAC...I think it's mainly a matter of whether or not the league and the institution want to do it (if, of course, Earlham does leave).  I couldn't see the presidents of the NCAC member institutions not wanting to do this if the opportunity arises, so I think the biggest question mark is whether or not DePauw wants to leave the south. 

It'll be interesting to track this story for sure. 

[cush]

I think that is a strange move for Earlham to make...geography wise, its a flip of a coin for either league but the ncac would seem to have a higher academic profile school type + throw in Earlham's nice sized endowment, you would think the academics at Earlham would want to hang out in the ncac. If they did make that move, i would think Depauw would jump at an ncac offer and that such an offer would be made...if this did go down would assume depauw would still play in the scac in 2009/2010...at least for football, yeah they would have to than i'd guess berry college would join the scac as their replacement.

[cave2bens]

I think that is a strange move for Earlham to make...geography wise, its a flip of a coin for either league but the ncac would seem to have a higher academic profile school type + throw in Earlham's nice sized endowment, you would think the academics at Earlham would want to hang out in the ncac.

Endowment and academics aside (though Hanover, Transylvania, and Rose Hulman aren't slouches in those departments either), a prospective move by Earlham to the Heartland would be positive, geographically.  RHIT and Anderson are rivals in football, and the furthest road game is a two and a half hour bus ride to Lexington, KY..  Sports-wise, the Quakers would move to an upper tier position in several, athletic endeavors and their profile (teams on campus) match up well with existing HCAC programs. JMHO 

[Ron Boerger]

According to the SCAC website, DePauw has repeated as President's Trophy champions.  The margin this year was once again close - 10 points separated DPU and Trinity.  Had one of Trinity's tennis teams been able to defeat their Tiger brethren in the conference finals, it would have been a tie - but DePauw handled their young opponents with ease.  Congratulations to the Greencastle crew, who have now won the Trophy four years running.    If DPU does leave the SCAC for the NCAC as some have posited, they will go out on a high note. 

2008-2009 SCAC President's Trophy
Final Standings
(combined Men's & Women's)

1. DePauw University - 852.5
2. Trinity University    - 842.5
3. Centre College - 792.5
4. Rhodes College - 737.5
5. Southwestern University - 522.5
6. Hendrix College  - 492.5
7. Sewanee-The University of the South - 472.5
8. Colorado College - 425
9. Oglethorpe University - 335
10. Millsaps College - 285
11. Austin College - 247.5

It would be less than worthy of me to note that DePauw received 45 points for competing in a sport that less than half of the conference (and none of the schools west of the Sabine*) participates in.    Honest.     

* I was going to say the Mississippi, but Hendrix spoiled that.

[D3_DPUFan]

According to the SCAC website, DePauw has repeated as President's Trophy champions.  The margin this year was once again close - 10 points separated DPU and Trinity.  Had one of Trinity's tennis teams been able to defeat their Tiger brethren in the conference finals, it would have been a tie - but DePauw handled their young opponents with ease.  Congratulations to the Greencastle crew, who have now won the Trophy four years running.    If DPU does leave the SCAC for the NCAC as some have posited, they will go out on a high note. 

Nice note, Ron...I think it speaks volumes to the hard work of staff and administration---and the funding---to field a well-rounded sports program...year in and year out. That includes some quality facilities...

[D3_DPUFan]

While we're passing out kudos...DPU's SID Bill Wagner is amazing. Unless I'm mistaken, he is a one man show...and somehow handles all of DePauw's sports (I count 19!). The quality of the game stories, summaries and stats and how quickly they all get posted after games is phenomenal...in addition to all of his other duties. One of the true unsung heroes of DePauw's athletic program, IMHO.   

[scaccommish]

Well said D3_DPUFan.

Bill Wagner is as good as it gets in the field of sports information. Another thing goes unnoticed and untold is how willing Bill is to answer questions and assist any of the less experienced SIDs in our conference.

The SCAC is a better conference because of people like Bill Wagner.

[D3_DPUFan]

Bill Wagner is as good as it gets in the field of sports information. Another thing goes unnoticed and untold is how willing Bill is to answer questions and assist any of the less experienced SIDs in our conference.

The SCAC is a better conference because of people like Bill Wagner.

Not surprising...classy guy.

And I know I've mentioned it before, but I like what you guys are doing with the conference site.

[D3_DPUFan]

In the wake of Colorado College's unfortunate demise, how about this for a scheduling scenario for DePauw's 10th game:

I notice on the Open Schedule  Board that Centre is looking for a game October 17. Would the SCAC allow DePauw and Centre to play October 17 (instead of September 19)? That would allow the Tigers to schedule Washington and Lee (less of a road trip than CC) September 19.

I know the ideal situation would be to get a game for DPU's open date 9/5...but seems to me that Centre/Washington and Lee scenario might make sense...anybody care to blow holes in that idea???

[Ralph Turner]

In the wake of Colorado College's unfortunate demise, how about this for a scheduling scenario for DePauw's 10th game:

I notice on the Open Schedule  Board that Centre is looking for a game October 17. Would the SCAC allow DePauw and Centre to play October 17 (instead of September 19)? That would allow the Tigers to schedule Washington and Lee (less of a road trip than CC) September 19.

I know the ideal situation would be to get a game for DPU's open date 9/5...but seems to me that Centre/Washington and Lee scenario might make sense...anybody care to blow holes in that idea???

For Centre, I would rather play a conference game later in the season than earlier!

[D3_DPUFan]

DPU could bus there (rather than fly to CC) which would be a big money saver...looks like the bus trip would be long...but exactly the same as Millsaps.

[Gray Fox]

In the wake of Colorado College's unfortunate demise, how about this for a scheduling scenario for DePauw's 10th game:

I notice on the Open Schedule  Board that Centre is looking for a game October 17. Would the SCAC allow DePauw and Centre to play October 17 (instead of September 19)? That would allow the Tigers to schedule Washington and Lee (less of a road trip than CC) September 19.

I know the ideal situation would be to get a game for DPU's open date 9/5...but seems to me that Centre/Washington and Lee scenario might make sense...anybody care to blow holes in that idea???

For Centre, I would rather play a conference game later in the season than earlier!

I would think that they should be flexible to all ideas  because of the unexpected disruptions.

[D3_DPUFan]

...and wouldn't Washington and Lee be an in region game for DePauw?

[Ralph Turner]

...and wouldn't Washington and Lee be an in region game for DePauw?

Yes, South Evaluation Region and Admin Region #3.

[D3_DPUFan]

Thanks, Ralph...
Of course my scenario still leaves Centre looking for a game on 9/19...I wonder how involved the SCAC has been/will be in working with schools to get through the scheduling mess...