FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[dc_has_been]

Ive told you my thoughts on what I expect from FC next year, what about DC and MSJ?  I know DC finished this year extremely strong, do they return a lot? All I know about MSJ is Harbin will be back. Do you think he is a better LB or DE?  I tend to think the latter......

Well it has been a while & things are slowing down (until the baby comes), but I wanted to chime in about expectations for DC next year.  If DC's players work hard in the offseason & come geared up to crack some heads they'll be just fine.  They have a lot of players coming back that contributed last year.  
Starting with offense, their QB was a Freshman who imporved each game last year & their top receiver & tight end were freshman too.  They also have two receivers who will be seniors next coming back as well as freshman RB who saw plenty of action.  Their Oline is losing only one starter & bringing back a mix of guys who have game time experience.
On defense they lose their stud Snyder, but have a group of guys coming back also.  Their strength will probably still be in their defensive backfield, but they do bring back four LB's who played their part last year.  They will have some holes to fill on the dline, but have three coming back who saw plenty of action.
Foos who took care of kicking & punting duties is only a sophmore & Supan & Longsdorf who handled the returns will be back as well for special teams.
My overall opinion is that DC will be in the mix next year for the HCAC crown.

[SaintsFAN]

From the Cincinnati fishwrap today:

Thomas More will consolidate its institutional aid and boost it to nearly $8 million a year, continuing an existing program to give $10,000 a year to any parochial school graduate who earns admission and adding a new program to give $7,000 a year to any public school graduate.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081217/NEWS0103/312170066/1055/NEWS

dang going fully scholarship huh...doesn't it cost 4 grand and a carton of Marlboro's to go now?

Yep.. I think this should pretty much close off Cincinnati for most of the other D3 teams.  Between MSJ and TMC, you get to pick from pretty good programs (did I just say that).  Look for the new stadium, PAC Title and Playoff Appearance to be the ground level for Thomas More.

Hell, I bet if Psconda was back at DC, he'd find a way out of playing us in 2009!!   

[formerd3db]

dc-alum:
That's funny too!  +K for you as well!

[70_dc_alum]

From the Cincinnati fishwrap today:

Thomas More will consolidate its institutional aid and boost it to nearly $8 million a year, continuing an existing program to give $10,000 a year to any parochial school graduate who earns admission and adding a new program to give $7,000 a year to any public school graduate.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081217/NEWS0103/312170066/1055/NEWS

dang going fully scholarship huh...doesn't it cost 4 grand and a carton of Marlboro's to go now?

Yep.. I think this should pretty much close off Cincinnati for most of the other D3 teams.  Between MSJ and TMC, you get to pick from pretty good programs (did I just say that).  Look for the new stadium, PAC Title and Playoff Appearance to be the ground level for Thomas More.

Hell, I bet if Psconda was back at DC, he'd find a way out of playing us in 2009!!   

is the series back on?  i could not find a schedule for 2009 anywhere.  Does TMC and DC play next year when and where

[Adam Sayer]

No offense, DC may be on the rise in the HCAC, but TMC does not need to play them. It wouldn't be beneficial to them. At least not right now. If DC can go on the run that MSJ and FC went on...then I'd consider.

Kevin, I hear that though TMC has these new grants, ANYONE can get in. The admission standards are so low, that educated Chimps have a chance (I know I'm being a little funny). I know from a sports standpoint, that's a bonus to colleges and I understand the pluses to giving athletes an exception in most cases, but shouldn't you have some type of academic creditials??? It is still college. Though I believe standards shouldn't be high, because honestly, most non-country club athletes don't score above 23/24 on ACT's (which is what I scored   ), you should still have something in place.

Have I been misinformed??? This comes from a somewhat reliable source. I include the somewhat for a reason. This guy has no reason to lie to me. I'm not knocking them by any means...As an athlete, I wish anyone couold play anytime, anywhere regardless of GPA

[formerd3db]

Sayer:
No disrespect, however, I kind of disagree with you re: no need for TMC to play DC.  Unless you are inferring the SOS, in essence this really makes no difference due to the AQ, and besides, a win is a win.  A third factor is the "rivalry" and there is a basis for this.  The only aspect that might support your thesis is TMC playing a tougher non-conf opponent for the experience that would/should help in the playoffs by theory.  However, as we know, that doesn't always hold and also no one can predict the "streaks" in which various schools may be not very good as opposed to returning to a higher tier in winning.  Anyway, I agree with SainsFAN and some of the others that a TMC-DC series (at least for 4 years contract) wouldn't hurt at all.  But then again, what do I know?!   Besides, I'm an "outsider" i.e. non-HCAC guy!  

[SaintsFAN]

70,

They are not on the schedule currently.  I believe Thomas More travels to Cleveland to play John Carroll in week 1 and to Delhi for Mount St Joe in week 10.  The rest are league games.  I think thats a pretty good non conference schedule though.  However, I'd love to see Defiance in 2010. 

adam,

I can't answer that question with any confidence.  I'm not sure.  I will say this, once they get in... no matter what the ACT score.. they have to stay eligible according to the guidelines that NCAA sets.  Its definitely an opportunity for student-athletes across Cincinnat to go to college and play the best D3 team in the greater Cincinnati area!!

[formerd3db]

Hey SaintsFAN!  My friend, we missed the opportunity again to schedule a Stagg Bowl trip (unless you went).  We really need to try and coordinate this some year you know!  As we discussed in the past, we need to get a group of guys together and have a couple of our groups drive down there either all together (caravan) or meet down there; tailgait, sports restaurant/bar, game, etc.  Anyway, best wishes for the upcoming holidays and be safe.

[Adam Sayer]

It's based on a SOS thing. I don't think playing Defiance would help TMC prepare for the playoffs currently. The PAC is a better conference than the HCAC so TMC doesn't necessarily need the "tough" out of conference games to help solidify a good seed if they win their conference, however, it helps. I realize there was a rivarly 10 years ago, but I'm not sure any of the current DC-TMC kids would see it as such. If Defiance makes a run for the HCAC championship next year, which is a possibility based on this year's outcome, then they would be a valuable opponent. A win vs DC would give TMC an edge in playoff seeding if they make it and vice versa. At that point, it would be attractive for both. I will give defiance this: They have not had a losing record in the HCAC since 2004...at some point they need to rise up correct?

[Adam Sayer]

Merry Christmas and Happy Weight Gaining to All

[Jacket18]

I haven't been on in quite sometime, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!  I enjoy the banter we all share very much! 

Jacket18

[Adam Sayer]

Happy New Year to everyone. Hope 2009 brings successes and accomplishments. I can't believe that next New Yer's Eve, I'll be a married man.

[KYGrizzly]

Hopefully you will have many more new years eves as a married man. My first was in 1979 and the streak is still currently going on.

In other news I stated a rumor earlier about Franklin having field turf installed next year. Apparently a rumor is all it was. Word has it that the board at the college has rejected to install the field turf. Now this rumor also came from the same source as the previous rumor came from so I do not know what to think. I did learn one thing though, never listen to a 22 year old after he has been tailgating.

Also, Happy New year to everyone.

[formerd3db]

KYGrizz:

First, Happy New Year to you and yours.  I hope your holidays were enjoyable and not too hectic.  I trust you watched at least a few of the bowl games on TV.  I thought some were pretty good games this year - not all blow-outs and this reflects some of the parity in college football now at the DI level.  In addition, it looked like there was pretty good attendance at all the bowl games - quite surprising.

Secondly, I hope that the Franklin rumor you mention about them deciding not too install the new style turf is just that - a rumor.  I can't imagine why the board of trustees would make a decision like that, other than for current financial reasons.  Yet even if the latter is the issue, the college could certainly do a fundraising program to raise the $.  Other schools smaller than Franklin have done it that way and IMO, if they can do it, certainly Franklin can.  In one sense, I can see where some people might use that old saying relating that any DIII school should not decide to obtain the new turf just because many others do i.e. the old cliche about "keeping up with the Jones'".  On the other hand, for all the reasons that many people have discussed/posted on these boards in past years regarding the new turf (i.e. decreased cost in maintainance, multi-purpose use for a variety of events, some safety reasons inclement weather inclusive, etc., etc.), IMO, there is no reason for small schools not to do this (again, unless the financial aspect is just not possible, but again, I can't believe that even the smallest school couldn't do it).  It is the state of the art and advantages pretty much proven.

Nonetheless, perhaps there are a few schools who would say they want to "remain old-school traditionalists" for history/posterity's sake or whatever and stick with the natural turf.  Anyway, hopefully the Franklin board will change their minds.  What are your thoughts?

[KYGrizzly]

formerd3rb,

If it is true that the board of trustees has decided against the field turf I wish they would change their minds. It would not only benefit the football program, but i believe the soccer teams would benefit from it too. Even the baseball and softball teams could use the turf for some practice in February when their fields are not in good conditions.

Yes I have watched plenty of bowl games, as a matter fact I just watched my Kentucky Wildcats pull off a nice upset win. It will be a great weekend if they beat the U of L Cards in roundball Sunday.

Looks like it has been tough on the Big Ten this bowl season.