WBB: Midwest Conference

[Just Bill]

UWSP gets the top seed, but SNC gets to host since UWSP's men are home and have priority.

UWSP vs. Minnesota-Morris
SNC vs. Calvin

[Just Bill]

SNC women trailed much of the first half, but now are threatening to put Calvin away. It's 47-37 with 13:13 to go.  CC was up 33-31 at the half.

[peteSNCFan]

I thought the Clavin fans were great...showed a lot of spirit in support of their Knights.   Could not say the same about their coach...who bitched to the refs all night...he even took a timeout in the second half to bitch at them (and never addressed his team during the same timeout). 
He was quoted in the GB Press this morning with "I'll just let that one go" when asked how he thought SNC played.  Not showing much class in defeat
Kudos to the "Green Knights' for their strong comeback after being in the hold, 16 - 4,  early in the first half. 
Take care of the Pointers tonite!!http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100306/GPG020102/3060588/1225/GPG02

[jam8788]

Nagan named Lawrence Interim Women's Basketball Coach

3.17.2010 |Women's Basketball

APPLETON, Wis.-- Assistant Coach Dennis Nagan has been named the Lawrence University Interim Head Women's Basketball Coach, Director of Athletics Mike Szkodzinski announced March 17.

Nagan, who joined the Lawrence staff before the 2009-10 season, takes over for Marc Heidorf, who was dismised after two seasons. Heidorf compiled a 3-43 record with the Vikings.

"We are excited that Dennis has taken the opportunity to lead our Women's Basketball program," Szkodzinski said. "With Dennis' knowledge of the current players, the players that we are currently recruiting and the overall program, we believe this will provide the continuity the women's basketball team needs to keep it moving forward in a successful manner."

Assistant Coach Kelly O'Keef, who has been with the Vikings for the past two seasons, also will remain on the staff, Szkodzinski said.

A native of Kaukauna, Wis., Nagan has been coaching women's basketball for nearly three decades. Nagan began coaching in 1981 at the middle school level and has coached both high school and AAU teams.

Before coming to Lawrence, Nagan served as an assistant coach at De Pere High School and helped the Redbirds to WIAA State Tournament berths in 2008 and 2009. Nagan also has worked with teams at Appleton East High School, Bay Port High School and Appleton Xavier High School.

[Voice of the Titans]

So they gave the other guy one year of recruiting (after inheriting a team of 7 kids), watched him make the squad a little more competetive in a year, then the axe? I feel bad for the players. More than likely 3 coaches in 4 years.

[jam8788]

Ripon College Names Julie Johnson New Athletic Director
April 22, 2010

RIPON, Wis. – Ripon College is proud to announce Julie Johnson as the institution's new athletic director, effective at the end of the 2009-10 academic year. The current athletic director, Bob Gillespie, will remain Ripon's head coach for both baseball and men's basketball, and an instructor in the exercise science department. Gillespie has served as athletic director since 1992.

Johnson becomes the first female athletic director in Ripon College history and will continue to serve as head coach of the Red Hawk women's basketball team. She has been assistant athletic director since 2002.

"The College owes a debt of gratitude to Bob for his leadership of the athletics department during the past 18 years," said Gerald Seaman, vice president and dean of faculty. "Julie is a charismatic and passionate advocate of Red Hawk athletics, and we're confident our programs will continue to flourish under her leadership."

Johnson was named to the Ripon College Hall of Fame in 2005 for her commitment to the education of students through the classroom and athletic competition. This school year is Johnson's 20th at Ripon College, where she has become the school's winningest women's basketball coach with a career record of 272-199.

"I'm looking forward to this new opportunity and the challenges it will provide," said Johnson. "I hope to bring the same focus and dedication to this role as I expect from my players on the court."

Johnson came to Ripon in 1990 from South Dakota State University where she received her master's degree in exercise physiology while serving as an assistant women's basketball coach. Johnson also earned her bachelor of science degree in health, physical education and recreation at Dakota State University in 1988. A four-year starter on the Trojan's women's basketball team, Johnson was a three-time all-conference selection and the Dakota Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player in 1987 as well as the NAIA District XII Player of the Year.

[bballer1280]

Although I expect the MWC to still be dominated by the likes of St. Norbert, Ripon, Lake Forest, and Carroll, I do expect Grinnell College to make some strides as a women's basketball team moving up into the top half of the conference this coming winter just as we have witnessed the GC football team to do this fall. 

GC was dominated by many young players a year ago with only one senior in Jessica Shotts (a very good shooter who had some shortcomings).  GC will return their backcourt in Brianna Gallo and Ashley Jeannin along with a very tall and improving front court in Michelle Briggs, Megan Huey, Jessica Vaverka, and Elizabeth Burnett.  If Coach Gluckman can find some backcourt help for Gallo and Jeannin from newcomers Rebecca Degroot, Aby Jaeger, and Patty Murphy-Geiss, to go with some returning help all through the line-up from Tolu Alabi, Kelly Clarke, Mallory Scharf, and Sara Hoffman, the Lady Pioneers of GC might just be a team that other MWC opponents would prefer not to see on their "upcoming" schedule. 

Times are changing at GC as are being demonstrated by GC's football, volleyball, and soccer teams.

What is going on with the other MWC women's basketball teams as the first day of practice is now just 11 days away?

[Bird Dog]

Although I expect the MWC to still be dominated by the likes of St. Norbert, Ripon, Lake Forest, and Carroll, I do expect Grinnell College to make some strides as a women's basketball team moving up into the top half of the conference this coming winter just as we have witnessed the GC football team to do this fall. 

GC was dominated by many young players a year ago with only one senior in Jessica Shotts (a very good shooter who had some shortcomings).  GC will return their backcourt in Brianna Gallo and Ashley Jeannin along with a very tall and improving front court in Michelle Briggs, Megan Huey, Jessica Vaverka, and Elizabeth Burnett.  If Coach Gluckman can find some backcourt help for Gallo and Jeannin from newcomers Rebecca Degroot, Aby Jaeger, and Patty Murphy-Geiss, to go with some returning help all through the line-up from Tolu Alabi, Kelly Clarke, Mallory Scharf, and Sara Hoffman, the Lady Pioneers of GC might just be a team that other MWC opponents would prefer not to see on their "upcoming" schedule. 

Times are changing at GC as are being demonstrated by GC's football, volleyball, and soccer teams.

What is going on with the other MWC women's basketball teams as the first day of practice is now just 11 days away?

I am looking forward to seeing the new and improved version on Jan. 24, 2011.  Note the schedule change it was originally scheduled for Jan. 2, 2011.

[bballer1280]

Although I expect the MWC to still be dominated by the likes of St. Norbert, Ripon, Lake Forest, and Carroll, I do expect Grinnell College to make some strides as a women's basketball team moving up into the top half of the conference this coming winter just as we have witnessed the GC football team to do this fall. 

GC was dominated by many young players a year ago with only one senior in Jessica Shotts (a very good shooter who had some shortcomings).  GC will return their backcourt in Brianna Gallo and Ashley Jeannin along with a very tall and improving front court in Michelle Briggs, Megan Huey, Jessica Vaverka, and Elizabeth Burnett.  If Coach Gluckman can find some backcourt help for Gallo and Jeannin from newcomers Rebecca Degroot, Aby Jaeger, and Patty Murphy-Geiss, to go with some returning help all through the line-up from Tolu Alabi, Kelly Clarke, Mallory Scharf, and Sara Hoffman, the Lady Pioneers of GC might just be a team that other MWC opponents would prefer not to see on their "upcoming" schedule. 

Times are changing at GC as are being demonstrated by GC's football, volleyball, and soccer teams.

What is going on with the other MWC women's basketball teams as the first day of practice is now just 11 days away?

I am looking forward to seeing the new and improved version on Jan. 24, 2011.  Note the schedule change it was originally scheduled for Jan. 2, 2011.

You must be a Coe College fan.  Your team should be very good this year.  Agreed?

[Bird Dog]

Although I expect the MWC to still be dominated by the likes of St. Norbert, Ripon, Lake Forest, and Carroll, I do expect Grinnell College to make some strides as a women's basketball team moving up into the top half of the conference this coming winter just as we have witnessed the GC football team to do this fall.  

GC was dominated by many young players a year ago with only one senior in Jessica Shotts (a very good shooter who had some shortcomings).  GC will return their backcourt in Brianna Gallo and Ashley Jeannin along with a very tall and improving front court in Michelle Briggs, Megan Huey, Jessica Vaverka, and Elizabeth Burnett.  If Coach Gluckman can find some backcourt help for Gallo and Jeannin from newcomers Rebecca Degroot, Aby Jaeger, and Patty Murphy-Geiss, to go with some returning help all through the line-up from Tolu Alabi, Kelly Clarke, Mallory Scharf, and Sara Hoffman, the Lady Pioneers of GC might just be a team that other MWC opponents would prefer not to see on their "upcoming" schedule.  

Times are changing at GC as are being demonstrated by GC's football, volleyball, and soccer teams.

What is going on with the other MWC women's basketball teams as the first day of practice is now just 11 days away?

I am looking forward to seeing the new and improved version on Jan. 24, 2011.  Note the schedule change it was originally scheduled for Jan. 2, 2011.

You must be a Coe College fan.  Your team should be very good this year.  Agreed?

It could be a good year.  Depends on (fill in the blank) happening.

[bballer1280]

Although I expect the MWC to still be dominated by the likes of St. Norbert, Ripon, Lake Forest, and Carroll, I do expect Grinnell College to make some strides as a women's basketball team moving up into the top half of the conference this coming winter just as we have witnessed the GC football team to do this fall.  

GC was dominated by many young players a year ago with only one senior in Jessica Shotts (a very good shooter who had some shortcomings).  GC will return their backcourt in Brianna Gallo and Ashley Jeannin along with a very tall and improving front court in Michelle Briggs, Megan Huey, Jessica Vaverka, and Elizabeth Burnett.  If Coach Gluckman can find some backcourt help for Gallo and Jeannin from newcomers Rebecca Degroot, Aby Jaeger, and Patty Murphy-Geiss, to go with some returning help all through the line-up from Tolu Alabi, Kelly Clarke, Mallory Scharf, and Sara Hoffman, the Lady Pioneers of GC might just be a team that other MWC opponents would prefer not to see on their "upcoming" schedule.  

Times are changing at GC as are being demonstrated by GC's football, volleyball, and soccer teams.

What is going on with the other MWC women's basketball teams as the first day of practice is now just 11 days away?

I am looking forward to seeing the new and improved version on Jan. 24, 2011.  Note the schedule change it was originally scheduled for Jan. 2, 2011.

You must be a Coe College fan.  Your team should be very good this year.  Agreed?

It could be a good year.  Depends on (fill in the blank) happening.

I assume that Simpson College will continue to be the main challenger for Coe College and all of the Iowa Conference until someone knocks them down from their title perch.  Would you agree?

[jam8788]

The MWC doesn't have any exhibition games against DI schools this year (at least not any that I can find).  Doesn't bode well for the conference. 

[hickory_cornhusker]

The MWC doesn't have any exhibition games against DI schools this year (at least not any that I can find).  Doesn't bode well for the conference. 

I'm not sure I understand how. Before the 2008(?) season I watched St. Norbert play Wisconsin. The Badgers won that game something like 92-28 and I don't think the Green Knights had a made field goal in the second half. Sure St. Norbert had the great experience of getting to play in the Kohl Center but it wasn't a game at all. It's nice to see a D3 school get the D1 treatment for one night but I don't see how having an exhibition against a D1 school as an indicator of success.

[Just Bill]

I don't get it either. I'm guessing the inference is that no D-I school thought any MWC team worthy of inviting for an exhibition game. At least that's all I can think of.

I don't think jam gets how scheduling works.

[jam8788]

I do understand how scheduling works. 

d3 schools that are scheduled for d1 exhibition games gain a lot, including exposure, money, and experience.  the fact that no mwc team was scheduled against a d1 team shows exactly how the conference is viewed on a larger scale.  meanwhile, the wiac has multiple programs playing d1 exhibition games this preseason.  the wiac is a considerably stronger conference, and that shows in the scheduling.