FB: Southern Athletic Association

[Cowboy2]

A really tough loss for Trinity on Saturday. 

My bottom line: NCC's incredible offensive line enabled explosive penetrations quickly into the secondary and Trinity's DBs, already stretched, simply couldn't make effective stops.

Combine that with turnovers and the result is NCC dominating possession and the score.  Reduce the turnovers and the margin of defeat would have been respectable as Trinity demonstrated they could move the ball.

Having a very mobile QB was icing on the cake for NCC.

I don't see how any team can adequately prepare for NCC's O-line.  They should coast to the Stagg Bowl win.

Caleb Harmel finished his career in stunning fashion with 11 tackles and two sacks.  NCC's QB was visibly concerned early at being taken down hard twice.  He will be very tough to replace although the TU LB stable is strong, particularly TJ Scannell.

Much work to be done for next year but all said, it was a fantastic season for a team that demonstrates pure class.  Extremely proud to be a fan.

Harmel was/is a STUD.  easily the best defensive player i have seen against NCC in the past 2 seasons.  Was very impressed with Horn as well.

Congrats to the 5th years seniors (41-6) and to the the current seniors on finishing their careers (33-5). They truly helped Trinity regain "being the standard" both on and off the field that was displayed much throughout the 90s and 00s.

Most of these young men saw significant playing time and contributed during the last three playoff runs (30-4). They should be very proud. I often wonder how many extra games we could have enjoyed if these island teams didn't have to go through the Texas gauntlet then travel bracket.

Aside from Saturday, leaving it all on the field, their other 3 losses were by an average 6 points since The Covid Season (-7). They have compiled 4 conference championships during their careers!

Trinity should be back in the hunt for the SAA next year. Current Junior (coming seniors) class is 30-4. They have a lot of familiar names to replace, but on the bright side, I saw a lot of talented young players who were able to see the field for most of the second half this year. There is much to be proud of and also excitement for in the future.

2023 10-2  (L 34-31OT @ SJU) (L @ NCC*)
2022 11-1 (L 24-17 UMHB-Semi finalist, who lost to NCC National Champion)
2021 9-1 [McMurry canceled] (L 13-3 UMHB-National Champion)
C19
2020 3-1 (13-3 Hendrix)
2019 8-2 16-10 HSU 14-10 Berry

[FLALTX]

It was humbling for sure. I feel like we could have beat anyone else in the tournament besides them. It was a tough draw and they really punished us on Saturday. I agree they won't be beat or really tested throughout the rest of the tournament. We needed to have our best game to stay close and we definitely didn't deliver that. My son got knocked out with an injury early in the game and couldn't help on the DLine. Hard way to end a career but this group has gone 41-6, won 3 outright and 1 shared conference championship and made it to the playoffs 3 years in a row where they lost to the national champions 2 of those 3 years. I would have loved to go further, but there can only be one, and this year it's North Central.

[D3Navy]

It was humbling for sure. I feel like we could have beat anyone else in the tournament besides them. It was a tough draw and they really punished us on Saturday. I agree they won't be beat or really tested throughout the rest of the tournament. We needed to have our best game to stay close and we definitely didn't deliver that. My son got knocked out with an injury early in the game and couldn't help on the DLine. Hard way to end a career but this group has gone 41-6, won 3 outright and 1 shared conference championship and made it to the playoffs 3 years in a row where they lost to the national champions 2 of those 3 years. I would have loved to go further, but there can only be one, and this year it's North Central.

Sorry to hear about your son.  Must've been extremely frustrating for him.  Thank him for a great season!

[Ron Boerger]

According to AL.com, B-SC yesterday received the $5M "loan" it solicited from the City of Birmingham.  "Loan" because half of that amount will be forgiven if the school opens its doors next fall; the remainder will be due over a 20-year period (at 1%) and is secured by a second mortgage on the school's property.  According to a WVTM-13 story this loan will also ensure the $2.5M pledged by the UMC earlier this month will be funded. 

In the not-so-good news department, the WTVN-13 story also continues to place the endowment funds pledged at ... $45 million.  Perhaps the recent success in raising additional funds from the UMC and the City (as well as the $5M they will seek from the county, if successful) will convince some of the fence-sitters to participate. 

[BSCpanthers]

According to AL.com, B-SC yesterday received the $5M "loan" it solicited from the City of Birmingham.  "Loan" because half of that amount will be forgiven if the school opens its doors next fall; the remainder will be due over a 20-year period (at 1%) and is secured by a second mortgage on the school's property.  According to a WVTM-13 story this loan will also ensure the $2.5M pledged by the UMC earlier this month will be funded. 

In the not-so-good news department, the WTVN-13 story also continues to place the endowment funds pledged at ... $45 million.  Perhaps the recent success in raising additional funds from the UMC and the City (as well as the $5M they will seek from the county, if successful) will convince some of the fence-sitters to participate.

This is the part that worries me the most.  It has been at the number since all this began.  A lot of money has been spent trying to secure commitments for the endowment but, as of yet, no increase has been reported.  That is the biggest disappointment, and the scariest stat about the hopeful future of BSC. 

[jknezek]

I just don't understand how anyone thinks spending money to send your kid to B-SC next year is a good idea. This is a textbook death spiral.

https://abc3340.com/news/local/bsc-emphasizing-recent-positive-changes-after-school-placed-on-warning-list-by-accrediting-agency-accreditation-birmingham-southern-college-southern-association-of-colleges-and-schools-commission?fbclid=IwAR3f9RBXYBuZkB9e3CVizUzREScgU0RxPb66swYYNNAu7lQjIbZ-sv5RDbc

[Ron Boerger]

I just don't understand how anyone thinks spending money to send your kid to B-SC next year is a good idea. This is a textbook death spiral.

https://abc3340.com/news/local/bsc-emphasizing-recent-positive-changes-after-school-placed-on-warning-list-by-accrediting-agency-accreditation-birmingham-southern-college-southern-association-of-colleges-and-schools-commission?fbclid=IwAR3f9RBXYBuZkB9e3CVizUzREScgU0RxPb66swYYNNAu7lQjIbZ-sv5RDbc

Again, it falls on the families to actually be aware of the situation.  For those from modest backgrounds who have been offered a huge aid package (aka a huge discount) that may not have similar opportunities elsewhere, that may be all they focus on.

In happier news, Tucker Horn was today named one of five finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy.   The winner will be announced next Friday. 

[BSCpanthers]

I've got a friend of mine whose daughter is a senior high school basketball player.  She has been recruited by Milsaps and a few other schools.  He is completely aware of the current BSC situation and they are still leaning towards going with BSC.  There are still a number of people that have confidence that things will work themselves out with BSC, I'm currently losing confidence but still hopeful. 

This probation from the accreditation group is purely due to the financial situation, nothing to do with the academic standards that are very strong with BSC.  If the state does come through with the funding, that probation should be lifted, until the next financial speed bump comes up. 

[BSCpanthers]

Update on the BSC financial situation.  They have reapplied for the funding from the state with documentation from Servisfirst bank giving the state the first lender rights to the property if BSC faults on the loan.  Also, they included the value of the Hilltop apartments(student housing apartments on campus) and an office building on campus to boost the value of the property.  These are the things that the Alabama Treasurer stated were the reason for not giving the loan.  Hopefully the Treasurer won't wait 4 months on giving an answer so the college can go forward with plans as well as students can continue with BsC with confidence that the school will be here for at least another 4 years. 

[D3Navy]

Pro teams should take a look at Tucker Horn from Trinity University:

http://www.thegridironcrew.com/tucker-horn-2024-pro-prospect-interview/

[BSCpanthers]

Tucker deserves a look, just not sure how much of an opportunity he will actually get. He may be able to get an opportunity in the USFL/XFL merged league or the CFL. Good luck to him whatever he does next.

[Ralph Turner]

Update on B-SC from the WSJ...

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/birmingham-southern-college-alabama-aef0fcb7?

From the article...

Yet resources continued to dwindle, and the endowment is now just over $20 million, according to Birmingham-Southern's state loan application, down from $125 million in 2003

.

[Ron Boerger]

A new bill pending in the Alabama Senate, SB31, would transfer administration of the state's distressed school loan program from the State Treasurer to the Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.  A state-regulated bank would be required to review and approve the collateral offered and the restructuring plan.  Per the linked AL.com story, it has the support of at least 21 of the 30 members of the Senate, was introduced February 6th, and is pending action by the Finance and Taxation Education Committee.

[BSCpanthers]

For BSC to have any kind of recovery, this needs to be approved now and needs to be given the money next week. They are losing students due to the unknown.  It will take a few years to get student numbers back to the 1200 mark.  Such a wonderful campus, still can't believe there is still a chance of losing it. 

[Ron Boerger]

The bill was reported out of committee today.