2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[KnightFalcon]

Interesting to note also that even though Calvin has an advantage from having played at least one game on Hope's field every year, OWU played Hope at Hope back in September. So this won't be a new venue for them. Hope's stadium is absolutely phenomenal for a D3 program too.

[Corazon]

Interesting quirk of the NCAA scheduling. 2 north Jersey schools (Stevens and Montclair) which are only 20 minutes apart, travels all the way to Virginia to play each other.

[Dark Knight]

Interesting to note also that even though Calvin has an advantage from having played at least one game on Hope's field every year, OWU played Hope at Hope back in September. So this won't be a new venue for them. Hope's stadium is absolutely phenomenal for a D3 program too.

This change of venue for a dusting of snow is unfortunate for Calvin, for fans especially. I will point out, though, that Calvin plays better away from home according to Massey. I suppose that could be simply because it's easier to score lots of goals on a faster turf field.

[Flying Weasel]

That is ridiculous they moved those games. If that is all the snow on the ground that is nothing. 1995 National Championship Semi-Final at Williams was played in a blizzard and many November games in New England are played with some snow on the ground and snow falling. Nowadays everyone has to move the game to a turf field. Calvin worked all year for that home field advantage and the NCAA screws them

Are we sure the NCAA forced the move?  Is it possible that Calvin and the other teams were agreeable to the move?  Is it possible that Calvin and the other teams even proposed the move?  I have no idea, but I wasn't going to assume that this was solely on the NCAA.

[swibbles]

This is more of a general question, but why does the NCAA accommodate schools that do not want to play on Sundays.  Making kids skip school so other kids don't have to skip church is an interesting precedent for the NCAA to set.

[KICKIN95]

This is more of a general question, but why does the NCAA accommodate schools that do not want to play on Sundays.  Making kids skip school so other kids don't have to skip church is an interesting precedent for the NCAA to set.

I have questioned this myself a many times.  I have no issues with religion of any sort, but which takes precedence? (This is not the NCCAA)  I know some schools will not play because of their beliefs and this is a problem for the schools that are able to play and don't have to miss school to do so.  Will the schools that do not want to play on sunday flat out refuse to play or is it just a "we would rather not"?  Either way I think the NCAA should make a firm decision. I realize there are many more DIII schools than DI or DII that are faith based, but there still needs to be a clear rule.  IMO classes missed should trump religious beliefs in this Association, if you don't agree with me that is your right, but than I think the school is question may want to think about changing conferences. If a team chooses not to play because of this belief it is their choice and their forfeiture of the game.  I believe religion plays a very important role in peoples lives, but in this day and age everyone demands a definite line drawn and this issue unfortunately is no different.  Maybe leave it up to the teams playing each other, if the protesting team wishes to not participate on the scheduled date it can be granted a reschedule by the other team or a forfeiture if the teams cannot come up with a amicable alternate date.  I would love to hear other people's thoughts on this and their possible solutions, I just ask that it doesn't get to crazy and to try and keep the original question in mind.

[swibbles]

This is more of a general question, but why does the NCAA accommodate schools that do not want to play on Sundays.  Making kids skip school so other kids don't have to skip church is an interesting precedent for the NCAA to set.

I have questioned this myself a many times.  I have no issues with religion of any sort, but which takes precedence? (This is not the NCCAA)  I know some schools will not play because of their beliefs and this is a problem for the schools that are able to play and don't have to miss school to do so.  Will the schools that do not want to play on sunday flat out refuse to play or is it just a "we would rather not"?  Either way I think the NCAA should make a firm decision. I realize there are many more DIII schools than DI or DII that are faith based, but there still needs to be a clear rule.  IMO classes missed should trump religious beliefs in this Association, if you don't agree with me that is your right, but than I think the school is question may want to think about changing conferences. If a team chooses not to play because of this belief it is their choice and their forfeiture of the game.  I believe religion plays a very important role in peoples lives, but in this day and age everyone demands a definite line drawn and this issue unfortunately is no different.  Maybe leave it up to the teams playing each other, if the protesting team wishes to not participate on the scheduled date it can be granted a reschedule by the other team or a forfeiture if the teams cannot come up with a amicable alternate date.  I would love to hear other people's thoughts on this and their possible solutions, I just ask that it doesn't get to crazy and to try and keep the original question in mind.

I'm very much in agreement with your views on this.  I think telling college students that they must miss class in order to accommodate the religious practices of another team is a tricky statement to send. I'm curious to see what people think about this, or if anyone who has attended (or follows) a school that has a no-Sundays policy might be able to offer their opinion.

[gustiefan04]

Certainly an interesting question.

I think there is merit to both sides of the coin. I know that a lot of the schools who can't or won't play on Sundays do participate in the NCCAA tournament as opposed to the NAIA or NCAA tournaments. The teams that Judson College had back in the late 90's were outstanding. Several Brazilian and British imports.

Not certain of the level in the NCCAA today, but I put those teams from Judson in the late 90's up against any of our top D3 teams today, including Messiah, and expect they would compete with no trouble.

[wingtips2]

It happened to us in 2002 as well.  Hosted the championship, but we got hit with a blizzard so they moved the game from Sandy to our turf field.  Ended up losing to Messiah in the semis.

Ugh - that was some real astroturf...

[wingtips2]

Let's be honest - these kids aren't focusing during a Friday class before a tourney game on Saturday/Sunday, so what difference does it make that they are missing one?  Hell, half of the schools don't even schedule Friday classes anymore.

[wingtips2]

Let's be honest - these kids aren't focusing during a Friday class before a tourney game on Saturday/Sunday, so what difference does it make that they are missing one?  Hell, half of the schools don't even schedule Friday classes anymore.

And after some additional thought, I think I'd rather play two games at night (Fri/Sat) that will likely have more atmosphere than play my first game on Saturday (maybe at night) and then play a Sunday afternoon game (and if it is a sunday night game, you probably aren't going to class on Monday).

Additionally, playing on Friday night gives more of us d3 nerds the chance to see more games...

[Ryan Harmanis]

And after some additional thought, I think I'd rather play two games at night (Fri/Sat) that will likely have more atmosphere than play my first game on Saturday (maybe at night) and then play a Sunday afternoon game (and if it is a sunday night game, you probably aren't going to class on Monday).

I know OWU plays Friday/Saturday when hosting and I believe this is the reasoning. Also, OWU might be the only team that chooses to play after the other game in the pod. Again, I think it goes straight to playing the night game with a bigger crowd. On the other side, if you're a school that doesn't turn out 1000+ for every game, the extra 2 hours rest is probably more beneficial.

[KnightFalcon]

This is more of a general question, but why does the NCAA accommodate schools that do not want to play on Sundays.  Making kids skip school so other kids don't have to skip church is an interesting precedent for the NCAA to set.

I have questioned this myself a many times.  I have no issues with religion of any sort, but which takes precedence? (This is not the NCCAA)  I know some schools will not play because of their beliefs and this is a problem for the schools that are able to play and don't have to miss school to do so.  Will the schools that do not want to play on sunday flat out refuse to play or is it just a "we would rather not"?  Either way I think the NCAA should make a firm decision. I realize there are many more DIII schools than DI or DII that are faith based, but there still needs to be a clear rule.  IMO classes missed should trump religious beliefs in this Association, if you don't agree with me that is your right, but than I think the school is question may want to think about changing conferences. If a team chooses not to play because of this belief it is their choice and their forfeiture of the game.  I believe religion plays a very important role in peoples lives, but in this day and age everyone demands a definite line drawn and this issue unfortunately is no different.  Maybe leave it up to the teams playing each other, if the protesting team wishes to not participate on the scheduled date it can be granted a reschedule by the other team or a forfeiture if the teams cannot come up with a amicable alternate date.  I would love to hear other people's thoughts on this and their possible solutions, I just ask that it doesn't get to crazy and to try and keep the original question in mind.

I'm very much in agreement with your views on this.  I think telling college students that they must miss class in order to accommodate the religious practices of another team is a tricky statement to send. I'm curious to see what people think about this, or if anyone who has attended (or follows) a school that has a no-Sundays policy might be able to offer their opinion.

How many early season tournaments run Fri/Sat and no one seems to complain about that? Conferences have no problem scheduling games during the week - many requiring long travel time and missed classes.  And a Sunday evening tournament game can impact Monday classes just as much depending on the length of travel after the game. Where's the tolerance for different points of view? I don't think these schools ask to play on Saturdays because their "religion" demands it, but rather, they place a significant amount of value on Sundays for activities other than athletics.

[GarbageGoals33]

Other activities on Sunday's such as?

[Corazon]

This is more of a general question, but why does the NCAA accommodate schools that do not want to play on Sundays.  Making kids skip school so other kids don't have to skip church is an interesting precedent for the NCAA to set.

Totally agree.