The year 2006 was absolutely fantastic for D3football.com. We were able to do a lot of things, such as send Keith McMillan on the Run to the Playoffs, literally around the nation. I got to see a handful of different programs and places this season thanks to my new geography. We were able to participate in the NCAA’s live videocast of the semifinals. And Kickoff 2006 followed in the successful footsteps of Kickoff 2005.
With a great 2006 behind us, here’s some hopes and wishes for 2007:
More video: We’re at the mercy of some larger organizations on this one, hoping the NCAA will add Division III to the program it put together for Division II football, streaming some 40 games on the Net through CSTV. There are also still streaming companies who are trying to get D-III conferences interested. Conferences — look at this offer and get your schools on board. It benefits the entire division.
More teams: The 2007 season welcomes Birmingham-Southern, St. Vincent and Gallaudet. Gallaudet is attempting to return to the intercollegiate fold … again … from club status. Gallaudet hasn’t won a varsity game since 1991. Birmingham-Southern is moving up to Division III from Division I, in a decision that caused a great deal of rancor on campus and from the scholarship athletes. We hope for a peaceful transition and some football success. St. Vincent is joining Division III from the NAIA and will be in the second year of provisional status next season. And St. Scholastica has announced it will add football for 2008. The more the merrier.
More participation: We hear from more and more readers every year, and we would hope 2007 continues the trend. But the trend in recent years, too, has been not just more posters and blog comments but more sites run by fans dedicated to specific teams. Wabash started team blogs this year, including football. A Gettysburg fan blogs about their team, though it’s mostly a collection of the writings of others. Of course, there are several fan sites, including ones for Mount Union, UW-Whitewater, Cortland State, Bridgewater and others. But anyone can start a blog — perhaps it might be interesting for you to start one as a fan of a team you might think is underrepresented. Citizen journalism is a big buzzword in the media these days and you fans out there can join the group. Get video of your team and put it on YouTube.
More Martel: OK, well, this isn’t very likely — I’m sitting here late night/early morning listening to D3football.com audio director emeritus Ray Martel hosting an overnight talk show shift on WFAN. He and I started doing football games together in 1994. Been a while now.
More aggressive scheduling: Mary Hardin-Baylor/UW-Whitewater and Linfield/Hardin-Simmons were great games this year. Wouldn’t it be great to see more of this? The automatic bid is coaches’ safety net. Take more chances.
More willingness to follow own rules: Yeah, it’s OK to have Millsaps and Mary Hardin-Baylor be within 500 miles by your own definition but ignore it? Uh uh. The NCAA should live by its own handbook.
What would you like to see more of in 2007? (This is not promising we’ll be able to deliver, of course.) 🙂
Yup, I’m working on a “Way too early preview of the 2007 OAC season” right now. Also going to take a stab at some of the national teams that I expect to make a run to Salem in ’07. Should be done before spring practice.
If you think Pat Coleman is difficult on the boards, you should see him in person. Man all he did was scream at me at the West Conn game this season.
Just kidding. 😉 Pat is a good guy. Based on some of the goofy things which posters come up with on the message boards, it is amazing Pat hasn’t gone postal yet.
JK and HSCoach- Thanks for your help, thats all I was asking for, Ill be sure to check out the link provided…
Pumkin head-As a former player at MUC, I enjoy keeping up with college football D-1 thru D-3 and NAIA….People have the right to transfer at any school, no matter what division, scholarship or not. If someone has started or is in line to start at their respective school and has remaining eligibility left, then thats a great reason to assume they will return for the following season, and that is enough to bind many young D-3 athletes to their schools; the opportunity to play. I mean, thats the whole reason they decided to play at the next level. Why would they transfer to another school where they will be relatively unknown, when opportunity is slapping them in the face. These assumptuions help establish the rankings I speak of, and really thats all they are, is assumptions. A scholarship is not binding, anyone can back out of one at any time for any reason. Maybe you should check out the link JK has provided as well, so you can see what we’re talking about.
Both Pat and Keith are as knowledgeable about D3 as anyone out there that isn’t on the “inside” of a program.
In the past, I have posted some things that have been off base or from a slanted opinion. All Pat or Keith or anyone has ever done is correct me when I was clearly wrong or present other facts to make me think about what I said. I don’t think I have ever been personally attacked, i.e. called stupid or asinine, but some of my comments have been, and sometimes the validity of the comment has been questioned, but never have I felt that I was unwelcome or belittled. I think some people need to grow a thicker skin and/or make the distinction that it is their comment that is in question, not them personally.
Additionally, I am concerned with the attacks on anyone, but especially on Pat and the rest of the D3.com guys. Maybe it is my upbringing, my past as an athlete, and/or my career choice to be an Army Officer, but I certainly would never think to personally attack anyone in a position of authority, and Pat and his crew are clearly the authority on this site. I am truly grateful that they give us this forum to express our opinions and our loyalties. I think a bit of respect for that fact is in order.
Amen JK!
JK, well stated.
Thanks for serving.
D3Keith – Heading down to Phila International with my gang for the trip to the Big Easy……..wish us luck!! I’m hearing about a ton of people going down because of the affordability of tickets and flights and the ease of hotel rooms. We will represent….listen out for us!! There are no fans that travel (with all respect to the pro fans on the other side of our glorious state!!) in such numbers (and with such attitude!!!) as the Eagles fans!!
Duke
RaiderATO-
I’m well aware a scholarship doesn’t mean you “can’t” transfer- my point again was it’s much easier to guage what you have coming back and what you have coming into your program when scholarships are invloved- and thus easier to have a January preseason poll. It usually makes the sports page when a D1 player transfers or gets dropped from the team as opposed to D3 when you “really” don’t know what you have on your team until Mid-August.
I’m out- had enough…
Instead of arguing my point, I did some research. I used stats, returning starters, and depth chart to determine a 2007 top ten. Granted, its a quick, crude top ten and I only researched the top 25 teams in the end of this years polls, but nonetheless; I wanted to see if it could be done. I only hope that its worthy enough!
Here it goes:
1. Mount Union-The Raiders return their entire backfield along with All-American guard Blanchard and center Safran. Not to mention Gracon at receiver. Defensively, the Raiders return LB’s Rees and DeRiggi and DBs Wilson and Kostelnik. Their biggest question will be the D line.
2. St Johns Fisher-SJF returns three outstanding receiver soffensively in Jackson, Marion, and Nowicki, and their leader returning rusher is Reile with 805 yards. Not to mention Kramer’s back at QB after throwing for 2,019 yards last season. All-American tackle Fortune is back as well. Defensively, SJF returns AA DB Stepnick as well as Miranto and Driscoll. SJF also has two strong LBs in Fox and Casel
3. St Johns(MN)-QB Kofoed is back after throwing for 2800 yards last season, and top rushers returning combined for over 850 yds last year. Defensively, the Johnnies return AA DT Gunderson as well as two great DBs in Cloeter (4 picks) and Klint, who is only a sophomore.
4. UW-W- The Warhwaks are back agin with Justin Beaver as well as 4 of their 5 linemen from last years squad. Also, watch for Soph fullback Hunt to get in the mix. On D, Ogrizovich is back at DL and Benish at DE. The Warchwaks return their entire secondary!
5. Uw-Lacrosse – Lacrosse is lead up front on O by OT Olsen and Olejniczak. The loss of QB Shumna hurts, but Donoval and Hall should carry the rushing load. WRs Everson and Wagner return as well. Defensively, Lacrosse has 3 of 4 back in the seconadary and three great LBs in Cordes, Neitzel, and Kiefer….The loss of Teeple hurts!
Theres my top 5….I’ll be back with 6-10 in a little while!
6. Springfield- Returning for Springfield is AA QB Sharpe who rushed for 1.941 yards as a junior, and Jackson is back at FB after 928 yards in the 2006 campaign, however; they lose AA Guard Adam Feit. Defensively, Harasymiak is back at DB after a 10 interception campaign. Also back is another DB in Zalenski with 4 picks last year, and Capoarale is the top retruning LB. Springfield must air it out a little more if they wanted to advance deep into the playoffs.
7. Wesley – After a 13-1 campaign in 06, Wesley returns Aaron Jackson in the backfield as their top returning rusher with 1095 yards last seaosn. Although Warrick is gone for Wesley, Mike Clark returns as the top receiving threat, after racking up 1304 yards receiving. On D, Wesley is lead by AA DE Robinson, and DBs Marquile and Matthews who robbed three passess apiece last season.
8. Central- The number one team in Iowa, but number 8 on my list. Central returns Connell at QB (1500 pass, 470 rush yards) and Schuring at RB (1200 yards) from last seasons 10-1 squad. The top returning receiver is Huisman with 552 receiving yards. All-American guard Nick Reed is gone, but the O line will continue to be strong. Central returns three solid linebackers in Lehn, Thompson, and Myers, and also a strong secondary with Dood and Badeaux at the corners and Baethke at Safety.
9. Wilkes – Wilkes O is lead by the return of AA guard Jordan Purdy. Returning QB Karafa could have a big year after throwing for nearly 2000 yards last season and rushing for almost 200. Nabba is the top returning rusher with 338 yards. Defensively, Wilkes loses both All-American Serafin and Ferriero but retrun 3 air tight DBs in Gilroy, Grande, and Friedel. The trio combined for 8 INTs last campaign.
10. Whitworth – Whitworth loses All-American TE Mike Allen andf QB Joel Clark but return RB Havercroft (563 rush yads) and Wideout Silva (759 Receiving yards). Defense with have to carry them early and the return of their entire secondary will definitely help. Marshall, a junior, Tully, Entel, and Grow totaled 22 picks last year, and look to do the same in 07′.
Well, theres my top 10 based purely off of stats, depth chart, and returning starters. I’ll even throw in some honorable mentions in a little while. If I can do it, in my spare time, with littlehelp or prior knowledge of many of these players, then surely someone who spends more time covering D-3 and has more insight can formulate an even better one than this. Please, tell me what you think and feel free to add your input as well…Be back in a few!
Honorable Mentions:
Occidental – Even though AA QB Andy Collins has departed they return a slew of offensive weapons. Most notably, OL Emerson and Kyles, RB Anderson, and TE Wertheimer. Their top defensive returnee is OLB Ostland.
Rowan – You can never count Rowan out, even though the defensive side of the ball will be almost completely new for the Profs. On the bright side, Edwards is back at RB after amassing almost 600 yards on the ground last season, and Katcher is back with not only the best name in D-3 for a receiver but also almost 300 receiving yards under his belt.
Hardin-Baylor – After a 10-3 campaign last season, Thrasher returns at RB(1137 rushing), with ironically the best name for a RB in D-3, as well as Welch at QB (1200 passing), Smith at receiver, and Medlock at TE. Hardin-Baylor needs to find a quality kicker soon. Defensively, All-American LB Freeman is back, as well as quality DBs in Barcack, Burris, and Henry at LB. Hardin-Baylor will be a solid team in 07′ and will look to knock off the Purple Raiders again, much like 04’….I may regret not having them in my top 10!
Well, thats enough from me! I know Im no Pat or Keith, but I tried!
RaiderATO,
Looks like a solid fit for a 1-5, with pretty good analysis. I’m not convinced of the St. John Fisher, but they could very well kick but next year too.
I hope the CCIW can finish with a couple of teams in the top 20. I really hope one is my beloved Augustana Vikings. GO AUGIE!
my hope for 2007…this stupid thing and the people on here get a life….mt. union is going to win it all again and the rest of d3 is just on lookers…go raiders!!!!!!
And yet we continue to play the games.
Foolish us! 🙄
Duke,
Be safe. Root hard.
I think we’ve got a 50-50 shot on this one. We can score, they can score, we can’t stop the run, they can’t stop the run.
Should be fun. And I think next week might be easier for whoever wins.
Now back to D3
No wonder the rest of the world hates Mount Unuion fans…way to make us look like good!!!
My 2nd hope for 2007 is that ALL of us Mount Union fans learn to win with as much class as Kehres, the team and MOST fans do.
Go Raiders! Win one for the other thumb!
Did d3knowitall and flush the johnnies morph into mtunion141 in the past few weeks?
Keith and Duke:
Maybe next year.
I dunno,
This year was a lot of fun.
People get too caught up in whether you won it all or not, rather than whether you had fun on the journey.
I would much rather be an Eagles (or Colts) fan and have enjoyed the past six years with a shot at winning it all and not winning than have been a fan of say, Tampa Bay or Baltimore, who each won it once and has had a few miserable years mixed in.
I think you can apply similar logic to D3.
Once you get over the hurt of losing to Mount Union, you can go back and appreciate what you/your team did do.
(thinks about another shameless plug for Year in Review, Part 2, but passes)
mtunion141,
It is obvious that your professors at Mt. Union are not teaching you writing skills, , or punctuation.
What kind of kids are they letting in that school? Idiots?
Win four in a row!
HS Coach…exactly what HS do you coach at? If you dont mind!
Yeah, man — at Augustana the double-comma thing is all the rage.
Keith:
One of my hopes for 2007 is that your philosophy on winning, losing, and enjoying the journey is shared by more people. We read far too many posts by individuals so caught up in winning, image, historical performance, etc. that they lose all sense of perspective.
Glad to see you (and Duke as well, I’m sure) recognize the great year the Eagles had and who are not be ashamed whatsoever falling to a team that may well be destined to winning it all. Who knows?
Before the grammar police weighs in….my last sentence should read:
“Glad to see you (and Duke as well, I’m sure) recognize the great year the Eagles had and are not ashamed whatsoever falling to a team that may well be destined to winning it all. Who knows?”
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Augie!