D3football.com started hearing rumblings about Pacific starting football more than three years ago, saw an action plan shortly thereafter and a start date of 2007 was suggested.
But 2007, not to mention 2005, has come and gone, and the Boxers are still on the sidelines. Meanwhile, the Northwest Conference has found itself an affiliate member and will get an automatic bid in 2008, though Pacific, in Forest Grove, Ore., would have given it an automatic bid the moment it took the field.
As you recall, the NWC was not invited to the 2007 playoffs.
So where is Pacific? Catdomealumni.com, the Linfield fan site run by Ryan Carlson, decided to find out. Read their interview with Pacific athletic director Ken Schumann.
And who will be starting football? St. Scholastica, in Duluth, Minn., takes the field this fall, with Castleton State, in Castleton, Vt., in 2009. Lake Erie and Lincoln are also starting football but are leaving Division III for Division II.
I just read this. Solid insight.
Unfortunately, little in the way of guarantees, unless you got half a mil or so to help the Boxers reach their fundraising goal.
Yeah, the effort seems to be there but I’m not sure if they’re going to make it. For the health of the NWC we really need Pacific to get back to playing football. Good news is it looks like Lewis and Clark is still trying to make improvements.
Also, People talked a little about George Fox but they have put their resources towards others areas and I doubt if they’ll ever bring football back.
The best thing about Pacific considering a return to football is that they are not rushing into it. While its fundraising is in place they have a lot of other things on the table that need to be completed (Lincoln Park Athletic Complex). That in itself is going to be something for the University to hang their hat on. To see something of that nature gives all alumni hope for continued growth and success with the athletic department. Pacific is lucky to have someone such as (coach) AD Ken Schumann in place to take Pacific athletics in a very positive direction. So, as much as many of us want football back at Pacific one has to believe that Schumann will do what is best for Pacific athletics and not feel pressured to hurry and be another game on the schedule for those teams in the Northwest who need to fill a game. Give it time and it will be done the right way.
Thanks catdomealumni for shedding some light on the possibility of Pacific bringing football back.
This is true — they are not running. However, other schools have walked faster. And, it’s been a while since any startup football program in Division III has failed, or even near-failed the way Mount Ida did in 2000.
Hi Pat, Keith and the gang,
Thank you for an ooutstanding year, in every respect.Keith, you have outdone yourself as a sports journalist with the final chapter of this year’s around the nation…2007…its over.
Mules appreciate the recognition as the little team under the radar (preseason 108, postseason 8), the credit for beating a tough Salisbury and being a “tough out” for Wesley ( a viable top preseason choice for 2008), recognition of our pint sized field general, quarterback Eric Santagato, who was one hell of a field general, managing 11 victories, completing over 64 % of his passes but still flying under the radar,(being overlooked by the Centenniel all conferece selectors(nearsighted folk), and returning our entire offense minus 11, defense minus 3,,,with 14 total grads..we like the rare air of d3 recognition and aim to continue to earn it..Happy New Year……
Does anyone know why Cornell Col. football program is such a diaaster area? How is their recruiting going? I’m a alumni Class of 60 and when we were in the Midwest Conference at least we were competitive. Ram 3469