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Topics - bleedpurple

#1
General football / Are the Purple Powers bad for D3?
December 19, 2011, 07:42:49 PM
This question comes up so often on the boards of different conferences that I thought it might be good to have a thread of it's own.  I apologize if this thread has been started elsewhere. 

Now my diatribe:

I have thought a lot about this question. Technically speaking, I think it is a red herring because the results of the playoff system should not be considered "good" or "bad" for the entirety of D3 based on which schools participate in the national championship.  Whichever teams advanced, they earned it on the field.  Obviously, any results would be better for some schools than others. It seems to me, for the particular schools who don't advance to the Stagg Bowl, the Purple Powers advancing shouldn't affect them any more negatively than any other schools making it instead of them. 

The most common argument I've heard is that fans are "sick" of watching the same two schools in the Stagg. I can understand that.  But in doing any serious level of analysis on "actual impact on D3", that would have to rank mighty low on any list.  Meanwhile, off the top of my head, I can think of three very tangible reasons that the Purple Powers have been GOOD for D3 football (I have no doubt I could think of more):

1. For seven years running, the showcase game has been competitive and a very high level of football, which should have done nothing but increase respect for D3.

2. Over the years, the noticeable talent of the skill players, the physical nature of the teams, and the excellent coaching have provided an opportunity for D3 coaches to approach a higher level of athlete and say, "consider us". A stud receiver near Dover or Belton or Crawfordsville watching Garcon or Shorts playing in the Stagg Bowl one year and in the NFL the next would surely take notice!  Even being able to point to Beaver or Kmic or Coppage, irrespective of the NFL, would have to help with high level recruits.  I don't buy that it ONLY helps UW-W or Mount. A good recruiter can surely turn this into a positive for his program relative to the quality of football at the D3 level.

3. Mount Union and UW-W has raised the bar of what alumni, fans, and even coaches themselves expect and demand from a program.  I believe Wesley, North Central, UMHB, Linfield, Wabash, St. Thomas, and Franklin (I know they've got a ways to go, but their coach impresses the heck out of me) are "all in" in staring down this challenge and are better programs because they are chasing down the purple powers.  I also THINK UW-LaCrosse and UW-Oshkosh are determined to get there.  I point to these schools as examples and not as an all-exhaustive list.  I'm sure there are others.

The first year, UW-W won a national title (2007), Mount Union had won 8 of the previous 11.  No one knew when anyone else would break through. UW-W has done it. Not because they are a public school or because they have a large enrollment.  It is because they have had the commitment to excellence, the drive, the vision, and very capable people in the administration and running the football program.  Remember, UW-W's commitment to excellence in the football program began in earnest back in the 1950's.  Perkins Stadium and excellent facilities was a dream born in the 1960's and given legitimacy by 5 conference championships in that decade. The dream became a reality in the 1970's and UW-W won three more conference championships. In the 1980's and 90's UW-W continued to improve facilities,  stayed committed to excellence, and won seven conference championships.  After subpar seasons in 1999, 2000, and 2001, winning seasons returned in 2002. In continuing their commitment to excellence, UW-W scheduled Mount in a home and home in 2002 and 2003 to find out what it took to get to the top nationally.  What has happened since 2005 is what has given rise to the question that prompted this thread.

After seeing the sacrifice so many have made to get UW-W to this level, it is a bit challenging to hear the complaints about the purple powers or the "enrollment/public school" rationalizations.  I know this is a MUCH more verbose response than some Mount or UW-W fans would use.  Maybe they have the right response when they say, "If you don't like it, get better!" I thought it may be more productive to give a more thoughtful response.

I'm not saying it will take any other program this long to reach the pinnacle.  I'm simply saying a whole lot has gone into UW-W reaching this level.

If nothing else, maybe this thread will give this question/complaint a new home (at least for awhile). Again, if it is a thread already, my apologies.