Yeah .. I mean ... 'inspire'? That is a rather individualistic term that I don't think really gives us much per the best coaches in DIII argument. Furthermore, none of the DIIIs on there are there because of coaches we even considered. That isn't a knock, but UWO has had a few coaches in the last few years ... Williams is known as a revolving door of sorts ... and Rochester got up there from one coach in the Rushmore convo, but he hasn't been there in a long time now - the current coach, though, is doing very well for sure.

Yes, I think it's a bit of misfit into the Mt Rushmore discussion, but I didn't really think it needed it's own topic either. There's quite a bit of overlap, though. Maybe a few of these folks might be more future contenders than current ones? But are there any programs that jump out at you as missing or particularly good fits? I mean, Yeshiva's coach doesn't make Mt. Rushmore yet, but what he's accomplished in Spanish Harlem is pretty amazing in my book...

Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 15, 2020, 11:05:28 pm

Quote from: PaulNewman on October 15, 2020, 07:07:05 pm

lists like this CAN be fun -- like best places to live or retire -- but they are not to be taken literally...or for me at least, seriously.  There are dozens and dozens of schools that could be "best" depending on the individual in terms of the desired and within reach criteria for that individual.

lol... your free, hypothetical list would be fun, and much cheaper than the free, actual list that isn't worth discussing... gotcha big man. My expectations were low, but man, I overshot...

Northern, you seem to be unable to participate in a civil discussion or to address the merits of an issue.  Run along.

lol... let's see.

Who would you dump off the list? Who's a glaring omission... besides Messiah I don't think a single one has come up.

I thought it'd be fun to actually dig into the list, but you're asking for stuff you could copy and paste from their website...

I thought it was bad form to do this, but

Rankings are based on a subjective assessment of student experience in four areas:

*Holistic development of student-athletes in the institution
*Academic achievement & support for the academic success of student-athletes
*Overall college experience for participants within the program
*Affordability/Graduation Rates/Student Satisfaction

These rankings are meant to highlight programs that may not be widely publicized despite having achieved consistent elite status in competition and in elevating the lives of participating student-athletes. While this is a subjective list, we believe these rankings present an informed starting point for a discussion about where student-athletes can excel as “triple-threat” competitors (academics, athletics, and socially) in college and in their future lives.

I think they answer your question pretty clearly, tbh

Quote from: Northern_Explorer on October 14, 2020, 06:10:52 pm

pretty sure that group has the expertise to identify and publicize elite men's soccer programs that meet those parameters, even stipulating that "knowing everything about everything" is beyond us all...

I would be interested to learn about that group's expertise in that case.

Why do you think the programs listed are elite?

you know there's a link at the top of the thread, right?

I do not believe I said anything about knowing more than anyone else. What I did say was that it was impossible for anyone to know everything about every men's soccer program,  including every division level, particularly since some of their parameters are subjective  and thus not easily verified.

pretty sure that group has the expertise to identify and publicize elite men's soccer programs that meet those parameters, even stipulating that "knowing everything about everything" is beyond us all...

I've been following these lists and now they've added football... Some great programs highlighted (and some MIA).

https://collegeathleticadvisor.com/inspire/

THE TOP 20 (RANK, SCHOOL, AFFILIATION)
1.   St. John’s University (MN, NCAA Division 3)
2.   University of Central Missouri (MO, NCAA Division 2)
3.   Wisconsin – Oshkosh (WI, NCAA Division 3)
4.   Texas A&M Commerce (TX, Division 2)
5.   University of West Florida (FL, NCAA Division 2)
6.   Salisbury University (MD, NCAA Division 3)
7.   Minnesota State University (MN, NCAA Division 2)
8.   Carroll College (MT, NAIA)
9.   Wisconsin - Whitewater (WI, NCAA Division 3)
10.    Valdosta State University (GA, NCAA Division 2)
11.    Grand Valley State University (MI, Division 2)
12.    Marian University (IN, NAIA)
13.    Linfield College (OR, NCAA Division 3)
14.    Chapman University (CA, NCAA Division 3)
15.    Savannah State University (GA, NCAA Division 2)
16.    Trinity College (CT, NCAA Division 3)
17.    Muhlenberg College (PA, NCAA Division 3)
18.    Union College (NY, NCAA Division 3)
19.    Benedictine College (KS, NAIA)
20.    Shepherd University (WV, NCAA Division 2)

Criteria:

These holistic program rankings are open to all 4-year U.S. collegiate level programs sponsoring football outside of NCAA Division 1 (so this is a top 20 out of over 500 colleges & universities). Rankings are based on a subjective assessment of student experience in four areas:

•   Holistic development of student-athletes in the institution
•   Academic achievement & support for the academic success of student-athletes
•   Overall college experience for participants within the program
•   Affordability/Graduation Rates/Student Satisfaction

These rankings are meant to highlight programs that may not be widely publicized despite having achieved consistent elite status in competition and in elevating the lives of participating student-athletes. While this is a subjective list, we believe these rankings present an informed starting point for a discussion about where student-athletes can excel as “triple-threat” competitors (academics, athletics, and socially) in college and in life.

Just saw this come out today from a college consultant group. They seem to be planning to release lists like these in most sports, interesting list of NAIA/D2/D3 programs from a student-athlete angle... I enjoyed looking at it anyway (and it started an argument almost immediately). The website lists criteria, etc... https://collegeathleticadvisor.com/inspire/

Women's Soccer, Fall 2020


The Top 20 (Rank, School, State, Affiliation)

THE TOP 20 (RANK, SCHOOL, AFFILIATION)
1.   William Smith (NY, NCAA Division 3)
2.   Western Washington (WA, NCAA Division 2)
3.   Christopher Newport University (VA, NCAA Division 3)
4.   College of St. Rose (NY, NCAA Division 2)
5.   University of Tampa (FL, NCAA Division 2)
6.   University of Chicago (IL, NCAA Division 3)
7.   Grand Valley State (MI, NCAA Division 2)
8.   Westmont College (CA, NAIA)
9.   Johns Hopkins (MD, NCAA Division 3)
10.    Sonoma State (CA, NCAA Division 2)
11.    Middlebury College (VT, NCAA Division 3)
12.    Benedictine College (KS, NAIA)
13.    The College of New Jersey (NJ, NCAA Division 3)
14.    Rollins College (FL, NCAA Division 2)
15.    St. Edward’s University (TX, NCAA Division 2)
16.    Pomona – Pitzer (CA, NCAA Division 3)
17.    Indiana Wesleyan University (IN, NAIA)
18.    Hardin-Simmons University (TX, NCAA Division 3)
19.    Colorado School of Mines (CO, NCAA Division 2)
20.    UMass - Boston (MA, NCAA Division 3)


"It's critical, particularly in this moment, to recognize individual programs and coaches, as well as athletic departments that provide exceptional experiences to student-athletes. These athletic programs strengthen their institutions as a whole. Participating student-athletes develop into successful alumnae with powerful ties to the college and the capacity to pay their experience forward," says College Athletic Advisor's CEO, Dave Morris. "It's exciting to be able to recognize this particularly elite collection of programs and also remind folks that many programs in NCAA Divisions 2 and 3, the NAIA, and the USCAA are serving student-athletes and their institutions in life changing ways."

North Park defeated Mt. Mary College 20-0. Not a misprint.  The Vikings outshot the visitors 59-0.

Marking North Park as not only a 2nd tier program, but also as real jerks.  The box score shows one NP kid with 14 shots and 4 goals in a game where the other team only had 8 players (sub much?).  Maybe next week they can try to put 30 past the school for the blind.  Stay classy N-PU.