WIAC

[petemcb]

So you're saying that other D3 schools have national recruiting budgets?  And you feel that their financial aid packages they offer more than offset the WIAC's advantage of being able to offer in-state tuition? 

[Jim Matson]

I think Northern was speaking from the emotions....  He knows that the WIAC schools are cheaper to attend and have more resources than do the schools in the CCIW.  For proof, just look at the Director's Cup standings - every year the WIAC schools put 2-3 of their members in the top 10.  Over all, the WIAC produces great athletic programs and Northern knows this.  And anyone who asks around can find out that Wheaton is among the toughest schools in the Midwest in handing out financial aid.  Yes, Wheaton's tuition is cheaper than most of its peers, but the fact remains that it isn't financial aid that makes the difference - its the school.

Stevens Point and Eau Clair have always given Wheaton all it can handle both in the regular season and in the post-season.  This was just one match and Wheaton played it perfectly.  In future matches, things will be different.

[Northern_Explorer]

Sorry Hiker, WIAC schools certainly have advantages (and some disadvantages) vs. the CCIW as a whole.  But in terms of Wheaton, the Thunder can give "in-state" tuition to kids nationwide (and do) who fit their profile.  Whether its Joe Bean on the men's side or whatever, they've been smart at leveraging this advantage, but it IS a huge one.  Wheaton's record against UWSP over the last 7-8 years bears this out (not to mention their record against the rest of the WIAC).  When you look at the top teams in soccer, Messiah, Wheaton, UAA schools . . . being able to recruit nationally is a HUGE edge. 

That doesn't take away from what Wheaton's team is accomplishing, but it does mean that WIAC teams have to go back to the drawing board and try to figure out how to get players beyond their traditional recruiting areas.

[Jim Matson]

Yes, Wheaton soccer has had the advantage over the WIAC in the past years - more with the women than with the men - but I doubt it's a money issue.  Wheaton doesn't have an "in-state" tuition program and most of the soccer players are not big academic scholarship winners.  I believe the draw is simply the ability to play for a successful program in a Christian academic environment.  This really is the only draw for these players - after all, there are plenty of other great secular schools at which to play soccer.

[clearlyvague]

test

[Jim Matson]

I hear you!

[WLCALUM83]

The following 2008 Women's Soccer schedules are now up:

UW-Eau Claire:
http://www.uwed.edu/Athletics/soc/webpdf/0809/schedule.pdf

UW-LaCrosse:
http://perth.uwlax.edu/Athletics/wsoccer/schedule/

UW-Platteville:
http://www.uwplatt.edu/athletics/soccer/womens/2008/schedule.html

UW-River Falls
http://www.uwrf.edu/sports/soccer.schedule09.php

UW-Stevens Point
http://athletics.uwsp.edu/schedules.asp?path=wsoc

UW-Whitewater
http://www.uwwsports.com/schedules.asp?path=wsoc

[Jim Matson]

The match with Wheaton playing Stevens Point looks like a potential for action.  Every time that Wheaton and Stevens Point play, there is a lot of energy as the rivalry has been going on since 1992.  Lately, Wheaton has had the better of the Pointers - and I'm sure that Coach Miech will remind her players of that fact as they review their 2008 schedule.

Overall, the WIAC is 9-25-3 against Wheaton since 1992, with most of the wins have coming from Sheila Miech and her squads.

[WLCALUM83]

More WIAC Women's '08 Schedules:

UW-Oshkosh:
http://www.titans.uwosh.edu/WSoccer/Schedule.html

UW-Stout:
http://www.uwstout.edu/athletics/soc/

[Northern_Explorer]

Overall, the WIAC is 9-25-3 against Wheaton since 1992, with most of the wins have coming from Sheila Miech and her squads.

and those wins over Wheaton came during the 90's . . .

on another topic, is Stout going to make a move back into the top half of the WIAC?  They have a pretty ambitious schedule for a team with their record the last couple of years, they used to be pretty good, what happened?

[foursoccerdad]

Anyone have predictions for this season?
Any "sleeper" teams to watch?

[libero]

Overall, the WIAC is 9-25-3 against Wheaton since 1992, with most of the wins have coming from Sheila Miech and her squads.

and those wins over Wheaton came during the 90's . . .

on another topic, is Stout going to make a move back into the top half of the WIAC?  They have a pretty ambitious schedule for a team with their record the last couple of years, they used to be pretty good, what happened?

They lost Coach Dave Morris. Under him, they made a brief run at competitiveness. He left and man of the solid players that he recruited followed him to DI UW-GB and some have followed him to DII CSU-P in Colorado.

[WLCALUM83]

Here's news on a prep player headed UW-Eau Claire's direction:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/47715722.html

("Where are they going?" section).

[Just Bill]

UW-Platteville coach in hospital after heart attack:

http://madisonsoccercentral.com/college/news/1509-fuschino-hospitalized-after-heart-attack

[badgerbimmer]

So is this a normal year where the WIAC teams get thumped by the CCIW teams?