Recent posts

#1
Men's soccer / Re: Go WEST young man (and NOR...
Last post by Kuiper - Today at 07:44:11 PM
Lewis & Clark may not have won a regular season game in the last three years, but they sure know how to travel.  Last year, they started the season with a couple of games in Hawaii and this year they start preseason with a trip to Iceland, where they will play three games.  Maybe they will open up a recruiting pipeline?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMQr8EFSZ4e/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

#2
^^^ Just to be clear, Flo charges $20/month (actually $19.99) if you choose to pay month to month. There is also an annual subscription for $107.88 paid up front, which calculates to $8.99/month.

After being vocal about not being willing to pay to watch, assuming the product would be worse than the broadcasts done by individual schools, I decided I should see for myself rather than just assume. So I signed up for a year. I fully expect there to be more ads. As to the other aspects of broadcast quality, I'll just have to see and then judge. If it isn't at least as good as what I'm used to seeing from the various ODAC schools (some are really good, others less so) then I will come on here and bellyache about it. For the past several seasons I have watched almost all of every RMC football game and men's basketball games. I also watch a good bit of YJ women's hoops. I sometimes tune in to women's volleyball, baseball, softball. Also, while watching RMC, if there are other conference schools playing at the same time I often check in on some of those games. Plus, from time to time, I tune in to Wash U men's basketball, so I'll still be able to do that.

Naturally, I'd rather be able to do all that for free. But I'm going to give Flo the benefit of the doubt for a year, then decide after I know what I'm paying for, whether or not to renew.
#3
Men's soccer / Re: Coaching Carousel
Last post by Kuiper - Today at 05:26:32 PM
Jared Welsh Named Head Men's Soccer Coach at Regent

QuoteAfter a nationwide search, the Regent University Athletic Department has announced that Jared Welsh has been named the Royals' new Head Men's Soccer Coach.  In addition, Welsh will also assume the role of Assistant Director of Compliance.

"We are beyond excited to add Jared Welsh to our Regent coaching staff as our next head men's soccer coach", said Director of Athletics Michael W. Allen.  "Jared brings a wealth of knowledge and experience; specifically, NCAA Division I and NCAA Division III. His passion and personality will no doubt help not just our men's soccer program, but our entire department as we transition to D3 this fall and our official membership in the C2C. Please join me in welcoming him and his family to Virginia Beach and the Royals family". 

Coach Welsh joins Regent University after serving as the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Widener University, where he was the program's lead assistant and recruiting coordinator. During his time at Widener, he played a key role in recruiting, video analysis and opponent scouting, and contributed to daily training and program operations. His efforts helped the Pride compile a 22-11-6 record, earn multiple playoff berths, make a MAC Championship appearance, and assist in the development of the program's first All-American, Sean Fatiga.

Prior to Widener, Coach Welsh served as Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Eastern University, where he oversaw recruitment, assisted with first-team training, and managed the program's development squad.

Coach Welsh began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Northern Colorado, contributing to one of the program's most successful regular seasons while helping the Bears achieve an 8-1 conference record.

At the club level, Coach Welsh has coached within elite environments, including Fort Collins Soccer Association and Penn Fusion Soccer Academy.

Coach Welsh holds a master's degree in Sports Coaching from the University of Northern Colorado and a B.S. in Business Management from St. John Fisher University. He also holds a USSF National "C" License. Coach Welsh also played for the St. John Fisher University Men's Soccer team.
#4
With the new roster limits and resulting cuts what is transfer options for these kids? Can they transfer and play within the conference?
#5
General Division III issues / Re: Flo Sports
Last post by Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) - Today at 04:06:16 PM

We have a test case.  The OAC just signed with Flo.  Their broadcasts have been proudly and publicly underwritten by an alumni group for a long time - it's been labeled and branded all over their stuff.

One would hope they'd be consulted on this kind of move.  If they are like many other schools we've talked to, that may not have happened.

I doubt we'll get all the financial numbers from this, but they will exist.  Marietta will know how this affects the relationship with certain alums pretty much right away.
#6
General Division III issues / Re: Flo Sports
Last post by Kuiper - Today at 03:35:44 PM
Quote from: IC798891 on Today at 01:43:24 PM
Quote from: Kuiper on Yesterday at 08:28:36 PMIt may be that we are speaking past each other on this point.  I'll say it this way:  Assume I generally give $100 to the school's annual fund for athletics and my team fund.  Since my disposable income hasn't increased, I'm not upping my athletic department or team fund gift to $200 this year because you've started a streaming fund.  I'm just reallocating some or all of my $100 gift to that fund, which means the athletic department or team falls short on funding what they usually get with my $100.  The only way that doesn't happen is if I up my gift or some new people give.  There are some funding campaigns that bring out new donors or bigger donations, but they may think streaming isn't one of them.

I think the analogy I'd use is, if you want food delivered, and your restaurant offers delivery but has a delivery charge, why are you going on the Door Dash App to pay their service fee?

That's fair, but I think a different point.  My guess is Rochester lost as many casual fans with its own paywall as FloSports does, but Rochester did get the money from its parents and dedicated fans/alums rather than sharing it with a third party.  Someone with connections to that school might have insight as to whether this is better or worse for them net of costs.  My point you were responding to was about whether schools would be hesitant to fundraise for it, not whether they should charge a fee for it and provide the service itself.  I think those have two different looks to alums and two different potential consequences for the university.  There were plenty of people on this board unhappy with Rochester for charging a fee.
#7
Basketball Open Dates / Re: Men's single games
Last post by wesjackson14 - Today at 02:56:32 PM
Westfield State University (Westfield, MA.) is looking for one game for 2025-2026. Please reach out to Coach Rich Sutter (rsutter@westfield.ma.edu) or Coach Wesley Jackson (wjackson@westfield.ma.edu or at 413-433-0733).
#8
Quote from: HSCTiger fan on Today at 02:05:16 PM$20 bucks?  That's a bargain. Money much better spent than watching anything on Netflix. If only a few bucks goes back to the schools then that's a few bucks more than they got before. I went to one football game last year in person. I spent more than $240.00 on the hotel room alone. I did watch every other football game and several basketball games online. I don't anticipate any changes to my viewing habits in the years to come.

Well, you are definitely what Flo is hoping for.
#9
$20 bucks?  That's a bargain. Money much better spent than watching anything on Netflix. If only a few bucks goes back to the schools then that's a few bucks more than they got before. I went to one football game last year in person. I spent more than $240.00 on the hotel room alone. I did watch every other football game and several basketball games online. I don't anticipate any changes to my viewing habits in the years to come.
#10
Men's soccer / Re: 2025 D3 Men's Soccer Natio...
Last post by stlawus - Today at 01:57:55 PM
~10 years ago when streaming wasn't as universal in d3 I mainly just stuck to watching SLU/Liberty League games and the occasional SUNYAC game here and there for soccer and hoops.  I was always a big division I hoops viewer and still would watch a mid major conference game like a Mountain West matchup over a random d3 game. As time went on I got more heavily investing in all things d3 as streaming became more prevalent and consisten. In the post covid NIL era I've watched more d3 sports than at any time in my life due to all the d1 nonsense with NIL and transfers.  I know I'm very much an exception to the norm, but so many conferences I've tuned into lately are now off the board.  If there was nothing going on late on a weekend I'd watch a SCIAC game, but now that will no longer happen.  10 years ago if you asked me what a Cal Lutheran was I wouldn't have an answer.  I'm sure a lot of folks can say the same about lots of good programs around the country that they would not have known much, if anything about.  It's not the cost, it's the principle.