Quote from: faunch on February 26, 2026, 08:20:47 PM

Quote from: DuffMan on February 26, 2026, 04:14:23 PMI get that you want it to be free, Faunch, but it costs money to produce these streams.  Do you think the schools should just eat the cost?  How much would it actually cost you to go to the game?

I'm not saying that I like having to pay, but if the option is paying for a decent broadcast vs. watching a CSS Football stream, I'll gladly pay the $10-$15.

It kind of sucks that the streams for hoops and hockey are free all season and then they charge for the playoffs. I'm not that invested in this season's SJU hoops team to fork out the $$$ to stream it.
I wonder how much money they'll actually make of the basketball and hockey playoffs.
Agreed...I could probably be convinced to pay $100 for conference football if it got CSS to improve their ****-y production.

That's the rub right ... it's annoying when Concordia has a post in the press box blocking out the view anytime the play isn't in the middle of the field. But it's free, so how much can you really complain.

I'd probably be ok paying a fee if the entire conference slate was included, but only if the production value was consistent.

Flip side, I know Bethel pivoted to a fully student run broadcast, from camera's to announcers. Makes sense, it's "live reps" for the media communications students. But the reality is, you get a bumpy ride early in the year. Zoomed in too tight, replay running over the start of the next play, etc. Not sure how it works to have student run productions and also charge for the product.

Will be interesting to see what this means for Drake/Walker and UST/Caruso. Walker was making real inroads recruiting in the Twin Cities. I'm sure that will remain an area of opportunity for him at Drake. Also probably a benefit for Bethel, SJU, and top 3rd of the MIAC. An ascendent UWRF, with tuition reciprocity, was a tough recruiting battle.

Winners would seem to be Bethel, SJU, Drake, UWP, UWL ... losers are UWRF (not wishing them ill, just think they take a clear step back post Blaha/Walker) and potentially UST.

Not sure I get the read that going to Drake isn't a good move ... they won their league, and outside of a close game against UST and the power Dakota schools, beat everyone else to end up 8-4 at the FCS level. UWRF would not have beaten Drake.

For Walker, he jumps up to a level that still sits in recruiting territory he knows well. And if he can win a playoff game at a Pioneer League school doors will open. Just look at Drake's most recent HC, who didn't even win in the playoffs.

I do think the real question is, will Walker and the offense look the same without a Blaha behind center stirring the drink.

Quote from: art76 on February 22, 2026, 10:38:21 PMhttps://www.d3football.com/notables/2026/02/walker-leaves-division-iii

His stock was never going to be higher, and he stays in the middle of a recruiting footprint he knows well. Big question is whether his OC goes with him or not?

Quote from: CardinalAlum on February 12, 2026, 11:14:23 PM

Quote from: hazzben on February 10, 2026, 07:54:31 AMBethel @ NCC
Mount @ Wheaton

Sept 5 is serving up some really good football in the Chicago suburbs. My son's varsity game is on Thursday that week. Might have to see about making a trip down and doing a few campus visits on Friday and Saturday!

Love that we are seeing great noncon games like this. Tip of the cap to Wheaton last year showing 2 top NPI losses were not something that kept a team from the field, or from making a run.

Come join the tailgate fun in Naperville!

If we make it happen, I'll definitely follow up on this.

Bethel @ NCC
Mount @ Wheaton

Sept 5 is serving up some really good football in the Chicago suburbs. My son's varsity game is on Thursday that week. Might have to see about making a trip down and doing a few campus visits on Friday and Saturday!

Love that we are seeing great noncon games like this. Tip of the cap to Wheaton last year showing 2 top NPI losses were not something that kept a team from the field, or from making a run.

Bethel had played some very good ARC and WIAC comp. The gams with Northwestern was essentially their HC claiming they'd love to play us, but Coach J avoided them. Mac called their bluff, and then we got the thank you from their AD two years ago. He recognized we could have scored 100 but called off the dogs.

Love the NCC game. Mac has his eyes on getting to the top. Gotta test yourself to get there. Also a good way to get in front of Chicago recruits.

Kudos to both BU and SJU. Here's to 2 marquee wins and a top 5 showdown to start October!

Quote from: faunch on January 29, 2026, 12:46:12 PM

Quote from: hazzben on January 29, 2026, 09:36:48 AMNeed to come to the D3boards confessional ... helped my Jr son sign up for the SJU prospect camp in May after they reached out with an invite. Paying SJU athletics $100 so they can attempt to lure my son to the dark side felt extra dirty.

On the flip side, got coffee with a recent SJU D-line graduate who was interested in a role on my team. Told him I only agreed because he wasn't a Tommie    In all seriousness, he's a great guy. Articulate, thoughtful, very buttoned up. Good reminder of the quality young men our MIAC programs produce regularly. Even if they made questionable choices of allegiance in their late teen years! 

Do other schools charge for "prospect camps?" I guess I thought players were invited and there was no fee.

Standard practice is what I'm discovering. Most are around $75-100, NDSU is a 3 Day, 2 night and $315 but that's the outlier (also has a ton of other colleges in attendance). Minn St and SDSU are $85, UST is $95.

Need to come to the D3boards confessional ... helped my Jr son sign up for the SJU prospect camp in May after they reached out with an invite. Paying SJU athletics $100 so they can attempt to lure my son to the dark side felt extra dirty.

On the flip side, got coffee with a recent SJU D-line graduate who was interested in a role on my team. Told him I only agreed because he wasn't a Tommie    In all seriousness, he's a great guy. Articulate, thoughtful, very buttoned up. Good reminder of the quality young men our MIAC programs produce regularly. Even if they made questionable choices of allegiance in their late teen years! 

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 24, 2026, 10:03:43 AM

Quote from: fredfalcon on January 23, 2026, 09:26:09 PMThanks, BW.

Coach Walker thinks Falcons can repeat next year, but missing two transferring offensive stalwarts plus  Blaha will not not make it easier. Also, Walker admitted on KFAN interview yesterday that he has received offers to coach other places (not specified). Not surprising.

Walker's stock will never be higher; he should go unless he wants to be a D3 lifer (nothing wrong with that, just no $). I think the chances of me dating Sydney Sweeney are about the same as UW-RF going back to back nattys after being what they were for decades.

Given the way UWRF stuck by him after a very slow start to the Walker Era, it's nice to see he's not jumping ship at the first chance to cash in and move up. Yes, stock might never be higher. But 6-8 years ago his stock could not have been lower, and they gave him time.

Quote from: maripp2002 on January 24, 2026, 11:35:00 AM

Quote from: faunch on January 24, 2026, 10:40:19 AMWould you rather be a beast on playoff level D3 team or an ok running back on a below average D1 team?

Football-wise, playoff team. Pocketbook-wise - free schooling all the way - below average team. Chances(albeit slim) to make the NFL - below average team (when was the last D3 draftee?).  Academics-wise, it depends what you like, but I'll give Albany and Susquehanna a draw, even if that's probably not true in actuality, with Albany being the better ranked and generally regarded of the two institutions (not that rankings are everything).

The equation has more than one variable, otherwise, who would ever go anywhere other than the bluest of blue blood division 1 programs; totally for free and make some of that sweet NIL and revenue sharing money?

With that said, U Albany wasn't good last year, but as recently as 2023 they went to the FCS semi-finals, so it's not as if there isn't some recent success.

Keep in mind, his HC just left Susquahanna for Albany as well. So there's a real element of him moving quickly up the depth chart, and his former team potentially taking a real step backwards.

Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 06, 2026, 06:58:23 PMBethany's full nickname is "Terrible Swedes". That wouldn't fit North Park, which, although it is terrible at some things, is actually pretty good at being Swedish. Just ask our tennis team.

This made me chuckle. Good line Greg.

Nashville is certainly a city with a lot of other "draw factors" that make it a great location. Might make it an easier sell for your wife 

Quote from: Pat Coleman on January 07, 2026, 12:21:27 PM

Quote from: CHUBBS PETERSON on January 07, 2026, 11:43:38 AM

Quote from: faunch on January 06, 2026, 09:11:30 PMThe field conditions in the D3 game were crap and if the NCAA cared they would be embarassed...compare it to the FCS game last night...great setting and the field was in great shape.

Also posted my thoughts on this over in the CCIW thread; agree that there has to be a better way. I know it's at the Pro Football HoF, but an Ohio hockey rink in January is no time/place to decide a national champion. Doesn't take much thought to come up with several alternatives that provide better playing conditions, weather, and would be more desirable destinations from a tourism perspective.

"Congratulations on winning so many playoff games! Now bundle up and come play broomball in the rust belt!" Patronizing and insulting...

Well, hopefully those alternative places bid to host! The committee is always looking for more bids.

They do like the Hall of Fame connection in Canton. I suspect they also would have liked if perhaps Canton had tarped the field for the bad weather.

Paging Cedar Falls, put in a bid for the UNIDome. Smack in the middle of D3 footprint. Indoor venue is perfect for January. Size is right to make it feel like there's a critical mass.NCC vs UWRF would have had a great turnout in this venue.

Quote from: DuffMan on January 05, 2026, 11:19:49 AMThat was a fun game!  I got home early in Q2; going into half, I thought NCC would start pulling away in the the 2nd half.  RF turned it up to 11!  The tip and pick by 96 was fantastic--I'm pretty sure I woke my kids up with my reaction to that play.

Dlineman's dream play for sure. What a cool way for a senior to end his career.