Quote from: Gregory Sager on October 08, 2025, 03:42:44 PM

Quote from: washdupcard on October 08, 2025, 03:11:29 PMit does not seem likely that any school outside of Wheaton has the ability recruit at a level even close as there is no comparable draw, and Wheaton's recruiting is really an outlier as there's a strong religious component that isn't comparable to any other CCIW school.

... and let's just say that there are issues there as well. Wheaton's not the same school it was even in the not-too-distant past when my old buddy (and D3boards regular) the late Dave Lawrenz was on staff there. I'm not so sure that it's the easy sell to parents in the evangelical world that it used to be.

And before USee or any other Wheaton alum raises his hackles, let me point out that the other CCIW school with a strong religious component -- North Park -- isn't the same school it was, either. Last weekend being Homecoming reminded me of how common a topic that is among my fellow alumni, especially those that identify as "NPC alumni" rather than "NPU alumni" (that's an age thing, not a nomenclature thing; nobody complains about the Park being a university anymore).

Change is inevitable in life. Some of it is good; some of it is bad; some of it is a mixed bag. For more information, consult your alma mater's admissions department.

Greg, tremendous read. Thanks for your comparative perspective.

Quote from: GusD on October 08, 2025, 07:39:24 PMA sometimes overlooked or at least diminished aspect of athletic success is administrative support. Specifically, in the case of NCC football, past president Hal Wilde greatly helped kick start team success by bringing former head coach John Thorne aboard in 2002. And John of course brought son Jeff, who succeeded him, with him. He also hired current coach Brad Spencer in 2004. When Dr. Wilde was being interviewed for his position he requested the opportunity to go for a run with the legendary Al Carius. During his tenure he secured funding for the construction of Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium, Zimmerman Baseball Stadium, and the (400 bed)Residence Hall/(91,000 sq-ft)Recreation Center, and expanded the athletic department with the addition of women's soccer, golf, and lacrosse. Wilde was a frequent presence on the sidelines and in the stands to watch the Cardinals compete throughout his presidency and into retirement. Subsequent top Administration has also been largely supportive of athletics as part of the overall student experience.

Also greatly responsible for NC's success on the gridiron is Athletic Director Jim Miller. Miller is a NCC lifer who assumed his position in 2005. He was a football captain during his playing days and has been an integral part of establishing a winning culture within the football program. Miller hired Brad Spencer as head coach in 2022 following Spencer's 6 year run as OC.

Gus, Jim is one of the best to ever do it. NCC has been extremely fortunate with ADs over the last 35 years...
From Al Carius to Walter Johnson to Jim Miller. Success breeding success.

I spoke with a College coach the other day when he was on campus on a recruiting trip.  He said the reason these kids are getting massive deals right now is the "Collectives" have until this spring to spend their war chest of riches because the revenue sharing changes coming this year.
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Bingo, it's the "collective" not just NIL where the majority of these athletes are getting paid. The collective comes from mainly boosters/alum/business of the school that raises funds specifically for athletics.

Quote from: Gregory Sager on January 16, 2025, 12:18:37 PM

Quote from: lmitzel on January 16, 2025, 08:23:42 AMCarthage 93
NCC 78

The Cardinals hung with the Firebirds for probably about 30 minutes last night, but a 17-5 run that saw Carthage hit seven of eight field goals had the hosts pull away for the win.

Carthage had an absolutely freakish second half in terms of shooting: 17-24 (.708) from the field, 6-9 (.667) from beyond the arc, and 11-11 (1.000) from the line. I can't remember ever seeing a half of shooting like that before in a CCIW game.

And it's not as though the Firebirds had a bad first half of shooting, either. For the game they had a shooting line of .620/.647/1.000, which is otherworldly -- especially for a CCIW contest against a team that was allowing only .431 from the field and .330 from long range prior to boarding the bus for the trip to Tarble.

Carthage ended up 20-20 from the FT line for the night. It ties a CCIW record first set by Illinois Wesleyan against Millikin in 1988 and then tied by Elmhurst against Illinois Wesleyan six years ago. It's interesting how three times now a team's hit a perfect 20 for 20 from the charity stripe in a CCIW game, but nobody's ever reached 21-21.

I remember years ago, may have been 09 or 2010, we (NCC) played at Carthage and Stevie D. Shot 28 free throws by himself. I don't believe I've ever seen a player get that favorable a whistle in any other CCIW game. Todd Raridon was hot at the refs that night. Lol

To MU football historian or any D3 football historian,
Luke Lehnen is scheduled to start at Qb in his 4th consecutive stagg bowl. Is he in rarified air or has this been done before?

A question to any D3 football historian,
Luke Lehnen is scheduled to start at Qb in his 4th consecutive stagg bowl. Is he in rarified air or has this been done before?

Quote from: D3fanboy on December 22, 2024, 02:17:24 PM

Quote from: raiderpa on December 21, 2024, 11:43:37 PMIf Mount Defense plays Jan 5 like they did today, they may need 72 to win...

well, they scored at will on what the D3 "analytics" told me was one of the greatest D3 defenses of the modern era. "rarified air" and "best in a decade" I believe were thrown around.

Play with poise, limit negative plays and turnovers and don't piss down your leg at the start of the game a la Susquehanna and '22 Stagg Bowl will be key.  Can't get into a big hole against NCC.  Make it a physical game, drag them out into deeper waters and see if they can swim.  This Mount squad has a knack for not flinching in big moments. 

There is literally next to zero pressure on the Raiders in Houston.  NCC is the greatest superpower ever seen in D3 led by the quarterback who invented college football.  Their five year stretch is something that has never been seen before and definitely was not aided a great deal by a pandemic.  Five straight Stagg Bowls?!?!? I mean come on, that's unheard of.  They will probably keep that up for 10, maybe 11 straight years. "Red is the new Purple"

Both programs will have the utmost respect for one another. Should be a great game.