FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

Budgets, scheduling issues with the rest of the country for NonCon games, Inability to add in other sports.... and a little bit of competition is the story I have gotten on their removal.

Budgets - Added overnight trip for majority of the conference with lengthy travel to get there. Busses, hotels, team meals add up.

Scheduling issues - Seems to be a non issue with the league deciding to allow CUW to join. I just know it was easier to have 3 open weekends to find 2 games than 2 open weekends to find 1. By having 9 CCIW games, the CCIW "Bye week" has become an absolute waste. Many members having a week 1 bye and playing 10 straight, and others having a bye week following non con game 1. Again - this doesn't seem to have as much say into showing WashU the door but it was something referenced in the convo's to show the door.

Football only - Pretty simple here. They only joined for football and it made scheduling for other sports a little more difficult. But again other sports did not want them to join because of the travel. And WashU other sports not wanting to leave UAA.

Competition - The big dogs didn't mind it. But without coming out and saying it, it can be implied that the bottom of the conference would rather go play 2 winnable games early in the season vs a noncon + WashU.... Coaches lives and job depends on many things, but winning is definitely a main factor.

These were the issues I heard discussed on why decision was made. I am sure there were others as well.

Nope. Your source speculated incorrectly.

My wife and I are parents of a WashU athlete, not a football player.

My perception is that the CCIW wanted a full member added to the conference that offered all major sports and fits the overall academic profile of the CCIW.

Nope. That's not the reason behind Wash U's dismissal, either. CCIW commish Mo Harty's press release comment sort of hints in that direction with the bit about the league keeping an interest in adding a possible tenth full member somewhere down the road, but that was strictly a non sequitur included in the press release in order to deflect from matters that the league would like to avoid disclosing.

My perception is that the CCIW wanted a full member added to the conference that offered all major sports and fits the overall academic profile of the CCIW. 

Which is funny because when this was initially announced, some of us (not going to point fingers at myself because that would be gloating) said "they obviously want a full member and WU wasn't willing to do it, I bet we see a full member announced pretty quickly" and the old heads were adamant there were no plans for CCIW to add another full member in their place.

So maybe the ITK don't really know and my previous post can get trashed...or maybe for whatever reason they thought the jeopardy was too high to risk a D3 message board finding out that there were talks ongoing for some reason?

Look, this isn't a matter of me playing "I've Got a Secret". Let Mark A. and Bob Q. be the scoopmeisters. I don't care. I'm simply saying that I know the real reason, and I got it straight from someone who actually participated in the league's discussion of the matter. The fact is that, no, this has nothing to do with Wash U not wanting to be a full member, or the CCIW already being aware of Wash U's firm commitment to the UAA and not even bothering to ask, or Wash U's being (pretty obviously) an anomalous fit for the CCIW in terms of institutional profile, or anything like that.

Furthermore, there were no fixed plans to add a tenth full member. As the press release more or less said, the league was simply open to discussing the matter with any school that was interested in exploring CCIW full membership. That's simply prudent policy, given what's going on right now in D3 and in the larger world of American higher education. Being open to discussion with interested parties, and having an actual plan in place to put out the welcome mat and solicit a tenth full member, are totally different things.

Again, the timeline is all wrong as far as Wash U's departure being tied to CUW joining as the tenth full member is concerned. The announcement of Wash U's dismissal from the league as an associate member for football came in September 2024, and from everything I've been able to gather, the discussions with CUW began no earlier than last spring and possibly even as late as early summer.

All I'll say is this: There was no major scandal involved as far as Wash U and the CCIW are concerned, and there's nothing there that warrants further investigation at all. So let's move on.

[GoIrish7]

Budgets, scheduling issues with the rest of the country for NonCon games, Inability to add in other sports.... and a little bit of competition is the story I have gotten on their removal.

Budgets - Added overnight trip for majority of the conference with lengthy travel to get there. Busses, hotels, team meals add up.

Scheduling issues - Seems to be a non issue with the league deciding to allow CUW to join. I just know it was easier to have 3 open weekends to find 2 games than 2 open weekends to find 1. By having 9 CCIW games, the CCIW "Bye week" has become an absolute waste. Many members having a week 1 bye and playing 10 straight, and others having a bye week following non con game 1. Again - this doesn't seem to have as much say into showing WashU the door but it was something referenced in the convo's to show the door.

Football only - Pretty simple here. They only joined for football and it made scheduling for other sports a little more difficult. But again other sports did not want them to join because of the travel. And WashU other sports not wanting to leave UAA.

Competition - The big dogs didn't mind it. But without coming out and saying it, it can be implied that the bottom of the conference would rather go play 2 winnable games early in the season vs a noncon + WashU.... Coaches lives and job depends on many things, but winning is definitely a main factor.

These were the issues I heard discussed on why decision was made. I am sure there were others as well.

Nope. Your source speculated incorrectly.

My wife and I are parents of a WashU athlete, not a football player.

My perception is that the CCIW wanted a full member added to the conference that offered all major sports and fits the overall academic profile of the CCIW.

Nope. That's not the reason behind Wash U's dismissal, either. CCIW commish Mo Harty's press release comment sort of hints in that direction with the bit about the league keeping an interest in adding a possible tenth full member somewhere down the road, but that was strictly a non sequitur included in the press release in order to deflect from matters that the league would like to avoid disclosing.

My perception is that the CCIW wanted a full member added to the conference that offered all major sports and fits the overall academic profile of the CCIW. 

Which is funny because when this was initially announced, some of us (not going to point fingers at myself because that would be gloating) said "they obviously want a full member and WU wasn't willing to do it, I bet we see a full member announced pretty quickly" and the old heads were adamant there were no plans for CCIW to add another full member in their place.

So maybe the ITK don't really know and my previous post can get trashed...or maybe for whatever reason they thought the jeopardy was too high to risk a D3 message board finding out that there were talks ongoing for some reason?

Look, this isn't a matter of me playing "I've Got a Secret". Let Mark A. and Bob Q. be the scoopmeisters. I don't care. I'm simply saying that I know the real reason, and I got it straight from someone who actually participated in the league's discussion of the matter. The fact is that, no, this has nothing to do with Wash U not wanting to be a full member, or the CCIW already being aware of Wash U's firm commitment to the UAA and not even bothering to ask, or Wash U's being (pretty obviously) an anomalous fit for the CCIW in terms of institutional profile, or anything like that.

Furthermore, there were no fixed plans to add a tenth full member. As the press release more or less said, the league was simply open to discussing the matter with any school that was interested in exploring CCIW full membership. That's simply prudent policy, given what's going on right now in D3 and in the larger world of American higher education. Being open to discussion with interested parties, and having an actual plan in place to put out the welcome mat and solicit a tenth full member, are totally different things.

Again, the timeline is all wrong as far as Wash U's departure being tied to CUW joining as the tenth full member is concerned. The announcement of Wash U's dismissal from the league as an associate member for football came in September 2024, and from everything I've been able to gather, the discussions with CUW began no earlier than last spring and possibly even as late as early summer.

All I'll say is this: There was no major scandal involved as far as Wash U and the CCIW are concerned, and there's nothing there that warrants further investigation at all. So let's move on.

From my seat.... This is the coaching standpoint. I have no source other than myself lol. "What are the coaches within the league saying about WashU and their long term standing playing football in the CCIW?"

Enter above.

Go Bluejays! Go get Millikin this weekend!

Other notes from last 3 weeks in the world of Elmhurst games(NCC, Wheaton, Carroll).

Thomas Skokna is as fun of in the league as I have seen in some time. Reminds me of Mark Hiben from Wheaton with his ball skills. Seems like he comes down with the ball on an 80% clip on 50/50 balls. Mix in some Devin Hester on special teams. Dude is a stud.

Congrats on a great Career to Reed Breckheimer from Carroll. Love watching him play and he has had a hell of a career vs Elmhurst. Just shy of 400 all purpose yards and 6 TD's from a listed TE.

I think Wheaton can make some noise in the playoffs. Their DL is stout and the defense seems like they have matured from last year. In their two losses, they struggled to get the QB off rhythm as both Mount and NCC QB's were able to get in grooves and be very efficient.

[USee]

Congrats on a great Career to Reed Breckheimer from Carroll. Love watching him play and he has had a hell of a career vs Elmhurst. Just shy of 400 all purpose yards and 6 TD's from a listed TE.

Wheaton SR TE Ben Juska is having an awesome year. As the Thunder's #2 Receiver (Wheaton has 4 WR in the top 25 in the CCIW stats) and one of their main short yardage threats as an RB he currently has 474 all purpose yds and 7 TD's.

[CarollFan]

One thing about Elmhurst vs. Millikin, somebody has to win.

Millikin after starting out 2-0 is on a 7 game losing streak.
Elmhurst on a 8 game losing streak has only scored 5 TD's in conference play.

I know NFL scouts have shown interest in Reed Breckheimer at Carroll. I'd be interested to see if he plays anywhere post college. The first TD against IWU he got hit twice in the backfield, players just bouncing off of him and then at 250 pounds he makes a cut and just blows by everyone for a 21 yd TD. He has been fun to watch and Carroll coaches smart enough to just get the ball in his hands...

[CarollFan]

Congrats on a great Career to Reed Breckheimer from Carroll. Love watching him play and he has had a hell of a career vs Elmhurst. Just shy of 400 all purpose yards and 6 TD's from a listed TE.

Wheaton SR TE Ben Juska is having an awesome year. As the Thunder's #2 Receiver (Wheaton has 4 WR in the top 25 in the CCIW stats) and one of their main short yardage threats as an RB he currently has 474 all purpose yds and 7 TD's.

Juska had a big day against Carroll. I remember him.

Reed this season has 462 receiving yards, 303 rushing yards, 10 TD's. 1 pass completion for 28 yds.

[USee]

Reed has been a stud no doubt. And he is the #1 Offensive threat at Carroll. No other WR's in the top 25. Juska has excelled among a group of very good WR's and a few actual RB's.

[USee]

In terms of the Thunder in the playoffs, the good news is that it looks like they are in (barring some bizarre happenings on Saturday). The bad news is that most projected brackets (and likely the actual bracket) will put them is some version of a bracket of death which will include at least a couple WIAC teams, Wartburg/NCC, and/or 1-2 of the MIAC teams. Hopefully the seedings fall right and Wheaton can host a winnable 1st round game (at home would be a plus) before going on the road to one of the aforementioned places. Some of these matchups are better than others.

For NCC, though seeding them 5th is an atrocity, it likely would give them the best path to the Stagg. If Mt Union, UWRF, and Wartburg are all on the other side of the bracket and NCC can play CNU and JHopkins, that's much better for them IMO.

[CarollFan]

Selection show Sunday at 4:00 p.m. central time.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2025-11-07/2025-diii-football-championship-selection-show-info-bracket-schedule

[Cardinal773]

Michigan @ Northwestern (@ Wrigley) this weekend.  With NU's stadium under construction it's a nice option.  Michigan will probably set a modern day 'lowest attendance' record at our tiny little MLB stadium.

[CarollFan]

Michigan @ Northwestern (@ Wrigley) this weekend.  With NU's stadium under construction it's a nice option.  Michigan will probably set a modern day 'lowest attendance' record at our tiny little MLB stadium.

The capacity is probably going to be smaller at the new Ryan Field when that opens, targeted 35k. Old Ryan field was 47k.

https://nusports.com/news/2024/11/18/a-bold-new-vision-for-college-football-unveiled-at-northwestern

[Jbothe]

In terms of the Thunder in the playoffs, the good news is that it looks like they are in (barring some bizarre happenings on Saturday). The bad news is that most projected brackets (and likely the actual bracket) will put them is some version of a bracket of death which will include at least a couple WIAC teams, Wartburg/NCC, and/or 1-2 of the MIAC teams. Hopefully the seedings fall right and Wheaton can host a winnable 1st round game (at home would be a plus) before going on the road to one of the aforementioned places. Some of these matchups are better than others.

For NCC, though seeding them 5th is an atrocity, it likely would give them the best path to the Stagg. If Mt Union, UWRF, and Wartburg are all on the other side of the bracket and NCC can play CNU and JHopkins, that's much better for them IMO.

The fact that Wheaton did not make the playoffs last year blows my mind. Looks like they are in sound footing right now.

Looking forward to North Central run. Somehow I see a River Falls/North Central battle eventually.

WashU football has grown on me the last few years.

I will miss hearing their outstanding play by play man Jay Murry call CCIW games. He's outstanding.

[Gregory Sager]

WashU football has grown on me the last few years.

I will miss hearing their outstanding play by play man Jay Murry call CCIW games. He's outstanding.

Yes, he is, no matter what sport he's calling. He calls a bunch of them for the Bears.

[FishHack76]

Just to see where North Central and Wheaton might fit into the bracket. I did the potential brackets for the four "Western" top seeds. Of course, with this, there are a great number of possibilities and any little change can start a domino effect.
I tried to make sure the teams in the Top 24 in the NPI got a first-round bye and looked at this geographically -- except for the island game of Chapman-Whitworth, whose winner also could get sent to NCC again (because of O'Hare Airport). However, there are three Indiana schools all near Indianapolis and two Michigan schools that are in the west or central parts of the state. Any or all five of those teams could go east but I sent them toward Wartburg or NCC. All those schools are too far of a drive from Bethel or UW-River Falls.


Hanover at Alma
winner goes to NCC

UW-Whitewater at Hope

---------------------

DePauw at Wheaton
winner goes to Wartburg

Wabash at Monmouth

----------------------
Chapman at Whitworth
winner goes to Bethel (Minneapolis-St. Paul airport)

Central at UW-Platteville (or UW-LaCrosse)

---------------------
Crown at Concordia (WI)
winner goes to UW-River Falls

St. John's at UW-LaCrosse (or UW-Platteville)

[ncc_fan]

In order to minimize air travel it's customary for the playoff bracketeers to pair 2 west coast teams and 2 Texas teams in opening games.  In 2024 both of these games among 'island' teams occurred in the 1st round.  The west coast winner was then sent to 5th seed NCC in round 2. I could see that happening again, as Whitworth & Chapman are likely destined for a 1st round matchup given their current NPI rankings of 32 & 37 among probable playoff teams.

(This year the teams on the Texas island, Hardin-Simmons & Trinity, have high NPI scores, so their contest may be delayed until round 2.)

[FishHack76]

I'd be willing to bet a large sum of money that the SCIAC winner will go to Whitworth in the first round.

I think you're correct that Hardin-Simmons and Trinity will play in the second round due to their NPI rankings, or at least they should.

Another two "island" schools, Berry and LaGrange, also could meet in the second round even with LaGrange at No. 29 in the NPI. That's if Berry falls out of the top eight.

I could see either set of teams, especially the Georgia island, connected with Johns Hopkins because of JHU's proximity to a major airport (BWI). Perhaps Christopher Newport or John Carroll, which are slightly smaller airports. I would think Mount Union (Akron) would be less likely?