MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

enhancing the extracurricular life on each campus.

Keeping their athletes engaged and not having them walk out of the schools (enrollment and retention) are some of the reasons presidents try and have games played.

This is all a very big part of it. Tonight after the scrimmage I had a chance to talk to the student contingent of the North Park game staff over post-game pizza, all of whom are NPU student-athletes (baseball and softball players, to be specific). It was the first chance I've had to speak to college students since the curtain went down on D3 sports last March. I asked them all, point blank, "What has this year been like for you?" Wow, was I overwhelmed by the angry frowns, harsh responses, and bad vibes. I invited them to vent, and boy, did they vent. And I'm certain that this reaction would've been the same if I was asking students at any college or university.

It made me stop and think. I know full well that other people have had it worse than me during the pandemic. I don't personally know anybody who has died of Covid-19, but 400,000 deaths means a lot of surviving Americans suffering heartache over the loss of loved ones. Tens of millions have either lost their jobs or had their incomes slashed. And some people hurt worse simply because, through no fault of their own, they just aren't wired to handle the stress caused by months of isolation. The sorting of physical, mental, emotional, and economic victims of this disease requires just as much triage as does the administration of the vaccines.

But after tonight, I've given new consideration to just how much it sucks to be a college student right now. This is a time in one's life that only comes once, and it goes by all too fast. Having a big chunk of it upended by masks, social-distance protocols, a regimen of constant testing and contact tracing, online-only classes, no real social gatherings of any kind (especially once it's no longer feasible to be outdoors) -- this is a truly terrible time to be 18-21 years old and enrolled in college. They feel cheated by life's circumstances, and I don't blame them.

So ... yeah, it's really important that D3 schools do whatever they can (within reason and with prudent caution) to, as Bob said, give student-athletes the chance to do what they love to do. And I'm glad that some are now finally starting to get their chance to suit up and compete again. It makes me wonder, though ... what about the theater students, and the music students, and the students who organize and participate in dances or guest-speaker symposia or Homecoming or religious activities or student government? Again, it's a case of some students getting hurt worse by the pandemic than others.

But my heart goes out to all college students right now.

Wonderfully said.

This is not all about money and retention...not whatsoever.

[Titan Q]

But after tonight, I've given new consideration to just how much it sucks to be a college student right now. This is a time in one's life that only comes once, and it goes by all too fast. Having a big chunk of it upended by masks, social-distance protocols, a regimen of constant testing and contact tracing, online-only classes, no real social gatherings of any kind (especially once it's no longer feasible to be outdoors) -- this is a truly terrible time to be 18-21 years old and enrolled in college. They feel cheated by life's circumstances, and I don't blame them.

So ... yeah, it's really important that D3 schools do whatever they can (within reason and with prudent caution) to, as Bob said, give student-athletes the chance to do what they love to do. And I'm glad that some are now finally starting to get their chance to suit up and compete again. It makes me wonder, though ... what about the theater students, and the music students, and the students who organize and participate in dances or guest-speaker symposia or Homecoming or religious activities or student government? Again, it's a case of some students getting hurt worse by the pandemic than others.

But my heart goes out to all college students right now.

This lines up really well with what Ron Rose told me Monday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2YUg9QvsqM&t=5s

12:00 mark.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

enhancing the extracurricular life on each campus.

Keeping their athletes engaged and not having them walk out of the schools (enrollment and retention) are some of the reasons presidents try and have games played.

This is all a very big part of it. Tonight after the scrimmage I had a chance to talk to the student contingent of the North Park game staff over post-game pizza, all of whom are NPU student-athletes (baseball and softball players, to be specific). It was the first chance I've had to speak to college students since the curtain went down on D3 sports last March. I asked them all, point blank, "What has this year been like for you?" Wow, was I overwhelmed by the angry frowns, harsh responses, and bad vibes. I invited them to vent, and boy, did they vent. And I'm certain that this reaction would've been the same if I was asking students at any college or university.

It made me stop and think. I know full well that other people have had it worse than me during the pandemic. I don't personally know anybody who has died of Covid-19, but 400,000 deaths means a lot of surviving Americans suffering heartache over the loss of loved ones. Tens of millions have either lost their jobs or had their incomes slashed. And some people hurt worse simply because, through no fault of their own, they just aren't wired to handle the stress caused by months of isolation. The sorting of physical, mental, emotional, and economic victims of this disease requires just as much triage as does the administration of the vaccines.

But after tonight, I've given new consideration to just how much it sucks to be a college student right now. This is a time in one's life that only comes once, and it goes by all too fast. Having a big chunk of it upended by masks, social-distance protocols, a regimen of constant testing and contact tracing, online-only classes, no real social gatherings of any kind (especially once it's no longer feasible to be outdoors) -- this is a truly terrible time to be 18-21 years old and enrolled in college. They feel cheated by life's circumstances, and I don't blame them.

So ... yeah, it's really important that D3 schools do whatever they can (within reason and with prudent caution) to, as Bob said, give student-athletes the chance to do what they love to do. And I'm glad that some are now finally starting to get their chance to suit up and compete again. It makes me wonder, though ... what about the theater students, and the music students, and the students who organize and participate in dances or guest-speaker symposia or Homecoming or religious activities or student government? Again, it's a case of some students getting hurt worse by the pandemic than others.

But my heart goes out to all college students right now.

Wonderfully said.

This is not all about money and retention...not whatsoever.

For many, it is. Yes, they are trying to give their students a chance to have an outlet, but they are also very conscious that student-athletes will leave.

Amherst WBB lost likely their best return player to Trinity, Texas this season - partly because she wanted to play from what I can tell.

There are also conversations I have every day where a coach or admin talks about retention and enrollment.

Schools are going to close and not just a couple here and there. The pandemic has seemed to hold off some of those closings (I won't go into my theories on it), but we are going to see a wave of closures coming (and not just because of the pandemic; again my theory which could go for awhile). Schools consciously know that if they don't retain students, especially student-athletes which make up significant percentages of most colleges, they are in trouble.

I know of schools who are doing everything they can because they know if they don't play or have some kind of season, they will lose their students to other universities. We have heard of how in the MIAA it is such a concern the presidents were fighting about it on conference calls ahead of the fall seasons - allegations of poaching from those who decided to play and those who decided not to play.

There absolutely is an aspect that students need an outlet, though sometimes that isn't playing games. Coaches talk about practices and just not being a Zoom call being an outlet. But there is also an aspect of retaining students and keeping enrollment up so colleges can stay open. There are schools in the CCIW who have been considered in the danger zone financially. I am sure they are keenly aware that if they can keep their students "happy" (relatively speaking) by playing some games, they have a far better chance of staying open.

[Pat Coleman]

Yeah, I have to agree -- there are definitely places where getting kids on the field/court/track/ice is about retention. Most CCIW schools are fortunate not to be in that position but many Division IIII schools are heavily dependent on student-athlete enrollment to keep the doors open.

[Titan Q]

Yeah, I have to agree -- there are definitely places where getting kids on the field/court/track/ice is about retention. Most CCIW schools are fortunate not to be in that position but many Division IIII schools are heavily dependent on student-athlete enrollment to keep the doors open.

I'm sure it is a factor for some.

But having spent a lot of time the last 6-7 months speaking with athletic administrators at D3 schools, and people very close to these conversations and decisions with university leadership, I'm also 100% sure this is about schools genuinely and sincerely trying to do right by their student-athletes...in a way that truly has nothing to do with whether they stay or go.

There are good people in leadership roles at these schools, and they are trying to help their students.

[WUPHF]

The athletic program as a driver of recruitment and retention should just be stickied at the top of every thread other than maybe the UAA and NESCAC because it comes up constantly.

Honestly, if you work at an institution other than those in the UAA and NESCAC and maybe a few others, every conversation, and hence every decision, is made to further recruitment and retention.

I'll add to the mix: there are conferences around the nation proving that the games can be played safely, even with Covid-19.

[Titan Q]

https://twitter.com/Markoanderson12/status/1352340053465460737?s=20


Ron Rose and the Titans have landed Marko Anderson, a 6-6 F from Maine South HS.

Per @PrepHoopsIL some of his other interest was NCC, Augie, Loras, and Cal Lutheran.

Per a quote from his HS team's account, in 2019-20 Marko was...
*Team MVP
*CSL South All-Conference
*All-Tourney at LT
*All-Area for in 3 papers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-SPYwnXBHU&feature=youtu.be

[Ultimate Titan Fan]

Insane game between Mt St Joseph and Transylvania tonight.  Can't wait for CCIW play.

[GU1999]

https://twitter.com/Markoanderson12/status/1352340053465460737?s=20


Ron Rose and the Titans have landed Marko Anderson, a 6-6 F from Maine South HS.

Per @PrepHoopsIL some of his other interest was NCC, Augie, Loras, and Cal Lutheran.

Per a quote from his HS team's account, in 2019-20 Marko was...
*Team MVP
*CSL South All-Conference
*All-Tourney at LT
*All-Area for in 3 papers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-SPYwnXBHU&feature=youtu.be

Marko is a very good get for IWU.  The last time I commented on a CCIW commit it was Fil Bulatovic.  He's turned out to be quite good at Carthage.  Marko will have a good chance to be a very solid CCIW player.  He's a very sturdy rebounder and reliable post defender.  Quite good footwork 10 feet and in whether faced-up or back-to-basket.  His footwork allows him to get up high quality shots against the the high quality opponents he has faced in the Central Suburban South ( Evanston, New Trier, etc).  I'm excited for Marko and IWU.   

[Ultimate Titan Fan]

To build on what d-mac said, a lot of people working in the academic world have heard of the 2025 cliff; the year that high school graduation numbers start dropping drastically. I think the demise of MacMurray has also been noted on this board. Adam Smith's invisible hand might be slow, but it's sure. Illinois State University (where I work) has thrown its hat in the "China" ring and will soon open an engineering school to attract the many applicants that U of I can't fit in. I'm not saying small, private schools should open engineering programs—that's not realistic. Hopefully, if CCIW schools are positioned well, they'll attract students looking for the small, liberal arts experience (as their choices become limited in the future).

[Gregory Sager]

Illinois State University (where I work) has thrown its hat in the "China" ring

I'm not seeking to break our unwritten rule about avoiding politics on CCIW Chat, but I have to note in response to this point that geopolitical realities make reliance upon international students from China as a key admissions source an iffy proposition for colleges and universities.

and will soon open an engineering school to attract the many applicants that U of I can't fit in. I'm not saying small, private schools should open engineering programs—that's not realistic.

A lot of them already have, though, and there will be more to follow. The demand is still high for a STEM-oriented education.

[WUPHF]

Chances are good that for Illinois State, the China strategy is going to become the China/South Asia strategy if not already.

China will bounce back after being closed off for a year, but they also have a demographic cliff coming.

I do think every liberal arts university has considered the Engineering-lite programs such as Cybersecurity and Data Analytics.

[Titan Q]

https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/watch-now-illinois-wesleyan-appears-strong-entering-delayed-season/article_c69887f0-ef5c-5fc7-8feb-b6492bae724f.html

Per Randy Reinhardt, Ron Rose will start:

G Luke Yoder, 6-0/170 So.
G Cory Noe, 6-2/175 Jr.
G Pete Lambesis, 6-4/195 Jr.
F Matt Leritz, 6-7/235 Jr.
F Charlie Bair, 6-7/220 Sr.

[Gregory Sager]

Chances are good that for Illinois State, the China strategy is going to become the China/South Asia strategy if not already.

China will bounce back after being closed off for a year, but they also have a demographic cliff coming.

I'm not so sure that the U.S./China relationship won't deteriorate to the point where Chinese students are no longer coming over. But I do agree with you that it's likely that Illinois State, and other schools that heavily recruit Chinese students (such as NPU's next-door neighbor, Northeastern Illinois University), will pivot to recruiting more students from other parts of Asia and the western Pacific.

[Titan Q]

Illinois Wesleyan (0-0) at Carroll (0-0), 2:00pm...

Possible Starters:

Illinois Wesleyan
G - Luke Yoder, 6-0/170 So.
G - Cory Noe, 6-2/175 Jr.
G - Pete Lambesis, 6-4/195 Jr.
F - Matt Leritz, 6-7/235 Jr.
F - Charlie Bair, 6-7/220 Sr.

Carroll
G - Justin Gruber, 5-11/180 Jr.
G - Justin Steinike, 6-1/180 Fr.
G - Tarren Hall, 6-3/200 Sr.
F - Carter Sturgeon, 6-5/205 So.
F - Josh Hudgens, 6-6/205 Fr.

Pantagraph: https://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-wesleyan/watch-now-illinois-wesleyan-appears-strong-entering-delayed-season/article_c69887f0-ef5c-5fc7-8feb-b6492bae724f.html

IWU Game Notes: https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/iwusports.com/documents/2021/1/22/MBBGame01_Carroll.pdf

IWU preview: https://www.iwuhoops.com/preview2021.pdf

Carroll preview: https://gopios.com/news/2021/1/21/mens-basketball-builds-young-roster-for-2020-21.aspx

Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/carroll/

Live Stats: https://gopios.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary