FB: Liberty League

[Bartman]

Patch had some kind of stomach bug, and was puking all over the sideline to start the second half. 

Yikes valiant effort by the LL OPTY.

[Ice Bear]

Patch had some kind of stomach bug, and was puking all over the sideline to start the second half. 

Yikes valiant effort by the LL OPTY.

Kid is just the ultimate competitor. Seriously.

[Former CAC Coach]

Halftime...Union 14 - Muhlenberg 14 ...ESPN has failed us. The media giant has bitten off more than they can chew.

These games are produced by the local schools. There's definitely a chance some of the issue is on ESPN's end, but it's probably the school's issue.

Then why would there be issues at multiple games? I've asked counselor/Mr. Mayor to start an investigation.

The ESPN broadcast requirements are different/higher than most D-III schools are really equipped to handle, and overworked SIDs are tasked with doing this on top of dealing with winter sports starting and all sorts of other things.

Pat - That may be true in some cases, but I was at the Muhlenberg/Union game and went up to the press box at halftime to find out what the streaming issues were (I kept getting calls from family saying they had no video or audio). The transmission problem was clearly on the ESPN side of things, as the folks had been in touch with ESPN and were aware of the issue.  On top of that, it was multiple games at multiple sites, so I don't buy the "it's a local D3 college technical (in)capability."   The NCAA needs to take ESPN to task and get it right for all games & all sites.  I realize this is D3 and ESPN probably doesn't give a hoot, but I doubt they will be refunding anyone's subscription .....

[unionpalooza]

Halftime...Union 14 - Muhlenberg 14 ...ESPN has failed us. The media giant has bitten off more than they can chew.

These games are produced by the local schools. There's definitely a chance some of the issue is on ESPN's end, but it's probably the school's issue.

Then why would there be issues at multiple games? I've asked counselor/Mr. Mayor to start an investigation.

The ESPN broadcast requirements are different/higher than most D-III schools are really equipped to handle, and overworked SIDs are tasked with doing this on top of dealing with winter sports starting and all sorts of other things.

Pat - That may be true in some cases, but I was at the Muhlenberg/Union game and went up to the press box at halftime to find out what the streaming issues were (I kept getting calls from family saying they had no video or audio). The transmission problem was clearly on the ESPN side of things, as the folks had been in touch with ESPN and were aware of the issue.  On top of that, it was multiple games at multiple sites, so I don't buy the "it's a local D3 college technical (in)capability."   The NCAA needs to take ESPN to task and get it right for all games & all sites.  I realize this is D3 and ESPN probably doesn't give a hoot, but I doubt they will be refunding anyone's subscription .....

All of these schools have no problem streaming their games for every sport, more often than not for free, all year long.  This stuff happens because the NCAA never found something it didn't know how to f*ck up.  Rather than letting just stream how they always have, they put it behind an ESPN paywall, impose tech requirements schools have trouble meeting, and provide absolutely no help or support in meeting those requirements.  ESPN is a large, profitable broadcast network.  They know how to stream sh*t; it's their business.  I have zero doubt the problem here is an NCAA middleman who communicated poorly to all involved, provided no competent coordination or support, and probably didn't even answer the phone when there were problems - indeed, the person at the NCAA in charge of "coordinating" the school-to-ESPN connectivity is problem some 24-yard staffer who has no clue how any of it works.  This is the same NCAA that puts together a bracket where the selection head doesn't even know which seeds they're supposed to protect nor which schools can actually host. A total joke of an organization.

[unionpalooza]

A tough way to end the year for Union. Heck of a football game to watch, and both teams battled hard. In the end, the difference was a two-minute stretch where the backup threw a deep pick that was returned to the 9, followed by a quick TD, on the one series Patch couldn't get on to the field. A lot of tough what-ifs with this one, but you've to turn the page.  It was a great year.

Having made the trip to Allentown, I was shocked by how poor the Mules' facilities were.  Bleachers seemed old and beat up, leaf debris all over the field, practice equipment piled up behind and around the visitors benches, and worst of all, the "visitors locker room" was just a hallway in their athletics building with some black curtain panels blocking off the ends.  A total joke. And a violation of the tournament hosting rules, I presume.  F*cking ridiculous.

[MRMIKESMITH]

A tough way to end the year for Union. Heck of a football game to watch, and both teams battled hard. In the end, the difference was a two-minute stretch where the backup threw a deep pick that was returned to the 9, followed by a quick TD, on the one series Patch couldn't get on to the field. A lot of tough what-ifs with this one, but you've to turn the page.  It was a great year.

Having made the trip to Allentown, it was shocked by how poor the Mules' facilities were.  Bleachers seemed old and beat up, leaf debris all over the field, practice equipment piled up behind and around the visitors benches, and worst of all, the "visitors locker room" was just a hallway in their athletics building with some black curtain panels blocking off the ends.  A total joke. And a violation of the tournament hosting rules, I presume.  F*cking ridiculous.

They are still using that black curtain that allow fans to "chirp" at you while you are getting dressed and in and out to stadium.

[Pat Coleman]

FWIW, that staffer came out of a D3 school and is young and new but definitely not clueless as to how D3 schools are staffed.

Agreed that I have heard there are a couple games where the fault is definitely on ESPN, but of course, the NCAA carries some blame for forcing schools to deal with these extra requirements during a crazy busy time of year.

[UfanBill]

In a moment of total frustration and anger and seeking some clarification I emailed the SID of Muhlenberg post game yesterday. To his credit he responded within 15 minutes. This is his response...

Re: Union vs Muhlenberg football broadcast

to:Mike Falk, SID, Muhlenberg 

From:mikefalk@muhlenberg.edu
Sat, Nov 22 at 3:57 PM


Thanks for the email and I completely understand your frustration. We were frustrated too.

"I do not like to pass blame onto anyone but we followed the instructions we were given by ESPN, which included starting the stream an hour early to allow for troubleshooting, and we did the same thing we did as when we successfully tested the stream on Thursday, but we were not contacted by ESPN to let us know there was an issue today until very late in the game.

We certainly understand how important the video streams are for people who cannot attend the games and try to put out a good product. There is a recorded version of the stream and I've talked to the NCAA about the possibility of playing it. I am waiting to hear back from them."

I for one sincerely hope a replay can be worked out. I know Union player parents want that archive of their son's last game.

While I appreciate his candor I question how he says "they were not contacted by ESPN to let us know there was an issue."...I personally was participating in a chat during the game with mostly Union player parents. Some of them called other parents physically at the game who went to the press box and told them that the stream was not working so they knew well before halftime. Other parents called ESPN directly and were given the "technical difficulties" excuse...and what about the "we started the stream an hour early to allow for trouble shooting"? Well if true then nobody at Muhlenberg or ESPN apparently made the effort in that hour to verify a working stream. 

[Pat Coleman]

It does seem like ESPN was not properly staffed to make sure all of its streams were running, but seems like there might be enough blame to go around.

[XREDDRAGON77]

On the streaming rant...on a Cortland Football FB page, a poster claimed to have spoken to someone at ESPN. They were told it was a T2 level national issue (whatever that means! They were also told that there would be no refunds for this months subscription.

Like you Union guys, even though we both lost, I know we all would have loved to have seen our teams on their final outings!

[Pat Coleman]

For what it's worth, the 3-4 people I have asked about the phrase "T2 level national issue" have no idea if that means anything at all.

[Jonny Utah]

We might need to go to the top on this one.  ESPN is run by a Cornell grad.  They are owned by Disney who is run by an Ithaca (d3) grad. I will write an email to the top and get back to the LL board with the response. I expect nothing but the best on this one.

Jonny U.

[Bartman]

We might need to go to the top on this one.  ESPN is run by a Cornell grad.  They are owned by Disney who is run by an Ithaca (d3) grad. I will write an email to the top and get back to the LL board with the response. I expect nothing but the best on this one.

Jonny U.

Can you get us all free subscriptions, Disney Passes and any kind of free stuff as a refund?
Thanks , Bartman

[unionpalooza]

We might need to go to the top on this one.  ESPN is run by a Cornell grad.  They are owned by Disney who is run by an Ithaca (d3) grad. I will write an email to the top and get back to the LL board with the response. I expect nothing but the best on this one.

Jonny U.

Can you get us all free subscriptions, Disney Passes and any kind of free stuff as a refund?
Thanks , Bartman

Show no mercy in the negotiations.  If their offer doesn't include Goofy doing the coin toss at next year's Cortaca, tell them to pound sand. 

[Ralph Turner]

Watching Pate State podcast... who give us a D3 shoutout.

Syracuse lost to Notre Dame 70-7 yesterday.

Josh Pate says that is the worst loss by Syracuse since they lost to Union in the 1890's.