Thought I'd start a thread for the 2022 Valpo football season.
Here are the links to the first few stories from The Victory Bell.
The Waiting Game - A look at Robert Washington's pro aspirations along with a review of Valpo's incoming recruits.
https://thevictorybell.substack.com/p/the-waiting-game?s=w
Q&A: Will Fleming - A discussion with Valpo's new offensive coordinator
https://thevictorybell.substack.com/p/q-and-a-will-fleming?s=w
Previewing Valparaiso Football Spring Practice - a position-by-position look at the roster
https://thevictorybell.substack.com/p/previewing-valparaiso-football-spring?s=w
Starting quarterback remains beautiful mystery - breakdown of Valpo's four quarterbacks
https://thevictorybell.substack.com/p/starting-quarterback-remains-beautiful?s=w
Has the recruiting strategy changed from bringing in transfers to get competitive quick to developing recruited HS talent or is it just a factor that coaches with the ability to pull in transfers are gone? Because all those great transfers we pulled in the past few years are now graduated and it doesn't seem like they have pulled any transfers in the last cycle or so.
Not Bryce I'm glad you asked !
Transfers can confirm so far:
Dawson Pierson - TE - Eastern Tennessee State
Ryan Mann - RB - Northern Illinois
Dawson Rye - OLB - East Coast Prep
Evan Mathes - P - West Virginia
Transfers I think are in the program
Ben Hines - LB - Washington University
Transfers waiting on
Keylan Chapman - RB - Fort Hays State / Oregon
Jake Dennis - LS - Midland
Dahmir Pross - RB - St John Fisher
It does seem that at this time in college sports, no matter what sport, if you can't recruit transfers you will be dead in the water because 50% or greater of your recruited freshmen are going to leave whether it's for reasons of being unhappy with the facilities, staff, coaches, etc. or trying to find a more successful program or a lower level program where a college athlete will get more playing time or being closer to home (which seems to be used as an excuse because the college athlete doesn't want to embarrass someone who recruited the college athlete in the first place).
Looks like I haven't been paying close enough attention. Glad we have Valpofb16 here to get us all the details
Can confirm we have landed Chapman, will always take a former P5 running back
Chapman does look good but he isn't replacing Washington. Nothing anywhere shows him at Oregon except the bio at his last school a little odd he's not on the past roster or any recruiting index but it happens.
Agreed. Washington was a big time grab. But Chapman adds an older presence where team was a bit thin. Think Lane, Labus, Mann and probably one of the freshman all get carries this season.
Strength of the team is really in the receivers. Would take VU top 4-5 against anyone in the PFL. Now getting them the ball.....
Quote from: valpofb16 on July 13, 2022, 04:48:24 PM
Agreed. Washington was a big time grab. But Chapman adds an older presence where team was a bit thin. Think Lane, Labus, Mann and probably one of the freshman all get carries this season.
Strength of the team is really in the receivers. Would take VU top 4-5 against anyone in the PFL. Now getting them the ball.....
Interestingly the new WR coach had a tweet asking looking for 1 grad transfer to consider Valpo.
Quote from: NotBryceDrew on July 13, 2022, 03:29:02 PMChapman does look good but he isn't replacing Washington. Nothing anywhere shows him at Oregon except the bio at his last school a little odd he's not on the past roster or any recruiting index but it happens.
I think a call to the Ducks football program to let them know he was part of their program at some point is in order.
That said...he looks like he can help.
Quote from: JD24 on July 13, 2022, 11:10:20 PM
Quote from: NotBryceDrew on July 13, 2022, 03:29:02 PMChapman does look good but he isn't replacing Washington. Nothing anywhere shows him at Oregon except the bio at his last school a little odd he's not on the past roster or any recruiting index but it happens.
I think a call to the Ducks football program to let them know he was part of their program at some point is in order.
Let's just hope he doesn't have to DUCK the question about his involvement with the Oregon football program and what it actually entailed.
Tbh Indyvalpo, I think Fox tries to keep roster relatively balanced age wise (as much as you can in non scholarship football).
Hopefully Bingham, Ross both are five year guys. The class below them has Maxwell, Contreras , Del Castillo, Livingston. I think Grguric and Hunter are the only two below them. Always good to have as many adults in the room as possible
Where do we stand on filling coaching openings?
valpofb 16 - You have missed Hunter Nabers who is a linebacker transfer from Fresno State.
I don't see anything social media wise confirming it (same with Hines), but if we got both those guys the linebacker and DB room look great.
Really really young on the DL
Quote from: valpofb16 on July 15, 2022, 11:34:45 AMI don't see anything social media wise confirming it (same with Hines), but if we got both those guys the linebacker and DB room look great. Really really young on the DL
Nabers redshirted last season and would have 4 years of eligibility. Was a recruit of Valpo the year prior.
Able to confirm Hunter Nabers at linebacker from Fresno State. We also picked up Jalen Jones at tight end from Lincoln University.
Still waiting on confirmation on Hines from Washington. Wouldn't be surprised to see a DL or WR added in next two weeks
It appears that another returning starter on the Offensive Line has left the program. #75 RSSO Jon Stone looks like he will b attending Grand Valley State
Quote from: valpofb16 on July 25, 2022, 06:13:50 AM
It appears that another returning starter on the Offensive Line has left the program. #75 RSSO Jon Stone looks like he will b attending Grand Valley State
I don't believe Stone was on the spring game roster.
Confirmed transfers
Aaron Dawson-RB-Central Connecticut State
Ryan Mann-RB/DB-Northern Illinois
Keylan Chapman-RB- Fort Hays State
Hunter Nabers- LB - Fresno State
Ben Hines - LB - Washington
Ousmane Dabo - DB - Eastern Kentucky
Expect most if not all to play a role this season
Quote from: valpofb16 on July 29, 2022, 07:41:59 AM
Confirmed transfers
Aaron Dawson-RB-Central Connecticut State
Ryan Mann-RB/DB-Northern Illinois
Keylan Chapman-RB- Fort Hays State
Hunter Nabers- LB - Fresno State
Ben Hines - LB - Washington
Ousmane Dabo - DB - Eastern Kentucky
Expect most if not all to play a role this season
Dawson gained almost 900 yards with 13 TDs as a soph. Played less the next two seasons.
Dawson set a D1 record in 2018 with 308 rushing yards in a half and garnered pretty much every award you can get that week. Following season he had 12 touches at hasn't played since. Is there any background here? Cause if we have the 2018 version we could be in business.
Dawson had a foot injury early in 2019 which wiped out his season.
2021 he had 400 yards 98 carries
CCSU didn't play in 2020
With all these promising transfers, Will Valpo football evolve to being good instead of just being a program that just exists as we have seen in the past few decades? It would be great to see them progress into something the university can truly follow.
Valpo would be a sleeping giant in small town football as it's the only show in town much like Wabash in Crawfordsville or DePauw in Greencastle.
Problem is the administration has always pushed for Basketball to be breadwinner. But they haven't been near top of conference going on 8 years.
University did Pony up the money to extend Cecchini after 7 win season to their credit . He just so happen has gone about 6-40 since and spurned them on signing day
Quote from: valpofb16 on July 31, 2022, 11:24:57 AM
Valpo would be a sleeping giant in small town football as it's the only show in town much like Wabash in Crawfordsville or DePauw in Greencastle.
Problem is the administration has always pushed for Basketball to be breadwinner. But they haven't been near top of conference going on 8 years.
University did Pony up the money to extend Cecchini after 7 win season to their credit . He just so happen has gone about 6-40 since and spurned them on signing day
With all due respect, football at Valpo has no potential to be a significant breadwinner (i.e., generator of margin dollars) relative to basketball. If a football team were undefeated and made the FCS tournament, the revenue would be a small fraction of the revenue for a basketball team in the middle or bottom of the MVC (or the Horizon League). Valpo football does do a good job of attracting scholar-athletes who pay tuition and wish to continue their football career - so being competitive in the Pioneer League is the most realistic objective.
16 - basketball should always be the priority at Valparaiso. The football program is non scholarship,and it's main purpose is to promote male student enrollment. This has been acknowledged by several people, including Padilla. that being said, it appears Fox has the program in the right direction. The question is, once they are successful, where will Fox go for the next level?
Vu84 are you counting the 110 tuitions from the football team in your margin that would otherwise not be at the University?
Because I can promise you if you include tuition. Football generates more money than basketball.
So yes if you ignore potential alumni donations, their tuition, and their paid games......
I get the basketball truthers in here but if you can man a 110 man non scholarship football team there is much room for growth. Look no further than in state competition
Side note on Fox: his Dayton teams competed with MVC and Patriot league. Probably a few winning records and he's a DC FBS or HC FCS
Quote from: valpofb16 on July 31, 2022, 11:24:57 AM
Valpo would be a sleeping giant in small town football as it's the only show in town much like Wabash in Crawfordsville or DePauw in Greencastle.
Problem is the administration has always pushed for Basketball to be breadwinner. But they haven't been near top of conference going on 8 years.
University did Pony up the money to extend Cecchini after 7 win season to their credit . He just so happen has gone about 6-40 since and spurned them on signing day
Had Cecchini stayed at VU at least a few years longer, he could've built a foundation of stability within the program and gained additional head coaching experience. I wonder if he regrets his decision in view of his Bucknell record.
Quote from: valpofb16 on July 31, 2022, 04:05:56 PM
Vu84 are you counting the 110 tuitions from the football team in your margin that would otherwise not be at the University?
Because I can promise you if you include tuition. Football generates more money than basketball.
So yes if you ignore potential alumni donations, their tuition, and their paid games......
I get the basketball truthers in here but if you can man a 110 man non scholarship football team there is much room for growth. Look no further than in state competition
Side note on Fox: his Dayton teams competed with MVC and Patriot league. Probably a few winning records and he's a DC FBS or HC FCS
I would almost guarantee that none of the football team pay full price and some perhaps pay less than the average student. Remember that many are engineering and business students and some are even in the Nursing school. The real value is in having 110 males in school where females already are probably nearing 60/40. Now, if we could win chamionships no doubt the stands would be a lot fuller.
Let's be real - football brings in male students, tuition, easy cash, and is pretty much used as an extracurricular activity. It's D3 football with no real national following. Padilla has acknowledged this. Basketball is a different story.
David81 Cecchini had a rough 2018 because he had no depth. Much of the 2016 & 2017 teams had transferred out underneath him and he is very anti portal - still is Bucknell has 0 transfers. If he stayed 2019 would have had another 55 freshman and 1 win
Football can be D3 level and still bring in a ton of revenue. See Mount Union, Saint Thomas, Wabash , Whittenberg. To call the basketball following national right now is quite the stretch 0 games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC , CBS
It is quite literally basic numbers. Basketball had maybe one 4 year senior who got way paid. Football team had 24 seniors , potential donors , and guys paying tuition. Smart ADs sure up their biggest donor base first. But I digress
Quote from: David81 on July 31, 2022, 05:18:37 PMQuote from: valpofb16 on July 31, 2022, 11:24:57 AMValpo would be a sleeping giant in small town football as it's the only show in town much like Wabash in Crawfordsville or DePauw in Greencastle. Problem is the administration has always pushed for Basketball to be breadwinner. But they haven't been near top of conference going on 8 years. University did Pony up the money to extend Cecchini after 7 win season to their credit . He just so happen has gone about 6-40 since and spurned them on signing day
Had Cecchini stayed at VU at least a few years longer, he could've built a foundation of stability within the program and gained additional head coaching experience. I wonder if he regrets his decision in view of his Bucknell record.
It was talked about on this board that the last year or so it seemed that there was something going on with Cecchini prior to his leaving. I do agree that he probably jumped ship too quickly and likely went to the wrong program with the jump.
I have to believe that Cecchini's seat is on fire this season at Bucknell. Any early struggles, and he might not last the full season
Completely algorithm based but FWIW Massey has us favored in 7/11 games.
Checchini provided us with a lot and I'll always be rooting for his success. He built a decent foundation and gave us a winning season. However, Fox puts us in a much better position then having checchini still around, his retention is better (I believe), does very well in the portal, and generally seems like a better fit with the university/ area.
Cecchni was a Pioneer coach of the year and had to inherit the Carlson trainwreck.
Agreed , we have gotten way off the rails. Let's talk 2022 Football.
QB situation Is about as unknown as I can remember. Could literally tell me 3-4 different guys start game 1
Jeffrey Jackson played the most of the returners but was situational. University of Chicago xfer , haven't seen much throwing. Was all conference there.
Teryn Berry was at Weber State and actually saw PT there. But had a 1-8 TD-INT ratio before getting benched. He has most talent / pedigree but was very bad last year.
Kaplan and Appel are the two redshirt guys. Both had multiple PFL interests. Both came from power house HS programs.
Wild card would be freshman Rowan Keefe. Had 4 PFL offers, GVSU offer, and an elite 11 regional invite.
All 5 guys were up there over the summer. I think 4/5 will play at some point this season. My gut tells me most likely Kaplan/ Berry starts with Keefe seeing time in last 4 if season goes off rails
Quote from: valpofb16 on July 31, 2022, 04:05:56 PM
Vu84 are you counting the 110 tuitions from the football team in your margin that would otherwise not be at the University?
Because I can promise you if you include tuition. Football generates more money than basketball.
So yes if you ignore potential alumni donations, their tuition, and their paid games......
I get the basketball truthers in here but if you can man a 110 man non scholarship football team there is much room for growth. Look no further than in state competition
Yes, I am considering the 110 tuitions. I will preface this argument by saying that I have tremendous respect for anyone who plays a D1 sport and takes on the academic rigors at a school like Valparaiso. My argument is not intended to diminish the value of any football players...it is strictly an economic argument. Assuming you sustain a minimal quality for football (and Valpo is likely above that minimal quality), you will always get the 110 students because there will always be former high school football players who wish to continue playing - but are not good enough to play at scholarship schools. Future donations from current players would likely be the same regardless of their quality as football players, though I can see how donations from former players are based (to a degree) on current performance. Paid games subsidize the football program, as long as the minimal quality threshold is met. Other revenues (ticket sales, media rights) are insignificant.
Vu84 you are very far removed from this program's realities. We do not have the minimum anymore.
Valpo has renovated weight room, locker room, indoor turf, snack/protein station, helmet shells. Attendance was great through first half of last season and homecoming was packed.
My guess is 40-60% of the roster picked Valpo over D2 & NAIA scholarship money. This is very traceable just check their twitter.
Program is on the up & up. Very wrong about donations from alumni. Carlson pretty much nixed alumni relations and this new staff has done a lot of ground work to get reconnected.
Without football funding from tuitions / pay games , many other sports would suffer financially and male enrollment would be down 15-25%.
Also rigorous academics is a bit of a joke now. 87% acceptance rate in 2022.
I think that you are missing my points about additional spending (from today's spending) yielding additional revenues - but I am glad that you are so optimistic about the program. And I am glad that the new football staff is engaging alumni....that is also happening with other sports and that can only yield positive results.
I get what you are saying but I'm responding to your original point. If you include tuitions and living expenses to the university and food payments to the union.
There is zero. I mean Ze-Ro chance that a struggling mid major basketball program. With maybe 2-3 relatively prominent alumni. And very few four year graduates, with zero national TV games are bringing in anywhere near the revenue nor donor base that a successful football program would
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 01, 2022, 11:58:40 AMAlso rigorous academics is a bit of a joke now. 87% acceptance rate in 2022.
Then two are unrelated. Getting in is one thing, getting out is another. What did you study?
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 01, 2022, 12:08:14 PM
I get what you are saying but I'm responding to your original point. If you include tuitions and living expenses to the university and food payments to the union.
There is zero. I mean Ze-Ro chance that a struggling mid major basketball program. With maybe 2-3 relatively prominent alumni. And very few four year graduates, with zero national TV games are bringing in anywhere near the revenue nor donor base that a successful football program would
All universities are required to report revenues and expenses for each sport for each academic year to the US Dept. of Education (US EADA database).
For the 2020-2021 academic year (last year reported), Valpo basketball reported - Revenue: $2.019,347; Expenses: $2,158,332.
For the last year before COVID (2018-2019), Valpo basketball reported - Revenue: $2,461,689; Expenses: $2,415,050.
Revenues for basketball include everything: NCAA tournament shares, TV rights, payment for buy games, ticket sales, etc.
Valpo football's reported revenues are about 45% of basketball revenues and reported expenses are slightly lower than reported revenues, but a lot of the football revenue reported is likely tuition. Admittedly, I do not know how that is calculated for football players (some of whom get no scholarship while others get scholarships from other sources). The point is that Valpo basketball brings in a lot of revenue which, after removing tuition effects, is likely several times larger than football revenue. Additionally (and, again, this is an economics argument that is not intended to diminish the value of football players), the model for Valpo football is driven by the number of tuition paying football players.
So basketball made 46k in 2019 and lost over 130k in 2021?
Im getting that football is less revenue but much more of an opportunity to profit and if you include tuition. It probably profits much more than basketball.
Also Major was Mech Engineeeing switch to Crim/Soc. Now back in Mech Engineering. My major really has nothing to do with loss of majors, sports, enrollment , grad schools, endowment. Etc etc
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 01, 2022, 06:42:04 PM
So basketball made 46k in 2019 and lost over 130k in 2021?
Im getting that football is less revenue but much more of an opportunity to profit and if you include tuition. It probably profits much more than basketball.
Also Major was Mech Engineeeing switch to Crim/Soc. Now back in Mech Engineering. My major really has nothing to do with loss of majors, sports, enrollment , grad schools, endowment. Etc etc
2020-2021 is an outlier, given COVID. NCAA payouts were less, attendance was still less, etc. We'll see what 2021-2022 looks like. That is why I posted the last pre-pandemic numbers as they represent a typical year for basketball. Investment has a greater likelihood of increasing revenues if it yields winning.
Football is profitable, but that is solely due to the impact of tuition from non-scholarship athletes. Since you would always get ~100 players regardless of whether the program wins (assuming a minimum level of quality for facilities, etc. is met), investing more would not increase profits.
If Valpo football, a non-scholarship Division 1 in name only program, and it significantly in the red for whatever reason, then we have serious program where perhaps the sport needs to go away. Ona national level, no one cares about Valpo football. I go to Valpo football games at Drake, and other than football parents, no Valpo alums go to the game. For basketball, we will at least 50 non basketball parents who attend - they would definitely get more if the program was better.
As for basketball, it is a name recognition - in the competitive MVC, more success in the past 40 years - and more interest than football.
As for football facilities and engagement, it has gotten better, but we are below par compared to other schools in the Pioneer. The press box looks like something from Our Gang episodes. No pep band at games - you get music between possessions and timeouts. Old scoreboard and old stands. Also, when you say a game is packed, are we talking 5000? 4000? maybe 3000?
Quote from: vu84v2 on August 02, 2022, 08:32:58 AMFootball is profitable, but that is solely due to the impact of tuition from non-scholarship athletes. Since you would always get ~100 players regardless of whether the program wins (assuming a minimum level of quality for facilities, etc. is met), investing more would not increase profits.
Football attendance last year averaged 2480 per game (five games at home) if 75% of the total were paying for a $10 ticket the revenue--excluding concessions--would be $93,000. The pay game at North Dakota State brought in $240,000.
Is there a Did Not Report list for commits that never got on the bus? In the past this has been as many as 5 or 6.
Quote from: JD24 on August 06, 2022, 09:33:38 PM
Is there a Did Not Report list for commits that never got on the bus? In the past this has been as many as 5 or 6.
(https://c.tenor.com/Z9e9S5yfSP0AAAAd/bus-stop-bus-ride.gif)
JD24 , Matt Logan went to Platville, Watson Allen Butler.
Seems like less many freshman were there over summer. Last year the roster game out a day before the IWU game with numbers not being correct until the week after.
Over/Under on this year set at 09/01
In fact, Mathew Logan did get on the bus and practiced several weeks at Valpo before transferring to Wisconsin-Platteville. Similarly, Austin Brislin did practice for several weeks before transferring to West Chester University but not continuing with football.
That's not great they are losing O Lineman. By my count that puts them at 11-12 on the roster...
Brislin, Logan, Stone, Monahan, Orr, Meyers, Ford, Leathers, Garrard all gone.
Let's hope Denecke is a great recruiter and has the secret to keeping guys healthy
Stone Dixon is still on the roster and is actively practicing as of Monday.
Jon Stone not Dixon
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 09, 2022, 12:49:09 PM
New roster out 2-3 new sophomores at OL helps with numbers. Dline much added weight. New transfers from Boston College (Safety Tyler Day) and Colorado (WR Michael Byrd). Day figures to be more of an impact player.
Interesting no shows:
RB Keylan Chapman 5th year Oregon/Fort Hays State xfer (tweeted it was over), RB Gabe Olvera (Oregon / 247 2*), Grady Hickey (AZ WR), and the QB Cam Harbaugh.
Spoke with Keylan. It is an NCAA deal. He would be a 7th year senior. Not sure parameters
Roster has 117 and only 110 can report to camp under NCAA rules, meaning not everyone is there, don't believe Valpo intends to play a JV schedule. Freshman came in with heights and weights lower than the signing day article reported across the board. Under 3 weeks until the first two deep is released
The 110 rule got waived in 2020 during COVID. Not sure if it was put back in place.
Looks like it must have been put back in place. 110 can practice before classes start. Everyone else can join after.
FWIW have heard on good authority Teryn Berry is getting majority of first team reps.
Let's hope last year was a blip, new team, and Limbach coaching
Glad to hear Berry is doing well had high hopes last season, hopefully the rust is gone. Been awhile since we've had quality depth at QB but Jackson and Kaplan seem highly capable as well. Can't wait to see the team in action.
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 11, 2022, 09:54:22 AM
FWIW have heard on good authority Teryn Berry is getting majority of first team reps.
Let's hope last year was a blip, new team, and Limbach coaching
https://weberstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/teryn--berry/5040
Berry deserves another shot. I think that he just forced a few too many passes, but has a lot of potential.
Under three weeks from Game just wanted to post returning starters / starters lost, and see who could replace them
Offense : 5/11
Returns:
WR-Contreras
WR- Bingham
LT- Bird
LG- Files
C-Parrish
Gone:
QB-Nimz
RB-Washington
WR- Reese
TE- Hebbeler
RG- Orr
RT- Stone
Defense: 6/11
Returns:
DT- Kessen
LB - Annis
CB-Turner
S- Chilton
S - Sherman
CB - Horton
Gone:
DE- Purty
DT- Orlandini
DE - Martins
LB -Twigg / Peifer
LB- Psota
My guesses
QB: Berry
RB: Dawson / Lane / Mann
WR: Ross
TE: Pierson / Vickers
RG: Woody
LT: Szczepanski / Gray
DE: Dristiliaris / Christian
DT: Miller
DE: Spelman
LB: Nabers/ Mekky / Days
LB: Hines
I will save you the suspense
Lucky if we win 4 games
Go Crusaders
Why do you say that?
Schedule
Returners
And it is Valpo Football....
Looking at this holistically, is the skill level improved from last year? If not, we are talking 4-7.
Honestly. Indiana Wesleyan is probably a loss tons of fifth years from a team that was 7 points away from a #1 NAIA ranking and beat Marian 41-6.
Dartmouth and Illinois state are losses.
2 from the front 7 return and Washington is gone. Those were the two strengths of last years team.
I think 6-5 is possible. Fox will put out a competitive defense. If they can't find an identity on offense 1-11 is also possible (sorry Presbyterian)
Sidebar: every other school schedules a jam and egger to get wins on board. Cecchini did this as well. Would it kill University to go back to this? Bring a D3 up here (I know this backfired in the early 2010s but program in much better state)
Actually university under 2500 kids, who are we kidding. It's dying anyway
Valpo has under 2500? since when?
2939 Fall 2022 head count Grad/Undergrad. So under 3k my bad
4500 as recently as 2015. 35% fall out
For purposes of institutional stability, we obviously want to see those enrollment figures increase. But plenty of small colleges, esp. at the D3 level, run extremely successful football programs. I just checked Mount Union (perennial D3 powerhouse who would very likely give VU a beating), and their undergraduate enrollment in recent years has been in the 2,000 range.
So...just thinking that if Valpo can get its undergrad enrollment back up around 3,500 or so, that would bode well for the football program as well. (And don't forget that 2015 number cited above included maybe around 400 law students.)
Quote from: valpofb16 on August 15, 2022, 11:44:25 AM2939 Fall 2022 head count Grad/Undergrad
Those numbers are from the fall of 2021 not this current year.
I'm pulling for Kaplan as starting QB
Will Johnson former WVU RB and NFL guy joins as the RB coach. Good experience , 14k followers, good exposure
https://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2022-23/21429/valpo-announces-2022-football-gameday-plans/
New Game Day plans announced with a legitimate tailgating lot.
Awesome to see some effort and leadership here. Homecoming was always done decent/well. But a dedicated plan with pregame activities for the season was always lacking. This should hopefully get more people out to the games. The team being decent now doesn't hurt either.
Quote from: crusader05 on August 22, 2022, 10:34:11 AM
https://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2022-23/21429/valpo-announces-2022-football-gameday-plans/
New Game Day plans announced with a legitimate tailgating lot.
That is quite the upgrade! Wow! Should be a lot of fun! Well done Valpo athletics and administration!
Quote from: crusader05 on August 22, 2022, 10:34:11 AM
https://www.valpoathletics.com/football/news/2022-23/21429/valpo-announces-2022-football-gameday-plans/
New Game Day plans announced with a legitimate tailgating lot.
That is AWESOME!! The AD and administration are moving into the 20th century! ;)
It's good to hear some positive comments about The Administration and Athletic Department.
Spencer Duncan in as TE Coach. Not sure this was posted.
The positive comments are due to new leadership.
This is all the AD, because it's not coming from his main cabinet members.
The changes are due to both President Padilla and the new AD. Think back to the Alan Harre days of a completely dry campus. Then some small changes came during the realm of President Heckler like beer at basketball games and (god forbid) a beer tent of sorts at Homecoming! Now there is a pub in the union serving adult beverages to student of age because President Padilla acknowledges that students like beer and he would rather have them drinking it on campus than in town and then get arrested. The changes surrounding football games may have come due to the suggestions of the new AD but with the blessing of the President.
Wow, I appreciate the effort here to encourage football attendance. But really, I'm guessing very few actual Valpo residents will show up for this. $10 to park in the lot, then food truck on top of $10 to get into the game?
I'm guessing this will be good for the football parents, especially since the first game is at night and people will need something to do.
The fact Notre Dame is playing Ohio State on national television at the same time won't help.
I hope it works, but very skeptical.
And, what a brutal early schedule. After Wesleyan, what I call the annual "Blood Bath" game is at Illinois State this year. Automatic big loss and multiple injuries in that one. At Dartmouth and then home vs. San Diego ... Beacons better win the opener or it's 0-4.
Quote from: Valpo89 on August 30, 2022, 10:19:17 AMwhat I call the annual "Blood Bath" game is at Illinois State this year.
Not calling for a win but "blood bath" versus Illinois State might be a little over the top. Last year, versus North Dakota State was a BLOOD BATH as they open the season again ranked #1 in FCS. Illinois State, on the other hand isn't in the top 25 and isn't even getting any votes for the top 25. Dartmouth, on the other hand IS receiving votes, with 59 or ranked 30th.
https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fcs/stats-perform-fcs-top-25
Massey does not love the Beacs against Illinois State and Dartmouth , 2 / 3% win expectancy for each
Dartmouth is Ivy League which is non scholarship. Illinois State actually has an ex Minnesota QB on roster who was second FR FBS walk-on QB to start week 1 in the Rivals Era (Baker Mayfield other)
Quote from: vu72 on August 30, 2022, 10:49:55 AM
Quote from: Valpo89 on August 30, 2022, 10:19:17 AMwhat I call the annual "Blood Bath" game is at Illinois State this year.
Not calling for a win but "blood bath" versus Illinois State might be a little over the top. Last year, versus North Dakota State was a BLOOD BATH as they open the season again ranked #1 in FCS. Illinois State, on the other hand isn't in the top 25 and isn't even getting any votes for the top 25. Dartmouth, on the other hand IS receiving votes, with 59 or ranked 30th.
https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fcs/stats-perform-fcs-top-25 (https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/football/fcs/stats-perform-fcs-top-25)
It will be interesting because ILST will be coming off their "blood bath" game at Camp Randall against Wisconsin. Will the Redbirds be seeing "red" after getting rubbed raw by the Badgers? Will there be an unusual shallacking in Normal or a competitive game in Central Illinois? Will the Beacons shine by keeping the game close or will the 'birds crow loudly in Han" :censored: " (Stadium)?
Only Coach Brock Spack and his staff have an inkling of what will happen to Coach Landon Fox and his staff.