2017 Valpo Football - Non-Game Thread

[vu72]

So perhaps the PFL is being underrated. Our representative to the FCS playoffs, San Diego, beat #25 ranked Northern Arizona, 41-10 in the first round.  Unfortunately they next play #2 North Dakota State on the road.  the good news, if there is any in that matchup, is that San Diego played there last season as well so the crowd noise won't comes as unexpected.  Hope they make a game of it.

[VULB#62]

Yes, good luck USD. Represent the PFL well.

On another, but related note to the Sagarin ratings, Davidson, who was dead last (254 out of 254) and has been the PFL doormat have finally parted ways with Paul Nichols, their HFBC for the last 5 years.  Could mean a rejuvenation of this program if the right guy is hired.  Or not, depending on administration commitment (and many Davidson posters on the PFL forum are not convinced that will happen).  BTW through 11/25 we droppped to #237

USD 149
Drake 219
Dayton 226
Valpo 237
Campbell 239
Jacksonville 244
Marist 249
Morehead 251
Stetson 252
Davidson 254

[VULB#62]

I saw this on the PFL Fan Board with its cited source.  It is for the 2016 season, not last year. I did not verify the figures nor the respectability of the source, but I am passing it along just as interesting information.  I also added the FINAL Sagarin 2017 (January 8th) results for comparison.  Valpo, while 7th in spending, is 4th in the Sagarin ratings and cracked 230 for the first time in like...... forever.


2016 Expenses-men's teams/football   
   
Davidson   $1,868,902.00 (254)
Stetson    $1,838,277.00 (250)
San Diego   $1,328,169.00 (139)
Jacksoville   $1,303,640.00 (222)
Dayton   $1,292,135.00 (232)
Marist    $1,281,009.00 (243)
Valparaiso   $1,108,158.00 (225)
Morehead    $1,031,156.00 (247)
Drake   $1,028,182.00 (192)
Butler   $847,654.00 (227)
   
source: https://ope.ed.gov/athletics/#/

Surprising that the two worst teams in 2017 spent the most in 2016.  Six out spent VU and VU out spent three.  Butler's numbers seem out of whack though.

[JD24]

I saw this on the PFL Fan Board with its cited source.  It is for the 2016 season, not last year. I did not verify the figures nor the respectability of the source, but I am passing it along just as interesting information.  I also added the FINAL Sagarin 2017 (January 8th) results for comparison.  Valpo, while 7th in spending, is 4th in the Sagarin ratings and cracked 230 for the first time in like...... forever. 2016 Expenses-men's teams/football    Davidson   $1,868,902.00 (254) Stetson    $1,838,277.00 (250) San Diego   $1,328,169.00 (139) Jacksoville   $1,303,640.00 (222) Dayton   $1,292,135.00 (232) Marist    $1,281,009.00 (243) Valparaiso   $1,108,158.00 (225) Morehead    $1,031,156.00 (247) Drake   $1,028,182.00 (192) Butler   $847,654.00 (227) source: https://ope.ed.gov/athletics/#/ Surprising that the two worst teams in 2017 spent the most in 2016.  Six out spent VU and VU out spent three.  Butler's numbers seem out of whack though.

I don't have the wherewithal to attempt to look this up in the article but was it mentioned how the expenses broke down? What is Davidson spending that, for instance, Valpo isn't?

[justducky]

What is Davidson spending that, for instance, Valpo isn't?

Given the relative success rates of their two top programs I would guess that a significant portion of their $1,868,902 football budget has been secretly funneled over to basketball. 

[VULB#62]

What is Davidson spending that, for instance, Valpo isn't?

Given the relative success rates of their two top programs I would guess that a significant portion of their $1,868,902 football budget has been secretly funneled over to basketball. 

When I posted it, I, too, wondered about the apples and oranges of "expenses" that are considered by each school.  For instance,  one school might lump stadium maintenance into FB expenses and another might not. I believe, for instance, that Stetson rents a municipal stadium for its games, so that might account for some of their higher expense.

But accuracy of the numbers aside, if you just go with proportion, it is interest8ng that the two weakest programs seemed to have spent the most.

[JD24]

What is Davidson spending that, for instance, Valpo isn't?

Given the relative success rates of their two top programs I would guess that a significant portion of their $1,868,902 football budget has been secretly funneled over to basketball. 

When I posted it, I, too, wondered about the apples and oranges of "expenses" that are considered by each school.  For instance,  one school might lump stadium maintenance into FB expenses and another might not. I believe, for instance, that Stetson rents a municipal stadium for its games, so that might account for some of their higher expense. But accuracy of the numbers aside, if you just go with proportion, it is interest8ng that the two weakest programs seemed to have spent the most.

Travel expenses may factor in as well. Beyond Campbell, did Davidson have any bus trips? Stetson just has Jacksonville up the road a bit. I imagine air travel is more expensive.

[VULB#62]

More interesting info off the PFL board:

This comes out of Drake.

http://pflfan.proboards.com/thread/3144/winning-equal-high-attendance

Drake won seven games and finished second in the PFL last season, yet, Bulldog home attendance was 1,963 per home game last season. That's 10th out of 11 PFL teams. Worst ever for D-I football at Drake.  For a school with a winning tradition, a decent stadium and total enrollment of over 5,000 (3164 undergrads) that is causing some concern in Des Moines.

[JD24]

More interesting info off the PFL board: This comes out of Drake. http://pflfan.proboards.com/thread/3144/winning-equal-high-attendance Drake won seven games and finished second in the PFL last season, yet, Bulldog home attendance was 1,963 per home game last season. That's 10th out of 11 PFL teams. Worst ever for D-I football at Drake.  For a school with a winning tradition, a decent stadium and total enrollment of over 5,000 (3164 undergrads) that is causing some concern in Des Moines.

More interesting info off the PFL board: This comes out of Drake. http://pflfan.proboards.com/thread/3144/winning-equal-high-attendance Drake won seven games and finished second in the PFL last season, yet, Bulldog home attendance was 1,963 per home game last season. That's 10th out of 11 PFL teams. Worst ever for D-I football at Drake.  For a school with a winning tradition, a decent stadium and total enrollment of over 5,000 (3164 undergrads) that is causing some concern in Des Moines.

Only exacerbated by less than 2000 in a 15,000 capacity facility. Not a good look. Not quite the 5,000 who show up at Franklin field to converse with 40,000 empty seats but still really sticks out.

[VULB#62]

As a follow-up, here's the PFL 2017 HOME Attendance averages:

Morehead   5,887
Campbell  5,546 (Gone in 2018)
Davidson 3,353
Butler  3,235
Dayton  3,062
Valpo  2,377
Marist  2,289
Drake  2130
USD  2142
JU  2089
Stetson 1,944

Presbyterian  2,320 (Coming in, what, 2020??)

http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/Attendance/2017.pdf

Considering our overall W-L record in the past 10 years, we did surprisingly well in 2017.  Davidson, for being such a terrible program for so long, drew ~1000 more per game than us.  That is amazing.

As far as conferences go, the PFL is ranked #12 among FCS conferences with an average home attendance of 3,088.  The only conference with a lower average per home game attendance is the Northeast Conference with 2,633 (and they offer scholarships).

[vu72]

So the PFL just released their Academic Honor Roll and Valpo landed 52 guys on the list.  This is behind 5 League teams.  The interesting thing about it is the majors listed.  Butler, as an example, has 62 players listed and 17 are "undeclared".  To me, that means they are still taking intro or elective courses.  Valpo on the other hand has 52 listed with only 1 listed as undecided.
Davidson has 47 listed with 27 undeclared.

My guess is that this system of listing players with a GPA of 3.0 during a semester in just a bunch of fluff.

http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2017/1357/pioneer-football-league-names-585-student-athletes-to-2017-academic-honor-roll/

[VULB#62]

That 52 beats our 2016 mark of 41. That's pretty positive and says alot for the caliber of players we are attracting.  The write up did not say what our previous high record was, but I seem to remember our numbers were always in the 40s.   I am always puzzled about Dayton.  They always have a truck load of honor role guys (usually 60+). This year it was 71 out of a ~100 man roster.  Not too many undeclared and a lot of engineering and finance like us.

[valporun]

So the PFL just released their Academic Honor Roll and Valpo landed 52 guys on the list.  This is behind 5 League teams.  The interesting thing about it is the majors listed.  Butler, as an example, has 62 players listed and 17 are "undeclared".  To me, that means they are still taking intro or elective courses.  Valpo on the other hand has 52 listed with only 1 listed as undecided.
Davidson has 47 listed with 27 undeclared.

My guess is that this system of listing players with a GPA of 3.0 during a semester in just a bunch of fluff.

http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/archives/2017/1357/pioneer-football-league-names-585-student-athletes-to-2017-academic-honor-roll/

The "undeclareds" would have to be sophomores that were still deciding on a major, but just hadn't finalized what their academic fit was. I would say 17 isn't bad, but then if you haven't declared a major by the start of sophomore year, you may not finish out four years in four years.

[valpofb16]

Couple of Phil Steele all conference team members

1st team: 0

2nd team: RB Morgan, OL Schofield, LB Turner, LB Snouffer, K Latsonis, KR Gessinger

[usc4valpo]

I think a Pioneer title and a first round visit to Fargo would be a realistic stretch goal. I expected at least 5 wins last year and they got 6, so I am not on the brown and gold koolaid. Any thoughts?

[vu72]

I think a Pioneer title and a first round visit to Fargo would be a realistic stretch goal. I expected at least 5 wins last year and they got 6, so I am not on the brown and gold koolaid. Any thoughts?

We will need some help, but we don't play San Diego so we have a legitimate chance for a title.  We also have Drake at home.  As for a visit to Fargo in the first round, San Diego got there in the second round two years in a row!

[JD24]

Will need to go undefeated in the PFL because that is likely what San Diego will do. At that point it will be up to the tie breakers which I will spend the time looking up if it becomes anything near a reality.

[bbtds]

so I am not on the brown and gold koolaid. Any thoughts?

brown and gold koolaid sounds like a horrible drink actually.

[VUOR63]

Unfortunately, a first round visit to Fargo probably will not happen since the Bison will probably earn a first round bye.

[vu72]

I saw some pre-season mags at the grocery store recently.  I think it was Street & Smith who picked us third behind San Diego and Drake.  So we don't play San Diego and have Drake at home.  It could be an interesting year!

[VULB#62]

No s***?  Cool!