2014 Season Wrap-Up

[ml]

The level of competition in the PFL has risen significantly over the past 10 years.  The skill level of the players and of the coaches has risen.  When we reviewed recruiting, what was working and what was not working, we found that our schedule was a factor.  The PFL is classified by the NCAA as Division I, FCS.  The better recruits want to see a schedule that is more representative of that level.

I have had a number of conversations with the members of the football team over my tenure here at Valpo.  One message has been clear over the past 5 to 6 years, the players want to play the tougher schools.  They prefer having Western Illinois or North Dakota on the schedule instead of a DIII game.  They understand the chances of winning are lower against the FCS scholarship programs but many of them had aspirations of playing at one of those schools.  They want to see what that level of competition is like.

Over the course of my 10 years here my thinking on scheduling has changed.  I now firmly believe these games better prepare us for success in PFL play instead of playing DIII games.  We want to be best prepared for the 8 PFL games each year.  That is the championship we are after.

The guarantees from those games have also allowed us to do more of the things that DI programs do.  The days are now gone when the players had to buy their own workout gear.  We now stay in nice hotels instead of off brand hotels where the logistics of rest and meals were more difficult.  So far we have not had any worse injuries in a guarantee game than the other 10 on the schedule.

Is it possible a DIII school may show up on a future schedule, yes.  As of right now we don't have any scheduled in the near future, although we still need a game to complete next year's schedule.  We have future games already scheduled with Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, and Northeast Conference schools as well as a local NAIA team.  We are trying to schedule games with Ivy League schools.  We will likely schedule Midwest DII teams like St Joe's or William Jewell.         

[vu72]

Thanks ml for taking the time to respond.  Perhaps Wagner would be a good choice as they are Lutheran and the only other D1 Lutheran school. 

[78crusader]

As usual, ml comes up with an explanation that makes perfect sense.  Thanks for responding!

Paul

[VULB#62]

Thanks ml for taking the time to respond.  Perhaps Wagner would be a good choice as they are Lutheran and the only other D1 Lutheran school.

We actually had Wagner scheduled in the past two years but I understand they backed out.  I may be mistaken, but that resulted in us scheduling WJC the past two years.

[valpotx]

It's as I have always said, that our athletes WANT to play these games.  We always enjoyed playing the better baseball teams while I was in school, just like basketball enjoys playing the better basketball teams.  It isn't about winning during those games, but getting to say that you played against 'so and so,' and seeing how you do.  If any of you are connected to Stalin Ortiz or Ali Berdiel on Facebook like I am, you will notice that every so often, they post pictures of themselves playing against NBA players while at Valpo (Carmelo Anthony, Duke players, etc). 

[VUOR63]

Division I is either important to you or it is not important to you.  This shows up in scheduling as well as the level of intensity the players take their commitment to playing football.  Games against the bigger D-I FCS schools are justification to the athlete for choosing to play at Valpo over a Division III school.   

[covufan]

The level of competition in the PFL has risen significantly over the past 10 years.  The skill level of the players and of the coaches has risen.  When we reviewed recruiting, what was working and what was not working, we found that our schedule was a factor.  The PFL is classified by the NCAA as Division I, FCS.  The better recruits want to see a schedule that is more representative of that level.

I have had a number of conversations with the members of the football team over my tenure here at Valpo.  One message has been clear over the past 5 to 6 years, the players want to play the tougher schools.  They prefer having Western Illinois or North Dakota on the schedule instead of a DIII game.  They understand the chances of winning are lower against the FCS scholarship programs but many of them had aspirations of playing at one of those schools.  They want to see what that level of competition is like.

Over the course of my 10 years here my thinking on scheduling has changed.  I now firmly believe these games better prepare us for success in PFL play instead of playing DIII games.  We want to be best prepared for the 8 PFL games each year.  That is the championship we are after.

The guarantees from those games have also allowed us to do more of the things that DI programs do.  The days are now gone when the players had to buy their own workout gear.  We now stay in nice hotels instead of off brand hotels where the logistics of rest and meals were more difficult.  So far we have not had any worse injuries in a guarantee game than the other 10 on the schedule.

Is it possible a DIII school may show up on a future schedule, yes.  As of right now we don't have any scheduled in the near future, although we still need a game to complete next year's schedule.  We have future games already scheduled with Missouri Valley, Ohio Valley, and Northeast Conference schools as well as a local NAIA team.  We are trying to schedule games with Ivy League schools.  We will likely schedule Midwest DII teams like St Joe's or William Jewell.         

Thanks for this response.  You have alluded to the upgrading of the schedule to reflect the PFL and a true Division I schedule.  Former players have suggested on this board before that they really enjoyed the challenge of the guarantee games - a measuring stick of their ability and preparation.  The schedule is something that I've always looked to the players, coaches and administration for guidance on what is needed and desired.  Fans may want wins, but the players and coaches need the challenge.  Challenging oneself is part of the learning process, and I believe our student-athletes use this process in their future endeavors.   

[vu72]

Division I is either important to you or it is not important to you.  This shows up in scheduling as well as the level of intensity the players take their commitment to playing football. Games against the bigger D-I FCS schools are justification to the athlete for choosing to play at Valpo over a Division III school.   

It's more then just the schedule.  Coach C will tell you that the nature of our schedule, as much as the individual opponent, is equally as important.  A D2 and D3 teams, for the most part, play a "bus ride" schedule where they hardly leave their own state.  Valpo plays a truly national schedule with trips to Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York and California in addition to bus rides to Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa and Ohio.  That's 9 states with five airline trips.  Does Notre Dame travel more??  I doubt it.

[usc4valpo]

Also, there's value in making a trip to the great city of Des Moines.  Perhaps Valpo can also someday consider a trip to Ames to face ISU.  Seriously, the Cyclones could use a win.

[valpopal]

[tweet]555479029869203460[/tweet]

[valpochgo]

I'd like to see the PFL play the IVY League every year in a PFL/IVY Challenge similar to how the ACC/Big Ten does in basketball.  I'm sure the IVY League is stronger currently from top to bottom but it would be the fairest challenge for PFL teams overall competing against non scholarship D1 athletes.

[covufan]

I'd like to see the PFL play the IVY League every year in a PFL/IVY Challenge similar to how the ACC/Big Ten does in basketball.  I'm sure the IVY League is stronger currently from top to bottom but it would be the fairest challenge for PFL teams overall competing against non scholarship D1 athletes.

Maybe not every year and all teams, but definitely 3-4 games every few years.  I'd think that the IVY's would want to visit some areas that their alumni might be able to attend.