div 2

[Andy Sharp]

Considering money doesn't grow on trees and (obviously) the league bent over backwards to have the event at such a nice venue...cash is not exactly overflowing...even in the NCAA.

I propse this question, which portion of the tourney is best suited then to reallocate (ie take away) the funds (a grand or two) to create 2nd place trophies for both A and B divisions?

I'll let you decide if there is room for reallocation. Of the $195,000 in team dues and $10,000 from Lax World last year $16,985 was spent making an MCLA marketing DVD and $6,758.15 for an MCLA commercial. Since this is a D2 thread and not one D2 team was in the video I'd expect this choir to agree that there was room for penny pinching from this $23,743.15 line item.

[Jolly Roger]

The commercials were to promote the MCLA. They do not focus on one team/confernce/division and ignore others. The fact that D2 teams don't appear is due to the availability of teams to the video crew.

That's why no teams are named. We are the MCLA. I would think that any enterprising fellas could incorporate the commercials into banquet entertainment, sponsorship & funding request proposals, recruiting materials. This is where every team benifits from those commercials.

I think D2 has to stop with the victim thing. Get some strong voices on the Board of Directors (currently there is only one D2 associated BOD member) or demand that there be a D2 Board of Directors - which, in my opinion, is the direction this should go. But that takes more people willing to invest thier time and effort - a difficult trait to find in this day and age.

[Beta]

I'll let you decide if there is room for reallocation. Of the $195,000 in team dues and $10,000 from Lax World last year $16,985 was spent making an MCLA marketing DVD and $6,758.15 for an MCLA commercial. Since this is a D2 thread and not one D2 team was in the video I'd expect this choir to agree that there was room for penny pinching from this $23,743.15 line item.

I am not the one that has a problem with anything, and I am not a decision-maker for the league...why should I monday morning QB qualified people in power? Therefore I proposed a rather simple question to someone...and it appears that you answered for someone else. If you're not on the board that makes such decisions and you don't like how things are done...guess what...try to get on that board.

Here's my soluation...the next time a D2 team backs out of the national tournament...or a team that doesn't even win their D2 conference gets to go to nationals with an AQ...or some other D2 fiasco...they can foot the bill for some not-first-place trophies.

[Zeuslax]

The commercials were to promote the MCLA. They do not focus on one team/confernce/division and ignore others. The fact that D2 teams don't appear is due to the availability of teams to the video crew.

Really? It was shot at different locations and some footage was taken from the national tournament? Everyone understands the marketing and advertising potential that the bigger schools bring to the table. The visual impact (recognition) is undeniable. The ram’s horns and "M" just to name a few. Let's not make random excuses and just say it how it is. When looking for mileage and bang for our buck you have to squeeze as much blood out of the rock as possible.

That's why no teams are named. We are the MCLA. I would think that any enterprising fellas could incorporate the commercials into banquet entertainment, sponsorship & funding request proposals, recruiting materials. This is where every team benifits from those commercials.

Agreed! See above.

I think D2 has to stop with the victim thing. Get some strong voices on the Board of Directors (currently there is only one D2 associated BOD member) or demand that there be a D2 Board of Directors - which, in my opinion, is the direction this should go. But that takes more people willing to invest thier time and effort - a difficult trait to find in this day and age.

I think many perceive a victim angle. Usually it’s a lack of information. I’m not saying that is the case with Andy’s post here or yours. However, there has always been a tilt in our league. Just like every other sport in the world though. In some cases the financial allocations need to be addressed and should be discussed. Every team in the MCLA pays the same amount of national dues. If the national tournament is where a large chunk of the money is going and the representation is not equal (regardless of why it isn’t) then the national dues may need to reflect the balance of teams. The same could be said for the conference level.

[Pinball]

Since this is a D2 thread and not one D2 team was in the video I'd expect this choir to agree that there was room for penny pinching from this $23,743.15 line item.

Voices:

:12 University of Dayton
:43 St. Johns Univeristy


Numbers:
Nothing

Faces:
nothing (D2 Kids are uglier)

--But it appears that it was filmed at 2 sites (lindenwood and BYU) by a professional cameraman, not some sluff on DV. That cost a lot of money and filming teams when they are all in one spot is a much more economical idea then sending cameramen to Collegeville, MN or Durango, CO. I cant really complain about the quality or the marketing aspect of it. No matter how I spin it the BYU "Y" or the Michigan "M" is more recognizable then the SJU cross and appeals way more to the masses and that was the point.

[Chris Larson]

Not one conference director objected to the line item when the budget was presented.

If, when this information was disseminated to their respective conferences, there were objections, those should be brought by the director to the next meeting or should have been mentioned in one of the numerous confernce calls we held this past year. I do not recall hearing of any such objections.

If the information was not disseminated to the conference membership, then you need to address this at the conference level and select a director that is going to do the job right.

[Gvlax]

Its so sad that everyone here focuses on the actual 2nd place trophy rather than getting the message that is trying to be sent. These guys pay the same amount of money as the winning team does. They play the same amount of games and go through the same thing that the winning team does. To give no recognition to the players that keep the MCLA going and give you guys stuff to bitch about on these forums no credit for a hell of a season is ridiculous. I dont care if it was t-shirts, certificate, trophy or a free trip to an all you can eat buffet. I can tell you one thing, getting no love from the MCLA was discussed by the guys in the locker room and at the hotel.

Maybe we are spoiled in the CCLA, which some of you call bush league as i heard all throughout the stands this weekend, giving the top 3 teams trophy's but at least they give credit to the guys keeping them in business. MCLA is a business, something needs to be done to give recognition where recognition is due.

The reason the guys were hoping for something is because at GVSU the sports director for varsity and non varsity sports takes our teams seriously. I received a call following the game asking about how we would give them the trophy so they can put it in the case for all students to see, when i told him we got nothing in return the first thing he asked me was how much we spend to be in the league and why they give no love to the number 2 team in the nation. Thats why i made it a big deal but obviously you guys love giving just the number 1 team a year love.

If it wasnt for my career i am now about to begin i would love to work on getting D2 bigger and more stable, but thats not an option. People need to realize that MCLA is young and teams do make mistakes. Stop using one teams mistake as example for a whole. I'm sure when the NCAA began they didnt run perfect, teams messed up along the way.

First thing that needs to be done is the MCLA needs to make it clear that D2 is either a developmental league or a league for smaller schools. Then stick to it. make the bigger schools move up already. We know what is wrong with this league but things change so slowly. I hope things change in the future because i am a big fan of the MCLA and i want to see it succeed but things need to change for that to happen.

[Matt_Gardiner]

These guys pay the same amount of money as the winning team does. They play the same amount of games and go through the same thing that the winning team does. To give no recognition to the players that keep the MCLA going .... I can tell you one thing, getting no love from the MCLA was discussed by the guys in the locker room and at the hotel.

I do not understand what the concern is. You had an exellent year. You made a great run up the polls and a great run through the National Tournament. It was a great run and the opportunity to play in those many meaningful games is the reward. I do not understand the need for a throphy, or a t-shirt, or any other award for second to let you know that you had a great year. The award and reward is the games themselves. You got a unique opportunity that about 196 other teams would kill for.

First thing that needs to be done is the MCLA needs to make it clear that D2 is either a developmental league or a league for smaller schools. Then stick to it. make the bigger schools move up already. We know what is wrong with this league but things change so slowly. I hope things change in the future because i am a big fan of the MCLA and i want to see it succeed but things need to change for that to happen.

I am not following again. This has already been done. D2 is not intended to be a developmental league. What bigger schools need to move up? I am guessing you are not concerned about Alabama. The National BOD already determined D2 is not a developmental league.

[Gvlax]

if its not a developmental league then why are schools moving up after they complete a successful year in D2?

[msum26]

after reading through the many thoughts and ideas in this thread i have come to a general thought


Why dont we just give every team a trophy!

sorry to throw that it in there but like the people before me and im sure many after will as well say


You guys had a great year, awesome games, insane record, were recognized nationally by all the D2 teams. Besides a national championship what else can you possibly want? Everyone is giving you respect(love) and all the recognition you are asking for, sorry it does not come in some physical form.

im sure ANY d2 team that did not make the tournament would gladly take your spot, lose, and feel ok that they played there best and the better team won. i would have!
Its ok to walk away 2nd best knowing you gave everything you have

just my thoughts.

can be wrong or right

[Jolly Roger]

if its not a developmental league then why are schools moving up after they complete a successful year in D2?

Because certain, established, conferences have a long standing history (predating the MCLA/MDIA/USILA) of treating D2 as developmental. Changing that opinion will take some time.

In one case, my opinion is that that school was a D1 school, it's just that our divider allowed them to linger in D2. They are now playing in what I consider to be the appropriate division.

Other conferences embrace the idea of D2 as a small school conference and make it work for their teams by support and promoting that level of the game.

[Gvlax]

Hey, we partied like we won that night because we know we came from nowhere and made it this far. I will push for D2 and for recogntion for any team who is in our shoes for years to come. This isnt about this year only, just in general. But i guess i cant make that clear on here so i am going to go work on getting that career started. HELL OF A RUN BOYS - GO LAKERS!

[bste_lax]

The award and reward is the games themselves. You got a unique opportunity that about 196 other teams would kill for.

I agree 100%. As someone who played on a team that was in Division 2 for two years before there was a national tourney for that division and two years as a Division 1 bottom-feeder, you don't understand how lucky you are you guys got to travel to Texas to participate in this tournament.

I would have loved to make the tournament at least once. Now, I just get to be Uncle Rico wishing I could toss a football over that mountain while doing web stats at one of the tables at the national tournament.

If GVSU wants, I will allow anyone to fly to LA to get their second place high-five from me.

[Gvlax]

The award and reward is the games themselves. You got a unique opportunity that about 196 other teams would kill for.

I agree 100%. As someone who played on a team that was in Division 2 for two years before there was a national tourney for that division and two years as a Division 1 bottom-feeder, you don't understand how lucky you are you guys got to travel to Texas to participate in this tournament.

I would have loved to make the tournament at least once. Now, I just get to be Uncle Rico wishing I could toss a football over that mountain while doing web stats at one of the tables at the national tournament.

If GVSU wants, I will allow anyone to fly to LA to get their second place high-five from me.

You pay and I'm there... might be moving out there for my career so i might hit you up on that. Thanks for the offer.

[Sonny]

I would have loved to make the tournament at least once. Now, I just get to be Uncle Rico wishing I could toss a football over that mountain while doing web stats at one of the tables at the national tournament.

If GVSU wants, I will allow anyone to fly to LA to get their second place high-five from me.

MattyB wins POST of the YEAR!