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For those of you who are not members of the Lafayette Alumni of the Lehigh Valley Chapter and who do not receive their newsletter, here is the information for this year's Football Forum with Frank Tavani.
Date: Tuesday, August 11
Time: 7:00pm
Place: Pfenning Alumni Center
Fee: $20, includes picnic style hot dinner
Contact: Ralph Doederlein '55 (610) 253-3775
carney2
Take detailed notes - and share. I won't be there.
TheRock90
They spent the first half of the meeting presenting some kind of an award to a guy named Buzz Snider. I guess he's a photographer, he was taking pictures during the presentation. Then they brought some other people up, named a bunch of dead people, and then Tavani.
He said the team would be good, especially the defense and the kicking game. He named the starters and key backups, introduced the coaches, etc. No scholarship until 2010 at the earliest. Wants to recruit 26 guys this year.
Showed film of the recruits.
Xboreturns
To expand on the above, in no particular order:
When questioned about this years number of recruits, Tavani said the budget is tight but its "not the numbers, its the quality". He will be looking to bring in 26 this year.
Both he and the AD seemed confident that the league presidents realize that they have to go scholarship. He expects the plan to be 15 a year and roster size to be in the 80-85 range.
On this years team: a lot of good RBs, good starters in OL, need to develop backups, talented WRs, kicking game is "positive", defense will be a point of emphasis, Curley has "re-established himself" at QB, Quilling and O'Neil battling for backup, Shupp a "talented freshman". O-line depth a concern.
Other stuff: Andy Romans an assistant at Muhlenberg. Matt Ferber returned to team after considering a transfer to Penn to wrestle.
Lafalum
Xboreturns wrote:
Both he and the AD seemed confident that the league presidents realize that they have to go scholarship. He expects the plan to be 15 a year and roster size to be in the 80-85 range.
Unlike the scholarship debate several years ago it looks like Bruce is trying to be an advocate. That's progress!!!
Andy
Yes, what we already knew/feared; its all about the money.
BTW, I heard a bit differently from you and 90. Coach said "look for 20, at least" beacause we graduate 26. "The days of 30-35 recruits are over." The kids announced late were mainly low need walk-ons. Kajmo has promise but will prob redshirt due to knee injury/surgery. He also said the roster last year at 104 was too big and led to problems not experienced before.
Tandy (a WR the coaches liked) left for more money from Cornell. The slot back receiver signed late is a "speed kid like Stripe" signed to replace Tandy.
Barkett--Coach thinks he's a good player but did not pursue him because it would have been too expensive. "Would have disrupted the rest of the class." (remember last year we couldnt make a competitive offer for Eachus) He has not gotten a thank you from Lehigh "for delivering him to their door." Likes "the beef" he got from Schuykill Haven.
Scholarships--"there are glitches" in the ongoing process, league wide not specifically LC, its not going smoothly. I didnt come away optimistic. He doesnt think Fordham will hang around for long given the circumstances--cant compete for auto bid, no all-league recognition, etc. but their options are limited.
DTs in this class--Protin "a tackle who can run", likened him to Dell who came in as a 230 lb HS LB and just weighed in at 290. Lyster "very physical", Marshalek "athletic, former bball player".
Loves the athleticism of Kyni, Safford and the two safeties.
Loves Shoop's arm. Likes the RBs, "add to the stable."
Costanzo--coach had a voice mail from Blake. This is the toughest camp he's been in. He has to prove himself all over again. Coach said the fact that Mangini plays a 3-4 could help Blake's chances. Making the roster would vest him in the NFL plan.
Eck is now 273lbs. There will be a corrected roster.
The kids worked hard over the summer.
KenZ
Xboreturns wrote:
Both he and the AD seemed confident that the league presidents realize that they have to go scholarship. He expects the plan to be 15 a year and roster size to be in the 80-85 range.
Andy wrote:
Scholarships--"there are glitches" in the ongoing process, league wide not specifically LC, its not going smoothly. I didnt come away optimistic. He doesnt think Fordham will hang around for long given the circumstances--cant compete for auto bid, no all-league recognition, etc. but their options are limited.
were you at the same meeting? i could understand the difference in the number of planned recruits based on Andy's recollection of the quote, but these interpreations re schollys don't sync up at all.
Andy, did you hear the quote XBO provided, but simply got demoralized by a subsequent reference to 'ongoing issues'?
Andy
ken, i cant account for the difference in what we heard except that X is a little older (!) and was sitting a bit further away.
A direct quote closing the discussion on scholarships: "I hope to have them by the time I retire." Frank is not leaving anytime soon as far as we know.
Coach had gone over the pros: better SAs, expansion possibilities, smaller rosters, etc. The Presidents may well be convinced of the need for and benefits of scholarships, I gather paying for them is another story. Again, "there are glitches." Sorry for the negative report.
Coach did in fact say that if approved, one way scholarships might be implemented was 15 per year up to 60 (as X mentioned). That is being discussed and is how Fordham is doing it, according to Coach T.
Speaking to X after the function, he said he was relieved by what he heard. I was surprised by that and said the information, discussion, and even the jokes of the evening reinforced that this is a cash strapped program. X, is a good friend and very in the know, I feel uncomfortable being in disagreement w/ him. Just stating what I heard..
Those of us who derive so much pleasure from the efforts of these kids and staff need to take our giving up a notch. Unfortunately, one feels like we're enabling stuff like diversity deans, static or shrinking student enrollment, severe cuts in an already insufficient athletic budget, an apparent questionable if not reckless investment strategy, and other administration policies.
Xboreturns
Andy, as I mentioned to you on the way out of the event, I was more confident that scholarships will happen in the near future. Before the event, I was thinking we are 8-10 years away based on current economic conditions.
Based on Franks comments regading a question about how his outlook on scholarships has changed from last year, when he was very optomistic, he responded with a number of positives, such as reduced rosters, better students, attracting new schools to the conference, etc. The, Bruce jumped in and said something to the effect that the ADs and Presidents had a joint meeting and that everyone realized that they had to go this route.
Another question was asked of Bruce regarding how the schools would implement the policy and if Lafayette would go the same route they did in basketball by delaying the decision. He responded that he didn't think that would happen. I took these responses as a positive and was surprised when you didn't.
I thought they would just go with the we can't afford it line. In 17 months, we'll know.
Maybe Rock can post his impressions.
Andy
Xboreturns wrote:
Andy, as I mentioned to you on the way out of the event, I was more confident that scholarships will happen in the near future. Before the event, I was thinking we are 8-10 years away based on current economic conditions.
Based on Franks comments regading a question about how his outlook on scholarships has changed from last year, when he was very optomistic, he responded with a number of positives, such as reduced rosters, better students, attracting new schools to the conference, etc. The, Bruce jumped in and said something to the effect that the ADs and Presidents had a joint meeting and that everyone realized that they had to go this route.
Another question was asked of Bruce regarding how the schools would implement the policy and if Lafayette would go the same route they did in basketball by delaying the decision. He responded that he didn't think that would happen. I took these responses as a positive and was surprised when you didn't.
I thought they would just go with the we can't afford it line. In 17 months, we'll know.
Maybe Rock can post his impressions.
X, we're talking about two different things here. On the way out when you expressed your optimism I thought you meant regarding the program as a whole not on the scholarship question. No wonder I was confused. I was still focused on the obvious reference to the underfunding of the program.
Your optimism stemming from Bruce's comments actually buoys me (on the scholarship issue) because admittedly I didnt hear him. I know exactly the point where Bruce spoke. Frank had gone into a fake heart attack routine at the suggestion (part of the question you were referring to) of the possibility of LC going 8 yrs w/out scholarships (after their hypothetical approval) as in bball. I didnt switch focus enough to hear Bruce's low key delivery.
What you heard him say sounds great, but i still dont think Frank shared his optimism. Do u recall his comment about "glitches"? Anyway, enough on this. I'll private message you if I have any further.
RichH
Andy,
Another way to look at your smaller recruit class is Tavani besides facing a cash crunch now is also saving slots for merit aid in the near future.
cr
As we all know it is quality that counts. It just puts more pressure on to get the RIGHT guys!
Andy
cr wrote:
As we all know it is quality that counts. It just puts more pressure on to get the RIGHT guys!
Easy for you to say with 31 on signing day.
Having to make asset allocation decisions at the 17 recruit level that necessitate leaving kids like Eachus and Barkett out of the mix is a little ridiculous, frustrating and sad.
The smaller budget, smaller classes, and things like bye weeks first week of the season have Coach T trying to win a championship with one hand tied behind his back IMO. (I know we can count on your and rich's sympathies )
Give Tavani a supportive administration and a $4 million budget every year and lets see how things go.
That's not gonna happen so I'll settle for the parity that should come from each of us granting 15 freebies.
RichH
From your mouth to God's ear as we Irish say. Or perhaps to the Presidents' . Still find it hard to understand how LC got so far behind the $$ eight-ball. Lu has lower roster this year and last but mostly due to Coen's 1st very small class. LU seems to be tracking a bit less yrly than in the past but not so drastic as LC. Even with 15 a yr ramp up , I still think rosters will run in the upper 90s. Not the 104 to 113 that we carried during Higgins_Lembo era, but not 80-85 either. At that level no JV teams.
It does seem from your Football Forum that we might actually get merit aid this century, maybe even this decade
carney2
I miss one of these things and Andy/Xbo give us chaos. You'd think that a Lafayette education would at the very least qualify these guys with some secretarial skills.
Pard94
carney2 wrote:
I miss one of these things and Andy/Xbo give us chaos. You'd think that a Lafayette education would at the very least qualify these guys with some secretarial skills.
Nah...Lehigh has a much better secretarial program.
Andy
carney2 wrote:
I miss one of these things and Andy/Xbo give us chaos. You'd think that a Lafayette education would at the very least qualify these guys with some secretarial skills.
What can I say--guilty. I zoned out and missed Bruce's comment, but I assure you Frank did not express optimism on the issue.
You know, the guys do a nice job with this function, but is an urn of coffee too much to ask? Some caffeine to keep an old guy on his game...
RichH
Pard94 wrote:
carney2 wrote:
I miss one of these things and Andy/Xbo give us chaos. You'd think that a Lafayette education would at the very least qualify these guys with some secretarial skills.
Nah...Lehigh has a much better secretarial program.
great line.
cr
I agree Andy, it is easier with 31 than 20. I am with Rich to understand how the pards got behind financellay so quickly. Hopefully if we get to merit it will be a level playing field and recruits will pick Colgate for its obvious merits.
TheTruth
When you lose 30% of your endowment and have a $12 million dollar budget shortfall, budgets get cut.
Andy
cr wrote:
I agree Andy, it is easier with 31 than 20. I am with Rich to understand how the pards got behind financellay so quickly. Hopefully if we get to merit it will be a level playing field and recruits will pick Colgate for its obvious merits.
I guess you guys employ a more prescient investment strategy. Lafalum says we only pay our guy half a mil to handle the account.
Lafalum
Andy wrote:
I guess you guys employ a more prescient investment strategy. Lafalum says we only pay our guy half a mil to handle the account.
Yea and that doesn't include the 2 pct upfront fee for the priviledge of owning our 250 mio plus of "alternative investments and 20% of any gain, which doesn't get paid back if it goes down which it did. So you can add 5-6 mio for the guy, 5 mio for in entrance fee and about 25 mio for the gains that went away!! wow...35 mio in endwoment out the window that would have easily paid for scholarships. I would bet that we are going to see a permanent reduction in squad size, even if Frank get his 27 we are still at 85 or so recruits. If we go schollies they will scaled in...15 a year maybe??
carney2
TheRock90 wrote:
They spent the first half of the meeting presenting some kind of an award to a guy named Buzz Snider. I guess he's a photographer, he was taking pictures during the presentation.
It won't affect the 2009 W/L record, but just to set the record straight, Chas M. Snyder, '78 (and I do believe his name is Chas, not Charles) was the award recipient that you refer to, 90. I believe that he was presented with the Danny Hatch Award which is named after a former Lafayette professor and recognizes service to the College. Mr. Snyder has been a tireless worker for the Alumni Association and the Lehigh Valley Chapter for as long as I can remember. He is not, to the best of my knowledge, a photographer, but is, I believe, an engineer by training.
TheRock90
Well, I wasn't following the team then. Looked like he was a lineman or maybe a linbacker. Still has the mean look.
Kiltedpard
TheRock90 wrote:
Well, I wasn't following the team then. Looked like he was a lineman or maybe a linbacker. Still has the mean look.
Chas '78 may have the mean look, but, he never played football. He's also very involved with FOL Bball.
)
. Still find it hard to understand how LC got so far behind the $$ eight-ball. Lu has lower roster this year and last but mostly due to Coen's 1st very small class. LU seems to be tracking a bit less yrly than in the past but not so drastic as LC. Even with 15 a yr ramp up , I still think rosters will run in the upper 90s. Not the 104 to 113 that we carried during Higgins_Lembo era, but not 80-85 either. At that level no JV teams.
