Of course this is old news to us, but Monmouth points out the importance and excitment in the NEC for the AQ. This does provide a little insight into the process and what the NEC had to overcome.
"Having an opportunity to play for a postseason berth is something that players in our program have looked forward to for a long time," said MU Head Coach Kevin Callahan. "Having it become a reality excites everyone involved in our program, past and present. It also plays an important part in recruiting, for years schools were able to hold against us the fact that we couldn't advance to postseason play. This evens the playing field in that aspect of recruiting."
...
Due to the tireless efforts of key members of the NEC office and member institutions, including former Commissioner Brenda Weare and Callahan, the champion of the league will gain automatic access to the newly expanded NCAA FCS playoff bracket.
Weare, who passed away in June of 2009, compiled numerous seasons' worth of data which included NEC team records against similar teams that play in conferences with automatic bids. Callahan believes the 2005 and 2006 seasons, which saw marquee wins by NEC teams over former FCS playoff participants Colgate, Fordham, Lehigh, Georgia Southern and Delaware, were instrumental in swaying the NCAA Championship Committee's decision.
"Brenda was outstanding in her preparation and presentation of the facts on why the NEC deserved a bid," said Callahan. "She was diligent and relentless in her approach to the NCAA and coaches committee and slowly over time won them both over. Everyone in this conference owes her a tremendous amount of gratitude."
...
Before long Callahan and other NEC coaches and administrators began to push the idea of playoff access for the league. The league applied formally to the NCAA Championships Committee for an automatic bid five separate times, but those applications were denied, most recently after the 2006 season. In addition to the feeling that the NEC teams could not compete with traditional playoff teams (contrary to Weare's statistical data from the 2005 & 2006 seasons), there were a number of other obstacles to overcome.
...
"Being included in the FCS playoff is a significant step forward for NEC football," said MU Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Marilyn McNeil. "Having the opportunity for a promised post season experience is a goal for all of our programs. It meets our aspirations of providing our student-athletes the maximum opportunity to compete at the highest level. Our football student-athletes work as hard as our basketball or baseball student-athletes and now have the same dream of competing at the next level that those athletes have always had."
Also, as I posted before, according to Asbury Park Press reporter Tony Grahm the NEC runner-up will play the Pioneer champion (assuming they don't get an at-large) in the Gridiron Classic.
As I understand it the NEC runnerup will play in the Gridiron Classic vs. the Pioneer League champion…
aceinthehole wrote:Also, as I posted before, according to Asbury Park Press reporter Tony Grahm the NEC runner-up will play the Pioneer champion (assuming they don't get an at-large) in the Gridiron Classic.
As I understand it the NEC runnerup will play in the Gridiron Classic vs. the Pioneer League champion…
Highly unlikely. The NEC champion was not successful in the Gridiron Classic. Playing the second place team would be a huge waste of time and money. Good ole Tony got this one wrong by a mile. The PFL will sit tight until we obtain our own bid to the FCS playoffs. Hopefully sooner rather than later. AND, if we receive one, Brenda Weare will also be to thank for breaking through the powers the be in the NCAA. I got to meet her briefly when Albany came to Dayton for the second GIC. She was already ill and watched the game from the UD Arena, (a spot overlooking Welcome Stadium that is indoors). Sharp administrator. The NEC was very fortunate to have her.
I agree with DetroitFlyer...2nd place NEC is not to going to play the PFL nor should the PFL wait for a 2nd place team to play an extra game.
I think the PFL is a few years away from the automatic bid but I think its coming. The PFL has as whole has really stepped up its OOC schedule.
aceinthehole wrote:Also, as I posted before, according to Asbury Park Press reporter Tony Grahm the NEC runner-up will play the Pioneer champion (assuming they don't get an at-large) in the Gridiron Classic.
Highly unlikely. The NEC champion was not successful in the Gridiron Classic. Playing the second place team would be a huge waste of time and money. Good ole Tony got this one wrong by a mile. The PFL will sit tight until we obtain our own bid to the FCS playoffs. Hopefully sooner rather than later. AND, if we receive one, Brenda Weare will also be to thank for breaking through the powers the be in the NCAA. I got to meet her briefly when Albany came to Dayton for the second GIC. She was already ill and watched the game from the UD Arena, (a spot overlooking Welcome Stadium that is indoors). Sharp administrator. The NEC was very fortunate to have her.
I'm not so sure that you can say that Tony got it wrong. Its his understanding, which is likely coming from someone inside the NEC office.
With that being said, I agree that its stupid on the part of the PFL to play this game. The NEC gets the seniors on its 2nd place team another game which isn't a terrible idea. But should be arguing for nothing less than what the champion of the NEC gets - an AQ.
