homer
Elon Only
Posts: 583
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Post by homer on Feb 5, 2015 13:59:50 GMT -5
I think Mr. Darby is right. If you can't secure your own backyard, it's nearly impossible to invade someone else's. I do think that can come in a year or two.
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Post by fc4life on Feb 5, 2015 14:56:28 GMT -5
To expand on my point about regions. There are 13 peer (FCS) schools in NC and SC. I'm throwing App and UNCC in there. Not to mention that EVERY MAC school recruits the SE. It is harder, much harder for Elon to stand out in that crowd. Don't get me wrong, staying close to home should always be a priority. However, I believe that it's important to go to the Northeast and the DC/MD/VA area. There is far less competiton for kids and our brand and campus really stand out amongst our competition. Take a look at the rosters of our league. Lots of NE kids. Look at our student body, it leans to the NE. We have a great reputation in that direction.
I'm looking forward to seeing how these kids pan out. I always wait, especially at our level to see how kids progress.
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Post by Allen Darby on Feb 5, 2015 15:12:59 GMT -5
There is a good reason so many schools recruit in the SE....because its loaded with Talent!
Elon has a very good reputation as a school. I think it can compete just fine with most schools in the FCS (although App and UNCC are no longer FCS as you know). If North Dakota can win, Elon can win.....if Coastal Carolina can win...Elon can win.
Distance is a huge factor in recruiting. Parents want to see their kids play....I think schools like UNCC trying to recruit in the NE (which they are)--is much harder than trying to lock up NC. I know Trevor was committed to Towson at one point and distance ultimately killed that one.
I have personally visited just about every college in the CAA (except for the very NE....I can tell you Elon has very comparable facilities. Not the best, but they wont loose a recruit over facilities. The campus, the location, quality of education--is all there to be very competitive.
To me the biggest negative I have witnessed is the game day experience...Elon's crowds (fans) are quite a bit behind what we saw elsewhere...that to me is where winning will make the biggest difference. I have very little reservation in believing Skrosky is going to win--I have seen his extremely detailed plan, which literally has the kids schedule busy just about every hour of every day the entire year....its a process that needs to be embraced--
Its going to take another year or so to get the kids he wants, have them in the weight room and program for a while before you see it on the field. But I do believe its coming.
From a recruiting perspective, they are light years as a staff from the previous group....its frankly not even close. I think that will translate onto the field soon enough. And as you solidify your recruiting base in NC & SC...then of course begin expanding into other areas....but NEVER leave your base.
Ask the Miami Hurricanes how that strategy as worked out for them....
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Post by Allen Darby on Feb 5, 2015 15:19:33 GMT -5
Also--
There are actually MORE FCS schools in the areas you mention...DC/MD/VA.... William & Mary, JMU, Towson, Old Dominion (FBS), Richmond--just to name a few.
They recruit those areas HARD...
They are all trying to come HERE....right where Elon sits. So in that perspective, we are in the ideal location.
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Post by Allen Darby on Feb 5, 2015 15:20:26 GMT -5
Also--
There are actually MORE FCS schools in the areas you mention...DC/MD/VA.... William & Mary, JMU, Towson, Old Dominion (FBS), Richmond--just to name a few.
They recruit those areas HARD...
They are all trying to come HERE....right where Elon sits. So in that perspective, we are in the ideal location.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2015 15:44:42 GMT -5
Very good points AD. To your point about facilities, as soon as I found out we were going to the CAA I took an internet look at some of our peer institutions' facilities. In football, Elon is definitely in the top half in the facilities of the CAA. Interestingly enough, some of the top football programs have the worst facilities. UNH, Villanova and William & Mary are on the low end with JMU on the high end. Elon and Richmond are very similar, although I give the edge to Elon between those two for the radiused stands. Our facilities will be a non issue for some time.
So, we have top notch academics, one of the prettiest college campuses on the planet, top notch football facilities and now a top notch FCS coaching staff. When the wins start coming, I believe the noisy crowds will follow. I wholly admit to being biased in Elon's favor, so take this statement for what it's worth.
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Post by fc4life on Feb 5, 2015 16:00:28 GMT -5
First off, I wish your son and the team nothing but the best. I think he made a great choice in attending. I wore an Elon jersey and I love the school and they have all my support.
However, we'll see how the strategy pays off. There are way more diamonds in the rough to the North. Those areas are not recruited nearly as hard as the SE. Ignoring, NY, NJ, Conn, Mass. is not a good move. Your note about the Va/MD programs backs that up.
Trust me, I'm not even from the NE. I'm southern. However, I have been a part of FCS football for nearly 25 years. Long before Elon made the move. I've studied it for a long time.
I have total faith in the staff. They are exactly what we needed.
My desire is we draw a 5hr circle around Elon. That is our base. Then hit NE hard. Along with looking elsewhere.
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Post by Allen Darby on Feb 5, 2015 16:51:45 GMT -5
Amen.
Looking forward to the journey here!
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Post by whoanellie on Feb 5, 2015 20:14:09 GMT -5
recruiting is cyclical and right now our focus is two fold: #1: to get a solid base in local talent and develop strong relationships with the high school coaches #2 oh that was two, the other point is We have to build a local audience and game day experience that Greek life & the whole student body will get behind and get more than parents to our home games. Frankly it is an embarrassment, when Maine out draws us in our last home game. Everyone has to step it up.
Back in the Day We recruited well in Virginia. We will do well wherever We focus our efforts. Next We have to develop our players that We do have. Keep 'em healthy and hungry
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Post by whoanellie on Feb 5, 2015 20:27:09 GMT -5
His rehab is going great--- way better than we expected. He's gaining his weight back now and I think will be good to go in June Thanks for asking Ain't it great that young kids heal faster than us old farts , I had a frozen shoulder 3 years ago and my PT saved me. Elon has an excellent medical staff. I am glad our Strength & Conditioning group has stabilized. Hard to keep good people. On another note: You went to Wingate so you might have play Elon College in the past, quite a difference, right?
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Post by elonforever on Feb 5, 2015 20:43:17 GMT -5
Signing day is great for optimism. Hope everyone still feels great in November when we're looking at another 2-9 year. This coach is nice and fuzzy on the outside but he will not lead Elon to any championships. Write it down and remember I told you first.
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Post by whoanellie on Feb 6, 2015 0:18:47 GMT -5
Signing day is great for optimism. Hope everyone still feels great in November when we're looking at another 2-9 year. This coach is nice and fuzzy on the outside but he will not lead Elon to any championships. Write it down and remember I told you first. Okay Mr Glass half empty.... if We were having a few adult beverages and you made your latest glib comment I would have to...... wait here are the rules of this board.... " Rules: Anyone caught in excessive slander or trash talk will be warned. Vulgarity will not be accepted. Any two parties caught in a personal argument that exceeds the content of the original post will be asked to move to another topic. Any poster that continually tries to start an argument through excessive slander or attacks on poster(s) is prohibited. If problems consist after a warning has been issued, you can be banned for a few days or weeks. If problems continue after your probation you could be banned permanently from this site. ElonFirefighter is the sole owner of this site and has the final decision on banning and warning members. Please be courteous in all conversations. If you have any questions about the above rules contact ElonFirefighter via PM or at elonsports@gmail.com Read more: elonphans.proboards.com/post/24984/quote/3309?page=3#ixzz3QwHOAMUp" "DORK"
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2015 8:10:04 GMT -5
Signing day is great for optimism. Hope everyone still feels great in November when we're looking at another 2-9 year. This coach is nice and fuzzy on the outside but he will not lead Elon to any championships. Write it down and remember I told you first. Every post you have made is negative. With one exception, all are in some way directed against Skrosky or his staff. Frankly, I have no problem with with complaints and negative opinions on this board, that, to a certain degree is what it's for. So it is in that spirit that I have made an observation that you are either part of the former Swepson staff, a former player who was asked by Skrosky not to return, or at least someone who was formerly associated with the program who, in your mind, was wronged by Skrosky or Lembo in some way. Whatever your reasoning, my opinion is that you're wrong and time will prove it. Whatever happens, get used to seeing Skrosky for at least 4 more years, because unless he gets caught in some serious shenanigans, he will be given a wide berth in his attempt to turn around what was the Swepson Titanic.
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