THE IUP Football Thread

[Tdobson]

My experience from iup was slightly different. I was the equipment manager from 99 to 2003. When I was there they had mandatory study halls for freshman football players and any others that wanted to attend. I also know they had retired faculty available to assist any football students who needed help.

I thought it was a nice set up.

[EyeoftheHawk]

The guy couldn't even walk into a classroom. You think he's really going to walk into a job? lol

Work force can mean a lot of things, LOL.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

After reading Matt's article there are clearly some question marks going into the season. I think the secondary (DB's and LB's) is great. On offense they have a full stable of RB's (as usual), a strong QB room, and receivers WR and TE look good. We have an experienced kicker and punter.

Where they really needed to make a splash was on the DL and they sort of failed in that attempt. On the OL, they lack depth, IMO. Hopefully, that group has matured and stays healthy.

One player to keep an eye on is newly-converted DL Kelechi Okoro (6'4", 300 lbs). He was moved from the OL to the DL this past Spring.

I'm hearing he's going to be a very pleasant surprise. He's a handful.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Yes, there are mandated progress checks after 2 weeks, and at midterm. There is an N grade for students who don't show, because of financial aid requirements, in addition, many faculty have built in checks to on-line assignments and things, so students are notified if their progress is behind. Advisors can also sometimes access on-line student access reports. there is really no excuse. Though sometimes this happens because of students being overwhelmed by outside demands some legitimate, some not - a big one for men is gaming.

Some of these guys just F up. Nothing else to it. Recall IUP lost Duane Brown for a full season early in his career for the same reason. It served as his major wake-up call. We know how his story ended -- as one of the better players in program history and a graduate.

Unfortunately, such happy endings are fairly rare. These guys are usually never seen again.

I'd love to see Cole Weightman get his academic affairs in order and return. But, that's up to him.


This isn't the old days at IUP. Driscoll doesn't take the same crap they did in the Frank era.

That said, just show up to freaking class. Show up and you'll get at least all C's.

[IUPalum]

What’s laughable about that?

The guy couldn't even walk into a classroom. You think he's really going to walk into a job? lol

[Fightingscot82]

Yes, there are mandated progress checks after 2 weeks, and at midterm. There is an N grade for students who don't show, because of financial aid requirements, in addition, many faculty have built in checks to on-line assignments and things, so students are notified if their progress is behind. Advisors can also sometimes access on-line student access reports. there is really no excuse. Though sometimes this happens because of students being overwhelmed by outside demands some legitimate, some not - a big one for men is gaming.

Great points. Appreciate your perspective as someone else on here who understands higher ed. It takes many, many small decisions to be deliberately indifferent to fail. And this is an era of crazy grade inflation.

Also let's not forget the burden of time demands of being a football player (even at D2) far surpasses anything with the exception of being a single parent working their way through school. I always kind of laugh when schools say first semester freshmen can't join a fraternity or sorority so they can get acclimated and don't jump into something so time consuming their first semester. Some schools go as far to say they can't their entire first year. But boy oh boy if that first semester freshman is a stud football recruit, that first semester they're doing all football, all the time. In college there are mandatory practices, team meetings, position meetings, game film review, workouts, athletic trainer check-ins, team study tables - and that doesn't include travel. The NCAA says students can't spend more than 20 hours a week on mandatory football activities during the season and 8 hours a week during the off season, but that doesn't include "strongly encouraged" activities (easily interpreted as mandatory by overzealous assistants and grad assistants) that some students think makes a difference in them starting or getting regular playing time. Now that most schools have summer classes moved online, the only students still around campus in the summer are athletes doing those "strongly encouraged" workouts in hopes of earning more playing time.

Remember in high school, football is limited to an after school activity. You school from 7:30 to 2:30 then football until dark. College isn't structured like that so its a huge trap for the less disciplined students, football or not.

[ironmaniup]

Usually 2 or 3 semesters below a 2.0 GPA. Usually that means not going to class. But you're right, there are so many people who monitor this stuff it's hard to blame anyone else. He most likely was mandated to attend study halls after the first bad semester and meet with some sort of academic coach. Unfortunately it happens often.

Yes, there are mandated progress checks after 2 weeks, and at midterm. There is an N grade for students who don't show, because of financial aid requirements, in addition, many faculty have built in checks to on-line assignments and things, so students are notified if their progress is behind. Advisors can also sometimes access on-line student access reports. there is really no excuse. Though sometimes this happens because of students being overwhelmed by outside demands some legitimate, some not - a big one for men is gaming.

[Fightingscot82]

How in the world does a potential star player flunk out? Good Lord. This isn't Yale. About the only way you could possibly flunk out of freaking IUP right now is by simply not attending class.

Does the program no longer receive grade updates/attendance throughout the semester? I fully get it's ultimately on the player but obviously some need a little extra assistance/motivation.

It will be interesting where he lands. I can already make an educated guess.

Usually 2 or 3 semesters below a 2.0 GPA. Usually that means not going to class. But you're right, there are so many people who monitor this stuff it's hard to blame anyone else. He most likely was mandated to attend study halls after the first bad semester and meet with some sort of academic coach. Unfortunately it happens often.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Joined the work force? That's laughable!!!

What’s laughable about that?

[IUPalum]

Not everyone is “college material” is the simplest way to put it. I don’t think he’ll turn up anywhere and I suspect he’s already joined the workforce. In all likelihood he played his last down of football at IUP last fall.

Joined the work force? That's laughable!!!

[iupgroundhog]

Speaking of WRs, didn't they add another transfer from Colorado Mesa this past Spring? I don't see him on the roster.

They have some burners but very little size beyond Ridley. With two already lost for the season I wonder if this is a spot they are still shopping.

Good point. I think they will rely on Ridley heavily. Cyair Clark showed a lot of potential last year. There is Isaiah Houser and Deabner is reliable in his 5th year. Randy Washington is listed as a RB. Washington, Monaco, and Adam Houser could provide a lot of versatility and be used as a flanker-type. There are a lot of weapons there. You are right. None of those guys are big.

[Ship69]

After reading Matt's article there are clearly some question marks going into the season. I think the secondary (DB's and LB's) is great. On offense they have a full stable of RB's (as usual), a strong QB room, and receivers WR and TE look good. We have an experienced kicker and punter.

Where they really needed to make a splash was on the DL and they sort of failed in that attempt. On the OL, they lack depth, IMO. Hopefully, that group has matured and stays healthy.

How great to have someone actually writing articles about your team.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

After reading Matt's article there are clearly some question marks going into the season. I think the secondary (DB's and LB's) is great. On offense they have a full stable of RB's (as usual), a strong QB room, and receivers WR and TE look good. We have an experienced kicker and punter.

Where they really needed to make a splash was on the DL and they sort of failed in that attempt. On the OL, they lack depth, IMO. Hopefully, that group has matured and stays healthy.

Speaking of WRs, didn't they add another transfer from Colorado Mesa this past Spring? I don't see him on the roster.

They have some burners but very little size beyond Ridley. With two already lost for the season I wonder if this is a spot they are still shopping.

[iupgroundhog]

After reading Matt's article there are clearly some question marks going into the season. I think the secondary (DB's and LB's) is great. On offense they have a full stable of RB's (as usual), a strong QB room, and receivers WR and TE look good. We have an experienced kicker and punter.

Where they really needed to make a splash was on the DL and they sort of failed in that attempt. On the OL, they lack depth, IMO. Hopefully, that group has matured and stays healthy.

[iupgroundhog]

Not everyone is “college material” is the simplest way to put it. I don’t think he’ll turn up anywhere and I suspect he’s already joined the workforce. In all likelihood he played his last down of football at IUP last fall.

You are probably right. He did play well for IUP and was all-conference. I think for him to move on and rejuvenate his football career he has some obstacles - one being his size and another being out of football for at least a year. (one would think).