2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor: MIAA definitely not an equal opportunity division
intp10050@yahoo.com
Issue date: 8/28/03 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
First of all I would like to welcome back the Mule Skinner. As a non-traditional student at Pittsburg State University and a long time football fan of the Gorillas and the MIAA I frequently visit the Skinner through the football season to see "what is up" with CMSU.
A fellow fan sent me notification about the "MIAA definitely not an equal opportunity division" article and I would like to clarify a couple of things:
While the Director of Sports Information for the MIAA, Matt Newbery, IS a Pittsburg State graduate and a former assistant sports information director of the same university, I have always been under the impression that Northwest Missouri State approached Arrowhead Stadium about moving last years game there since their stadium renovation was not yet complete. As for this years "Fall Classic", I believe Arrowhead contacted Pittsburg State and considering last years turnout, jumped on it. I believe the MIAA has simply stood by and allowed the venue changes.
As for the authors comments about Central Missouri and Missouri Western being closer to Arrowhead, and Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri being much further away, this was a major factor for the change in venue. BECAUSE PSU and NWMSU are so far away from each other, it makes some sense to utilize a facility that is in somewhere in between the two so as to allow the possibility that more fans can enjoy the experience. Plus, Kansas City is home to numerous alumni of both universities and having a game of such importance closer allowed more alum to attend the game as well.
I do think that it should be noted that several Gorilla football fans are somewhat upset with this years venue change. After all, the Bearcats have deveated the Gorillas six (?) years in a row and fans would like to see PSU get every advantage possible... especially home field in "the Jungle".
In regards to the talent level at the other eight programs in the MIAA, look at PSU's record in 2002: losses to Emporia State, Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri. Each of these three teams, as well as Missouri Western and Truman State have a legitimate shot at giving the Gorillas a potential loss in the 2003 season, in my opinion. The talent level is improving at most of the programs in the MIAA, regardless of opportunities for exposure.
The D2football.com preseason poll lists four MIAA teams in the top 25, more than any other conference from what I can tell, and at least one other MIAA team should have received serious consideration. As a whole, the MIAA is becoming one of the most dominant conferences in Division II football, and by the end of the 2003 season it should prove that it is the best.
A fellow fan sent me notification about the "MIAA definitely not an equal opportunity division" article and I would like to clarify a couple of things:
While the Director of Sports Information for the MIAA, Matt Newbery, IS a Pittsburg State graduate and a former assistant sports information director of the same university, I have always been under the impression that Northwest Missouri State approached Arrowhead Stadium about moving last years game there since their stadium renovation was not yet complete. As for this years "Fall Classic", I believe Arrowhead contacted Pittsburg State and considering last years turnout, jumped on it. I believe the MIAA has simply stood by and allowed the venue changes.
As for the authors comments about Central Missouri and Missouri Western being closer to Arrowhead, and Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri being much further away, this was a major factor for the change in venue. BECAUSE PSU and NWMSU are so far away from each other, it makes some sense to utilize a facility that is in somewhere in between the two so as to allow the possibility that more fans can enjoy the experience. Plus, Kansas City is home to numerous alumni of both universities and having a game of such importance closer allowed more alum to attend the game as well.
I do think that it should be noted that several Gorilla football fans are somewhat upset with this years venue change. After all, the Bearcats have deveated the Gorillas six (?) years in a row and fans would like to see PSU get every advantage possible... especially home field in "the Jungle".
In regards to the talent level at the other eight programs in the MIAA, look at PSU's record in 2002: losses to Emporia State, Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri. Each of these three teams, as well as Missouri Western and Truman State have a legitimate shot at giving the Gorillas a potential loss in the 2003 season, in my opinion. The talent level is improving at most of the programs in the MIAA, regardless of opportunities for exposure.
The D2football.com preseason poll lists four MIAA teams in the top 25, more than any other conference from what I can tell, and at least one other MIAA team should have received serious consideration. As a whole, the MIAA is becoming one of the most dominant conferences in Division II football, and by the end of the 2003 season it should prove that it is the best.