Football Returns at Vermont - After 33 Yrs

[TexasTerror]

Club football is always a start. Best of luck to the Catamounts. Perhaps one day, we'll see them playing some FCS!

----------------
Football returning to the University of Vermont after 33-year hiatus

July 1, 2007

By Chuck Clarino Staff Writer

BURLINGTON — Football is back at the University of Vermont.

That statement should send tremors through your mother's preserves, after more than three decades without one of America's most popular collegiate sports at UVM.

But for the first time since 1974, University of Vermont student/athletes will don the green and gold uniforms and represent the college on the gridiron.

There's somewhat of a hitch, however.

It's not Division I-A or even I-AA football. It's not NCAA football at all, but club football in the semiprofessional Northeast Independent Football League.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070701/SPORTS/707010421/1007/SPORTS

[TheValleyRaider]

Semi-Pro? That's interesting indeed...

[TexasTerror]

Semi-Pro? That's interesting indeed...

UT-Arlington does the same...

They started club football last year...

[dgreco]

this is going to make UNH fans mad, but it does look like AEC football is on the move.

[Go...gate]

Good news. This is how it all re-started at Fordham and Georgetown.

[Zoo]

Good to see Vermont back in football.

[Fresno St. Alum]

great news, I hope the AEC starts football soon.

Club teams

Ga St.
UTA
Vermont
Xavier
Marquette

who else has club football?

[UNH SUPERFAN]

This article appeared Sunday in the Rutland (Vt) Herald

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070701/SPORTS/707010421/1007/SPORTS

[AmsterBison]

From the article:


And while there have been attempts to restore the program the cost seems to be the major drawback. UVM Athletic Director Bill Corran is reported to have said that the cost could be tens of millions of dollars. UVM would be required to play a Division I-AA schedule, hire an extensive coaching staff, award scholarships and build a multi-million dollar stadium to pass NCAA muster.

Hehe, when did the FCS suddenly get so particular about who joins the club? I don't doubt that it would be expensive but they could play in a cow pasture and the NCAA wouldn't care as long as nobody blogged during a game.

As long as they could afford it, I think it'd be great if they brought back football.

[Cobblestone]

It's a start, hopefully they can eventually make it to FCS.

[MplsBison]

*engine trying to turn over rerrr rerrr rerrr*

COME ON BABY!

[WUTNDITWAA]

From the article:



Hehe, when did the FCS suddenly get so particular about who joins the club? I don't doubt that it would be expensive but they could play in a cow pasture and the NCAA wouldn't care as long as nobody blogged during a game.

As long as they could afford it, I think it'd be great if they brought back football.

That sounds like a man who doesn't want to be bothered by football.

[Go...gate]

*engine trying to turn over rerrr rerrr rerrr*

COME ON BABY!

I hope you are right and they do get the program started. :)

[danefan]

C'mon America East football!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NoCoDanny]

great news, I hope the AEC starts football soon.

Club teams

Ga St.
UTA
Vermont
Xavier
Marquette

who else has club football?

We do, but they masquerade as a varsity team unfortunately.

[bluehenbillk]

Stunned Maine Jeff hasn't jumped on the bandwagon....

[danefan]

Stunned Maine Jeff hasn't jumped on the bandwagon....

I too am waiting for his response to this.

[MplsBison]

MAPLE SYRUP AND FOOTBALL!

THAT'S WHAT VERMONT DOES!

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

That sounds like a man who doesn't want to be bothered by football.

I heard that loud and clear too. I'm still trying to figure out how so many posters are making a quantum leap from club football to a full scholly FCS squad? xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx xconfusedx

Amazingly, the introduction of club football has yet to be posted on the America East Forum and believe me there are loads of UVM posters active on that board. But of course they are grounded and realistic acknowledging that getting a new hockey and basketball arena is going to take a long time and that will happen long before full scholly football gets any consideration.

[MplsBison]

LOL!

Talk about scared to death!


This is worse than when any number of schools in North Carolina are considered by the board for football teams and the App fans scurry around in all directions trying to deny and dismiss them as fast as possible.


UNH is damned scared that UV is going to get football again.

[89Hen]

LOL!

Talk about scared to death!


This is worse than when any number of schools in North Carolina are considered by the board for football teams and the App fans scurry around in all directions trying to deny and dismiss them as fast as possible.


UNH is damned scared that UV is going to get football again.
xrolleyesx Another brilliant observation. xrolleyesx xnutsx

[MplsBison]

Maine too.


The whole maple syrup province up there.

[89Hen]

Maine too.


The whole maple syrup province up there.
Probably URI and UMass as well. Shoot, Colgate better be skeert too. xcoffeex

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

LOL!

Talk about scared to death!


This is worse than when any number of schools in North Carolina are considered by the board for football teams and the App fans scurry around in all directions trying to deny and dismiss them as fast as possible.


UNH is damned scared that UV is going to get football again.

You never to cease to amaze us with your ridiculous comments!

I'd be thrilled if UVM actually returned to full scholly football. You see, I was in school when UVM was our traditional homecoming opponent every other year. It was tremendous for the students and alumni!

UVM is a public institution with academic standards and student body demographics (heavily out of state) like UNH. If they had football, it would make UNH's life much better.

I'm sorry that you can't come to the grips of the reality of how things are in Vermont.

[Maverick]

I would seriously doubt that based on the posts of BSBison on this board that he has a grip on any reality other than the one that can best be described as "the world according to me" (with apologies to Jackie Mason).

His motto, "confuso ergo sum". I am confused therefore I am me!

(Yes, I know that is not the Latin word for confused!)

[Ivytalk]

If they'll be playing club football at first at Vermont, do they get to wear rope sandals?xconfusedx


:p

[danefan]

If they'll be playing club football at first at Vermont, do they get to wear rope sandals?xconfusedx


:p


Only if the ropes are made out of hemp.

[TheBisonator]

It would be nice to see Vermont build a new 5,000-6,000 seat stadium for $8 million or so and start up an FCS program. I think the school should start an action plan for football where they raise money and support in stages, like maybe by every $1 million dollars in donations, then a thousand season ticket deposits, etc. Maybe make the thing a 5-year plan to raise the money and support (and stadium funds). I don't think their current stadium would work. Maybe tear down and rebuild on the same site?? Anyway, I hope FCS football will start up there sooner rather than later.

[Fresno St. Alum]

mpls, is NDSU scared of Trinity Bible's football team? UVM would be on a lower level than that in club football.

I hope UVM gets some money to start a real FCS program then maybe we can have AEC football soon or later.

I want to see the other club teams like Xavier, Marquette, UTA, and Ga St. start FCS programs too.

[TheBisonator]

mpls, is NDSU scared of Trinity Bible's football team? UVM would be on a lower level than that in club football.

I hope UVM gets some money to start a real FCS program then maybe we can have AEC football soon or later.

I want to see the other club teams like Xavier, Marquette, UTA, and Ga St. start FCS programs too.

Rep points to Fresno St. Alum for knowing what Trinity Bible College is!!!xthumbsupx xthumbsupx xthumbsupx

And yes, club football is probably no bigger a level in talent than most high school football across the country.

[Fresno St. Alum]

Trinity Bible Lions play D-III football in the UMAC and is in the NCCAA for all other sports.

[UAalum72]

I don't think their current stadium would work. Maybe tear down and rebuild on the same site?? Anyway, I hope FCS football will start up there sooner rather than later.
No room for more seats at Centennial Field, unless you use part of the baseball field, which I don't think they'd want to.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=colchester+at+nash,+burlington,+vt&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.901528,59.238281&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=44.482595,-73.189496&spn=0.001864,0.003616&z=18&iwloc=addr

[MplsBison]

That stadium looks like it would work to start out with.

Put some turf down so you could practice there as well and build an end zone facility with locker rooms, meeting rooms, and coach's offices.


If you went cheap on the end zone facility, you might be talking 5 million initial cost plus operating expenses to get UV football up and running.

[PantherRob82]

Would love to see them start up, but that seems like a unlikely possibility.

[UAalum72]

Houses and a street behind one end zone, the only nearby parking behind the other, houses behind the visitors' side.

Vermont does a lot more cheese and skiing than it does football.

[Eyes of Old Main]

Good to see Vermont testing the waters.

If this Catamount team played Western Carolina's Catamount team, WCU might give Coach Briggs another extension.

[Seawolf97]

It is a start in the right direction. At least they are talking seriously about it. AE -probably not for awhile.

[ngineer]

Great to see. Lehigh played Vermont in 1972 winning 26-20. If it takes off well, we might see a new FCS in about 7-10 years...Few years club, then D-III, and then the jump if all goes well...

[Ivytalk]

Those hippie Catamounts will smoke their "Cleets.":D

[danefan]

Great to see. Lehigh played Vermont in 1972 winning 26-20. If it takes off well, we might see a new FCS in about 7-10 years...Few years club, then D-III, and then the jump if all goes well...



Could Vermont play at any other level than FCS? Is there some kind of transition period for DI schools starting "new" programs?

[Seawolf97]

Isnt Old Dominion going straight into FCS in 2009?

[ngineer]

Could Vermont play at any other level than FCS? Is there some kind of transition period for DI schools starting "new" programs?

I think FIU started immediately at the old I-AA level as an independent, though not positive. I don't think there is a required protocol, but I would be surprised if the Catamounts would be making the leap so quickly.

[Seawolf97]

They could possibly play in the NEC for a few seasons until they got up to speed. Sounds like it will a few years or more before know.

[colgate13]

A long way off - but it would be great.

[VT Wildcat Fan53]

Houses and a street behind one end zone, the only nearby parking behind the other, houses behind the visitors' side.

Vermont does a lot more cheese and skiing than it does football.

Can't argue with that. However, in 2004, UNH did beat Ga So in 1st round with 9 VT kids on the roster, 5 of them starters or with significant playing time: DBall, GPeterson, TPeterson, Muji Karim. 5 starters in 2005 with win over Colate. 4 starters & Long Snapper in 2006 with win over Hampton: DBall, TPeterson, Muji & Husain Karim + Kyle Lewis (snapper).

UNH is de facto FCS institution for VT players over the last 2 decades (with few exceptions like record setting QB Jake Eaton @ UMaine and OL Rob Reis @ Fordham).

You all might be (or not be :D )interested to know that VT has only 34 football playing high schools in the state (6 of which played 8 man ball until last year). Despite that small pool, 100+ grads are currently playing NCAA football (admittedly, the vast majority -- close to 90% -- are playing D2 or D3), ...

[Go...gate]

Any time a team plants the seed for football there is a chance it can grow. Again, the Georgetown and Fordham examples are pertinent, IMO. Maybe nothing will happen for many years - but the inertia has been broken.

[The Cats]

Good to see Vermont testing the waters.

If this Catamount team played Western Carolina's Catamount team, WCU might give Coach Briggs another extension.

That is just plain mean..........but true. xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[Keeper]

When will you guys realize that mplsbison
is a leg-pulling, eye-winking, chain-yanking goof-ball
and most of the time not serious in his comments?

Your knee-jerk responses are often funnier than his snides.

:D xsmiley_wix :p ;) :D xsmiley_wix :p ;) :D xsmiley_wix :p ;)

Wake up and smell the underwear.

[Cooper]

No room for more seats at Centennial Field, unless you use part of the baseball field, which I don't think they'd want to.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=colchester+at+nash,+burlington,+vt&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.901528,59.238281&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=44.482595,-73.189496&spn=0.001864,0.003616&z=18&iwloc=addr

UVM's Centennial Field includes both the baseball stadium (used by the Nationals' Rookie League team) and the stadium behind the left field wall where the soccer team plays. THAT would be the old football stadium.

[Cobblestone]

Those hippie Catamounts will smoke their "Cleats.":D

fixed it for you. :)

[Cobblestone]

Isnt Old Dominion going straight into FCS in 2009?


I heard that as well. I believe they will be joining the CAA.

[dbackjon]

When will you guys realize that mplsbison
is a leg-pulling, eye-winking, chain-yanking goof-ball
and most of the time not serious in his comments?

Your knee-jerk responses are often funnier than his snides.

:D xsmiley_wix :p ;) :D xsmiley_wix :p ;) :D xsmiley_wix :p ;)

Wake up and smell the underwear.


Which is why is status is best on ignore - no time for his not-funny drivel.

[89Hen]

UVM's Centennial Field includes both the baseball stadium (used by the Nationals' Rookie League team) and the stadium behind the left field wall where the soccer team plays. THAT would be the old football stadium.
And quite à propos that next to the football field is a cemetary.

[BearsCountry]

Keeping in the America East Conference have they had any thoughts of expanding to 10?

[ChooChoo]

mpls, is NDSU scared of Trinity Bible's football team? UVM would be on a lower level than that in club football.

I hope UVM gets some money to start a real FCS program then maybe we can have AEC football soon or later.

I want to see the other club teams like Xavier, Marquette, UTA, and Ga St. start FCS programs too.

Just to clarify, the Georgia State club team dissolved, mid-season, in 2005.
Our currrent football campaign is a completely new endeavor altogether.
I think its incredible what this young man has accomplished. I wish them the best of luck and that this process can ulitmately lead to the resurrection of VT's program.

[89Hen]

great news, I hope the AEC starts football soon.

Club teams

Ga St.
UTA
Vermont
Xavier
Marquette

who else has club football?
George Mason since 1993
South Alabama axed their club football last year


What this list tells you is that club football is not really a path to DI football for most.

[GeauxColonels]

Great to see. Lehigh played Vermont in 1972 winning 26-20. If it takes off well, we might see a new FCS in about 7-10 years...Few years club, then D-III, and then the jump if all goes well...
I don't think that's possible. Since they already play sports at the D-I level, their only options are FCS and FBS if they start an NCAA sanctioned football team.

[Ivytalk]

Team Name: The Aging Hippies
Team Colors: Smoke (grey, black and white)
Team Mascot: Granola
Helmet Avatar: Waterpipe
Official Car: '65 Volvo wagon
Stadium Capacity: About two kilos
Playing Surface: Grass (duh)

[Cobblestone]

Team Name: The Aging Hippies
Team Colors: Smoke (grey, black and white)
Team Mascot: Granola
Helmet Avatar: Waterpipe
Official Car: '65 Volvo wagon
Stadium Capacity: About two kilos
Playing Surface: Grass (duh)

Head Coach: Howard Dean.

http://www.blogman.net/mt2/archives/deangoesmad2.jpg

[TheValleyRaider]

Team Name: The Aging Hippies
Team Colors: Smoke (grey, black and white)
Team Mascot: Granola
Helmet Avatar: Waterpipe
Official Car: '65 Volvo wagon
Stadium Capacity: About two kilos
Playing Surface: Grass (duh)

No way, the colors are clearly more to Cherry Garcia's liking...
http://tie-dyes.com/images/T-shirt_Rainbow_Spiral_Tie-dye.jpg

xpeacex ;)

[Go...gate]

Team Name: The Aging Hippies
Team Colors: Smoke (grey, black and white)
Team Mascot: Granola
Helmet Avatar: Waterpipe
Official Car: '65 Volvo wagon
Stadium Capacity: About two kilos
Playing Surface: Grass (duh)

Yeah, but Vermont fall foliage rules. Put 'em in the Patriot League for scenic road trips!!! xnodx

[Gorilla89]

I see how this works now. You leave the US, then, get a football club.

They need to play in Canada.xthumbsupx