MBB Transition Update

Just an update to see what has been going on with the other 11 teams in transition since the BearBackers meeting in late January. The table is sorted by how many years into the transition process the teams are.

* – This is the number of opponents played that are not in Division I.

It was time

So, we’ve had some pretty old stuff out there for a while now. What that meant is that we had become easily hackable – which most of you had found out through your virus protection.

We decided that we’d had enough, decided on WordPress and updated the message board. Obviously things look a lot different. There’s still quite a bit of stuff we need to finish. But, we’ve been putting off a “redesign” for a year or two, so we decided to go with an incremental approach and get started instead of trying to do everything all at once, getting delay and putting it off for another year or two.

There you have it. Here’s the new site. Don’t get too attached to anything because it could all change in the next few weeks.

UCA Advances to Final Year of Transition

We all assumed that the transition to full-FCS status was continuing on without any real problem, and the university confirmed it today. What I didn’t know – and what I believe had been discussed on the message board as not happening – is that baseball and women’s soccer are still being fast-tracked and will be eligible for postseason play.

The announcement confirms that UCA is just one year removed from "full Division I membership for the 2010-11 school year."

Former Players Updated (again)

UPDATE: Jasper is no longer in Winnipeg. “The Bombers have only four players left on their practice roster after linebacker Jasper Johnson decided to go home earlier this week…”

• Jasper Johnson is now on the Winnipeg practice squad. I think I read somewhere that practice squad players get paid $500/wk.
• Jimmy at MusicCityMiracles.com had lunch with Jacob Ford for a Q&A session. He now has named Jacob “the Official Favorite Player of MCM.”
• Christina Lecuyer faltered down the stretch, shot one over on the tournament and finished third in the Texas Women’s Open.

  Tied with Lecuyer, [tournament winner Katy Jarochowicz] took a one-shot lead on the par-3 17th, hitting 15 feet short of the hole. She made a two-putt par and then Lecuyer three-putted from about 30 feet.
  On the final hole, Jarochowicz hit safely on, about 20 feet away. Lecuyer landed about 30 feet behind the pin and then missed her birdie putt from the fringe. Jarochowicz sealed the win with a 4-footer for par.

• Marquez Branson and Jeb Putzier, considered the fourth and fifth tight ends in a group of talented TEs, were cut by the Broncos. Marquez though was signed to the practice squad – sounds similar to the Landon Trusty in Denver story. The Broncos official Web site doesn’t list any of this in their transactions.
• And Aaron Fairooz and the former Bear receivers have continued their terrific showing as a part of the Arkansas Twisters. Fairooz, who totalled 9 catches, “led the Twisters with five TD catches and 124 yards. His 38-yard catch late in the fourth quarter set up the [game-winning] field goal attempt for Taylor.”
• Eric Ware had 258 kick return yards, returning two for touchdowns, and Cam Kinard had five catches for 30 yards.
• Aaron has played just two games, but his 147 yards per game would be 3rd in all of AF2; his 11.5 receptions per game ranks 2nd; his 5 TD receptions per game would be first by a large margin over everyone but teammate Rod Harper, who is apparently hurt(?) as he hasn’t played in the last four games. That’s what opened the door for Kinard and Fairooz to take over as the leading receivers in three of those four games.
• PLAYERS OF THE GAME RUSSELL ATHLETIC — Aaron Fairooz, ARK
  JLS IRONMAN — Eric Ware, ARK
  AARON’S DEFENSIVE — Dahnel Singfield, RGV
  BIG GAME CATCH OF THE GAME — Aaron Fairooz, late 4th qtr
  NIFTY HIT OF THE GAME — Jerry Turner on Nick Hill, 8:55, 3rd
• Tristan Jackson‘s first regular season game is Thursday night. His Eskimos are playing Winnipeg. Too bad Jasper didn’t quite make the playing roster.

Martin signs Martin

April Martin from Yellville-Summitt has signed her LOI to run track at UCA next year. Martin apparently impressed coach Richard Martin enough to offer her a scholarship after her third-place finish in the state heptathlon last week. According to the story in the Baxter Bulletin, April is expected to focus on the 800 and the triple-jump.

April also played basketball and softball at Y-S.

First Fall Scrimmage Wrapup

Central Arkansas Coach Clint Conque saw several bright spots in Saturday’s scrimmage, starting with the fact there were no injuries. With several regulars on the sidelines, other players stepped in and showed they might be ready to contribute if needed.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

What I wrote up about the offense and defense.

UCA Report – Nick Walker / NWA News

State college roundup – Nick Walker / NWA News

Effort solid and healthy for Bears in 1st scrimmage – David McCollum / Log Cabin

Conque sees bright spots in scrimmage – UCA Sports