Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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08-11-21 03:40 PM - Post#325953
I've given up trying to track all the offers. Unlike basketball, there are a ton of outstanding offers - with more rolling in every few days. Staff working really hard. Having said that, I will track all of the commitments.
I think there have been five so far, although I can't find the fifth. Recruiting in the past 17 months has been unique, with many schools having played abbreviated schedules or none at all. Plus no camps in 2020.
Here are four recent commitments:
- Derrick Anderson, 6-2 DB/WR, VA (Episcopal School - Alexandria). Team did not play last season.
- Alex Brown, 6-3 200 lb QB, NJ (Red Bank Catholic). Offers from Georgetown, Columbia, and maybe others. In an abbreviated schedule, he completed 64.3% of passes for 137 ypg. Eight TD's and two INT's.
- Gavin Kennedy, a 6-5 300 lb OT, NJ (St. Augustine). Had offers from New Hampshire, Bryant, Sacred Heart, Georgetown, Columbia.
- Bradley Pao, a 6-0 175 lb CB, NJ (St. Augustine). "Considered several other schools, including Sacred Heart, Cornell, Lafayette, Fordham and Colgate." (Article does not say if those schools offered.)
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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09-20-21 10:46 PM - Post#326748
In response to Bison137
Over the past few weeks, at least four more commitments:
- Luke Freeman, a 6-0 190 lb S/W (OK). Had offer from Lehigh.
- Kieran Coscia, a 6-3 250 lb OL (MA).
- Ryan Jedlicka, a 5-11 193 lb long snapper (CT).
- Daniel Sierk, a 6-5 250 lb DE (PA) - Pittsburgh Area. Had offers from Penn and Lafayette.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-06-21 12:04 PM - Post#326948
In response to Bison137
Bison got an interesting commitment today: Robert Dickerson, a 6-0 190 lb WR/DB/KR from North Hills HS in Pittsburgh - which plays a very good schedule. Dickerson had offers from Fordham, Holy Cross, New Hampshire, Colgate, Lafayette, and maybe others.
Interestingly, Bucknell recruited him to play both baseball and football. He made All-WPIAL as a DB last fall, and last spring he led the WPIAL with nine HR's while hitting over .400. Over the past two years he has returned four kicks for TD's, and he had nine TD's in seven games last season. Dickerson was recently ranked the #1 WR in the Pittsburgh area by Pittsburgh's Tribune-Review (Triblive).
North Hills' Robert Dickerson exceeding expectations as do-it-all playmaker
Preseason #1 WR
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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10-06-21 11:17 PM - Post#326955
In response to Bison137
One other player who committed last week: Jack Goheen, a 6-2 215 lb LB from Indianapolis. His Cathedral team is the unanimous #1 in Indiana's Class 5A. Had offers from Dayton and Valpo.
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pjm_hoops
Sophomore
Posts: 151
Reg: 02-14-06
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10-21-21 09:33 PM - Post#327339
In response to Bison137
So a little bit of a rant.
A close relative of mine is a 2022 football prospect. He has sent multiple emails to both the head coach and his regional recruiter including film. He has called and left voice mails. He has even popped into the football office unannounced (not for lack of trying) after taking a campus tour to say hello. He has received ZERO responses to any correspondence. Not even a Thanks but no Thanks. I hope that’s not indicative of the program as a whole. If so, it’s going to be a long rebuilding process.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-15-21 02:15 PM - Post#331450
In response to pjm_hoops
Bison press release on early football signings:
https://bucknellbison.com/news/2021/12/15/buckn ell...
There are five who I didn’t list in the above posts. No surprises, but I just got behind posting them. The five are:
- Okeyo Ayungo 6-1 185 lb WR (MD)
- Josh Gary 5-11 190 lb WR (MD)
- Charlie Kreinbrucher 6-5 230 lb TE (PA) - Butler HS
- Nathan Napoli 6-6 260 lb OL (MD)
- Ashton Semoervive 6-2 260 lb DL (NJ)
One decommitment: Robert Dickerson
Of the 13 commitments, there are:
QB 1
OL 3
TE 1
WR 3
DL 2
LB 1
CB 1
Saf 1
There is also a long snapper who is still committed but who is not listed on the release.
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Scotty-14
Sophomore
Posts: 156
Age: 31
Reg: 10-10-18
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12-15-21 11:07 PM - Post#331487
In response to Bison137
How many more embarrassing seasons before we end the football program? In my view, that money could be much better spent elsewhere. At some point, you have to earn the opportunity to be an expense machine, and for a sport that brings in almost no revenue, I think the end should be near.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
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Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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12-16-21 10:56 AM - Post#331495
In response to Scotty-14
How many more embarrassing seasons before we end the football program? In my view, that money could be much better spent elsewhere. At some point, you have to earn the opportunity to be an expense machine, and for a sport that brings in almost no revenue, I think the end should be near.
It doesn't bring in a lot of outside revenue (certainly not ticket sales), but does generate a lot of donations. Football is not going anywhere given the level of alumni support. Pascucci's $10M athletics donation is going mostly toward facilities to support football. I agree the money could be better spent elsewhere, but that's the reality.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-16-21 07:43 PM - Post#331504
In response to jkrun80
A couple of comments:
1. Agree with JKrun that football is likely not going anywhere, at least in the medium run. Not only is a lot of Pascucci's donation going towards football, but apparently they are ready to start a campaign to allow them to constuct the new facility for football and lacrosse, designed to bring Bucknell's facilities up to the same level as their PL competition.
2. It's hard to evaluate football's lack of success because it has always competed on a very unlevel playing field. For the first 27 years of PL football, Bucknell spent far less money than Lehigh, Lafayette, Fordham, and Colgate. (From 1965 to 1987, they also spent less than their traditional rivals.) Incredibly Tom Gadd managed to overcome that - which I think makes him the top coach in recent Bucknell history. He would certainly rank in the top three or four coaches in the 26 years of Patriot League football. But no average coach could make up such a significant spending shortfall.
3. Here are a few examples of the deficiency in expenditures:
2005:
$3.5 Million - average of four rivals (LU, LC, CU, and FU)
$2.5 Million - Bucknell
Shortfall = $1.0 Million (28.4%)
2009:
$4.3 Million - average of four
$3.0 Million - Bucknell
Shortfall = $1.3 Million (30.0%)
2013:
$4.87 Million - average of four
$3.35 Million - Bucknell
Shortfall = $1.52 Million (31.2%)
The gap in 2019 has fallen to 12.2% - but that is still a meaningful number. By the way, most of that gap through 2013 was due to PL opponents giving far more in financial aid.
4. Most PL teams always have 3-5 fifth year players - usually high level players. Bucknell essentially does not allow it. To be competitive, the Administration needs to do everything possible to get some fifth year players on the field.
One example, among many dozens, is Lafayette, which does not have a grad school. Every year they have meaningful fifth year participants. For example, in the season that ended last month here is a summary of players competing in their 5th year:
- 6-2 225 lb RB who was 2nd team All-PL the previous season and preseason All-PL.
- 6-6 310 lb OL who was 2nd team All-PL the previous season and preseason All-PL.
- 6-4 240 lb DL, a transfer from Army playing his 5th year.
- - 6-2 220 lb LB who was twice on the 2nd team All-PL team.
- 6-2 200 lb DB who was a two-year starter.
That's five very talented players who would have been gone had they suited up for Bucknell. Four of the five were captains of this year's LC team.
4. If Bucknell wants to seriously compete in football, it needs to:
(A) Close the spending gap to under 5%
(B) Offer comparable facilities to PL rivals
(C) Not only allow 5th year players, but also be proactive in convincing players to stay an extra semester.
(D) Look closely at whether Bucknell is admitting the same players admitted by Lehigh and Fordham.
(E) Various other tweaks to level the playing field.
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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12-16-21 08:58 PM - Post#331507
In response to Bison137
Why doesn’t Bucknell schedule a couple of guaranteed paydays each year to raise revenue? There are so many D1 programs in the area that are always needing a guaranteed win. Why isn’t this being pursued? If you’re going to give up 60 a game anyway, give it up to Maryland, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Penn State, etc.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-16-21 10:00 PM - Post#331508
In response to HuskyColonial
One thing I meant to mention in my post above is where the money goes. The most common categories are:
- Financial aid (need-based aid in the past, now largely scholarships).
- Coaches compensation - salaries, benefits, etc.
- Compensation for others in program (trainers, strength and conditioning, admins, etc.
- Recruiting expenses - travel, hotels, meals, cost of official visits, etc.
- Travel to road games - buses, hotels, meals, etc.
- Game day expenses - officials' pay, various stadium costs, etc.
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Scotty-14
Sophomore
Posts: 156
Age: 31
Reg: 10-10-18
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12-17-21 02:08 AM - Post#331513
In response to HuskyColonial
They would have to make new rules for the game of Football if we decided to play Penn State. The medical bills needed postgame alone would exceed the Pay Day.
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Scotty-14
Sophomore
Posts: 156
Age: 31
Reg: 10-10-18
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12-17-21 02:13 AM - Post#331514
In response to Scotty-14
It just seems like we're one foot in, one foot out with Football at Bucknell. We hire a sexy new coach that is supposedly an offensive genius, but still have mediocre/poor facilities. If we're not going to spend, may as well save the money and scrap the team. If we want to compete, spend the extra few million and play to win across the board. I'll say this much, if the money we spent on football went to Basketball instead, we would never lose a recruit to another PL Program again. Flying to games is a big recruiting pitch for Boston U, which plays in a HS gym
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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12-17-21 08:27 AM - Post#331520
In response to Scotty-14
Can I make a statement regarding aesthetics? Christy Mathewson is a gem of an old stadium that looks like complete crap. The blue and orange modern color scheme looks god awful inside in the context of the stadium.
And the track should be moved across Rt. 15 to bring
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-17-21 02:15 PM - Post#331544
In response to HuskyColonial
And the track should be moved across Rt. 15 to bring
In theory moving the track would be good for football spectators. However since the stadium is a permanent concrete structure, I don't see a way to move fans closer - with or without a track - without it being completely cost-prohibitive. To do so would require lowering the entire field by a massive amount, so that the natural incline of the seats could be extended another 15+ rows towards the field on both sides. The expense of taking out the turf and a massive amount of fill, combined with adding dozens of rows of seats around the stadium would be prohibitive. The only other way would be to blow up half the stadium, move the field closer to the existing side, and then rebuild an entire new half of the stadium close to the new field. Don't see that happening either.
JKrun, I believe Bucknell is the only PL school with a track that goes around the football stadium. Is that correct?
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-17-21 02:51 PM - Post#331548
In response to Bison137
Bison signee QB Alex Brown, from Red Bank Catholic, was named NJ Shore POY. Excerpt:
"At a time when his was broken, Alex Brown captured the hearts of the Jersey Shore and thousands more around the country with his display of perseverance. To many, Brown was unknown to them before his viral eight touchdown playoff game the day after his mother, Michelle, passed away after a long fight with cancer. . . .
In an unforgettable senior year, Brown helped lead the Caseys to an 11-1 record and a state championship by throwing for 1,823 yards and 22 touchdowns with just two interceptions and rushing for 565 yards and 10 touchdowns on an average of 7.5 yards per carry. The Caseys defeated DePaul, 13-8, in the NJSIAA Non-Public B state final and Brown accounted for both touchdowns with a touchdown pass and a third-quarter touchdown run that held up as the game-winning score."
Red Bank Catholic's Alex Brown is the 2021 Shore POY
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-17-21 06:36 PM - Post#331561
In response to Bison137
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to football competitiveness is the fact that Bucknell only started 2 seniors out of 22 starters in the latter part of the year. That has to be the lowest in PL history. Also all special team specialists return in 2022. Of BU's top seven seniors, six ended the year on the injured list. Three of the top four didn't play even one full game. And, unlike other PL programs, no 5th year players.
Tough year, but they need to show a lot of improvement in 2022. That will be important in determining if Cecchini can turn the program around.
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jkrun80
Postdoc
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Age: 65
Reg: 05-07-12
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12-17-21 09:35 PM - Post#331563
In response to Bison137
JKrun, I believe Bucknell is the only PL school with a track that goes around the football stadium. Is that correct?
Yes, you are correct. Most are stuck out in the middle of an empty field, which makes wind an issue. Army is the only one that has a true grandstand, but wind is still an issue there because it is right on the Hudson. We have, by far, the nicest track facility in the Patriot League (not that I'm biased).
For the athletes, our track is great. To his credit, Coach Donner has taken full advantage of it by creating the Bison Outdoor Classic. This meet draws nearly a hundred teams, especially for the Friday or Saturday evening distance races. It's also a huge source of revenue for the program.
I'm not sure where you would put a track west of 15. There's no way you could hold a meet like that with the track outside the stadium. To me, it would be like moving the track out of Franklin Field.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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12-17-21 09:52 PM - Post#331564
In response to jkrun80
JKrun, I believe Bucknell is the only PL school with a track that goes around the football stadium. Is that correct?
Yes, you are correct. Most are stuck out in the middle of an empty field, which makes wind an issue. Army is the only one that has a true grandstand, but wind is still an issue there because it is right on the Hudson. We have, by far, the nicest track facility in the Patriot League (not that I'm biased).
.
I fully agree. I have gone to many PL outdoor championships at the various sites. For spectators, the facilities at Lafayette, Lehigh, and Holy Cross are awful. Army not so bad, but as you point out it can get windy. I never went to one at Navy.
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sader87
Sophomore
Posts: 120
Age: 59
Reg: 02-13-10
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12-25-21 07:38 PM - Post#331845
In response to Bison137
Fitton Field is one of the best stadia to watch football in the Northeast...the sightlines are unparalleled. Without a track, you are literally right on top of the field.
The baseball stadium at Fitton is terrific as well...due to enhancements made by a minor league team some years back.
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