John O'Grady announcing his retirement at the end of the season highlight Around the WIAC

 University of Wisconsin-River Falls football head coach John O’Grady will retire at the end of the 2010 season. O’Grady, 56, informed the Falcons after Monday’s practice at Ramer Field.

“Most of my adult life, including four years as a player, five years as a volunteer coach and of course 22 seasons as the head coach has been spent at this University,” said O’Grady in a prepared statement.

The Falcons open the season on Thursday at Ohio Northern. Kick off is set for 3 p.m. (ET) at Dial-Roberson Stadium..

 UW-Stout will open the 2010 season under first year head coach Clayt Birmingham when they travel to Black Hills State University (0-1, 0-0) in Spearfish, S. D., Friday, Sept. 3 with a 6 p.m. kickoff. This is the opener for the Blue Devils, but the second for the NAIA-affiliated Yellow Jackets. In July, Black Hills State was notified that the school’s application to NCAA Division II was accepted by the NCAA membership committee.

 Later today I’ll debut Voice’s Weekly WIAC football picks here on Voice’s Eye On Football Blog

 Teams from the WIAC will be playing 10 non-conference games vs. teams ranked in the NCAA Division III and NAIA Preseason Top 25 Rankings

UWW Quarterback Club will meetThursday (9/2) evening at Saxe's

Finally, it is football time for the UW-Whitewater football team. The UWW Quarterback Club kicks off 2010 with the first QB Club meeting of the season on Thursday evening (9/2). QB Club meetings will be held again this season at Saxe's Lonestar Inn.

The Hawks face Adrian College (Michigan) Saturday in the season opener at Perkins Stadium. The 12-Noon game has been designated Welcome Back Students Day. Seniors from last year's NCAA Division III national championship team return to the Perk for a special pregame ceremony to hoist the 2010 National Championship banner for the second time in three years.

See you at Saxes on Thursday evening. Cocktails at 6 and dinner at 7. Go Warhawks!!!!

Voice's Blog Poll results indicate fans strongly disapprove of WIAC teams playing in-conference/non-conference games beginning in 2011

A WIAC memorandum in June/2009 indicated that a feasability study would be conducted on restricting WIAC teams to no more than one trip during the regular-season outside of an established regional perimeter. Another portion of the “cost-cutting” memorandum said the WIAC is exploring the feasibility of scheduling one additional WIAC football team as a nonconference game beginning with the 2011 season.

How do WIAC fans think about the proposed restrictions?

A voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com/ poll over the past week shows those that responded are overwhelmingly against the plan.

80% of the poll's respondents strongly disapprove of the plan.
15% lean towards disapproval
Just 1 vote indicted strongly approving the plan
There were 0 votes for leaning towards approval and no feeling either way.

I'll blog more on the issue as the 2010 season goes on.

A new look for the south end of Perkins Stadium

It is football time at Perkins Stadium. The UW-Whitewater football team will open the season Saturday with a non-conference game vs. Division III Adrian College (Michigan).

Prior to Saturday's 12-Noon kickoff a special pregame ceremony will be held. For the second time in three years, the UW-Whitewater football program will hoist its NCAA Division III Football Championship flag on the south end of Perkins Stadium.

In the adjacent photo, notice the gigantic Warhawk Football championship banner that runs the entire length of the locker room building overlooking the south end of the Perk.

It went up last week and it is very impressive!

Warhawks begin focus on week-one opponent, Adrian College

An energized UW-Whitewater football team has begun its preparation for Saturday's season opener at Perkins Stadium vs. Adrian College (Michigan).

"This will be a very good test," UWW head coach Lance Leipold indicated on Monday night's KOOL 106.5 Coaches Show. "To be able to play a Division III opponent like them (Adrian) is going to be a very good nonconference test for us."

"They will definitely be an unknown for us," Leipold said. "Unknown because they are a team we have never played. Unknown because we have been unable to exchange tape with them. Adrian also has a first year head coach, Jim Deere who was promoted from his Adrian defensive coordinator position."

Saturday's Welcome Back Students Day Game vs. Adrian will include a pregame ceremony honoring UW-Whitewater's 2009 NCAA Division III National Championship team with the hoisting of a second D III championship flag in the past three years.

Kickoff Saturday at the Perk is set for 12-Noon.

Two of UWW's non-conference opponents open seasons tonight

Two of UW-Whitewater's three non-conference opponents will open there schedule tonight (Saturday).

Week-two opponent, Dakota State University hosts Midland Lutheran College tonight in the season opener for both teams. Midland Lutheran was a non-conference opponent of UW-Whitewater last year.

Week-three opponent, Campbellsville University opens its season tonight. The Tigers will welcome Mid-South Conference East Division foe Kentucky Christian University at 7 p.m. for the first-ever night game on synthetic turf at HIG Field and Finley Stadium.

Check out Voice's Eye on Football Blog for game recaps later tonight.

Warhawks shift focus to week-one opponent Adrian College

The curtain came down Friday morning for the UW-Whitewater football team's 2010 training camp. Camp ended with a two hour scrimmage that included plenty of repetitions for players looking to earn a roster spot for the regular season.

For the past several years, the WIAC has mandated a 100 player roster limit. Whitewater opened the preseason with 131 on its training camp roster.

”It is a difficult task,” Warhawk head coach Lance Leipold said following Friday's scrimmage. “At this point I believe we have the most players still in camp in my four years here. There are some interesting dilemmas that we have to go through and discuss this weekend and that is unfortunate."

If you have followed Warhawk football closely over the past few years you probably aware that senior leadership is critical for a team's success. After the rest of the squad had departed for the locker room Friday morning, Leipold and the seniors talked about the mission ahead.

"You know, they (seniors) have given so much to this program, and there time,” Leipold said. “As we all know those years can go very fast,” Leipold said. “I just wanted to make sure understood it as we break camp and head into week-one.”

The Warhawks host Adrian College (Mich) in the season opener next Saturday. It is Welcome Back Students Day at Perkins Stadium and a pregame ceremony will be conducted to hoist the 2009 NCAA Division III championship flag. Kickoff is set for 12-Noon.

Voice talks about what is going on this weekend in the world of football

Voice here with some football observations over the past couple of days.

• UW-Whitewater Training camp will end following Friday morning’s scrimmage inside Perkins Stadium. The scrimmage begins at 9 a.m.

• I will be focusing on the rotations for several positions.

• Twenty defensive backs have been battling for a roster spot. Who will join Matt McCulloch in the Warhawk secondary when Whitewater opens the season in eight day’s vs. Adrian College (Michigan) at the Perk. The question that will also need to be answered is who will claim Jeff Schebler’s place kicking job. Four are vying for the position. How many kickers will earn roster spots.

• Elsewhere in the WIAC – UW-La Crosse apparently raised a few eyebrows with a dominating scrimmage Tuesday afternoon at Luther College (Iowa). According to the La Crosse Tribune - The UW-La Crosse football team couldn't have asked much more of its first-team defense during Tuesday's scrimmage against Luther College. Unofficially, on Luther's first allotted 12 offense plays, the Eagles gave up a total of 5 yards, including four touch sacks (quarterbacks were off limits) and zero pass completions on two attempts. The UW-L offense reportedly looked very good out of its spread offense.

• Two of UW-Whitewater non-conference opponents open the season Saturday.

• Midland Lutheran College, a team that UWW played early in the 2009 season, opens at Dakota State University. Meanwhile, 25th ranked (NAIA) opens at home vs. Kentucky Christian. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. (local time).

• Former Mount Union star, Pierre Garcon, said hello to Wisconsin Thursday night, catching an 18 yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning on the second play of the game at Lambeau Field. UW-Whitewater beat Garcon in his senior season at Mount as the Warhawks beat Garcon’s team 31-21 to capture UWW’s first football national championship in school history.

• Good luck to all the high school teams around the state as prep football kicks off Friday night.

• A special good luck to Whitewater head coach Ben Cooper. Ben also serves as the President of the UW-Whitewater Quarterback Club.

Forty 2009 UW-Whitewater football players earn WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll Status

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced its Scholastic Honor Roll recipients and All-Academic Award winners for the 2009-10 academic year.

During the 2009-10 academic year, nearly 50 percent of the student-athletes competing in the conference achieved a 3.0 grade point average or better (on a 4.0 scale) and were named to the Scholastic Honor Roll.

UW-Whitewater Football (40 Scholastic Honor Roll Recipients)

Logan Allemand, Justin Ankley, James Boutelle, Garth Coats, Jeremy Deibert, Timothy Depies, Taylor Erbach, Sean Fancher, Kent Flynn, Jason Ford, Maxwell Ford, Brian Gensrick, Zachary Glasebrook, Graham Hall, Joseph Hansen, Luke Hibner, Zachary Hintz, Jacob Keeser, Jared Kiesow, Cory Knapp, Patrick Lyons, Casimer Miller, Alex Misialek, Joseph Paulus, Chris Pendergast, Jordan Pethan, Michael Picciolo, Grant Poenitsch, Krisofer Rosholt, Aaron Rusch, Aaron Samplawski, Jeffrey Schebler, Bernie Tamsett, Michael Taylor, Derek Underwood, Kevin Utz, Jakob Wahl, Max Wasikowski and Ian Wilson.

Correction on name of new transfer from Indiana University

I gave you the incorrect name of the transfer from the Indiana University football program.

The new transfer who joined the Warhawks earlier this week is Shane Covington, a 2008 graduate of Milwaukee/Riverside High School.

Covington redshirted in 2008. During IUs 2009 spring practice, was moved from wide receiver to safety.

Shane appeared in five games on special teams for the Hoosiers in 2009. He saw action vs. Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan, Akron, Ohio State and Virginia.

Covington is wearing practice jersey No. 33. I watched him practice last night at safety and also on special teams.

Mtunionfootball.com The inspiration for Warhawkfootball.com ends a very impressive Website run

Back in 2002 and 2003, when UW-Whitewater played Mount Union in a pair on non-conference games, I stumbled onto the Mtunionfootball.com Website. Ric Brienza had created a site that took the school's official Website a step further. Most of all it was classy, fan friendly and very popular for Mount Union fans around the country. Being a longtime media member and broadcaster of Warhawk athletics, I made financial and personal investment into developing my Warhawkfootball.com Website. My mission has been the same as Ric's site - to give Warhawk fans around the country (world) a daily source for Warhawk football information.

Ric stunned his online readers on Tuesday by writing with a bit of sadness, but great pride, that this will be my last update on this website. Thanks for the great times and all the great comments along the way!

There are few people that understand the amount of time invested in publishing such a Website.

Why did Ric make the decision to close shop? He is a family man and I think he simply wants to take more time to enjoy his son's growing up.

Thanks Ric!

Hawks in the middle of two-a-days this week

The Warhawk football team just wrapped up the first of two practices today inside Perkins Stadium A couple things that stood out for me was:

1. Matt Blanchard's play at quarterback. During one practice grouping, Blanchard connected on 35-plus yard passes, laying the ball right into the reciever's hands for a touchdown. The other play was a fake to me sitting on the visiting bench, then throwing down field for a TD. Matt's grasp of the offense is evident.

2. This morning's practice also allowed me to see how the place kicking competition is going.

3. As is usual at this time of preseason, the Hawks have some "bumps and bruises." I'm not going to talk specifics however.

At the end of this morning's practice, Coach Leipold challenged his team by saying, "Opporunity is knocking for many of you - answer it!

T minus 11 days and counting for Warhawks season opener

D3football.com's 2010 Kickoff Preview was published on-line Tuesday. In one of the feature stories, the writer talks about what it takes for one or two of "the other" 236 Division III programs to "take the next step" and knock either Whitewater or Mount Union off the NCAA Division III pedestal.

Coach Leipold dismisses the idea that Whitewater has been able to "sail" through the playoffs in each of the past five seasons.

2005:
3rd Round:
-- UWW 44, Linfield 41 (called one of the greatest D III games of all-time. The win over defending National Champion and No. 1 ranked Linfield put the Warhawks on "the national map")

2006:
2nd Round:
-- UWW 24, UWL 21 (needed a 4th quarter Jacobs to Mrkvicka to overtake the Eagles that afternoon.)
-- UWW 17, St. Johns 14 (Hawks beat St. Johns for the second year in a row with the Johnnies favored to win both games at Perkins Stadium.

2007:
Semifinal:
-- UWW 16, Mary Hardin-Baylor 7 (It was the second game in 2007 for the two teams at Perkins Stadium. The Hawks rolled over UMHB 41-14 by playing a nearly perfect game. You knew that UMHB was better than they showed on 10/27. They were!)

2008:
3rd Round:
-- UWW 30, Willamette 27 (Willamette was unbeaten and favored in the game. Hawks got off to a big lead behind the running of Atwan Anderson. Hawks were forced to "hold on" in the second half in the game played in Willamette, Ore)

2009:
Semifinal:
-- UWW 27, Linfield 17 (Warhawks trailed Linfield going into the fourth quarter at Perkins Stadium)

There are teams very capable of beating UWW or Mount Union. As referenced above, it has never been a "cake walk" to Salem.

The same can be said in the WIAC - with the exception of its 2008, 17-16 loss to UW-Stevens Point, UWW has been able to dodge potential landmines on the way.

It just ain't that easy and that has been what has been so special over the last 5 seasons. To be champions you must excel each week. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it!

Talking about POUNDING THE ROCK

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- An Oregon State University offensive lineman has been dismissed from the team after police say they found him naked and intoxicated in a stranger's home and had to use stun guns to take him into custody.

Corvallis police say they received the call about a naked intruder early Sunday.

Responding officers ordered 19-year-old Tyler Patrick Thomas of Kalispell, Mont., to get on the ground, Lt. Tim Brewer said.

Thomas refused and instead dropped into a three-point stance like a football player and lunged at the officers, Brewer said. At that point, he said, two officers fired their stun guns.

Brewer said Thomas "absolutely was intoxicated" at the time.

Thomas was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass, criminal mischief and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Benton County jail and later released.

Voice's random throughts on football (8/25 edition)

-- Just 12 days till the Warhawks open the season on September 4th by hosting Adrian College at Perkins Stadium. The Bulldogs will bring a team into the Perk that legitimately believes it can win the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title this season. It will be a solid test for the Hawks.

-- Pat Coleman congratulates Division III Adrian for "stepping up" and scheduling Whitewater for a non-conference game. It is something other D III coaches or athletic directors have failed to do over the past five seasons.

-- By the way, Pat and his trusty sidekick Keith McMillan have their first D3football.com Around the Nation 2010 Preview Podcast now online. Check out the Warhawkfootball.com News Wire for more information and a link to the podcast.

-- WQOW, Channel 18 in Eau Claire aired a WIAC football special recently. Eau Claire head coach Todd Glaser and first year Stout head coach Clayt Birmingham talked about the difficulty in scheduling non-conference games against Division III schools.

-- Earlier this week I blogged on the proposed mandate calling for WIAC schools to play one of its three non-conference games against another WIAC school. The Hawks and Eau Claire played an in-conference, non-conference game in 2008. With four new athletic directors in the WIAC this year, I wonder if the WIAC's in-conference, non-conference proposal will be scrapped? You can vote on the WIAC's in-conference, non-conference recommendation by voting on the poll I have posted in the right column of this on-line blog. So far all voters are against the proposal.

-- The popular KOOL 106.5 Monday Night Coaches Show will debut this coming Monday evening. This year the show will be broadcast live from the KOOL 106.5 studios in Fort Atkinson. The 6 p.m. show will also be streamed live along with being available via podcast. I'll have more information on the Coache's Show over the weekend.

-- The deadline for purchasing official New Balance Warhawk Football apparel is coming up on August 31st. Check out the Warhawkfootball.com News Wire for more information including an order form and catalog of the available apparel.

-- It is now 2 a.m. and time for me to shut down for the night. Thanks for clicking on to Voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com!

I'm not totally sold on the WIAC's plan on non-conference football scheduling

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has long referred itself as the No. 1 NCAA Division III conference in the nation. Conference coaches and athletic directors have also cried foul in recent years as it has become extremely tough to schedule non-conference games.

On the heels of last summer’s WIAC memorandum indicating that the conference will be restricting teams to no more than one trip during the regular-season outside of an established regional perimeter. Another portion of the “cost-cutting” memorandum said the WIAC is exploring the feasibility of scheduling one additional WIAC football team as a nonconference game beginning with the 2011 season.

The 2011 WIAC non-conference football memorandum has drawn fire from several conference schools.

I understand the “cost-cutting” theme to the proposal – I just don’t know if “cost-cutting” was the primary emphasis of the measure. I do know that one or two WIAC athletic directors had pushed for the WIAC “non-conference” game for the past three or four years. That’s back when the economy was rather robust.

As far as 2010 football schedules are concerned, all schools were able to put a 10-game schedule together by May-2010.

During the first four weeks of the upcoming season WIAC football teams will play 10 non-conference games against team ranked in the Top-25 in either NCAA Division III or NAIA preseason polls.

I’m not sure how the WIAC views its identity nation-wide, but to impose such scheduling limits would certainly not help the conferences marketing brand especially if a WIAC school could not go deep into the Division III playoffs.

UW-Whitewater’s current five straight trips to play Mount Union in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl has been a boon for promotion of WIAC football around the nation.

It would be a shame to lose a good chunk of that credibility by instituting a rule that would force WIAC schools one “in conference-non-conference” game per season.

What next – put a rule in that you can play the game but not keep score because it might negatively affect the losing team??!!

I'd like to hear from you on this issue. You may express your view by clicking onto comments and leave me your thoughts.

You can also cast your vote on the brand new Voices Eye On Football Poll that is located at the top of the right column on my blog.

Warhawks get work needed at Saturday's scrimmage

What are some of the things that I noticed from the Warhawks at Saturday afternoon's full-contact scrimmage vs. Harper College (Ill)?

1. The Warhawk defense was solid throughout the two hour scrimmage. I didn't chart the 200 play scrimmage but I was told that Brian Borland's defense allowed just one first down. I hope I'm right on that figure. The Hawks linebackers are really good and not just the first unit.

2. The secondary may not have the game experience with cornerback Matt McCulloch the lone returning starter. I was sitting with former UWW coaches Bob Berezowitz and Bruce Bukowski. They talked about a bunch of really good athletes competing for roster spots this season.

The Hawks opened training camp with 20 defensive backs. I learned on Saturday that a defensive back from Milwaukee is in the process of transfering from the Big 10's Indiana University to Whitewater. I'll have more informatio for you on Monday.

3. As always, Borland and defensive line coach Kevin Bullis want to have an up to eight-man rotation on the D-Line. Bullis told me after the game that his D-Line did "some vary nice things" but the video will tell the story.

4. As I wrote over on Warhawkfootball.com the offensive line looks like it is primed to pound the rock for yet another season.

5. What can you say about the Warhawks stable of running backs? I have put up a Warhawkfootball.com News Wire story that includes quotes from Booker Stanley. He has a great attitude on just where he is in this season's running back rotation.

6. Matt Blanchard may not have aced his first test with live bullets flying. Steve Dinkle told me after the game that Blanchard had a very solid scrimmage. Cory Knapp was next on the depth chart and I was impressed with the sophomore, especially during the second half of the scrimmage.

7. A couple of days ago Zach Fry, a Milton native and transfer from Minnesota-Morehead, told coaches that he is ending his battle for a roster spot at quarterback. Despite dropping his spot on the roster, Fry told coaches the he loves the UW-Whitewater football program and isn't ruling out helping out in some way this season.

8. The Hawks have great depth at both fullback and tight end. It will be interesting who the roster spots shake out at both positions.

9. Despite losing Jordan Wells to graduation the wide receiving corps has plenty of quality players to fill out the wide recieving roster sports. I really like Zach Howard who played solid as a freshman last year. He reminds me of Neil Mrkvicka.

10. I waited till the end of pactice for what I thought was going to be a place kicking segment. It didn't happen. ne extra point was missed due to a botched snap/hold. The group is facing the final week of Training Camp and I have a feeling the choice of who will replace NCAA record holder Jeff Schebler until the end of the week.

Check back tomorrow for more thoughts on Saturday's scrimmage. The Hawks will hold its annual end of taining camp scrimmage on Friday. Following the scrimmage the coaching staff will have the tough duty of paring the roster to the WIAC-mandated 100 player limit.

UWW and Harper College holding dual-practice this morning

Cloudy skies and humid conditions greeted the UW-Whitewater and Harper College (Ill) football squads as a two-hour dual practice is underway. Both teams seamingly are practicing with "measured" intensity knowing the two teams will hold a two-hour full-contact scrimmage from 3 till 5 this afternoon.

In the adjacent photo notice how all eyes seem to be on Matt Blanchard who it appears will be the Warhawks starting quarterback heading into the season-opener vs. Adrian (Mich) Sept. 4th at Perkins Stadium.

I'm spending most of the morning focusing in on the defensive side of the ball.

Lunch time - much more here on the blog after this afternoon's scrimmage.

Today's scrimmage a training Camp red letter day for Warhawks

130 players in camp and only 100 roster spots will be filled in just one week.

Today's full-contact scrimmage vs. Harper College (Ill) will take place this afternoon from 3 to 5 pm at Perkins Stadium. It will be a major test both for the players and coaching staff.

"The scrimmage is an opportunity for us (coaching staff) to make quick evaluations and try to make decisions," UW-W head coach Lance Leipold tells Voices Eye On Football Blog. "Having the scrimmage midway into camp allows us extra time to make our evaluations with an intersquad scrimmage set for next Saturday prior to cutting our roster down to the mandated 100-player limit."

As I posted on Warhawkfootball.com, I'll be focusing on a few aspects of building this year's roster and how it will be used.

Some of the things I'll be looking at this afternoon...
1. Quarterback Play: All signs point to Matt Blanchard as the “heir apparent” to Jeff Donovan.

2. How will the Hawks use Booker Stanley?

3. Battle Royal for Hawks’ place kicking job. Four candidates for the job to replace Jeff Schebler.

4. Who will emerge in the secondary with 21 defensive backs on the preseason roster?

5. How will the defensive line shake out?

6. Who are the transfers and freshman that will make an immediate impact?

7. Can the 2010 Warhawks continue the momentum following its 2009 National Championship?

Three new athletic directors on staff in the WIAC

Roger Ternes has been named athletic director at UW-River Falls. Ternes, 55, comes to UW-River Falls from Dickinson State, N.D., University where he was that institution’s athletic director since 1999. Dickinson State, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) institution. In the past 11 years, DSU had 11 different teams win 54 conference championships. DSU teams have won four national titles including volleyball in 2000 and men’s track & field in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Gary Douglas and I had a chance to sit down and chat with Roger Ternes during UW-Whitewater’s season opening trip to Dickinson to open the 2009 season. Looking at the new football facility and the athletic program’s success at DSU, I believe UWRF is getting the right man for the job as AD.

Speaking of River Falls, the 2010 NCAA Division III football season will kick-off with a definite WIAC flavor. The season gets underway on Thursday, Sept. 2 with six games, including an afternoon contest between No. 11 Ohio Northern and UW-River Falls. "We are excited to have the Thursday afternoon game to open our season,"ONU head coach Dean Paul said. "River Falls is an outstanding opponent from an outstanding league and will be a good challenge for us. We believe that we will be the first Division III game in America for 2010, so that will add to the electricity that afternoon."

Joel Whitman succeeds Joe Baker as the new UW-La Crosse athletic director. Whitman, 32, will begin his official duties the week of Sept. 13. He will join UW-L after working as a sports practice attorney at Covington & Burling LLP of Washington, D.C. The West Lafayette, Ind., native brings sports experience as a four-year varsity tight end at Illinois and NFL player, having been with four teams from 2001-2004. Whitman also worked in athletics administration at Illinois. Whitman was chosen from a field of 70 applicants and four finalists. Baker left UW-L last spring after accepting the Athletic Director’s job at Carroll University in Waukesha.

As previously reported here on Voices Blog - After a highly competitive national search, UW-Oshkosh has chosen Darryl Sims as its new athletics director. Sims, who has served as the assistant director of athletics at UW-Oshkosh since 2007, succeeds Allen Ackerman, who recently announced his retirement from the athletics director position after 19 years. The selection concludes a two-month search that involved more than 60 applicants from across the country. Prior to coming to UW-Oshkosh, Sims earned a football scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, playing four seasons in the Badgers’ defensive line and collected All-Big Ten Conference first team honors in 1981 and 1982. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1985 and 1986 and for the Cleveland Browns in 1987 and 1988.

Sims will oversee a UW-O football program that has what many consider the toughest 2010 NCAA Division III schedule in the country. The Titans open the season at Central Iowa on September 4th. On September 11th UW-O welcomes perennial national powerhouse Mount Union to Roger Keller Field at Titan Stadium. The Titans jump into the WIAC in week three. The final non-conference game is scheduled for October 16th at Lambuth University who are ranked No. 6 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll.

Former Hawk, Keiya Square, leaves Delavan-Darien for Wilmot

Keiya Square has a new employment address for the upcoming school year. The former UW-Whitewater fullback (2001-04) is taking his coaching talents to Wilmot High School this fall. Keiya was highly successful as Delavan-Darien's girls basketball coach, postinging a 71 and 24 record at Delavan-Darien, winning Southern Lakes Conference titles in 2007 and 2008.

Square tells the Janesville Gazette "It was pretty hard to say no to the Wilmot job. I spent nine great years at Delavan-Darien, but it was time to go in a different direction."

Warhawk Training Camp Reports available anytime via podcast

As I indicated earlier in the week, I am producing Warhawk Football Training Camp Reports - twice daily - right up to the season opener Sept. 4th vs. Adrian College at Perkins Stadium.

The twice daily reports are head on KOOL 106.5, the official radio home of Warhawk football since 1963.

Warhawk fans may also hear Voice's Training Camp Reports via podcast.

All Training Camp Reports are available anytime with just one click. My link mechanism is Kaput tonight. You may cut and paste the following URL to access the Titletown Report Podcasts: http://940wfaw.com/pages/6577869.php?

Tom Lange back in Whitewater following heart surgery

Tom Lange, AKA Mr. Warhawk is back in Whitewater following two rounds of heart surgery in Madison.

Therese Kennedy sent the following note this week:
Tom Lange has busted out (LOL) of St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison and is at Fairhaven in Room 203. He’s been a great supporter for Warhawk Athletics & Whippet Athletics. I’m sure he would love to have some visitors.

At the end of Warhawk football practice Wednesday evening Coach Leipold told the team that Tom L. is back in town. The announcement drew a big ovation from the players, coaches, managers, and the one media member that was taking in practice.

Not having Tom on the sidelines during Training Camp has been a huge void. For year's Tom is in charge of blowing his air horn (a pictured) at the end of each segment of practice. He was also missed being the first person recruits would pass entering the Student Athletic Complex when reporting to preseason practice.

I lobbied to have a cardboard cut-out of Tom in front of the SAC. Due to the red-tape of a public institution the idea was squashed.

Welcome back Tom and the players told me to tell you GET BETTER and if you can, come out to a practice!

By the way, doctors at St. Mary's Hospital confirm to Voices Blog that Tom did bleed purple during his surgeries! REALLY!!!

If you have the chance, stop by Fairhaven and say hello!

Random thoughts from the practice field

When watching practice yesterday, one begins to sense the "grind" of training camp setting in. With the NCAA-mandated rule that a team cannot practice in full pads until the fifth day of camp - that will be tomorrow (Friday). The players are at the stage where they want the pads on so that they can start hitting somebody, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The one question I'm being asked this week is if Matt Blanchard is "the man" to replace Jeff Donovan at quarterback. I sat at yesterday's practice with retired Hawk head coach Bob Berezowitz. We both noticed how Blanchard was quick to make his "reads" and was the most smooth of the six QBs in camp in making the required throws. Remember though that Matt has been in the system and after three days on the field the newbies are still working to feel comfortable.

Thr other group that I focused at was the "battle royal" for roster spots in the secondary. Just one starter is back. That is Matt McCulloch at cornerback. There are 21 D-Backs in camp. The two attributes that stands out is the athleticism and quickness of the DB pool.

I'm looking forward to the Warhawks full scrimmage on Saturday to see the players play against outside competition.

I'll be talking more about the scrimmage in the Thursday afternoon Training Camp Report.

Have a great day!!

Van Galder/Coach USA promotes UW-Whitewater on a couple of it's motor coaches

So I'm driving down to Janesville this evening and a Van Galder/Coach USA bus is driving the other way on Highway 26 between Milton and Janesville. As the motor coach bus flashes by I do a double take. The bus is painted in UW-Whitewater purple with both UW-Whitewater University and Hawk athletic logos emblazoned on the side of the bus. VERY COOL and what a marketing venture with Van Galder/Coach USA buses taking Warhawk athletes all around the country for any number of athletic events.

I'll have the full story on the Willie Warhawk Van Galder/Coach USA partnership coming up on Wednesday on Warhawkfootball.com

Who will replace Jeff Schebler at the kicking position?

Jeff Schebler ended his remarkable career in fitting fashion in last December's Stagg Bowl. The senior from Davenport, Iowa nailed a 44-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining to clinch UW-Whitewater's second NCAA Division III National Championship in the past three years.

The question of who will replace the greatest kicker statistically in NCAA history (all divisions) needs to be answered. Jake Kusters is the lone returnee. The junior from Racine has been Schebler's back-up for the past couple of years.

Three freshman are also in camp vying for the job. Stephen Guelff (Lake Placid NY),
Bryan Blazek (West Des Moines, IA), and Eric Kindler (Germantown)are all talented kickers in what Hawk head coach Lance Leipold calls a "wide-open" battle for the kicking job.

Hawks hit the practice field for the first time Sunday afternoon

The weather conditions were fabulous for the UW-Whitewater football team's first practice of the preseason. Following ten days of near 90 degree, humid conditions, the Warhawks practiced (in helmets only) in comfortable, 78 degree weather. Division III rules limit teams to helmets only the first two days of training camp followed by two days limited to helmets and shoulder pads. Hitting in full pads will get underway late in the week. Monday afternoon includes UW-Whitewater Football Media Day at the SAC. Check out some of the sights and sounds of Sunday's practice.

Poll answer: Neal Mrkvicka No. 3 all-time on UW-W career receptions list

Our first Voices Eye on Warhawk Football Blog poll is now closed.

The question was: Aaron Rusch became Warhawk football’s all-time receptions leader last year passing Jim Lesczynski’s record set in 2005. Who is third on the all-time reception’s list?

The choices were Neal Mrkvicka, Derek Stanley, Steve Tenhagen , or Anthony Talton.

The correct answer is Neal Mrkvicka.

UWW Career Receptions List

1. Aaron Rusch (2007-09) ...................................198
2. Jim Leszczynski (2002-05) .............................. 162
3. Neil Mrkvicka (2004-2007) ...............................155
6. Steve Tenhagen (1998-01) ................................145

Anthony Talton (1989-91), is not on the Top-10 receptions list but is No.1 all-time in yards per reception at 24.9 yds per catch.

A new Blog Poll will be posted late Sunday night.

136 report for UW-Whitewater football training camp

2010 UW-Whitewater football training camp is underway. 136 were scheduled to arrive at the UW-W Student Athetic Complex this morning and all 136 went through today's sign-in and orientation process.

Following lunch at Esker Dining Hall, players returned to the SAC for their first team meeting of the preseason.

The Hawks will hit the practice fields on the north side of campus Sunday afternoon for physical testing and conditioning.

The first five days of camp ia a conditioning period, during which no more than one practice may take place. The first two days are helmets only, followed by two days in helmets and shoulder pads and full pads thereafter.

The annual Warhawk football media day will take place Monday at the Student Athletic Complex.

2010 Training Camp Opens Saturday with check-in at the SAC

Finally! Most NCAA Division III football programs open preseason practice this weekend.

136 are scheduled to report today here at UW-Whitewater. Since the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference did away with "red-shirting" and placed its roster limit at 100, the number that report each season has dropped.

While D III powerhouse programs such as Mount Union, St. Johns and Mary Hardin-Baylor annually approach, or top 200, Whitewater chose to limit the size of its recruiting classes.

UW-W recuiting coordinator Brian Borland told me earlier this week that the football program is more selective in choosing potential recruits.

With Borland scheduled to have 136 report back to campus today for its annual two-week training camp - when camp ends the coaching staff will be required to pare the roster to 100 student-athletes.

The first five days of camp for all teams are a conditioning period, during which no more than one practice may take place and practice may not exceed three hours in length. The first two days are helmets only, followed by two days in helmets and shoulder pads and full pads thereafter.

Check out my blog late Saturday afternoon for a full update on "report to camp" day at the Student Athletic Complex.

The Warhawks will begin its defense of the 2009 Division III National Championship by hitting the UW-W practice fields on Sunday afternoon.

Douglas-Lundberg and Pattison Named Tom Butler Award Recipients

My Warhawk football broadcast partner, Gary Douglas-Lundberg and I are humbled to be named today as recipients of the 2010 Tom Butler Award by the WIAC.

The Tom Butler Award was established in 1998 and has been given annually to a representative of the print or electronic media for outstanding coverage of WIAC athletics. The league’s sports information directors select the winner. The award is dedicated to Tom Butler, who served the conference faithfully as its sports information director from 1967-96.

For more click onto the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire.

Make sure to vote in the current Warhawk football trivia question

Happy Friday the 13th!

Make sure you cast you vote on my blog poll located directly to your right. The current trivia question is: Aaron Rusch passed Jim Leszczynski last season as Whitewater's all-ime receptions leader. Who is No. 3 on the list? Your choices are: Steve Tenhagen, Neal Mrkvicka, Derek Stanley or Anthony Talton.

Make sure you cast your vote - the deadline is 11 pm Friday evening.

130 are expected to be back on campus Saturday for the start of preseason practice. The squad will hit the field for the first time on Sunday.

I'll have twice daily UW-W Training Camp Reports beginning Monday morning on KOOL 106.5. For more information, check out the story on the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire.

Plenty of Division III football in the September edition of Inside Wisconsin Sports

My absolute favorite magazine dealing with Wisconsin sports is Inside Wisconsin Sports Magazine.

The September/2010 edition of Inside Wisconsin Sports Magazine is out and for UW-Whitewater and WIAC football fans, there is plenty to absorb.

From the fantastic photos, to a team by team preview of the 2010 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, to a special page on the defending NCAA Division III National Champion Warhawk football team. The UW-W page includes a spectacular full-page portrait of junior tailback Levell Coppage. It is a MUST SEE!

The September edition of Inside Wisconsin Sports also features the 2010 ISW Preseason All-Wisconsin D III Team.

A hint - the Warhawks are well-represented on the team!.

Pick up a copy of the September editiion of Inside Wisconsin Sports Magazine at your local newsstand today.

Warhawkfootball.com to bring back message board this season

My Warhawkfootball.com Website will be celebrating its 9th birthday on September 1st.

As part of the Website's birthday celebration the popular Division III Website will be bringing back a message board for Warhawk Nation and football fans around the nation.

I made the decision to dismantle the previous message board due to a few knotheads that refused to post by the message board rules.

My decision to incorporate my Hawk Talk Message Board is due to the fact that technology has improved dramatically in connection with daily administration duties for the Webmaster.

With one click of a button I can now block the previous knotheads from posting or our ingternet friends that were spamming on the previous Warhawkfootball.com message board.

The new Hawk Talk Message Board is set to go online early next week.

On the comment section directly below this post. let me know your feelings on having the message board returning to Warhawkfootball.com.

Call Levell Coppage and Antwan Anderson Thunder and Lightning

The past couple of seasons, UW-Whitewater’s Levell Coppage and Antwan Anderson have teamed to be what many consider to be the top running back duo in Division III football.

Idle praise? Well the duo has combined for 5,884 yards rushing and 88 touchdowns (44 in 2008 and 44 in 2009) the past couple of seasons.

Read more about Thunder and Lightning by clicking onto the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire.

Check Out This Statistic!

Despite Mike Emmendorfer's 37 & 72 career record in 11 years as head coach at UW-Platteville, the Pioneer's have won all 11 season openers under Emmendorfer. Platteville beat Buena Vista 15-10 in last year's opener. The Pioneers will travel to Storm Lake, Iowa for the 2010 opener vs. Buena Vista.

Check out the Warhawk football trivia poll, just to your right, here on Voice's Football Blog

Test your Warhawk football knowledge by answering the Warhawk football trivia poll that is listed on the right side of the blog, just below the Voices Eye on Football Blog banner.

Here is our first Warhawk football Trivia Poll question...

Aaron Rusch passed Jim Leszczynski last season as Whitewater's all-ime receptions leader. Who is No. 3 on the list?

You have four choices to choose from.

Each trivia poll will last three days.

GO WARHAWKS!

WIAC Sports Information Director's Preseason Football Poll

Defending NCAA Division III champion and five-time league winner, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is the preseason favorite to win the 2010 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football title, according to the league’s sports information directors.

The Warhawks were the unanimous choice to win this year’s crown and would become the just second team in WIAC archives to secure six consecutive championships, joining UW-La Crosse (1949-54).

UW-Whitewater is ranked No. 1 in the D3football.com preseason poll and The Sporting News NCAA Division III Preseason Top 25. The Warhawks have participated in five straight Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (national championship) contests and own 31 conference first-place plaques. Junior Levell Coppage established WIAC single-season records with 35 rushing touchdowns and 210 points scored during the 2009 campaign, while producing the third-highest rushing yardage total with 2,107 yards. UW-Whitewater has been ranked among the top 15 in NCAA Division III attendance six consecutive years.

2010 Preseason Predictions--Voted on by WIAC Sports Information Directors
2009 Record
1. UW-Whitewater (8) 7-0, 15-0
2. UW-Stevens Point 6-1, 7-3
3. UW-Stout 5-2, 8-2
4. UW-Eau Claire 4-3, 6-4
5. UW-La Crosse 2-5, 5-5
6. UW-Oshkosh 2-5, 4-6
7. UW-River Falls 1-6, 3-7
8. UW-Platteville 1-6, 3-7

Joe Tait, Voice's broadcasting mentor, going into the Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend

Joe Tait is an icon when talking about NBA broadcasters. He will be honored with the Curt Gowdy broadcasting award from the Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Tait has been broadcasting Cleveland Cavalier’s basketball for an eternity. Now in his 38th season with the Cavaliers, with the exception of two seasons in the early 1980s, he has been the NBA team’s radio announcer since the team's inception.

He has announced that the 2010-11 NBA season will be his last.

Tait is a lifelong NBA broadcaster but the grizzled veteran has another broadcasting passion – broadcasting football and selected basketball games at nearby Mount Union. Yes – NCAA Division III level football.

Tait started his broadcasting career as an undergraduate, calling football games for the Monmouth College Fighting Scots.

Ironically, because he "had the ability to make a horrible team exciting," a colleague recommended him to NBA legend Bill Fitch to become the Cavs first announcer.

After 38 years, this will be my last season of broadcasting but I’m still going to be behind the microphone doing Mount Union football games both on the radio and on TV.
“I love Mount Union. I plan to do their football games, and I'll do some basketball games,” Tait tells Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I have taught there in the past, but I'm not sure about that just yet. I love the Purple Raider’s Saturday afternoon football games in that old stadium.

I totally understand Tait’s feelings about enjoying broadcasting football or basketball at the Division III level.

A few years ago I was broadcasting UW-Whitewater football or basketball games on Saturdays. Have to get up early the next morning to drive to Green Bay to do my other weekend duty – to be in the Lambeau Field press box and locker room after the game to put together the Titletown Report for the Goetz Radio Network.

I was often asked why I would want to still broadcast Warhawk football and basketball when you are in Green Bay three, sometimes four days a week on the Titletown Report beat?

Gary Douglas, my broadcasting partner on KOOL 106.5 Warhawk broadcasts. Tom Oates, longtime columnist for the Wisconsin State Journal, and yes, NBA Hall of Famer Joe Tait all have the same feeling that I do. There is something special about athletics, especially at the national elite level, at the D III level. It is a feeling that one does not get in the locker rooms and press boxes at the pro and Division 1 level.

Congratulations Joe on your entrance into the Basketball Hall of Fame and I hope to be talking to you again in December at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia!

Players are "jumping at the bit" to get 2010 preseason football practice underway

The UW-Whitewater football players will report to 2010 training camp this weekend. For many of the returning players the preparation for preseason practice has been on-going all summer.

On Monday, I was walking out of the Student Athletic Complex mid-afternoon and noticed several players out on the Perkins Stadium FieldTurf working out on their own.

Among the players working out in 90 degree, humid conditions were Aaron Rusch, Levell Coppage, Matt Blanchard, Josh Williams.

"I've been down here working out every single day," Rusch tells the Voiceseyeonfootball Blog. "I can't wait to get back at it at training camp and do what we can to have a great season once again."

"I've been living in Whitewater this summer and working hard on my game," Coppage said. "I've been working with the quarterbacks catching the football, something I'd like to be more proficient at. Working hard in the off-season can only make you a better player."

Coppage and Rusch, two of the premier players in the country, leading by example.

Who will replace Jeff Donovan at QB in 2010?

All signs are pointing to Matt Blanchard to open No. 1 on the QB depth chart when the Warhawk's open preseason practice on August 15th. Last year, the transfer from Northern Michigan University appeared in just nine games.

The Lake Zurich, Illinois native completed 10-of-14 passes and threw one interception in mop-up duty last year as back-up to Jeff Donovan.

Blanchard is more of a “Danny Jones” type quarterback, who does not hesitate to run from the QB spot. Blancharard finished 2009 with 115 yards on 24 carries. He also lined up as a wide receiver after coming back from an early season injury.

Check out the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire for a full story on UWW's quarterback situation entering training camp.

Darryl Simms is the new UW-Oshkosh Athletic Director

After a highly competitive national search, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has chosen Darryl Sims as its new athletics director.

Sims, who has served as the assistant director of athletics at UW-Oshkosh since 2007, succeeds Allen Ackerman, who recently announced his retirement from the athletics director position after 19 years. The selection concludes a two-month search that involved more than 60 applicants from across the country.

I have gotten to know Darryl during his time at UW-Oshkosh and I've been extremely impressed. He has treated both me, and my broadcasting partner, Gary Douglas, well on our trips to UW-O.

Being a "football guy," having played major college football at the highest level at UW, it is my hope that Simms can "light the fire" for the football program. The Titan football team won't have to wait long to take "a shot across the bow" of Division III football when the Titans open the 2010 football season at Titan Stadium vs. Mount Union!

Voice set for a football-free Sponge Bob-Square Pants Weekend

I started on July 1st working 6 to 8 hours a day in preparation for the 2010 UW-Whitewater football season. It is time for me to shut down for a couple of days to refresh and get ready the the Warhawk's training camp that begins on August 15h.

I was going to get out of town - maybe a trip out to Dickinson, North Dakota to see the now completed Badlands Activity Center Stadium that was only 40% completed when UWW opened the 2009 season with a 38-3 win over Dickinson State University.

I was watching one of the cartoon channels on Charter Cable this afternoon and a commercial came on about a big weekend of Sponge Bob-Square Pants. What a way to clear one's mind - just sitting back in the Lazy-Boy with a pitcher of lemonade watching my main men - Sponge Bob and Patrick.

For Voice it will be a football-free, clear the mind, Sponge Bob weekend. Two days of Sponge Bob and I'll be ready to tackle a much anticipated season of covering the Warhawk football team in defense of its second NCAA Division III National Championship in three years.

Kris Russell to be Honored with UWW Volleyball Facility Name

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will honor Kris Russell, UW-W's volleyball coach for twenty-four years (1981-2004) by naming the volleyball facility for her in a ceremony set for Friday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. The recognition will take place prior to UW-W's match versus Emory University in the Whitewater Invitational Tournament in the Williams Center volleyball facility on campus.

Russell was one of the most successful collegiate volleyball coaches in the National Collegiate Athletic Association during her tenure at UW-Whitewater. She amassed a record of 812-231 (.779 winning percentage), including a 178-49 (.784) mark in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. At the time of her retirement from coaching, Russell was one of just eight active NCAA coaches (Division I, II or III) with 800 career victories.

Well deserved for Coach Russell, another of the iconic coaches at the NCAA Division III level.

UW-Whitewater’s Student Athletic Complex opened in September, 2003, and has yet to be formally named. Former Warhawk football coach Bob Berezowitz is the reason the facility was constructed. “Brez” was the primary fundraiser for the facility located on the southeast end of Perkins Stadium. The SAC is one of the “true jewels” of UW-Whitewater’s nationally recognized athletic facilities.

Call me stupid but the Berezowitz Student Athletic Complex has a pretty good ring to it don't you think?

Focusing on the present key to Warhawks 2010 success

Every season is a season upon itself, but a quick look at the 2010 D3football.com Preseason Top 25 Poll reads like an old novel.

Having UW-Whitewater ranked No. 1 over arch-rival Mount Union may surprise some D3 football fans around the country, but not to me.

Coming off the program's second Division III National Championship in three years I strongly believe that the Warhawks have earned the No. 1 spot on the poll for the first time in school history.

Rounding out the Top-10 is Wesley (Del), Linfield (Ore), St, Thomas (Minn), Mary Hardin-Baylor (Tex), Central (Iowa), Wittenberg (Ohio), and St. Johns (Minn).


UW-Stevens Point is the lone WIAC team to join UW-Whitewater in D3football.com’s 2010 Preseason Top 25 Poll. UW-Stout is among the teams in the “others receiving votes” category.

With that said let me cut to the chase. Preseason polls and Preseason All-American selections are great for the ego but season ending accomplishments and records are much more important.

To be at the top of the D3 food chain a team must put past year's accomplishments to the side and focus and rededicate it's focus and goals to the new season.

It is pretty obvious that the Warhawks have been able to do that during it's current five-year run of WIAC titles and playoff runs ending in Salem, Virginia.

I sat down with UW-W head coach Lance Leipold earlier this week. We talked about the work and focus it takes to "reload" and put together a championship season.

While the media and fans often take it for granted that Whitewater and Mount Union will meet "every year" in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl - but it ain't that easy!

For Leipold, to reach the success the program has had, it is imperative to focus in "the present" - not "the past or the future."

"I have been impressed each year the approach our players have been able to take," Leipold said. "I credit our assistant coaches with the week to week focus on the present. It is starting over and proving yourself all over again. I think we have been able to find those motivating factors to keep the season in perspective."

Leipold and his coaching staff will welcome players back to campus on Saturday, August 14th, with the first day of practice set for Sunday, August 15th.

I asked Coach Leipold what his message for the team will be when they meet that first day.

"We will talk about team goals," Liepold told Voiceseyeonbaseball.blogspot.com. "Nothing changes in the fact that our first three games are to get us ready for what our ultimate goal is. And that is to compete and win a conference championship. Anything after that will take care of itself.

The Warhawks will open it's 2010 preseason practice on Sunday, August 15th.

Game-Day at Perkins Stadium is much more than just a football game

A UW-Whitewater football game at Perkins Stadium is much more than just a football game.

I am told that the season opener on 9/4 vs. Adrian College (Mich) has been designated Welcome Back Students Day with a number of events taking place in conjunction of the event.

I also learned this morning that in conjunction with the September 11th game vs. Dakota State (South Dakota) UW-W is going to hold a Youth Day in conjunction with Back to Whitewater. This is going to offer any youth 8th grade and below free admission. We will be doing autographs for youth after the game and have pre-game activities.

I'll keep you updated here on http://www.voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com/!

T Minus 12 Days And Counting Till Warhawk Training Camp

You know it is getting close to football season when campus staff spends Tuesday making sure the massive Perkins Stadium scoreboard is electronically ready for the season.

While hundreds of young Badger State La Crosse campers spent much of the day on the Perkins Stadium’s turf a stadium crew was checking out the Perks’ public address and sound system. Also tested was the 40-foot tall Daktronics scoreboard.

Meanwhile, inside the adjacent Student Athletic Complex the football coaching staff busily prepares for the opening of preseason practice.

Warhawk head coach Lance Leipold tells Voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com that next week will be spent with staff meetings finalizing details in preparation for the team to report back to campus on Saturday, August 14th. The squad will hit the practice field the following day.

Finalists named for UW-La Crosse Athletic Director's Position

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has named its four finalists to be interviewed for the athletic director position, according to the search and screen committee.

The four finalists are Tyler Johnson, associate athletic director for business & internal affairs at The University of Tennessee; Glen Krupica, deputy director of athletics - external affairs at Northern Illinois University; Lori Runksmeier, director of athletics at New England College; and Josh Whitman, attorney for Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C.

Ater 12 years serving as UW-L's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. In April, Joe Baker accepted the position of athletic director at Carroll University in Waukesha. Baker was hired at La Crosse in 1998. Eagles athletic programs have won 83 WIAC titles and 25 national championships during Baker's tenure.

Say it ain't so Brett

Brett Favre has reportedly told a number of his Minnesota Viking teammates that he will not play in the 2010 season, NFL sources told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Several other reports confirm that Favre has decided to retire a third time, but the team is trying to convince the future Hall of Famer to come back for one more year.

Neither Bus Cook, Favre’s agent, nor Vikings coaches or personnel men have officially commented on the situation yet. Favre reportedly started calling Vikings personnel late Monday night and informing them he would not be back, citing too much wear on his body.

Coach Brad Childress is expected to address the media at 11:30 a.m. after the team’s morning practice.

Favre, who will turn 41 in October, had been debating whether to play a 20th NFL season. In 2009, he threw for 4,202 yards, 33 touchdowns and a career-low seven interceptions.

Pat Miller knocks in "double-eagle" on the 18th at Koshkonong Mounds

UW-Whitewater men's basketball coach Pat Miller is also an accomplished golfer. Miller confounded the odds over the weekend by knocking in a rare "double-eagle" 2 on the 444 yard, par 5, 18th hole.

The odds of recoring a double eagle (3 under the par rating of a hole) is an astronomical 6 million to 1. Compare that to hole-in-one odds listed at 12,700 to 1.

When the foresome reached the elevated 18th green, one of Miller's golf advesaries, Shane Sparks, sales manager at KOOL 106.5-940 WFAW-Lite 107.3, was first to notice Miller's ball wedged between the pin and hole.

According to the National Hole In One Association, the odds of an average golfer making a hole-in-one are 12,700 to 1; for a tour pro, 3,700 to 1. The odds of making an albatross have been stated at about 6 million to 1.

"Odds - what odds," Miller tells Voice's Eye on Football Blog. "I hit a great shot and it went in the hole, what can I say."

Thanks for checking out Voice's Eye on Football Blog

Hello again everybody, Voice here!

I just want to thank the hundreds of UW-Whitewater football fans that have clicked onto Voice's Eye on Football Blog

I have developed the blog as a companion Website to my popular Warhawkfootball.com

http://www.voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com/ has been online for a week now and I appreciate readers adding their comments below each of my posts. It is very simple to do - just click on comments Posted by Voice at 8:48 PM 0 comments Click on 0 comments and you'll have a window to comment on my post or and your own thoughts on each post's subject.

Make voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com and Warhawkfootball.com daily stops on your internet browsing.

The 2010 Warhawk football team reports for preseason practice on Saturday, August 14th. The first practice is set for Sunday, August 15th

Sure wish the WIAC would have a 2010 Media Day scheduled

What is wrong with this picture?

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is annually considered one of the top NCAA Division III football conferences in the country. The conference is home to the defending Division III National Champion and a football program that has reached the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in each of the past five seasons. UW-Whitewater has gone toe-to-toe with Mount Union each year, winning the 2007 and 2009 NCAA Division III Titles.

A great opportunity to market the conference by holding what was once an annual WIAC Football Media Day. Last year, due to budget contsraints elected to cancel Media Day.

I understand the budget concerns but why not a conference call WIAC football preseason media day? The more publicity this conference can get, the better it is for all WIAC schools and football programs.

What is so disappointing this year is the number of Division III conferences around the nation THAT ARE conducting preseason media days this week. Conferences like the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), home to Mount Union College will hold media events this week that will allow fans to watch a live video of the event with one click on your computer. The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) will conduct its second annual live chat with its eight head football coaches on Thursday, August 5. The Centennial Conference will also have its football media day via Live Chat.

It certainly would be great for the WIAC if it had developed Live Chat Media Day or another "out of the box" preseason media event.

Not complaining - just wishing out loud.

For more info on planned media events around the week you can click onto http://d3football.com/