The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

It was a fun time at the Coaches Caravan tonight. I came away with several nuggets.

From Bobby Wilder:

1. Thomas DeMarco is recovering/rehabbing nicely from his torn ACL.

2. Richard Ross ran a 4.6 forty -- from a standing start!

3. Richard Ross is 6' 4 1/2.

4. TH flew up to Minnesota and had a good day with them. The Vikings are clearly showing the most interest in him. BW opined that if TH does not go before the 6th round, he believes it would be best for him to be a UFA in order to pick his own team.

5. BW is pleased with the progress of the defense.

6. At this time Bentley and LaRussa are No. 1 and No. 2, but Verhaegh's shoulder is getting better and he looked good today.

From JJ:

1. He really enjoyed this team and the team chemistry/team purpose they had -- i.e. wins were more important than individual performance/stats.

2. He thinks next year's team can be even better.

3. Brandon Stith dominated in practices. He reminds him of how Trey was the best on the court year before last when he could not play. This year Stith was the same way.

4. He thinks the three newcomers can contribute this year.

From Karen Barefoot:

1. This year's team was so close to going to the NCAA.

2. She is really enthused for next year. (This lady is full of energy!)

From Wood Selig:

1. Groundbreaking on the BB practice facility will be this summer.

2. Ground breaking on an addition to the football facility will be this summer.

3. The stadium study should begin soon. He surprised me with a comment that the study would include an examination of expansion of S. B. Ballard Stadium, though it would appear that they would not be able to add more than another 5,000 seats. I got the impression that the main reason this will be addressed is to document why expanding Ballard is not a reasonable alternative and why we would have to build a new stadium. The size of the new stadium would also appear to rather flexible at this point.

4. UAB is conducting a second study which could lead to them bringing back football. If they do, they will not have to go through a two year transition like we did.

5. If UAB does not bring back football, UAB will be gone with details of how to phase out the different sports' schedules TBD.

6. If UAB is gone, Wood sees no real interest in adding another school at this time.

7. He is really exited about the transition to UA.

I am sure there is much more I should have mentioned. If someone thinks I misrepresented anything, please step in.

(04-16-2015 08:19 PM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  It was a fun time at the Coaches Caravan tonight. I came away with several nuggets.

From Bobby Wilder:

1. Thomas DeMarco is recovering/rehabbing nicely from his torn ACL.

2. Richard Ross ran a 4.6 forty -- from a standing start!

3. Richard Ross is 6' 4 1/2.

4. TH flew up to Minnesota and had a good day with them. The Vikings are clearly showing the most interest in him. BW opined that if TH does not go before the 6th round, he believes it would be best for him to be a UFA in order to pick his own team.

5. BW is pleased with the progress of the defense.

6. At this time Bentley and LaRussa are No. 1 and No. 2, but Verhaegh's shoulder is getting better and he looked good today.

From JJ:

1. He really enjoyed this team and the team chemistry/team purpose they had -- i.e. wins were more important than individual performance/stats.

2. He thinks next year's team can be even better.

3. Brandon Stith dominated in practices. He reminds him of how Trey was the best on the court year before last when he could not play. This year Stith was the same way.

4. He thinks the three newcomers can contribute this year.

From Karen Barefoot:

1. This year's team was so close to going to the NCAA.

2. She is really enthused for next year. (This lady is full of energy!)

From Wood Selig:

1. Groundbreaking on the BB practice facility will be this summer.

2. Ground breaking on an addition to the football facility will be this summer.

3. The stadium study should begin soon. He surprised me with a comment that the study would include an examination of expansion of S. B. Ballard Stadium, though it would appear that they would not be able to add more than another 5,000 seats. I got the impression that the main reason this will be addressed is to document why expanding Ballard is not a reasonable alternative and why we would have to build a new stadium. The size of the new stadium would also appear to rather flexible at this point.

4. UAB is conducting a second study which could lead to them bringing back football. If they do, they will not have to go through a two year transition like we did.

5. If UAB does not bring back football, UAB will be gone with details of how to phase out the different sports' schedules TBD.

6. If UAB is gone, Wood sees no real interest in adding another school at this time.

7. He is really exited about the transition to UA.

I am sure there is much more I should have mentioned. If someone thinks I misrepresented anything, please step in.

Thanks for sharing this AGGIE.

Wood also said there will be much discussion of men and women's BB tourneys at the upcoming CUSA meetings. Keep at same city for both, split the tourneys to different cities requiring different weeks (like the CAA) or.....the solution that sounded great, add two days to the tourney in one city. This last suggestion would the great since the way tourneys are now there's only two days that the second venue is need when played in the same city.

Selig said ODU would definitely bid on the either or both of men's and women's if they are separated and if it's one city only using one venue. The MEAC has Scope tied up. But, he said, what schools would vote for the men's tourney in Norfolk with the Ted's history history (especially after this 24 game streak) of fan support!

JJ encouraged everyone to go to the Marshall/ODU baseball series this weekend. He said it's bark in the Park Friday night at 6PM and he is going with his Wheaten terriers.

JJ spoke highly of Keenan and wished him well. He met with Jonathon today to be updated. Jon signed with an agent and JJ thinks he will play in Europe.

BW asked JJ if, since he gave BW Richard, did JJ have a BB player that can punt!!

My ranting is over! Big Blue BBQ will be June 10th.....details TBA!

Food was good and plentiful. These Caravans are great and not to be missed!

All good stuff, although the "women were close to the NCAAs" seems a bit of a stretch for me.

Was Jeffrey sporting his patented navy blue blazer? When it is all said and done, that magnificent piece of clothing will be on display at the Smithsonian. I wish I could have been there for this glorious event.

Someone should send Nick Cattles to one of these so we can get better questions than Wood...what do you think of Kentucky and the one and dones?

(04-16-2015 08:41 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  JJ encouraged everyone to go to the Marshall/ODU baseball series this weekend. He said it's bark in the Park Friday night at 6PM and he is going with his Wheaten terriers.


BW asked JJ if, since he gave BW Richard, did JJ have a BB player that can punt!!

Can't wait to meet JJ's dog with our band of merry pugs and French bulldog!

I can't figure out how ODU can have such a good soccer team and no one we can use as a punter or kicker?

(04-16-2015 09:17 PM)Jackie Moon Wrote:  Was Jeffrey sporting his patented navy blue blazer? When it is all said and done, that magnificent piece of clothing will be on display at the Smithsonian. I wish I could have been there for this glorious event.

JJ went to and coached at UVA. Navy blue blazer and khaki pants constitutes the uniform. You know, the Preppy Handbook!

(04-16-2015 09:30 PM)LuckyLion Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 08:41 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  JJ encouraged everyone to go to the Marshall/ODU baseball series this weekend. He said it's bark in the Park Friday night at 6PM and he is going with his Wheaten terriers.


BW asked JJ if, since he gave BW Richard, did JJ have a BB player that can punt!!

Can't wait to meet JJ's dog with our band of merry pugs and French bulldog!

I can't figure out how ODU can have such a good soccer team and no one we can use as a punter or kicker?

A fan of the Georgia Southern strategy, I see.

(04-16-2015 09:41 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 09:30 PM)LuckyLion Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 08:41 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  JJ encouraged everyone to go to the Marshall/ODU baseball series this weekend. He said it's bark in the Park Friday night at 6PM and he is going with his Wheaten terriers.


BW asked JJ if, since he gave BW Richard, did JJ have a BB player that can punt!!

Can't wait to meet JJ's dog with our band of merry pugs and French bulldog!

I can't figure out how ODU can have such a good soccer team and no one we can use as a punter or kicker?

A fan of the Georgia Southern strategy, I see.

Jerod Brown is a soccer player at heart. He was "discovered" by a high school football coach. But, I guess the rugby player experiment didn't work out all that well.

I hope we've at least considered it. Maybe Brown was just that good and I got used to it, but I'd really like for us to be acing any FGs within 30-35 yards again.

(04-16-2015 09:59 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  I hope we've at least considered it. Maybe Brown was just that good and I got used to it, but I'd really like for us to be acing any FGs within 30-35 yards again.

Satchel Ziffer is my little cousin and I follow his career, as the rest of our family does, closely. In the three scrimmages, he went 17-20, 19-20, and 8-8. That combined is 44-48... Over 90%.. He won you guys 2 games last year, hit a 47 yarder at a game I was present for, and only had one real snafu.

All I am asking you guys is to give him a chance, he's only been doing this for 3 years and he hasn't done anything to lose your confidence.

Jarod Brown
2010- 12-16, 39-41 on EXpts
2011- 14-21, 57-59 and 59.1 yards a kickoff..

That's Brown's first two seasons as a monarch..
Satch went 3-5 2 game winners, 12-12 on Expts and averaged 59.1 yards a kickoff in his sophomore year and first year in D1..

All i'm saying is to give him a chance and maybe he'll surprise you.

Remember.. JB started as a walk-on and took over for the starter too..

(04-16-2015 08:19 PM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  It was a fun time at the Coaches Caravan tonight. I came away with several nuggets.

From Bobby Wilder:

1. Thomas DeMarco is recovering/rehabbing nicely from his torn ACL.

2. Richard Ross ran a 4.6 forty -- from a standing start!

3. Richard Ross is 6' 4 1/2.

4. TH flew up to Minnesota and had a good day with them. The Vikings are clearly showing the most interest in him. BW opined that if TH does not go before the 6th round, he believes it would be best for him to be a UFA in order to pick his own team.

5. BW is pleased with the progress of the defense.

6. At this time Bentley and LaRussa are No. 1 and No. 2, but Verhaegh's shoulder is getting better and he looked good today.

From JJ:

1. He really enjoyed this team and the team chemistry/team purpose they had -- i.e. wins were more important than individual performance/stats.

2. He thinks next year's team can be even better.

3. Brandon Stith dominated in practices. He reminds him of how Trey was the best on the court year before last when he could not play. This year Stith was the same way.

4. He thinks the three newcomers can contribute this year.

From Karen Barefoot:

1. This year's team was so close to going to the NCAA.

2. She is really enthused for next year. (This lady is full of energy!)

From Wood Selig:

1. Groundbreaking on the BB practice facility will be this summer.

2. Ground breaking on an addition to the football facility will be this summer.

3. The stadium study should begin soon. He surprised me with a comment that the study would include an examination of expansion of S. B. Ballard Stadium, though it would appear that they would not be able to add more than another 5,000 seats. I got the impression that the main reason this will be addressed is to document why expanding Ballard is not a reasonable alternative and why we would have to build a new stadium. The size of the new stadium would also appear to rather flexible at this point.

4. UAB is conducting a second study which could lead to them bringing back football. If they do, they will not have to go through a two year transition like we did.

5. If UAB does not bring back football, UAB will be gone with details of how to phase out the different sports' schedules TBD.

6. If UAB is gone, Wood sees no real interest in adding another school at this time.

7. He is really exited about the transition to UA.

I am sure there is much more I should have mentioned. If someone thinks I misrepresented anything, please step in.

You forgot to add a couple details.

1. ODU is looking to buy its own canon for Forman Field

2. Ross has strong interest from the Chargers, 49ers and Vikings

3. The Ted is getting a new wraparound scoreboard as well as new ribbon screens!! Yey!

Also, was fun sitting with you ODU Aggie.

(04-17-2015 01:14 AM)FTW ODU Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 08:19 PM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  It was a fun time at the Coaches Caravan tonight. I came away with several nuggets.

From Bobby Wilder:

1. Thomas DeMarco is recovering/rehabbing nicely from his torn ACL.

2. Richard Ross ran a 4.6 forty -- from a standing start!

3. Richard Ross is 6' 4 1/2.

4. TH flew up to Minnesota and had a good day with them. The Vikings are clearly showing the most interest in him. BW opined that if TH does not go before the 6th round, he believes it would be best for him to be a UFA in order to pick his own team.

5. BW is pleased with the progress of the defense.

6. At this time Bentley and LaRussa are No. 1 and No. 2, but Verhaegh's shoulder is getting better and he looked good today.

From JJ:

1. He really enjoyed this team and the team chemistry/team purpose they had -- i.e. wins were more important than individual performance/stats.

2. He thinks next year's team can be even better.

3. Brandon Stith dominated in practices. He reminds him of how Trey was the best on the court year before last when he could not play. This year Stith was the same way.

4. He thinks the three newcomers can contribute this year.

From Karen Barefoot:

1. This year's team was so close to going to the NCAA.

2. She is really enthused for next year. (This lady is full of energy!)

From Wood Selig:

1. Groundbreaking on the BB practice facility will be this summer.

2. Ground breaking on an addition to the football facility will be this summer.

3. The stadium study should begin soon. He surprised me with a comment that the study would include an examination of expansion of S. B. Ballard Stadium, though it would appear that they would not be able to add more than another 5,000 seats. I got the impression that the main reason this will be addressed is to document why expanding Ballard is not a reasonable alternative and why we would have to build a new stadium. The size of the new stadium would also appear to rather flexible at this point.

4. UAB is conducting a second study which could lead to them bringing back football. If they do, they will not have to go through a two year transition like we did.

5. If UAB does not bring back football, UAB will be gone with details of how to phase out the different sports' schedules TBD.

6. If UAB is gone, Wood sees no real interest in adding another school at this time.

7. He is really exited about the transition to UA.

I am sure there is much more I should have mentioned. If someone thinks I misrepresented anything, please step in.

You forgot to add a couple details.

1. ODU is looking to buy its own canon for Forman Field

2. Ross has strong interest from the Chargers, 49ers and Vikings

3. The Ted is getting a new wraparound scoreboard as well as new ribbon screens!! Yey!

Also, was fun sitting with you ODU Aggie.

Dude if Ross went to the 49ers, that would be seriously epic, because I'm a 49ers fan!

(04-16-2015 08:19 PM)ODU AGGIE Wrote:  It was a fun time at the Coaches Caravan tonight. I came away with several nuggets.

From Bobby Wilder:

1. Thomas DeMarco is recovering/rehabbing nicely from his torn ACL.

2. Richard Ross ran a 4.6 forty -- from a standing start!

3. Richard Ross is 6' 4 1/2.

4. TH flew up to Minnesota and had a good day with them. The Vikings are clearly showing the most interest in him. BW opined that if TH does not go before the 6th round, he believes it would be best for him to be a UFA in order to pick his own team.

5. BW is pleased with the progress of the defense.

6. At this time Bentley and LaRussa are No. 1 and No. 2, but Verhaegh's shoulder is getting better and he looked good today.

From JJ:

1. He really enjoyed this team and the team chemistry/team purpose they had -- i.e. wins were more important than individual performance/stats.

2. He thinks next year's team can be even better.

3. Brandon Stith dominated in practices. He reminds him of how Trey was the best on the court year before last when he could not play. This year Stith was the same way.

4. He thinks the three newcomers can contribute this year.

From Karen Barefoot:

1. This year's team was so close to going to the NCAA.

2. She is really enthused for next year. (This lady is full of energy!)

From Wood Selig:

1. Groundbreaking on the BB practice facility will be this summer.

2. Ground breaking on an addition to the football facility will be this summer.

3. The stadium study should begin soon. He surprised me with a comment that the study would include an examination of expansion of S. B. Ballard Stadium, though it would appear that they would not be able to add more than another 5,000 seats. I got the impression that the main reason this will be addressed is to document why expanding Ballard is not a reasonable alternative and why we would have to build a new stadium. The size of the new stadium would also appear to rather flexible at this point.

4. UAB is conducting a second study which could lead to them bringing back football. If they do, they will not have to go through a two year transition like we did.

5. If UAB does not bring back football, UAB will be gone with details of how to phase out the different sports' schedules TBD.

6. If UAB is gone, Wood sees no real interest in adding another school at this time.

7. He is really exited about the transition to UA.

I am sure there is much more I should have mentioned. If someone thinks I misrepresented anything, please step in.

I was not aware of there being an addition to the football facility. Was he referring to the complex on Powhatan, where the guys the workout?

It would be really stupid for them to even waste money expanding Foreman Field for 5,000 seats. What about all the amenities? I used my phone and did some surveying on my own a few weeks ago, just before that video appeared and there's more that twice as much space at Powhatan than where the stadium is now. There is roughly 11.73 acres back there! (I'm an IT/Business guy, not an engineer, so I may be off a little and I didn't go too close to the water's edge.) If you consider the setting of that video, it appears that it serves as some form of confirmation that this is where the new stadium will be located. FF expansion won't happen!

Excited to see what Stith can do next year. Sounds like we could have a legitimate inside/outside game. If PP pans out, we could be scary dangerous. You know Freeman is only going to get better.

(04-17-2015 01:14 AM)FTW ODU Wrote:  You forgot to add a couple details.

1. ODU is looking to buy its own canon for Forman Field
Field

Aggie! How could this vital piece of information not be the first thing mentioned??

But in all seriousness, I hope they do. I never would've thought that I would miss hearing a cannon so much. However, I do, gosh darnit. Bring back the BOOM!!

(04-17-2015 07:34 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(04-17-2015 01:14 AM)FTW ODU Wrote:  You forgot to add a couple details.

1. ODU is looking to buy its own canon for Forman Field
Field

Aggie! How could this vital piece of information not be the first thing mentioned??

But in all seriousness, I hope they do. I never would've thought that I would miss hearing a cannon so much. However, I do, gosh darnit. Bring back the BOOM!!

Having a cannon seems so appropriate for a school like ODU, because it has two ROTC units. I miss the boom too! We need to develop some traditions too. I think Florida State has the best Football entrance with the Indian coming in on a horse and spearing the ground with that flaming arrow! I think we should have a well-trained Lion on the field and have it release a giant roar, striking fear into the visiting team and its fans, right before our team enters the stadium! Now that would be a real crowd pleaser!!



ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you were the visiting team, wouldn't this scare the poop out of you?

(04-17-2015 07:34 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(04-17-2015 01:14 AM)FTW ODU Wrote:  You forgot to add a couple details.

1. ODU is looking to buy its own canon for Forman Field
Field

Aggie! How could this vital piece of information not be the first thing mentioned??

But in all seriousness, I hope they do. I never would've thought that I would miss hearing a cannon so much. However, I do, gosh darnit. Bring back the BOOM!!

Even though we've only had football for 6 years I consider the Howitzer a tradition. It was my favorite part about leading the football team on the the field when I cheered, hearing that and hearing the crowd go nuts.

What do you guys think about shooting it after every TD as well? Too much? The entrances at the beginning and after halftime it should always fire, as it has been

Does the ROTC program have cannons? Or would they be able to help the Athletic/football program buy one?

(04-17-2015 12:51 AM)JohnSnell87 Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 09:59 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  I hope we've at least considered it. Maybe Brown was just that good and I got used to it, but I'd really like for us to be acing any FGs within 30-35 yards again.

Satchel Ziffer is my little cousin and I follow his career, as the rest of our family does, closely. In the three scrimmages, he went 17-20, 19-20, and 8-8. That combined is 44-48... Over 90%.. He won you guys 2 games last year, hit a 47 yarder at a game I was present for, and only had one real snafu.

All I am asking you guys is to give him a chance, he's only been doing this for 3 years and he hasn't done anything to lose your confidence.

Jarod Brown
2010- 12-16, 39-41 on EXpts
2011- 14-21, 57-59 and 59.1 yards a kickoff..

That's Brown's first two seasons as a monarch..
Satch went 3-5 2 game winners, 12-12 on Expts and averaged 59.1 yards a kickoff in his sophomore year and first year in D1..

All i'm saying is to give him a chance and maybe he'll surprise you.

Remember.. JB started as a walk-on and took over for the starter too..

No one's knocking Ziff, just a bit of message board impatience by me. Everyone here pulls for all the Monarchs, kickers included.