If you could rename I-AA's awards...

[*****]

This always goes through my mind when I read about I-AA's major awards:

Offense - Walter Payton <--- never played I-AA
Defense - Buck Buchanan <--- never played I-AA
Coach - Eddie Robinson <--- glory years were prior to I-AA

If you could rename them to reflect true I-AA era greats what would they be?

[*****]

Okay I'll start.

Offense - Adrian Peterson
Defense - Dexter Coakely
Coach - Roy Kidd

[bluehenbillk]

Walter Payton never played 1-AA??

[henfan]

I see where you're going with this, Ralph, and it's perfectly valid. I'd like to see them refrain from using names altogether-

Offense: NCAA D-I (Playoff Division) Offensive Player of the Year
Defense: NCAA D-I (Playoff Division) Defensive Player of the Year
Coach: NCAA D-I (Playoff Division) Coach of the Year
Playoff winner: NCAA D-I (Playoff Division) Champion

[blueballs]

Okay I'll start.

Offense - Adrian Peterson
Defense - Dexter Coakely
Coach - Roy Kidd

Good post Ralph. Hard to argue with those.

[OL FU]

Okay I'll start.

Offense - Adrian Peterson
Defense - Dexter Coakely
Coach - Roy Kidd


With all due respect to Adrian Peterson ( and he deserves much), Furman would have to refuse to play offense to avoid having a winner.

I like the Roy Kidd idea, but would really hate to see Robinson's name off that award.

[Fordham]

Offense - Eakin
Defense - Kornegay
Coach - Foley? ... or Lombardi? ... or Danowski?

or, bias-aside, how about:

Offense - Lomax
Defense - Howie
Coach - The Tubby
*Athlete - Lockbaum

[OL FU]

Now that I think of it, defense would also have to go. We would just play special teams.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

This always goes through my mind when I read about I-AA's major awards:

Offense - Walter Payton <--- never played I-AA
Defense - Buck Buchanan <--- never played I-AA
Coach - Eddie Robinson <--- glory years were prior to I-AA

If you could rename them to reflect true I-AA era greats what would they be?

Hmmm... the "Yo" Murphy award?

:lmao:

Seriously now:

Offense: Steve McNair Award
Defense: Dexter Coakley Award (has to be - nobody else comes close)
Coach: The *shudder* Tubby Raymond Award

The only problem I have with the Eddie Robinson award is that he is so associated with Grambling that it sounds like it's a HBCU coach award, not a coach for all of I-AA. I think *shudder* Tubby Raymond is a better choice, since Delaware was I-AA before I-AA was I-AA. Plus, he had I-AA playoff success too.

[pete4256]

Yes, I think Buchanan, Payton, and Robinson awards make it sounds as though I-AA is comprised of HBCUs.

Maybe the coaching award, at least, ought to reflect playoff success. So, we're down to two--Erk Russell and Jim Tressell. Well, Tressell cheated and has taken a big hit to his rep.--that leaves the Erk Russell award. (sorry, Roy Kidd. I'm not sorry, Tubby--you didn't cut it in I-AA).

[VictorG]

Okay I'll start.

Offense - Adrian Peterson
Defense - Dexter Coakely
Coach - Roy Kidd

Only ? I have would be on Offense. How about Jerry Rice or was that to long ago? (At least I thought he played I-AA)

[Footballnut]

Yes, I think Buchanan, Payton, and Robinson awards make it sounds as though I-AA is comprised of HBCUs.

Maybe the coaching award, at least, ought to reflect playoff success. So, we're down to two--Erk Russell and Jim Tressell. Well, Tressell cheated and has taken a big hit to his rep.--that leaves the Erk Russell award. (sorry, Roy Kidd. I'm not sorry, Tubby--you didn't cut it in I-AA).

Geez like there is something wrong with being compared to HBCU? This is a stupid thread.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Geez like there is something wrong with being compared to HBCU? This is a stupid thread.

There's nothing wrong with being compared to HBCU's. However, I-AA is a big tent, and has a lot of different kinds of institutions. I do have a problem about our awards being represented by schools that don't play in the I-AA playoffs. I'd have the same problem with an Ivy coach. Does it really make sense to have the best I-AA coach be a coach that has never coached in the I-AA playoffs?

For offensive/defensive players, it has less to do with the playoffs and more with individual talent. That's why I don't have a problem with it for those awards. However, I agree that it should actually *be* someone who has played I-AA football, not "someone who would have played I-AA football had he played when I-AA was a classification".

[*****]

... This is a stupid thread.No it isn't. What is stupid is having I-AA's awards named after people who had no or little impact in I-AA.

[Footballnut]

No it isn't. What is stupid is having I-AA's awards named after people who had no or little impact in I-AA.


I wonder if the awards where named Gordy Lockbaum and Jim Tressal awards if you would have a problem.

There are more important issues to talk about than this stupid topic.

[ngineer]

I agree with Henfan and call the awards "Most Valuable Offensive/Defensive Player" and the "Outstanding Coach of the Year". Naming awards after certain individuals can create dissension (as can be seen on some of these responses), unless there would be an absolute 'Rushmore' type who would be considered by acclimation, i.e. Lombardi in the NFL.

[*****]

I wonder if the awards where named Gordy Lockbaum and Jim Tressal awards if you would have a problem.

There are more important issues to talk about than this stupid topic.You already said it was a stupid topic but you've never said why and you've done pretty much nothing today ysuguy but call stuff stupid. Is that your idea of talking about important issues? :rolleyes:

Lockbaum and Coach Jim have already been mentioned.

[Footballnut]

I agree with Henfan and call the awards "Most Valuable Offensive/Defensive Player" and the "Outstanding Coach of the Year". Naming awards after certain individuals can create dissension (as can be seen on some of these responses), unless there would be an absolute 'Rushmore' type who would be considered by acclimation, i.e. Lombardi in the NFL.


The NHL has the Jack Adams Award, the Conn Symthe Trophy, the Hart Trophy, the Selke Trophy.

The names Walter Payton and Eddie Robinson transcend any racial boundary. The only people who don't want those names on the trophies are racist idiots. Even if they do hide their racism under some crap excuse like they don't play 1-AA.

[Grizo406]

There are more important issues to talk about than this stupid topic.

On this thread? Like what?

The thread is titled "If you could rename I-AA's awards..." I think ralph meant for people to discuss that, and not other things more important...I might be guessing on that because of the title, but I'm pretty sure that's what he intended.

ralph has created a bunch of different boards for people to post what they think is important. Are you saying all the important issues need to be talked about in a thread titled "If you could rename I-AA's awards..."?

[*****]

The NHL has the Jack Adams Award, the Conn Symthe Trophy, the Hart Trophy, the Selke Trophy.

The names Walter Payton and Eddie Robinson transcend any racial boundary. The only people who don't want those names on the trophies are racist idiots. Even if they do hide their racism under some crap excuse like they don't play 1-AA.You are the only one talking about race. Why do I feel another RU4GSU coming on? This is supposed to be fun. If you don't want to join in then post elsewhere. :rolleyes:

[Footballnut]

You are the only one talking about race. Why do I feel another RU4GSU coming on? This is supposed to be fun. If you don't want to join in then post elsewhere. :rolleyes:


Really? Did you read ALL the posts in this thread? Somebody else mentioned HBCU. Not me.

[blur2005]

(sorry, Roy Kidd. I'm not sorry, Tubby--you didn't cut it in I-AA).
Bad quote of the year.

[*****]

Really? Did you read ALL the posts in this thread? Somebody else mentioned HBCU. Not me.Who me, actually read posts? Naw.... but I did see you pull the race card and no one else did. HBCU does not mean race card, "racial/racist/racism" (your use all in one post) means race card. Now play or go away.

[BgJag]

There's nothing wrong with being compared to HBCU's. However, I-AA is a big tent, and has a lot of different kinds of institutions. I do have a problem about our awards being represented by schools that don't play in the I-AA playoffs. I'd have the same problem with an Ivy coach. Does it really make sense to have the best I-AA coach be a coach that has never coached in the I-AA playoffs?



Coach Robinson's team has played in the Div 1AA playoff. The awards mentioned above are of players that attended/coach team presently in D-1AA and has participated in the playoff before. So Ralph arer you suggesting that no one prior to 1978 be recognize? All the names are Hall of frame members and have name recognition. Like most football fans in America , I personally recognize only one name on your list. For someone who talk inclusive so much your suggection will excluse most name recognize players from Div 1AA school.

[*****]

Coach Robinson's team has played in the Div 1AA playoff. The awards mentioned above are of players that attended/coach team presently in D-1AA and has participated in the playoff before. So Ralph arer you suggesting that no one prior to 1978 be recognize? All the names are Hall of frame members and have name recognition. Like most football fans in America , I personally recognize only one name on your list. For someone who talk inclusive so much your suggection will excluse most name recognize players from Div 1AA school.Which players are being excluded? I only suggested removing those that never played I-AA. Which name of the three I mentioned did you recognize and why?

[*****]

Thanks for all of you who suggested more appropriate names for the awards. I hope more are upcoming. The ones I like best so far are the McNair for offense (highest I-AA draft pick ever), the Coakley for defense (best tackler ever in I-AA), and the Tressel for coaching (most national championships for a I-AA coach).

[BgJag]

Thanks for all of you who suggested more appropriate names for the awards.


Offense - Adrian Peterson
Because of this board I've learned alot about D-1AA outside of the SWAC/MEAC. Even watched a playoff game or two because of what I read here. I will always be against the playoff in it present format/time frame. You didn't comment on the prior to 1978 statement. Is it more appropriate to recognize players/teams/coaches since and not prior to?

[*****]

... Is it more appropriate to recognize players/teams/coaches since and not prior to?Of course it is BgJag, you name awards for something with names that have to do with that something. If it is a I-AA award you should name it after someone who was I-AA I would think. I started it off with the all-time leading I-AA rusher, the all-time I-AA leading tackler, and one of the all-time best I-AA coaches. I didn't want to name everybody because I wanted others to chime in.

[pete4256]

Geez like there is something wrong with being compared to HBCU? This is a stupid thread.

Hey, I'm the one who brought it up, not Ralph. Personally, I like the current names just fine. If there were to be different names, though, I think you'd want to be representative of the divison, not of two conferences. That's my point.

I-AA includes, but does not equal, HBCU. I-AA includes, but does not equal, Ivy league. I-AA includes, but does not equal, so-called "mid-majors."

Would you like to name all three awards after Ivies? I wouldn't.

I wouldn't change a thing. But if I had to, I'd pick the following:

Jerry Rice Award
Dexter Coakley Award
Erk Russell Award

though this too would be great:

AP award
Freddy P. award
Erk Russell award

[Eagle22]

I like henfan's suggestion.

One of my fraternity brothers (Giff Smith) was the 1990 Div. I-AA Defensive Player of the Year. Can't remember if that was an "AP" award that came out with the AP All-American lists (pretty sure it was)... but it certainly predated the Buchanan award by at least five years ....

Still sounds pretty cool to me.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Coach Robinson's team has played in the Div 1AA playoff. The awards mentioned above are of players that attended/coach team presently in D-1AA and has participated in the playoff before. So Ralph arer you suggesting that no one prior to 1978 be recognize? All the names are Hall of frame members and have name recognition. Like most football fans in America , I personally recognize only one name on your list. For someone who talk inclusive so much your suggection will excluse most name recognize players from Div 1AA school.

Robinson's Grambling teams did indeed play in the I-AA playoffs, but he went 0-4.

Robinson was SWAC champion 7 times, and HBCU Champion 3 times from 1978-1997.

Raymond was A-10 Champion 6 times since Delaware went to I-AA in 1980. However he went 11-11 in the I-AA playoffs (and we're not counting a Division II championship and 2 "College Division" championships).

Robinson and Raymond, actually, are kind of a push. You could make a case for both coaches that their "glory years" were before they were in I-AA. However Tubby made the playoffs a lot, and won 11 playoff games. In my mind, that gives him an edge.

[putter]

If you are going with players who competed "officially" in I-AA, then I would go with:

Steve McNair - Offense -- easily recognized by everyone

Dexter Coakley - Defense

Jim Tressel -- Most successful playoff coach (NC)
or
Eddie Robinson - His career speaks for itself.

Throw this race crap out the window! You want the most deserving people for the awards and also people that those outside I-AA would recognize.

[pete4256]

I like henfan's suggestion.

One of my fraternity brothers (Giff Smith) was the 1990 Div. I-AA Defensive Player of the Year. Can't remember if that was an "AP" award that came out with the AP All-American lists (pretty sure it was)... but it certainly predated the Buchanan award by at least five years ....

Still sounds pretty cool to me.

I wish that in the publicized lists, they'd put up those who won the A.P. player of the year (or whatever) predating the Payton, etc. I know that Tracy Ham won it the year before the started. I'd like to see the big players from the first decade of I-AA, but that info is hard to find.

[89Hen]

I like 'Erk Russell' or 'Roy Kidd' more than 'Eddie Robinson' or 'Jim Tressel' or 'Tubby Raymond'.

Eddie Robinson was a phenomenal coach and a great mentor for tons of kids, but he had very limited I-AA success. Only 134 of his 408 wins came in I-AA and was 0-3 in the playoffs. Matter of fact, his record in I-AA outside of SWAC teams wasn't a whole lot over .500.

Similar to Coach Rob, Tubby Raymond's greatest successes were in DII. He never won a I-AA title and the game had really passed him by. The new life breathed into the program when he left is incredible.

Ask the general public who Jim Tressel is and 90% of the time I'd bet it's Ohio State's coach. He was one of the best I-AA coaches ever, but I'd rather the award be named for somebody who made and left their name in I-AA.

:twocents:

[blur2005]

Maybe Any Given Saturday's awards can be called this...since I doubt there will be any changing of names for these awards. But that doesn't stop AGS...we can name them anything we want.

[*****]

Maybe Any Given Saturday's awards can be called this...Called what? What do you suggest?

[blur2005]

Called what? What do you suggest?
Offense - Steve McNair
Defense - Dexter Coakley
Coach - Tubby Raymond, since he spent his career in I-AA, and didn't move on to I-A like Tressel. Plus, Tressel has come under fire and there are some of those reports of illegitimate recruiting favors and crap while he was at YSU.

[*****]

Offense - Steve McNair
Defense - Dexter Coakley
Coach - Tubby Raymond, since he spent his career in I-AA, and didn't move on to I-A like Tressel. Plus, Tressel has come under fire and there are some of those reports of illegitimate recruiting favors and crap while he was at YSU.I think Tubby could be good but a few here think his days in I-AA were less than spectacular. I have heard a bit about Erk's "monkeybusiness" like Tressel too. :eek:

[pete4256]

I think Tubby could be good but a few here think his days in I-AA were less than spectacular. I have heard a bit about Erk's "monkeybusiness" like Tressel too. :eek:

Really?

[*****]

Really?Really.

[Mr. C]

Roy Kidd won a pair of I-AA championships in the early, developmental years. That, combined with his great career, is enough for me. Roy was a little crusty to deal with, but was still a class act.

Adrian Peterson won two Payton Awards and Dexter Coakley won two Buchanan Awards. Their success also speaks for itself. But I wouldn't be adverse to Steve McNair, or Jerry Rice having their names on an award either.

What I think Ralph might be getting at is naming the I-AA.org annual awards officially (which would also need a lineman of the year — any suggestions?).
To refresh everyone's memories:

2004:
Coach of the Year: Ron Randleman, Sam Houston State
Offensive Player of the Year: DaVon Fowlkes, Appalachian State
Defensive Player of the Year: Boomer Grigsby, Illinois State
Lineman of the Year: Michael Roos, Eastern Washington

2003:
Coach of the Year: Dick Biddle, Colgate
Offensive Player of the Year: Andy Hall, Delaware
Defensive Player of the Year: Boomer Grigsby, Illinois State

2002:
Coach of the Year: Mike Ayers, Wofford
Offensive Player of the Year: Brett Gordon, Villanova
Defensive Player of the Year: Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman

[pete4256]

[QUOTE=Mr. C]Adrian Peterson won two Payton


AP only won one Payton award, his sophomore year.

However, he is probably the greatest player in I-AA history.

[*****]

AP only won one Payton award, his sophomore year. However, he is probably the greatest player in I-AA history.Yeah, I know Mr. C knows that too... foggy typing... Dex is the only two-time winner of those honors... dunno if AP was the best offensive player in I-AA history but his statue is in my office,

[Eagle22]

I have heard a bit about Erk's "monkeybusiness" like Tressel too. :eek:

As you like to say, "Link, please" :D

Erk said "It takes money to cheat, and we ain't got none".

I'll take Erk's word everytime

No link ... his comments predated the Internet ;)

[*****]

As you like to say, "Link, please" I'll second that. Anyone got a link that will soil the Erk?

I don't have one.

[Eagle22]

http://www.southern-connection.com/erk/erk.htm

and

http://www.southern-connection.com/erk/erk2.htm



http://www.southern-connection.com/images/erk.jpg

w/ the earring.....

http://www.mrcleantools.com/graphics/logo.jpg


:D :D :D

[blueballs]

... dunno if AP was the best offensive player in I-AA history but his statue is in my office,

He may very well not be the best offensive player in SCHOOL history and that is in no way a slight towards a magnificient career but Tracy Ham has to be in the argument. Can't go wrong either way...

[pete4256]

Yeah, Tracy Ham is the most important player in GSU history. If I had to choose between Tracy and AP to start my team, I'd choose Tracy (option qb=more important than fullback).

That's not the same thing. If you look back over AP's accomplishments, he is the best player in I-AA history. No other offensive player has ever been on three 1st team All America squads, or four total (2nd team his senior year). I could run down the list, but that's enough when you factor in the three champ. games and the two titles. That's big time. The other big players--Rice, McNair, etc., are not in the same class as AP when it comes to these things.

The fact that he's not been a dominating NFL player like the afore-mentioned has no bearing on his collegiate career.

[pete4256]

actually, why don't we start a new thread on this topic?

and Ralph, you tainted Erk Russell's name, so it's up to YOU to provide a link. :cool:

[*****]

actually, why don't we start a new thread on this topic?

and Ralph, you tainted Erk Russell's name, so it's up to YOU to provide a link. :cool:
Oh no you don't, I said others did... I have nothing tainting about Erk unless you count this:
(the Erk flower, plant it and it will come)

[MR. CHICKEN]

DUH "MR. CHICKEN TROPHY"......TA BE GIVEN EVERAH YEAR.......TA UH I-AA WIDE-RECEIVER.........WHIFF DUH SHORTEST ALLIGATOR ARMS! xlolx ..............BRRAAAWWWWKKKKK!