@@GermanShepherd19836000? You must be wrong, I thought that was the entire population of North Dakota. Unless... are they stealing fans from Minnesota?
"leatherneck" is a nickname for the U.S Marines. they got that nickname because back in the old times they used to have big leather collars on their combat uniforms. the reason our logo is a bulldog, is because they've also been nicknamed "devil dogs" by their enemies. Colonel Hanson had to ask the US Navy for permission to use the name as he had served in the Marine Corps before landing at WIU. We are the only non military school to use a military nickname
Western Illinois' stadium is named for Ray "Rock" Hanson, a veteran that served in both World Wars under the Marine Corps. He coached the WIU program from 1926 to 1941 and gained permission from the Corps to use the leatherneck nickname for the team.
Saluki Stadium in Carbondale really is great for the size of the conference. Carbondale is a award winning “Tree City”, whatever that means, so I’m glad you touched on it. There’s a great view inside of part of campus and the iconic “Towers”, and some real Saluki dogs are always on the grassy hill for kids to come pet and take pictures with. Thanks for covering!
It's a nice little conference. And going by some of the universities, I know I've seen them make their mark in the 'March Madness' basketball tournament. All in all, they've got a lot to be proud of. It's like a mini SEC.
In Basketball, half of them okay in a meh conference, the other half do well enough with their conference basketball-wise Also, a mini SEC with some snow/cold
I got a job offer to work at Cassesses WVR. In all reality, it might be a possibility really soon if Pittsburghs workforce keeps treating me like a number and not a valued employee. Plus, small town America has been so much better to me. Especially since the coaches have a radio show there, being a cook there could really be beneficial for me as I'm thinking about breaking into the entertainment industry.
The UNI-Dome turf rolls up in 5 yard increments (stored under the bleacher overhang) to reveal a track, two basketball courts, and tennis courts. I spent a lot of time there as a student trainer in the late 70s.
I don't want to be to sentimental, but my family and I are going through a very tough time and every day is really hard. But when I'm completely exhausted on the couch in the evening and I see that you uploaded a new video, than I can relax for a few minutes. So thank you for your Videos, you are doing a great job.
My high school football team played in the Alerus Center, and the Fargodome. 1-0 at Alerus, 2-1 at the Dome. Also, we had a 3-1 record at the old Metrodome!
Indiana State has been discussing a new stadium since I was there in the early 2000’s. The current one is pretty bad, and while the site is historic (I appreciate preserving historic stadiums), there’s nearly nothing left of the beautiful baseball park it used to be. They released renderings of a new on campus 8k seat facility a couple years ago. Not sure of the current timeline. Also, I’ve always disliked the idea of off campus stadiums. I attended a d2 that was like that, as did my wife (hers was about 10 miles from the school!). It’s hard to build a game day atmosphere.
Illinois State University is in Normal, Illinois. The city name of “Normal” stems from the university, itself, which was originally called Illinois State Normal School. A normal school was the name historically given to a college that taught teachers.
I played in this Conference, though at the time, it was called the MVC for basketball and was known as The Gateway for football. Youngstown was more of a power back then, but Northern Iowa had guys like Kurt Warner. Back then tons of FBS guys, old DIV 1A, would transfer to FCS schools to avoid losing a year of eligibility. Our QB lost his starting job at Indiana for Antwaan Randel El, one of our RB was from Michigan, we had 2 DB's transfer in from Wisconsin that were wrapped up some kinda deal that got the kicked out of school but had started significant Big10 games. Western Illinois had some stone cold killers on their squad, shout out to Edgerton Hartwell, prev of the ATL Falcons......
I grew up in Carbondale and the Saluki stadium is nice. I just wish it was a bit bigger. But overall it’s an awesome stadium! And the power plant, it’s a coal research plant from the coal mining department which it powers up the whole university.
Western Illinois University’s mascot, “Leatherneck”, comes from a slang term for members of the United States Marine Corps (and, less often, members of the British Royal Marines). Marines were called Leathernecks due to the leather stock around their neck on their uniforms.
Thanks for another great video. Western Illinois and Indiana State really need to upgrade their stadiums. Borderline embarrassing. And UNI should look into renovating the seating area and going with just one color of seats. It would help the inside look better.
Missouri State may be the only field in the state of Nissouri, but NONE of the schools are in the Missouri River valley now, for which the conference is named. Weird.
I have watched every one of your videos, not only do I love your Aussie accent but your corny jokes make me laugh as well! Oh ya, and your narration is spot on for each stadium and very informative!
Thanks for doing my old school Missouri State! I loved going to football games there and it looks WAY better in person! The school courtyard that's right next to the field is always filled with people, but the grandstands suck when it's cold outside since it's straight concrete lol.
One good thing about so many of these schools having domes is that they can host other indoor events. The Fargodome and UNI Dome host 2 of the best wrestling tournaments in the country with Cadet Nationals (aka Fargo Nationals) and USA Folkstyle Nationals
if you're interested in doing any Division II conferences I recommend the Gulf South Conference in the southeast, my school is in it and happens to be one of the best D2 football programs: Valdosta State University
You may want to re-check your figures on the Alerus Center in comparison to the Fargo Dome. Your capacity listed for Alerus Center was 21,000. The Alerus Center actually holds around 10,000. The Fargo Dome holds 18,000-plus as you listed. Not taking sides (ND-State vs UND), just trying to get it right. I'd suspect the Alerus Center could hold 21,000 for concerts or some kind of entertainment, but for football, the listed capacity is around 10,000.
I got to play for a high school championship in the UNI-Dome. It's nothing special compared to other stadiums but it's super cool to give high school athletes the opportunity to play in a big dome on tv.
@@bridgerdeschamps oh yeah. First week was semi finals. So 4 teams from each class, I believe there are 6 classes (8 man, A, 1A, etc). So 24 teams and 12 games the first week and then 12 teams and 6 games the second week for the finals.
Normal, IL got its name from Illinois State. ISU used to be a teacher's college, these schools used to be called Normal Schhols. ISU was Illinois State Normal University. Indiana State also in this conference started out as Indiana State Nornal. Indiana State Memorial stsdium used yo have a small nine hole par three course around the stadium. That is why it looks like it is situated in a park. I have snuck on to this firld a few times,to kick field goals back in the days when I played in a rec adult football league to see how kicking of artificial turf was. One time got in a pickup game with about 12 people one Saturday afternoon when the S'mores did not have a home game. Played for like two hours and nonody said a word.
I believe Normal, Illinois, got its name because the university there was originally a "normal school," i.e., a teacher-training institute. Teacher-training schools got their "normal" name because there was an effort to make sure that teachers were qualified to teach by achieving certain standards, or norms.
My son is in his senior year at Illinois State and I never made one game while he was there. I drive past it often when we go see him. Maybe I will get to go in the stadium in a few months for graduation.
The alerus center can actually only hold 12,000 people for the football side but for concerts and it can hold 21,000 including the floor seating because it’s so much more wider than the Fargo dome
I didn't know the Dakota schools had joined the MVC. I'll have to look at a map. IIRC, the Dakotas used to be in the Big Sky conference with the Montana and Idaho schools.
Features and value in building system is great... so is (NCAA), the Missouri Valley Conference or the Missouri Valley Football conference, the Athletics Department and Illinois State University.
It's unclear actually. There is semi-origin story of the basketball team's bus breaking down in the cold and the players walking around the ice and snow looked like penguins but the research does not add up. The name started in late 1933 but nobody knows for sure why. The school had several live mascots that lasted until the 60s. Let's just say that the treatment of these creatures was rather horrifying.
Unfortunately with the renovation at the Dakotadome, the official capacity is only 9,100. Somehow replacing the basic bleachers that only went up a third of the height of the building with near full height stadium seating and suites slightly lowered capacity.
You should do the WAC conference. They just started fielding football teams again and they are partnered with the ASUN conference to have a conference this year called the ASUN-WAC challenge as both conferences are getting back into football. This way you can hit two conferences at once and I would love to see my alma mater, little ole Abilene Christian featured
The wood seats in the Dakotadome hadn’t been a thing for a while My freshman year which was about two years before the renovation began the bleachers were plastic and metal
South Dakota State University's stadium has no locker rooms. The home team has to go to the field house right next door and the away team is on the other side of the parking lot and a road and in that building. It was a pain to play here.
Alerus Center has seating for football of 12,000. Fargodome has seating for football of 18,000 and regularly fills each one for games. This is the largest in the Missouri Valley conference. In most of these places, especially Fargo and Grand Forks, playing outside for playoff games in December would be brutal. I don't know why SDSU hasn't built a dome for the same reason.
I've been to Sprinfield, MO (MSU) and Carbondale, IL. I loved SIU, but the school is in (their own words) a "fiscal emergency." They have doubled tuition, Moody's has downgraded their bonds to "junk," and they can barely keep the lights on. That's sad - pretty campus in a cute little town.
When you do the FCS Pioneer Football League, be sure to mention that St. Thomas is new to the league this year, having been kicked all the way to FCS from Division III for being too good. Also, you should pronounce O'Shaughnessy, O-Shag-Hennesey like on "Key and Peele," and mention that the running track is purple/
Missouri State covering the whole field area with artificial turf is a good idea; if a player’s momentum carries them off the turf, they could slip on a hard surface and get injured. The St. Louis Rams had a pay a visiting player $12.5 million when he slipped on the concrete floor and suffered a season-ending injury.
The state of Missouri is technically in a valley since the states surrounding it are literally on higher ground. Thats why its called the "Missouri Valley" Confrence
@@chocolatechipslime YSU's stadium is called the "Ice Castle" cus Penguins, also Youngstown gets pretty cold in the winter so late season games tend to be rather chilly
I have been to 2 games at the I-C to support our Jackrabbits. Nice stadium (sightlines, concessions, WCs) but the greatest features were the people in the tailgate area! Walking though, we we were harrassed… “Hey, you want a beer?”!!! They were friendly and great hosts.
I remember a game where NDSU WON by a FG IN OT. it was raining and the wind was so strong the rain was almost going parallel to the ground. YSU had the first shot at FG and missed. When NDSU got their chance, Bau tried to freeze the kicker by calling a time OUT BUT the team went through the drill anyway, so the kicker got the sense on how far to kick it into the stiff wind. When play resumed he kicked that ball at least 20 or more feet, wide right & the wind blew it right back between the posts, WIN! For NDSU Then the camera showed Beau throw his headset on the ground. That was the best part.!
Why is it called the Missouri Valley footbal conference if only one is in Missouri? it makes more sense to call it Dakota Football Conference or North West East South of Illinois and a bit central Football conference. P.S. jokes aside, I am really looking forward to your next league
