Wabash College - Class of 1991

Our Little Giants will have to be just that this weekend as they face the Warhawks of University of Wisconsin - Whitewater in the third round of the DIII playoffs. Here’s all you need to know to prepare for this weekend’s game…

The Matchup

Jim Amidon breaks down not only the two teams, but the two schools. Here are the capsules on the competing teams and the bracket.

Little Giant HQ - Friday Night

Alumni, family, and friends are invited to the “Little Giant Headquarters” for Friday night at Damon’s Grill in Janesville, WI, beginning at about 8pm (Central Time). Just ask for the Wabash gathering.

Gordy’s [caterer] will be set by about 9:00 or immediately after the lots open if they are not open at 9:00. Whitewater students have been showing up about 10:00, but this game may be different because of the playoffs. The balancing factor is the weather. 15 morning low and 32 high. Dress accordingly. Students may choose to tailgate in the dorms on a day like this.

The Gordy Group colors are RED. (What else would you expect from a Wabash man?) Look for a RED Hummer and RED Chevy trucks under the RED Wabash flag. The pro rig part is correct. The big white G on the doors stand for Giants this weekend.

We will have a large grill, tables, plates, cups, condiments, coolers (to keep food from freezing) and many beverages. Bring things to eat or drink, but you do not need all the hardware. This should make your travel packing plans much simpler. Think like family pot luck at my house. We’ll cook together on my grill(s).

Gordy’s does fabulous brats and bone-in pork chops and will have some with us. My biggest question is how many people might we expect to feed. If you like my menu just let me know how many are with you. (I will also take advice from any of you with past experience.)

Expect this tailgate to run from 9:00 to 11:30 or 12:00. Typically, we do not tailgate after the game in this weather, but a beer or two has been consumed on occasion in celebration.

I expect to see EVERYBODY Wabash at this event on Saturday even if you just stop and say hello.

The Road Trip

Rooms may be going fast. Check here for the latest weather.

Cheering

Alumni Director Tom Runge is admonishing fans to represent Wabash well. He should be thankful we’re not playing Albion!

Game Central

If you can’t make it to the game, you can listen to good ol’ WNDY through the College Web site. Whitewater will also offer live stats and video streaming. You can also check into D3football.com.

The Last Detail

Wabash Always Fights!

I’ll be in Wisconsin, but an hour away in Kenosha at the TYR/CollegeSwimming.com Classic swim meet. Be sure to text me score updates, will ya?

…dateline Cleveland…news from the Little Giants’ playoff conquest…

As promised, Lisa and I proudly represented Wabash College and the Class of 1991 Blog by attending the football game in Cleveland and bringing back a few pictures. We beat the Case Reserve Western Spartans 38-23!

Lisa and I especially like the first and last pictures of the team singing “Old Wabash” to the cold and happy fans after their 2nd round playoff victory. Very cool! They even thanked us for our support. We had twice as many fans as Case did. Wabash Nation was in full force (as usual). They should definitely think about putting up stands on the visitor’s side, though.

Our Little Giants are on a roll. The game was exciting. At one point, we were up 21-3. Matt Hudson had a wonderful game. He is a very efficient quarterback. He threw two touchdowns to Bart Banach. Our running game is also very solid. And Adi Pynenberg officially broke my brother Jim’s record for most tackles in a year during this victory.

On a personal note, being a Wabash College football fan since 1980, I am elated to see the program take the next step up to the top rung of the vaunted Division III mountain with the big boys. During his tenure, Coach Chris Creighton has done a phenomenal job of pushing the team and program to this position on the mountain.

Now we face the UWW Warhawks in their den. To be successful and emerge as a final four contender, we must bring our “A” game, and the key to winning a playoff game is simply to capitalize on any and all turnovers. Defense and Offense must work together. I believe that Wabash may be peaking at the right time. Look out Salem! Go Little Giants!

Go Bash!

Your roving reporter,
Tom Kilbane ‘91

Tom said he’s not sure if he’ll be venturing over to Whitewater, WI with the Wabash throng, but he’s only 90 minutes away!

Extras

• Here’s an album of Tom’s photos from the stands.
• Kelley House ‘90 also guest-posted on the football blog about the game.
• Game recap and stats and photos (#1), (#2), (#3), and (#4).

For a moment, I had to steal away from the smell of our 22-pound turkey wafting from the kitchen and the over-produced, lip-synched train wreck that is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade playing on TV.

Many of you will fondly remember the CBS ’70s sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati and one of its funniest moments.

Here’s wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

He’s up for the Gagliardi Trophy, presented annually to the outstanding football in NCAA Div. III football. (Full story here.) Kelley House sent me Adi’s stats.

2007 Season Stats through 11 games

• 150 tackles
• 23 tackles for loss
• 7 quarterback Sacks
• 3 interceptions
• broke the career tackle record of Jim Kilbane ‘84

Here he is making a monster stop at the end of the half during this year’s Bell game.

You can help vote for the winner of the Gagliardi Trophy either on D3Football.com or at USAFootballNews.com.

The great thing about fall is getting to run into Tom Kilbane. His avid love for Wabash football guarantees that you’ll see him at a game or two throughout the season. Or, if you’re classmates Brett Miller and Rod Mohler, you’ll run into him and his girlfriend, Lisa, at a Monon Bell Telecast Party in Naperville, IL.

I ran into the pair on campus last weekend following the gridders’ win in the first round of the playoffs. As luck will have it, they’ll be in Ohio this weekend, and they’re planning on heading up to Round Two at Case Western Reserve. So the one-time “Eye in the Sky” will serve as this blog’s official correspondent. Look for a quick recap and pics (hint, hint) next week. Good to see you, Tom!

Pete Miesel writes, “I am now engaged to my longtime girlfriend, Kristin Kohler. We currently live in Broomfield, Colorado.” Congratulations, Pete!

Scott Royer sends us this picture from Turkey Run State Park and comments, “Yes, I am attempting to recreate the Patterson Bluff Creek Bigfoot film from 1967.”

And here’s the Lafayette Sasquach at Don Pablo’s with his beautiful family.

Scott writes, “Everyone is well and the girls keep us busy. Makes the time go fast, but what feels like a year is actually 5 of them. I can’t believe we are 16 years out of school.”

That’s the Wabash football team’s credo for this season and greets the team as they pour into Hollett Little Giant Stadium for home games. The word epithumia is Greek for, literally, a passion toward.

In the wake of losing their star quarterback in the first game of the season and losing the damn Bell to a last-second 47-yard Dannie field goal last week, our Little Giants gridders have have defifinitely played with passion.

This week, they face off against the College of Mt. St. Joseph at home. (They’re the Lions; I had to look it up.) It’s the playoffs, people: 32 teams, five rounds. The ultimate goal is the Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia on December 15. No BS BCS, no 51 days between your last game against Michigan and the National Championship. Just football, baby.

You can follow the playoffs on D3football.com and catch the game online with live stats and streaming audio.

If you go to the game, tickets are $8, and your “W” pass won’t work.

Wabash Always Fights!

Mathe van Heeswijk is always good about sending us updates. He sent us a nice picture of his family.

There’s Guusje (8), Linda, Eelco (1), Mathe, and Hilde (7).

You know we’re always happy to post pictures of you, your fam, your vacations, whatever. Keep us updated!

Prof. Jeff Insko sends us this unfortunate news…

I fell off a ladder a couple weeks ago and shattered my wrist real good. After surgery, I am now the proud owner of a titanium plate and assorted pins and screws. Here I am hopped up on Vicodin.

Dr. Sko is an assistant professor of English at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. Get well soon, buddy!