Friday, March 10, 2006
D-I offers roll in for Marian's Bulaga
The recruitment of Marian Central football player Bryan Bulaga is heating up, with three NCAA Division I-A schools having made offers to the junior tight end-defensive end.
Bulaga (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) has offers from Northern Illinois, Michigan State and Purdue. He also visited Iowa and might soon receive an offer from the Hawkeyes.
Bulaga has options with schools and with positions. NIU likes him as a tight end, Michigan State as a defensive end and Iowa as an offensive tackle.
"I'm going to play wherever they need me to play," said Bulaga, a Northwest Herald All-Area first-team defensive end. "Position-wise, it doesn't bother me at all. I'm very excited. There's stuff I was thinking about as a freshman, and now I'm getting mail every day. It's like, 'Wow!' It's hard to stay focused in school sometimes."
For that reason, Bulaga plans to have his college decision made before too late in the summer.
"That's my aim," he said, "but I'm not going to force it."
Bulaga (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) has offers from Northern Illinois, Michigan State and Purdue. He also visited Iowa and might soon receive an offer from the Hawkeyes.
Bulaga has options with schools and with positions. NIU likes him as a tight end, Michigan State as a defensive end and Iowa as an offensive tackle.
"I'm going to play wherever they need me to play," said Bulaga, a Northwest Herald All-Area first-team defensive end. "Position-wise, it doesn't bother me at all. I'm very excited. There's stuff I was thinking about as a freshman, and now I'm getting mail every day. It's like, 'Wow!' It's hard to stay focused in school sometimes."
For that reason, Bulaga plans to have his college decision made before too late in the summer.
"That's my aim," he said, "but I'm not going to force it."
Accomplishments of Iowa Football over the Past Two Decades
Three Big Ten Conference titles and Rose Bowl appearances as the Big Ten Conference representative (1981, 1985, 1990) 14 bowl game appearances since 1980 14 first-division finishes in the Big Ten Conference, including three championships and seven additional finishes among the top three teams in the league 11 seasons which included at least seven victories, including 10-win seasons in 1985, 1987 and 1991. In 1981, with Fry in his third season at Iowa and Ferentz in his first year as the Hawkeye offensive line coach, Iowa found itself celebrating victories over nationally ranked Nebraska, UCLA and Michigan, a Big Ten title and its first trip to the Rose Bowl since the 1958 season.Powered by an offense led by all-American quarterback Chuck Long and a defensive unit led by all-America linebacker Larry Station, the 1985 Hawkeyes staked claim to the top of the college football world. Iowa's 1985 squad was ranked No. 1 nationally for five weeks en route to a school-record 10 victories, another Big Ten title, and an appearance in the 1986 Rose Bowl. Iowa's Mike Haight, under the guidance of Ferentz, was named Big Ten Lineman of the Year. Unranked and unheralded at the start of the season, the 1990 Hawkeyes shocked the nation by defeating Big Ten rivals Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois - all on the road - to claim the Big Ten crown and earn yet another berth in the "Granddaddy of all bowl games," the 1991 Rose Bowl.Iowa's 1991 squad also provided some surprises. The Hawkeyes used another high-powered offense and solid defense to capture 10 victories en route to a berth in the 1991 Holiday Bowl. The 10th victory -- a 23-8 verdict over Big Ten rival Minnesota -- was the 100th for Fry as head coach of the Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes earned their third bowl invitation of the 1990s in 1993, winning their final three regular season games to earn an invitation to the inaugural Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, TX. The clinching victory, a 21-3 win over Minnesota in the season finale, was win No. 200 in Fry's legendary coaching career.Iowa's late-season success continued in 1995 as Iowa defeated Wisconsin in Madison and Minnesota in Iowa City for a 7-4 record, earning an invitation to the Sun Bowl. In El Paso, the Hawkeyes dominated Pac-10 co-champion Washington, winning 38-18.Iowa maintained its status as one of the Best in the Big Ten in 1996, posting a 9-3 record and placing third in the league. A 21-20 win at Penn State sparked Iowa to a 6-2 Big Ten record and the Hawkeyes capped the season with a 27-0 shutout over Texas Tech in the Builders Square Alamo Bowl.Iowa earned its third straight bowl invitation in 1997, posting a 7-5 record despite losing three road games by a total of just eight points. The Hawkeyes featured the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year in RB Tavian Banks and the Defensive Lineman of the Year in DT Jared DeVries.Another measure of Iowa's success over the past 20 seasons is the Hawkeyes' standing as nearly a full-time member of the various "Top 25" polls. Iowa was ranked among the nation's elite at season's end 10 times under Fry, including the aforementioned 1985 campaign when the Hawkeyes were the top team in the land for five straight weeks.The number of Hawkeyes singled out for post-season honors is also an indication of Iowa's stature as one of the nation's premier programs. More than 65 Hawkeyes earned all-American status and well over 135 earned all-Big Ten honors at Iowa during the 1980's and 1990's.Two Hawkeyes - all-American quarterback Chuck Long and all-American running back Nick Bell - have been named winners of the coveted Chicago Tribune Silver Football, awarded annually to the Big Ten Conference's most valuable player.
Iowa coach keynote speaker in Spirit Awards
The Kirk Ferentz we've all gotten to know on the TV screen made an up-close and personal visit to Humboldt last week.
Ferentz, head football coach at the University of Iowa the past seven years, served as the keynote speaker for the third annual Spirit Awards ceremony held Feb. 28 at R. Wesley Carlson Auditorium in Humboldt.
Ferentz, with his low-key and honest, straightforward and articulate personality - proved to be a special treat for those who spoke to him before and after the ceremony as he signed autographs and posed for photographs.
"It's a great opportunity. It's a little bit like the I-Club outings. The I-Clubs are a little varied - bigger towns - smaller towns. But it's a great opportunity to get out and visit with some folks from our state. Other than being away from home, I enjoy it tremendously," Ferentz said during an interview 30 minutes before the ceremony.
"To me, coming here is a chance for us as coaches and people associated with the university to get back and thank the people in our communities," Ferentz said. "I can't imagine anybody has better fan support than the University of Iowa in all of our sports. It's certainly true in our sport. And when you factor in the fact we have a lot of young men on our football team that come from all over the country and from all over the state of Iowa, be it little towns or big towns."
"We're not too far here from the hometown of Dallas Clark, a pretty successful young guy with our football team," Ferentz said, referring to the Livermore native and current NFL player.
"I want to compliment the people of Humboldt for coming up with this type of program. I think it's tremendous. To me it encourages being proactive...demonstration of being interested in the community. It's a great, great concept and I'm really encouraged to be a part of it," Ferentz said.
"I'll talk tonight about things I think are generic to success, be it with teams, organizations and communities. I'll draw some parallels with what we try to do with our football program," Ferentz said. "And I'll talk about some lessons our athletes learn from, going through an endeavor like they do. Being part of a team is no different than being part of a community. If you have something invested, hopefully you are getting something out of it and hopefully it's a great feeling of fulfillment."
Ferentz, who served as Iowa's offensive line coach from 1981-89, said his four-hour stop in Humboldt was his first. As coaches divide up recruiting duties among states, Iowa was not on Ferentz' primary list.
"This is my first time I've stopped in Humboldt. Going back into the 1980s, this is my 17th year at the University of Iowa. I never recruited Iowa as a primary state. But back in the 1980s I spent a lot of time going out and visiting linemen, particularly in the spring. So I've been in a lot of towns and through a lot of towns in Iowa. It's always fun to have a chance like this to stop off and really get to know and visit with people from various communities," Ferentz said.
Ferentz says Iowa values and the people who make up the state are what keep him and his family in Iowa.
"It really is. It made it a no-brainer for us when we had the opportunity to come back to Iowa seven years ago," Ferentz said. "It's not something my wife and I had to think very hard about, just because where we were at in our lives and what it potentially offered us on a personal front, and also professionally."
"A big factor in all of my decisions throughout my career is 'what is it going to do on the personal front.' We're raising five children and that's very important to us. The Midwest, I think, is very, very unique and I think Iowa is very unique to the Midwest on top of that," Ferentz said. "We just feel very, very fortunate to be back here in this state."
Just over two months ago Iowa played Florida in the Gator Bowl. Now, with recruiting out of the way, March has arrived along with spring football. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 7-5 season. Spring ball begins Mar. 22. Spring practice concludes with the spring game on April 15.
"First of all, I can't believe how quickly it's approaching. We're about three weeks away. It's amazing how quickly the calendar goes by. But with that being said, the players have been really working hard since mid-January with Chris Doyle (strength coach). And it's been fun to be back in the office now that recruiting is over and be around our players and see them training and coming through our offices," Ferentz said.
"We're all anxious and eager to get back out on the field and start taking the next step toward putting together a football team for next year," Ferentz said.
"Now we're very busy getting ready for spring ball and reviewing last year, so we always have our hands full," Ferentz said. "We'll be out on the field in three weeks so it's exciting."
Ferentz is pleased with Iowa's latest recruiting class of signees for 2006.
"We think we did well with our recruiting class. I think every coach probably feels that way. Most importantly, I think we understand what we're looking for. With each and every year, you understand better what's going to work for you and we feel real good about the young men who have committed to us. We think they're coming to us for the right reasons and we're anxious to work with them. We'll get started next August," Ferentz said.
Ferentz had praise for Dallas Clark, who has now played the last three years for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League. Clark went to Iowa as a part-time student and eventual walk-on, who earned a scholarship and became the nation's best tight end in 2002, earning All-American honors in the process.
"Dallas had such a fantastic career for us and has such a passion for the game. He plays with such an enthusiasm and energy level that's contagious. I think he's given that to the Colts," Ferentz said. "I'm really pleased with him. We're very, very proud of him."
"I don't know if we had a better story than Dallas Clark come through our halls. That's really been the best part of coaching at Iowa. Our best players have been our best guys and Dallas certainly typifies that," Ferentz said.
Ferentz, head football coach at the University of Iowa the past seven years, served as the keynote speaker for the third annual Spirit Awards ceremony held Feb. 28 at R. Wesley Carlson Auditorium in Humboldt.
Ferentz, with his low-key and honest, straightforward and articulate personality - proved to be a special treat for those who spoke to him before and after the ceremony as he signed autographs and posed for photographs.
"It's a great opportunity. It's a little bit like the I-Club outings. The I-Clubs are a little varied - bigger towns - smaller towns. But it's a great opportunity to get out and visit with some folks from our state. Other than being away from home, I enjoy it tremendously," Ferentz said during an interview 30 minutes before the ceremony.
"To me, coming here is a chance for us as coaches and people associated with the university to get back and thank the people in our communities," Ferentz said. "I can't imagine anybody has better fan support than the University of Iowa in all of our sports. It's certainly true in our sport. And when you factor in the fact we have a lot of young men on our football team that come from all over the country and from all over the state of Iowa, be it little towns or big towns."
"We're not too far here from the hometown of Dallas Clark, a pretty successful young guy with our football team," Ferentz said, referring to the Livermore native and current NFL player.
"I want to compliment the people of Humboldt for coming up with this type of program. I think it's tremendous. To me it encourages being proactive...demonstration of being interested in the community. It's a great, great concept and I'm really encouraged to be a part of it," Ferentz said.
"I'll talk tonight about things I think are generic to success, be it with teams, organizations and communities. I'll draw some parallels with what we try to do with our football program," Ferentz said. "And I'll talk about some lessons our athletes learn from, going through an endeavor like they do. Being part of a team is no different than being part of a community. If you have something invested, hopefully you are getting something out of it and hopefully it's a great feeling of fulfillment."
Ferentz, who served as Iowa's offensive line coach from 1981-89, said his four-hour stop in Humboldt was his first. As coaches divide up recruiting duties among states, Iowa was not on Ferentz' primary list.
"This is my first time I've stopped in Humboldt. Going back into the 1980s, this is my 17th year at the University of Iowa. I never recruited Iowa as a primary state. But back in the 1980s I spent a lot of time going out and visiting linemen, particularly in the spring. So I've been in a lot of towns and through a lot of towns in Iowa. It's always fun to have a chance like this to stop off and really get to know and visit with people from various communities," Ferentz said.
Ferentz says Iowa values and the people who make up the state are what keep him and his family in Iowa.
"It really is. It made it a no-brainer for us when we had the opportunity to come back to Iowa seven years ago," Ferentz said. "It's not something my wife and I had to think very hard about, just because where we were at in our lives and what it potentially offered us on a personal front, and also professionally."
"A big factor in all of my decisions throughout my career is 'what is it going to do on the personal front.' We're raising five children and that's very important to us. The Midwest, I think, is very, very unique and I think Iowa is very unique to the Midwest on top of that," Ferentz said. "We just feel very, very fortunate to be back here in this state."
Just over two months ago Iowa played Florida in the Gator Bowl. Now, with recruiting out of the way, March has arrived along with spring football. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 7-5 season. Spring ball begins Mar. 22. Spring practice concludes with the spring game on April 15.
"First of all, I can't believe how quickly it's approaching. We're about three weeks away. It's amazing how quickly the calendar goes by. But with that being said, the players have been really working hard since mid-January with Chris Doyle (strength coach). And it's been fun to be back in the office now that recruiting is over and be around our players and see them training and coming through our offices," Ferentz said.
"We're all anxious and eager to get back out on the field and start taking the next step toward putting together a football team for next year," Ferentz said.
"Now we're very busy getting ready for spring ball and reviewing last year, so we always have our hands full," Ferentz said. "We'll be out on the field in three weeks so it's exciting."
Ferentz is pleased with Iowa's latest recruiting class of signees for 2006.
"We think we did well with our recruiting class. I think every coach probably feels that way. Most importantly, I think we understand what we're looking for. With each and every year, you understand better what's going to work for you and we feel real good about the young men who have committed to us. We think they're coming to us for the right reasons and we're anxious to work with them. We'll get started next August," Ferentz said.
Ferentz had praise for Dallas Clark, who has now played the last three years for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League. Clark went to Iowa as a part-time student and eventual walk-on, who earned a scholarship and became the nation's best tight end in 2002, earning All-American honors in the process.
"Dallas had such a fantastic career for us and has such a passion for the game. He plays with such an enthusiasm and energy level that's contagious. I think he's given that to the Colts," Ferentz said. "I'm really pleased with him. We're very, very proud of him."
"I don't know if we had a better story than Dallas Clark come through our halls. That's really been the best part of coaching at Iowa. Our best players have been our best guys and Dallas certainly typifies that," Ferentz said.
UI Bowl Costs Under Budget
The University of Iowa will earn a profit of more than $60,000 for the football team's January appearance in the 2006 Outback Bowl, according to figures released Wednesday.
The Hawkeyes lost to the Florida Gators, 31-24, in the Jan. 2 game in Tampa, Fla.
UI spent almost $1.4 million on the trip. But with a payout of $1.45 million, the school will turn a profit of $60,212. The team's 2005 appearance in the Capital One Bowl netted the school a profit of about $119,000.
In years past, bowl profits have gone to UI's athletic operations budget.
Calls to the UI athletic office were not immediately returned Wednesday evening.
The total traveling party -- which included players and coaches, the band and spirit squads, UI administrators and family members -- included 684 people, up 23 from 2005.
More than $1 million was spent on 306 players, coaches and administrative staff who went on the trip. Of that amount, $469,154 went to meals, lodging and per diems, and another $342,570 went to transportation.
"We work very hard to provide a quality experience for our student-athletes while at the same time doing whatever is necessary and reasonable to assist our student-athletes and coaching staff to be fully prepared for the game itself," Director of Athletics Bob Bowlsby said in a statement. "It's a credit to our coaching staff and our administrative staff that we could do all that within the budget provided us by the Big Ten Conference."
Expenses for the 355-member band travel party were $312,237.
The 23-person official party -- which included President David Skorton and other administrators, campus leaders and their guests -- incurred another $36,020 in expenses.
The Hawkeyes lost to the Florida Gators, 31-24, in the Jan. 2 game in Tampa, Fla.
UI spent almost $1.4 million on the trip. But with a payout of $1.45 million, the school will turn a profit of $60,212. The team's 2005 appearance in the Capital One Bowl netted the school a profit of about $119,000.
In years past, bowl profits have gone to UI's athletic operations budget.
Calls to the UI athletic office were not immediately returned Wednesday evening.
The total traveling party -- which included players and coaches, the band and spirit squads, UI administrators and family members -- included 684 people, up 23 from 2005.
More than $1 million was spent on 306 players, coaches and administrative staff who went on the trip. Of that amount, $469,154 went to meals, lodging and per diems, and another $342,570 went to transportation.
"We work very hard to provide a quality experience for our student-athletes while at the same time doing whatever is necessary and reasonable to assist our student-athletes and coaching staff to be fully prepared for the game itself," Director of Athletics Bob Bowlsby said in a statement. "It's a credit to our coaching staff and our administrative staff that we could do all that within the budget provided us by the Big Ten Conference."
Expenses for the 355-member band travel party were $312,237.
The 23-person official party -- which included President David Skorton and other administrators, campus leaders and their guests -- incurred another $36,020 in expenses.
