The NCAA published their attendance figures for the 2016 season. TAMUC has the 4th highest game attendance in the LSC and the 11th best in the entire country. Here is a list of the top programs.
So, we can make a few assumptions about this. First, TAMU-Kingsville is still a huge draw and their fans expect a big season all of the time. Midwestern State has an average of about 8,400, while Permian Basin has some very good numbers for a first year program. If you look at Commerce, it has a few disadvantages. First, it is by far the smallest town in the conference. Also, being so close to Dallas, you probably have quite a bit the student population that would rather spend a fall Saturday in Dallas then in Commerce, which is a shame still. Either way, it is pretty amazing that Commerce produces this much, but in the 60’s the average was a sellout crowd of 10,000. Still a little way to go.
Lions In The Pros:
Huge props and well wishes are in order for Danny Mason (2009-2012) who has made the Denver Broncos Roster, and is looking to be the primary back up to Super Bowl MVP and former Texas A&M All-American Von Miller. A true accomplishment for a great Lion.
Per the Denver Post: The Broncos brought Mason back to Denver to provide depth to the Linebacking crew. Burning Von Miller out is something the coaches want to make sure does not happen.
Congrats to Charlie Tuaau who signed with IBM Blue in the Japanese X-League. A lot of people do not realize that this is one of the more popular American Football Leagues that are oversees. Tuaau has been in NFL camps with the Dolphins and Kansas City. A native of Hawaii, he started his college career at Oregon State and was an All-American during the 2014 season.
Former Lion QB Deric Davis (2012-2013) is absolutely dominating the Alberta Football League in Canada. He thrown for 25 touchdowns and ZERO interceptions. His team, the Fort McMurray Monarchs, are 8-0 and in firm command of the 9 team league. He has also thrown for 1,762 yards. The Monarchs are the big favorite to win the AFL title, so send some good thoughts north for Deric.
Perez, Macharro, Preseason All-Americans.
HERO SPORTS 2017 PRESEASON DIVISION II FOOTBALL ALL-AMERICANS
FIRST TEAM
QB | Luis Perez | A&M-COMMERCE |
RB | Marty Carter | Grand Valley State |
RB | Max Mickey | Sioux Falls |
WR | Brody Oliver | Colorado School of Mines |
WR | Damon Gibson | Minnesota-Moorhead |
TE | Tanner Hudson | Southern Arkansas |
OL | Jared Machorro | A&M-COMMERCE |
OL | Lavonte Hights | Shepherd |
OL | Alex Cappa | Humboldt State |
OL | Taylor Nikithser | California (Pa.) |
OL | Gavin de los Santos | Harding |
DL | Marcus Martin | Slippery Rock |
DL | Zach Sieler | Ferris State |
DL | Myles Humphrey | Shepherd |
LB | Kyle Kitchens | Catawba |
LB | Kevin Haynes | Central Washington |
LB | Osband Thompson | Tuskegee |
LB | Collin Schlosser | Grand Valley State |
DB | Joshua Simmons | Limestone |
DB | Drew Hebel | Black Hills State |
DB | Jay Watkins | Indiana (Pa.) |
DB | Dustin Rivas | Colorado Mesa |
K | Ryan Sheehan | Colorado Mesa |
P | Jonathan King | Carson-Newman |
AP | Paul Revis | Western Oregon |
Congrats to both Luis and Jared On this big time honor!
Finally, and certainly not least, the Lions Soccer team checks in at number 15, here is the full poll.
Rank | School | Prev. | W-L-T |
1 | Western Washington | 1 | 24-0-1 |
2 | Grand Valley State | 2 | 23-2-1 |
3 | Columbus State | 3 | 21-3-0 |
4 | Kutztown | 4 | 20-5-0 |
5 | Central Missouri | 5 | 21-2-0 |
6 | Colorado School Of Mines | 6 | 20-3-1 |
7 | Bridgeport | 7 | 18-4-0 |
8 | West Florida | 8 | 19-5-0 |
9 | West Chester | 9 | 19-1-1 |
10 | California-San Diego | 10 | 19-3-0 |
11 | Truman State | 11 | 15-2-4 |
12 | Adelphi | 12 | 16-4-1 |
13 | North Georgia | 13 | 15-3-3 |
14 | Fort Hays State | 14 | 15-5-3 |
15 | A&M-COMMERCE | 15 | 15-6-1 |
16 | Barry | 16 | 11-4-2 |
17 | Saint Leo | 17 | 13-4-1 |
18 | LIU Post | 18 | 15-4-2 |
19 | Minnesota State-Mankato | 19 | 16-3-3 |
20 | East Stroudsburg | 20 | 16-5-2 |
21 | Limestone | 22 | 18-2-0 |
22 | Sonoma State | 23 | 12-3-3 |
23 | St. Edward’s | 24 | 15-1-3 |
24 | Charleston (W. Va.) | 25 | 15-4-0 |
25 | Carson-Newman | RV | 17-4-1 |
Snip from HC Neil Piper regarding the ranking:
“It’s nice to be ranked in the preseason, but we have a lot of work to do to improve on that ranking with a tough schedule,”