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NORFOLK
When Old Dominion kicked off its new football program in 2009 against Chowan University, few dreamed that seven years later, the Monarchs would play in a bowl .
So when ODU became bowl eligible Saturday by defeating Marshall 38-14, coach Bobby Wilder acknowledged it was a bit of a surreal night.
“We’ve come so far in such a short time,” said Wilder, who choked back tears during his postgame news conference.
“We’re still not where we need to be. But we’ve made so much progress.”
The Monarchs (6-3, 4-1 Conference USA), who host Southern Mississippi on Saturday, still have an outside chance of winning C-USA’s East Division and going to the league championship game. But for now, a team picked to finish sixth in its division is relishing having proven prognosticators wrong and claiming its first bowl bid.
South Alabama is the only startup program in recent decades to get to a bowl quicker than will ODU. The Jaguars, who also played their first game in 2009, went to a bowl in their sixth season.
But South Alabama began football with the intention of moving right into the Football Bowl Subdivision. ODU began in the Football Championship Subdivision, and did not begin the move to FBS until 2013.
The Monarchs missed a bowl game last season by one victory, losing in their final game to Florida Atlantic 33-31 on a late field goal. In all, they have gone to postseason play in three of the four seasons in which they have been eligible. ODU twice went to the FCS playoffs, advancing to the national quarterfinals in 2012.
School president John Broderick called ODU’s rise “an incredible tribute to Bobby Wilder.
“He never stopped believing in his way. I’m very happy for him, because I’ve watched what he’s done, how he’s built this program, from day one.”
Some potential headaches could come with the euphoria of this first bowl bid, however. Two of C-USA’s six bowl tie-ins – the Gildan New Mexico Bowl and the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl – are scheduled for Dec. 17. That conflicts with ODU’s two winter graduation ceremonies that day at the Constant Center.
That could mean some of the people who had a role in mapping the path the school took in football won’t be there to see the school’s first bowl game.
ODU’s administration, including Broderick and the Board of Visitors and staff members, will attend graduation. Some ODU football players and band members could also miss their graduation.
Broderick was on the selection committee that named Wilder the head coach in 2007 and made the decision in 2012 to move up to FBS and join Conference USA.
Broderick and athletic director Wood Selig have informed C-USA commissioner Judy MacLeod of the conflict.
“Judy is aware that the 17th is a tough date for us,” Broderick said. “But we’re also realistic enough to know that if we’re selected, our team, and as many people who can go, will be there.
“She knows that date is a challenge for us. But it could very well be a challenge for others as well.”
Conference USA has four other bowl alliances: the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl in Florida, the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, the Heart of Dallas Bowl and Hawaii Bowl.If the SEC and ACC don’t have enough bowl-eligible teams, then C-USA could sent a team to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.
Many Power 5 leagues, such as the ACC and SEC, dole out bowl bids using a formula based on records. In C-USA, league officials negotiate with the bowls, the schools and ESPN, which broadcasts all six games. The league tries to place teams as close to home as possible and attempts to put C-USA’s best foot forward in the more high-profile games.
The league champion chooses where it goes, followed by the runner-up, with the league’s blessing.
From there on, it’s a negotiating process.
Wilder said Monday that he has no preference where ODU plays.
“Our motto is tell us when the plane leaves,” he said, “and then tell us when we kick off.”
NORFOLK
When Old Dominion kicked off its new football program in 2009 against Chowan University, few dreamed that seven years later, the Monarchs would play in a bowl .
So when ODU became bowl eligible Saturday by defeating Marshall 38-14, coach Bobby Wilder acknowledged it was a bit of a surreal night.
“We’ve come so far in such a short time,” said Wilder, who choked back tears during his postgame news conference.
“We’re still not where we need to be. But we’ve made so much progress.”
The Monarchs (6-3, 4-1 Conference USA), who host Southern Mississippi on Saturday, still have an outside chance of winning C-USA’s East Division and going to the league championship game. But for now, a team picked to finish sixth in its division is relishing having proven prognosticators wrong and claiming its first bowl bid.
South Alabama is the only startup program in recent decades to get to a bowl quicker than will ODU. The Jaguars, who also played their first game in 2009, went to a bowl in their sixth season.
But South Alabama began football with the intention of moving right into the Football Bowl Subdivision. ODU began in the Football Championship Subdivision, and did not begin the move to FBS until 2013.
The Monarchs missed a bowl game last season by one victory, losing in their final game to Florida Atlantic 33-31 on a late field goal. In all, they have gone to postseason play in three of the four seasons in which they have been eligible. ODU twice went to the FCS playoffs, advancing to the national quarterfinals in 2012.
School president John Broderick called ODU’s rise “an incredible tribute to Bobby Wilder.
“He never stopped believing in his way. I’m very happy for him, because I’ve watched what he’s done, how he’s built this program, from day one.”
Some potential headaches could come with the euphoria of this first bowl bid, however. Two of C-USA’s six bowl tie-ins – the Gildan New Mexico Bowl and the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl – are scheduled for Dec. 17. That conflicts with ODU’s two winter graduation ceremonies that day at the Constant Center.
That could mean some of the people who had a role in mapping the path the school took in football won’t be there to see the school’s first bowl game.
ODU’s administration, including Broderick and the Board of Visitors and staff members, will attend graduation. Some ODU football players and band members could also miss their graduation.
Broderick was on the selection committee that named Wilder the head coach in 2007 and made the decision in 2012 to move up to FBS and join Conference USA.
Broderick and athletic director Wood Selig have informed C-USA commissioner Judy MacLeod of the conflict.
“Judy is aware that the 17th is a tough date for us,” Broderick said. “But we’re also realistic enough to know that if we’re selected, our team, and as many people who can go, will be there.
“She knows that date is a challenge for us. But it could very well be a challenge for others as well.”
Conference USA has four other bowl alliances: the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl in Florida, the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, the Heart of Dallas Bowl and Hawaii Bowl.If the SEC and ACC don’t have enough bowl-eligible teams, then C-USA could sent a team to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La.
Many Power 5 leagues, such as the ACC and SEC, dole out bowl bids using a formula based on records. In C-USA, league officials negotiate with the bowls, the schools and ESPN, which broadcasts all six games. The league tries to place teams as close to home as possible and attempts to put C-USA’s best foot forward in the more high-profile games.
The league champion chooses where it goes, followed by the runner-up, with the league’s blessing.
From there on, it’s a negotiating process.
Wilder said Monday that he has no preference where ODU plays.
“Our motto is tell us when the plane leaves,” he said, “and then tell us when we kick off.”
