Widener University was once a national powerhouse. The Widener University Pride has two national championships, and has won a league record 17 MAC titles. But it has been a while since Widener was considered a national championship contender. Things may be changing fast.
The Widener University Pride is red hot. With a record of 8-1, and averaging an amazing 49.1 points per game, the Pride may be the most dangerous football team in Eastern Region. This week Widener travels to Delaware Valley to face the 9-0 Aggies for the annual Keystone Cup, and the MAC Championship. The winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.
Widener is doing everything right to attract talent to their football program. They are running a multiple set, pass heavy offense which kids want to be a part of. Quarterback Chris Haupt has thrown for over 2200 yards and 27 touchdowns despite playing in games which were often lopsided by half-time. The defense is a hard-hitting, impact style which has generated 30 turnovers. Head coach Isaac Collins is a charismatic leader. Collins came from a defensive coordinator position at The Citadel, where he had to create packages to defend against teams like the University of Florida and Clemson.
The official website is slick and loaded with recent game photos.
Most inventive is the weekly video interview with head coach Isaac Collins, "Kickin It with Coach C." The video is linked from the official Widener website, and can be found on YouTube. Media like this represents a new wave in attracting talented recruits. Businesses have long embraced social media and YouTube for getting their brands out to consumers.
It is refreshing to see a small college football staff which "gets it." They are using the avenues which are popular with high school juniors and seniors who they wish to recruit. And they are building brand recognition with younger kids, who will know Widener as a top notch football program when they reach varsity. Other football teams need to follow this lead, or risk following way behind.
It has been over a decade since an Eastern Region power was considered a threat to Mount Union or Wisconsin-Whitewater. For Eastern Region to regain national respect, it needs a new super power to rise.
If I had to bet on the best chances for a national powerhouse emerging in Eastern Region, I would start with St. John Fisher and Cortland, who each have excellent facilities, on-campus stadiums, and host NFL training camps. I would also include Rowan, Montclair, and Kean. All three recruit from the talented New Jersey base of football talent, and have quality facilities. And of course I would include Delaware Valley and Salisbury.
But the best chance for a national powerhouse to develop, in my opinion, is Widener. Recruiting is a form of sales, and Widener is following some best practices normally reserved for tech savvy companies.
Widener will have their work cut out for them if they hope to beat the undefeated Delaware Valley Aggies on the road this Saturday. If they lose, the odds on The Pride being invited to the NCAA playoffs as an at-large bid with two losses are slim. But I would put Widener on the short list of teams which deserve the chance even with two losses. If they do make the playoffs, I guarantee nobody will want to face them.
Who are your top picks for future national powers from Eastern Region?
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