Big project at Bates in '27 is a go. Expanding fitness and Athletics facilities pretty significantly.
Alumni Gym to be renovated with additional seating and teamspaces but the original iconic design and feel will be unchanged. Football infrastructure including offices, team areas and varsity weight room will be renovated and expanded as well.

N1- No doubt about it. Other than a Hockey Championship I can't think of any other recent titles in any of the sports I referenced though the overall program has shown profound improvement during Greene's tenure.

There is no question the new Colby AD may have been a bit hasty in the move to fire Coach Strahorn. However, I believe it reflects a pattern in Colby athletics that has emerged from the top.

A deeper look at the recent history of Colby Athletics relative to coaching hires reveals a consistent hiring philosophy which began with the 2014 arrival of President David Greene.
President Greene has been the common denominator in the culture and composition of the Colby Athletics Staff and the Mule hiring philosophy for the past 12 years. He has worked with 3 ADs during his tenure. At the end of the day he has been the driving factor in Colby sports. He is a self professed advocate of Athletics who places specific emphasis on winning. I think he has done a great job with Athletics at Colby and has guided the ship very well.

The pattern in coaching hires which emerged following his arrival in 2014 is pretty clear. Hire D1 coaches or coaches with established D1 experience. I can't recall any significant Men's coaching hires on Mayflower Hill in Greene's tenure that did not involve D1 coaching experience.

Football: Jack Cosgrove UMaine
Mens Hockey: Blaise McDonald UMass Lowell
Men's Lacrosse: Guy Van Arsdale Jacksonville U; Jake Bernhardt Maryland, UVM
Baseball: Jesse Woods Notre Dame
Basketball: Sean Rutgliano Belmont

Maybe the Mules will break their streak and bring in a non D1`coach for the Basketball job but I tend to doubt it.

It's not about value- it's an avenue to buy wins.  Do you think alums who contribute money to NIL are looking for a return on their investment? It's a joke, a sham---just a way to funnel more money into these programs for wealthy zealot fanatics who want their program to win...at all costs.

Seeing confirmation that several D3 Football programs have secured, or are raising, NIL money.
 
Just at the time when the NESCACs are finally eligible for championship play. Maybe it's time for Division 3AA-lol

And it's going to get more unpredictable in D3 Basketball and Football with the a growing trickle down effect from the NIL developments at higher levels.

A local home town connection- Civello lives in Weymouth Ma, a neighboring town.

Civello may have set his sights too high....several dissenters at the D1 level-- looking like it might be Bucknell which wouldn't be too shabby.

Very sad news. A legend as an Athlete and Coach. Dick Farley played for Web Harrison at BU who went on to become DC and then HC at Bates. I remember the stories Coach Harrison told us about how great Farley was. He always said he was the smartest guy on the Football field he ever saw. Went on to play in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers.
And of course his coaching exploits at Williams are legendary.
Condolences to his family and the Williams community.

It was a recent decision to enter the portal.

Quote from: CWM_42 on April 01, 2026, 12:12:10 PMReally? Where?

I believe he was approached by Worcester Academy.

Quote from: NESCACFball24/7 on April 01, 2026, 05:11:45 PM

Quote from: lumbercat on April 01, 2026, 11:49:41 AM

Quote from: Brady12 on March 31, 2026, 09:06:12 AM

Quote from: NESCACFball24/7 on March 28, 2026, 08:10:59 PMSergio Beltran hits the portal. Big loss for bates.

Any ideas where he may end up?

Carnegie Mellon, CWRU among others. This is not necessarily a D1 play. He's looking to use his remaining year of eligibility as he pursues a graduate degree. He will graduate with his class in May.
He will be a Slot WR. Not a tweener, only played QB due to an unprecedented string of QB injuries and the transfer of QB Seneca Moore to USC.

He came into Bates as a quarterback. As I said, still strange timing given that he will be missing spring practice at wherever he decides to go.

Sergio Played QB in HS. Didn't take a QB snap at Bates until 2025. Conversion to WR began in the recruiting process. He was a WR at Bates day 1 and never would have been converted if not for some unforeseen circumstances.

He has no option on spring practice at another school. He has to finish up second semester classes to graduate and complete the transfer process.

Quote from: Brady12 on March 31, 2026, 09:06:12 AM

Quote from: NESCACFball24/7 on March 28, 2026, 08:10:59 PMSergio Beltran hits the portal. Big loss for bates.

Any ideas where he may end up?

Carnegie Mellon, CWRU among others. This is not necessarily a D1 play. He's looking to use his remaining year of eligibility as he pursues a graduate degree. He will graduate with his class in May.
He will be a Slot WR. Not a tweener, only played QB due to an unprecedented string of QB injuries and the transfer of QB Seneca Moore to USC.

Quote from: SpringSt7 on March 30, 2026, 09:18:36 PM

Quote from: lumbercat on March 30, 2026, 04:52:54 PMStrahorn's successor does not seem like a big time hire but time will tell on that also.

I have bad news

They can bring Strahorn back

Quote from: NEhoops on March 30, 2026, 03:29:58 PMI think Strahorn had a solid 6-year run and if he was run out, what type of success is the current administration expecting for the program going forward and it is actually realistic? Expectations need to meet reality.
 

I agree, Strahorn was "solid" and didn't deserve to be fired.

As Whitmores career was winding down those 6 years maybe not be a truly representative sample of his overall successes. Believe he made the NCAAs at least 2 or 3 times along with some ECAC titles etc. Things were structured a little differently in his early years at Colby.

Looks like the present administration is setting the bar higher and creating their own expectations. I guess we'll see if they can elevate the program to new levels. Strahorn's successor does not seem like a big time hire but time will tell on that also.