Wabash and DePauw will play the 131st Monon Bell Game this fall.  There is no other rivalry game in Division 3 that matches the intensity of this game.  However when the two schools play for a spot in the Division 3 playoffs going to the winner, the intensity of the game increases exponentially.  Jumpshot, until you have experienced what the playoffs add to a rivalry game, you can not understand the difference.  Young men start play playing organized football as early as second or third grade.  Notwithstanding rivalry games, conference championships, state championships, every player in their heart of hearts wants to play for a national championship.  It is something they take with them for the rest of their lives.  During playoff weeks, football players are absolutely focused on being prepared both on the field and in the classroom. Since earning a return to the playoffs in 2002, the unforeseen consequences for the Little Giant football players has been nothing but positive.

Quote from: jumpshot on April 19, 2025, 05:31:40 PMNot so fast ... my view is that Williams should not have voted (if they did) for post-season football.The Ephs already end with a meaningful rivalry game, the season is of sufficient duration, the academic schedule in November is intense, vast differences exist in NESCAC regarding football admissions, emerging potential financial pressures, etc. In short, often "less is more." Perhaps the risk of being the odd person out (relative to Ivy League, others) outweighed the merit of defending a proven balance. Lots of possible unforeseen consequences ... stay tuned to assess the true value.   

It hasn't hurt Wabash or DePauw's rivalry. It hasn't hurt Cortland or Ithaca's rivalry. I bet you'll be OK.

So i did little research. The conference was formed in 1971, it had football teams but it operated sort of like glorified club football? (a game between amherst and williams in 1989 drew 13.6k fans). This ended in 1993 I believe?

Conference championships didn't start until 2000 and a full round robin didn't happen until 2017.

I am predicting the nescac football players association fights for 1 OOC game next calendar year.