FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Eagle322]

Colby-Bates practice will be this Saturday up in Waterville

[PolarCat]

When our son was a FY, a bunch of the regulars on this board posted some very helpful information about the different facilities.  It may be helpful to revisit that.  I'll start with Bates.

Garcellon Field is a beautiful, relatively new facility, right smack dab in the center of campus.  Beautiful view of campus from the home stands, particularly on a gorgeous Indian Summer afternoon when the leaves are starting to turn.  There are no assigned seats, but traditionally the comfortable garnet seats with backs are taken by parents of athletes and the Administration (President Clayton Spencer is a vocal fan).

Visiting stands are across the field.  Restrooms are found in the Commons (the campus dining hall), which directly abuts the south side of the field.  In really nasty weather, some lucky fans can watch the game from the 2nd floor windows over the south end zone.

The home team tailgate area is directly across Central Ave. from the field.  Great location, but it's a TINY space, and can fill up quickly, particularly for Parents Weekend and the home CBB game.  (For reasons unfathomable, Bates has combined Parents Weekend and Homecoming.  This not only makes it difficult to get into the tailgate, it's damn near impossible to find hotel rooms and dinner reservations).  Parents often arrive and stake out space in the tailgate by 9:00 AM, sometimes earlier.

With that much time to kill, the tailgate spreads can get pretty elaborate.  It's not unusual to see a family cook two meals during the course of the day.  Maybe Eggs Benedict with homemade Hollandaise, fresh fruit and Mimosas, or exotic pancakes with hot apple compote for breakfast.  Lunch can be equally impressive: elaborate kabobs, filet mignon with Bearnaise, salmon grilled on a cedar plank, etc.  A couple of folks will have Fenway franks, but they tend to be in the minority.

Unlike some of our sister institutions, Bates does not prohibit alcohol at tailgates, provided it stays within the fenced-in area.  No kegs are allowed.  Officially, hard liquor is not allowed, but I have a sneaking suspicion that rule is bent from time to time, particularly later in the season, when the weather is conducive to a hot spiked cider, buttered rum or Irish coffee.  I've never seen someone who is discreet have a problem.  But if you have a handle of Tito's Vodka sitting out n the open you're asking for trouble.  The official policy is here: http://athletics.bates.edu/facilities/tailgating_policy

The visiting tailgate area is on the other side of Morrell Gymnasium.  Every once in a while, visitors sneak into the Bates tailgate area.  While they are not kicked out, and not treated with outright rudeness, they're not particularly welcome.  Space is at a premium, and when a couple of carloads of Bowdoin or Colby students take over prime real estate during the CBB game, they're met with an icy reception.

There really aren't any good commercial restaurants within walking distance of Garcellon, but Bates parents who don't feel like cooking occasionally eat in Commons.  Brunch is available to the general public, from 9:30 to 2:30.  The cost is $9.50, and menu's can be found here: http://www.bates.edu/dining/menu/

If you want to bring your son some fantastic bakery products (the Whoopie Pies are TO DIE FOR), check out Grant's Bakery at 525 Sabattus Street.  And if you are pulling into Lewiston and realize you left some important tailgate ingredient on the kitchen counter (been there, done that) there is a Hannaford at 692 Sabattus Street.  (They also have ice, a very nice selection of cold beer, and a "it will do in a pinch" selection of wine).

[lumbercat]

Thanks Eagle
Any idea of time on Saturday?

Polarcat- nice rundown of Bates Football venue on game day.

And by the way, that pregame brunch at Bates is great and the best 10 bucks you'll spend.
The best restaurant in town is DaVincis- but reserve early, always sold out on home game weekends.

[JEFFFAN]

They are back!

http://nothingbutnescac.com/?p=3733

[Grabowski]

PC, two great posts, thank you

[PBPOP20]

PB POP20

To my knowledge most scrimmages are open to the public.
Too difficult to restrict access to most NESCAC venues anyway.

However, last year Tufts traveled to Bowdoin for a combined practice. When I made an anonymous inquiry for the time I was firmly told by the Bowdoin SID that it was not open to the public.

Assume the ex Trinity buddies, Civetti and Wells will get together in Medford this year.

Things have really changed since the days of the annual 3 way scrimmage between Bates, Bowdoin and Colby which was quite an event in the day.

Thanks, lumbercat.. that's why I asked... when I inquired of a Tufts parent whether I would see him Saturday, he responded that it was a closed practice...   don't want to start of on the wrong foot, so I guess I'll have to wait until 9/24 to see my boy.

[dadof4bz]

GREAT news That "Nothing but Nescac" appears to be back!!  Looking forward to their insight!  Only one year (for me) on the board and they were gone!  It was asked earlier, is there another sight out there fo Nescac information?

[PolarCat]

You're on it!

[lumbercat]

PBPOP

So you can confirm that Bowdoin is in Medford this Saturday but the practice is closed- even to parents?

Knowing the configuration of the fields at Tufts I don't see where they can conduct a closed practice but who knows- maybe they can restrict some access to the turf Lacrosse field where the Jumbos practice adjacent to the Baseball Field ??

Why would they close a NESCAC practice/scrimmage....seems ridiculous especially since the teams play each other and wont be showing anything.

[PolarCat]

In this era of political correctness, snowflakes, safe spaces and trigger warnings, I wouldn't blame Wells and Civetti one bit if they wanted to run a practice without any parents or Social Justice Warriors watching.  Speak freely, coach 'em up, and not worry about anyone criticizing their methods.

Not to mention, it also helps keep fans of the teams they face the first couple weeks from "scouting" them as they try out new schemes and packages.  (Tufts opens with Wes, followed by Bates, while the Polar Bears open at Midd, then host Amherst).

[westcoastDad]

Amherst intrasquad will be interesting as lots of positions are up for grabs because of graduation, injury, competition etc.

The NJ QB is big, strong, fast and has a Canon for an arm.   Will the Jeffs allow their Wideouts to go vertical is the question. 

The defense is fluid.  Linebackers are ballin.  DL is finding it's way.  The secondary saw 3 seniors graduate and 1 soph starter returning plus a junior (now senior) with game experience before injury last year.  They will surely be tested all year!  Hopefully they are getting settled back there.   

The offense will rely on the studs in the backfield.  Injuries won't or shouldn't slow them because they are so deep.  Looking for some tough running this Saturday.

Have not heard anything about the FY players so far.   

Just praying for good health! 

[Jonny Utah]

In this era of political correctness, snowflakes, safe spaces and trigger warnings, I wouldn't blame Wells and Civetti one bit if they wanted to run a practice without any parents or Social Justice Warriors watching.  Speak freely, coach 'em up, and not worry about anyone criticizing their methods.

Not to mention, it also helps keep fans of the teams they face the first couple weeks from "scouting" them as they try out new schemes and packages.  (Tufts opens with Wes, followed by Bates, while the Polar Bears open at Midd, then host Amherst).

http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/20160826/bridgewater-raynhams-buron-suspended-one-game

Don't speak up too much.  If parents are complaining in tough towns like Bridgewater, MA the small liberal arts schools in Maine are sure to follow!

[ColbyFootballDad]

Thanks Eagle
Any idea of time on Saturday?

Polarcat- nice rundown of Bates Football venue on game day.

And by the way, that pregame brunch at Bates is great and the best 10 bucks you'll spend.
The best restaurant in town is DaVincis- but reserve early, always sold out on home game weekends.

Bates/Colby @ 11am at Colby

[ColbyFootballDad]

Colby Football
Glad you are encouraged in new Mule OC but dont be worried about re arranging deck chairs---you are new to Colby football, back off a bit----take some time to evaluate things without impulsive comment- your Colby FY will compete and he will do well. Its not high school anymore- the Colby coaching staff will take it from here- and your son will get a great education- he's in a good place.

What do you know about the new Mule OC?

[lumbercat]

ColbyDad

Thanks for the clarification on the Colby-Bates affair tomorrow.

I know that the OC comes in with very good credentials. He was a late addition to the Colby staff but it could have been in the works for a while. Based on experience and his overall resume I think Colby is fortunate to have a guy like this to work with their QBs and offense. He was OC at Maine. Would think he should or could be a HFC someplace.
He seems to be in the elite level of experienced OC's in the conference along with Hauser at Tufts or Caputi at Middlebury and arguably has the best credentials of all NECAC OC's with 7 or 8 years as OC at Maine..