FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[amh63]

polbear73....what would be the advantage of holding a " nightgame"  for Bowdoin?   The Fall games in sunlight are best.  When it gets cold, lights may help......otherwise??   

[polbear73]

I agree, amh63 but there were rumors that they were going to hold a night game in 2018, probably against Tufts, to "enhance the atmosphere.  I think a lot of us prefer college football games on Saturday afternoons and lights may help the November games so that games can start at a time other than noon or 12:30.  Maybe the novelty of a night game would be fun, but that's about it. 

[quicksilver]

FWIW, Bowdoin did use the renovated Whittier Field for several midweek night lacrosse games this spring. Generally speaking, the idea of night games was a sticking point with the neighbors during the planning process because of concerns about noise and traffic so holding a night football game might be pushing their luck at this stage (there are supposed to be noise tests of some kind during the initial period of use).

[polbear73]

FWIW, Bowdoin did use the renovated Whittier Field for several midweek night lacrosse games this spring. Generally speaking, the idea of night games was a sticking point with the neighbors during the planning process because of concerns about noise and traffic so holding a night football game might be pushing their luck at this stage (there are supposed to be noise tests of some kind during the initial period of use).

Excellent point!  They do have to pick their spots and night football is certainly not a necessity when it comes to scheduling.

[lumbercat]

The issues at Bowdoin with the neighborhood aside, the overwhelming factor working against night football in the NESCAC is the overriding concern with student drinking and tailgating on Saturday night as opposed to afternoon. Administrators and AD's are scared stiff of potential issues.

I believe the night games at Wesleyan and Tufts took place without any issues so maybe other schools will reconsider. They will babble about logistics and other issues but there is absolutely no reason (other than the Bowdoin noise issue) why the CBB shouldn't consider limited night games.

Ironically I think the Tufts- Wes games took place in venues without permanent lights- believe they both brought in temporary lighting but I'm not completely sure. Can anyone clarify ?

[polbear73]

Good point about the drinking and tailgating, LumberCat.  Yes, temporary lighting was used in games mentioned.  I also believe that a Williams-Amherst game started a 4pm a couple of years back.  Obviously travel considerations for late at night would have to influence which opposing teams played as well. 

Please excuse the ramblings of an old man, but I remember when the football games were the featured event on Saturdays and, with all of the participation in other events, now, there usually is some overlap.  Lights at 8 out of the ten football venues could allow for football games to start a little later than noon or 1pm, without fear of having darkness to encroach.  Just a thought. 

[amh63]

There was a "night game" of sorts at Amherst.  Yes it was the last of the game in an eight game season...the LJs vs Ephs.  Before the formal new mascot of Amherst.  It worked out ok.  No national guard troops call in .
The Wes game was under temporary lights and on a grass field.  Wes's field is the oldest college football field in the land, I believe.  Vandy74 would know...our historian on these matters.  Believe the Middletown location was the site for Norwich College to move out of Vt.  Did not happen and Wes got it cheap .  With my memory failing, this maybe all a tall tale.

[lumbercat]

From memory I believe Tufts, Wes, Middlebury and Hamilton do not have lights.

[polbear73]

From memory I believe Tufts, Wes, Middlebury and Hamilton do not have lights.

You're right. I whiffed on Midd and Hamilton. Sorry.

[frank uible]

But what is the advantage of NESCAC night football? For some colleges it necessitates an over night trio not required for day games.

[quicksilver]

. . .
Please excuse the ramblings of an old man, but I remember when the football games were the featured event on Saturdays and, with all of the participation in other events, now, there usually is some overlap.  Lights at 8 out of the ten football venues could allow for football games to start a little later than noon or 1pm, without fear of having darkness to encroach.  Just a thought.

Excellent point -- one of the reasons for flagging NESCAC football attendance is the sheer number of competing athletic events on a Saturday afternoon when you can have field hockey and men and women's soccer games going on at the same time or overlapping in time. Back in the day when most NESCAC schools were all male, football was it on Saturday afternoon (with men's soccer existing but more of a fringe sport than it is now).

As I mentioned earlier, the neighbors' issue does call for a go slow approach on introducing football on Saturday nights at Bowdoin because there will be noise and there will be drinking!!

[lumbercat]

It's not directly Football related but it looks like Colby quietly gassed Head baseball coach Dale Plummer recently.
In tyypical Colby SID procedure nothing on their website about this....pretty much the same protocol they followed when they canned HFC Michaeles.
Sports information and reporting on Mayflower Hill has always been.....unusual.

To their credit they are making a strong statement of a clear commitment to winning within their athletic department. It started with great hire they made in the hockey program a few years back bringing in Blaise McDonald an accomplished and widely respected D1 coach. Colby won the NESACAC hockey title this year.

Next they made very strong lacrosse hire which should bode well for the program.

Recently we all know the coup they pulled off in bringing in Cosgrove.....and not too shabby to have OC Dave Dunn on the staff who is an experienced HC on the D3 level with D1 exposure as well.

The new AD up there has done a fine job with the benefit of a generous coaching budget.

[polbear73]

And with great current and planned athletic facilities, Colby is a force to be reckoned with.

[ColbyFootball]

/quote]
The AD is not only a terrific administrator, he's a decent quality individual personally. Colby has a winner running the show in every way.

[amh63]

Visiting old friends in N.C.  Checked the Midd athletic website....football site in particular.  There are the the final two members of the class of '22 listed. 
Have a fine, safe and happy 4th of July all.