FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

A deserved tip of the cap to Wesleyan as well for reaching the men's hoops Final Four. The Cardinals went an incredible 29-0 this season against teams who aren't Trinity but were 1-2 against the Bantams. A credit to the strength of the league.

Congratulations to Hartford State on winning the D3 Mens BBall National Championship. Well deserved win over our beloved Cardinals.

Congratulations as well to Wesleyan who set a school record for wins (30) and made their first D3 Final Four. Great year for Coach Reilly and the Cards. Hoping that Wes will repeat what the Bants did this year in 2026 when we return to the NCAA tourney and come away with the win. The D3 hoops tourney once again demonstrated that the NESCAC is by far the best D3 sports conference in the country. 

Having made the trip to Indiana, we were impressed with the city of Fort Wayne. They rolled out the red carpet for the student-athletes and made it feel like a major sporting event. Good job by them. A highlight of the trip was meeting up with the icon and our fearless leader, Pat Coleman. We plan on having Pat on the "9 Weeks NESCAC" Podcast on an upcoming show and hosting him at the best D3 tailgate in the country this Fall.

NM

[muleshoe]

D1 football and basketball teams are now essentially comprised of mercenaries for hire on one year contracts with the highest bidder, playing in conferences with no geographical or historical significance.  There is really no lasting connection between player, coach, school and fans, and historic rivalries are largely dying. 

I don't make any value judgment, as players benefit as well they should, but this is just how it works in 2025.  And it actually makes D3 sports an entirely different (and in my view superior!) experience and the only thing that remotely resembles what college athletics signified when most of us were growing up. 

I don't think it's fair to call the players "mercenaries for hire" when they are simply trying to optimize their value when so many of them have a small earning window for playing athletics. $50k or $100k is life changing money for many. It's especially hypocritical when you see coaches bailing on their school for the next opportunity after they've had players commit or before the season even ends (see Will Wade at McNeese, or the number of CFB coaches who leave before their bowl games). Now players at least have the same freedom of movement. Also, D1 basketball has long had the "one and done" players. I think NIL helps to keep more players in college for longer now that they can earn some real money above the table, as they should have all along! Earning money and being able to transfer doesn't mean that today's athletes care any less about the game, their teammates, or the experience as prior generations. They now get to share in the financial rewards that the schools, administrators, and coaches used to hoard for themselves.

I agree the mega conferences and "realignment" have taken away from some of the regionality that's long made college sports so fun to watch, but there are still plenty of great, historic rivalries that persist. Did you see Ohio State's little temper tantrum after they lost to Michigan (again) in November? I guess the players on the "most expensive roster in college football history" didn't care...

[nescac1]

muleshoe, that's why I said "I don't make any value judgment, as players benefit as well they should."  By saying mercenaries for hire I'm not trying to be be pejorative in any way towards the players - I fully agree that they should go where they can make the most money, all other things being equal. They deserve to make that money more than the schools that monetize their talents, without any question.   

But it is an accurate description of what the D1 college game has become and (to me at least) why it's so much less fun to follow.  The very best players are one-and-done if they end up at college at all.  Everyone below that tier will constantly be moving up the power (and money) rankings of college hoops (especially) and football (to a lesser but likely increasing extent). And as a fan, I don't really see why it should interest me when I can watch much better players playing at a much higher level in the pros.  What made college sports distinguishable from the NBA/NFL and so insanely cool and fun back in the pre-NIL era were teams comprised of at least semi-amateur students who were actually part of campus life and who would grow together for 2-3 years, led by long-time coaches who had real personalities and gave their program an identity, and all the pageantry and fun of historical conference rivalries and conference championships.

Now I can't name more than a small handful of college coaches, have no clue what school is in what conference for the most part, and there is virtually no continuity from year to year especially in D1 basketball, where every team is basically starting fresh each year which an entirely new roster, more or less.  Again, this is great for the athletes who benefit and I hold them no ill will.  But unless you are an actual student on that campus going to the games, I personally find it really hard to be invested in following teams which are a revolving door of players (and often coaches) every season all of whom have one eye on their next stop.   

[Trin9-0]

Longtime Wesleyan assistant coach, John Capodice, is heading back to the high school coaching ranks. He'll be returning to nearby Berlin High School where he had previously coached from 2004-2015 before an alleged recruiting scandal led ultimately led to his dismissal.

[Nescacman]

Longtime Wesleyan assistant coach, John Capodice, is heading back to the high school coaching ranks. He'll be returning to nearby Berlin High School where he had previously coached from 2004-2015 before an alleged recruiting scandal led ultimately led to his dismissal.

Coach Capodice will be missed and we wish him the best of luck in his new/old gig as HCOF at Berlin High. He did a great job at Wes and Berlin HS is lucky to get him back.

Congratulations are also in order to Wes alum and Coach, Dario Highsmith, who was appointed HCOF at his alma matter, Middletown HS. We also wish Coach Highsmith the best of luck in his new role. He'll do great.

NM

[Brady12]

ESPN's mock NFL draft has Perry being drafted by the Packers

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/insider/story/_/id/44392562/mock-2025-nfl-draft-seven-rounds-257-picks-matt-miller

[lumbercat]

I am told that Perry did not participate in BC Pro Day. It was posted here that he would be a participant at BC.
Maybe he opted for another New England area Proday---HC, Dart, Bryant, Merrimack?

Rooting for the kid, but thought BC would be best for him in terms of exposure.
Hope is not dropping off the NFL radar.
Bryant ProDay in RI is said to be strong venue for Patriot interest so maybe he attended there.
Encouraging to see him mentioned by ESPN even it's a mock.

[NESCACFball24/7]

He went to the UConn Pro day. It is rare for power 5 programs to allow other schools prospects at their pro days. Makes sense he went to a g5 one instead

I am told that Perry did not participate in BC Pro Day. It was posted here that he would be a participant at BC.
Maybe he opted for another New England area Proday---HC, Dart, Bryant, Merrimack?

Rooting for the kid, but thought BC would be best for him in terms of exposure.
Hope is not dropping off the NFL radar.
Bryant ProDay in RI is said to be strong venue for Patriot interest so maybe he attended there.
Encouraging to see him mentioned by ESPN even it's a mock.

[Trin9-0]

Longtime Wesleyan assistant coach, John Capodice, is heading back to the high school coaching ranks. He'll be returning to nearby Berlin High School where he had previously coached from 2004-2015 before an alleged recruiting scandal led ultimately led to his dismissal.

Coach Capodice will be missed and we wish him the best of luck in his new/old gig as HCOF at Berlin High. He did a great job at Wes and Berlin HS is lucky to get him back.

Congratulations are also in order to Wes alum and Coach, Dario Highsmith, who was appointed HCOF at his alma matter, Middletown HS. We also wish Coach Highsmith the best of luck in his new role. He'll do great.

NM

Berlin and Middletown are in the same conference and play each other annually. That should be a fun match-up for a couple of Wes guys!

[lumbercat]

He went to the UConn Pro day. It is rare for power 5 programs to allow other schools prospects at their pro days. Makes sense he went to a g5 one instea

24/7 Thanks for the info - good to see Perry did get a Pro Day look.

BC has always had kids from other schools at their Pro Days. This year there were participants from UNH, Bentley and Merrimack among others.