FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[river]

Trinity, of course, is a special case.  (The football jock school of the NESCAC?)   

[frank uible]

In my judgment, Amherst or Williams could compete in football at a national level (say, not infrequently from time to time being able on a likely basis to reach at least the quarter finals of an annual NCAA D3 football playoff) if it would make sufficient concessions and commitments at its Admissions Office, in its budget and in its game scheduling, concessions and commitments of a nature and extent which neither institution currently or historically shows or has shown any small indication of a willingness to make.

[amh63]

Thanks for keeping up the good fight....Frank...while I have been away!

[amh63]

For those that have arrived late to the discussion on why the "CAC" does not compete outside the league and in the post season.....
the posters here cannot even get the league....at this time...to have a nine-game season where each football member will play each other each season!   Scheduling outside the conf.......not this century, IMHO.

[amh63]

While roaming the websites to check on new football news, I found a story that may start some discussions on this board while football news start filtering in.
On the 29 of May, the Wes. AD was honored.  His replacement will be HFC/Asst. AD Whalen.  This fact was pointed out by posters as the primary reason for Whalen returning to his school.  Now it is time to speculate who will be his replacement.....especially since he has stacked his coaching staff.

[lumbercat]

Whelan will do both jobs but if he steps aside Jack Seidlecki is certainly qualified.

[nescac1]

I am guessing Whalen will want to coach for a few more years until the program is established as a power.  I believe that Dan Dicenzo is the heir apparent.  I think Siedlecki is assisting as more of a part time retirement gig.

[frank uible]

Your correspondent bets all his ill-gotten gains (which of course are the only type of gains he has) on Dicenzo.

[lumbercat]

Makes sense- I do recall that Seidlecki made some comments when he took the Wes job that an asssitant coaching role was right for him --if he sticks around Dicenzo will have a fine assistant.

[banfan]

For those that have arrived late to the discussion on why the "CAC" does not compete outside the league and in the post season.....
the posters here cannot even get the league....at this time...to have a nine-game season where each football member will play each other each season!   Scheduling outside the conf.......not this century, IMHO.

there are many hurdles including the 75 man limit and the 65 man travel limit.  And although the AD's all come out of their meetings with a unanimous vote, Amherst and Williams votes generally cary the day.  They have it the way they want it.  imho

[frank uible]

Although your correspondent has no idea how the current Williams President leans, there existed a not insubstantial basis for believing that the predecessor President disfavored the Rule of 75.

[amh63]

Banfan.....interesting viewpoint.   In spite of Frank U. suggesting that I save my efforts and money(do not have any ill-gotten funds), I believe that the new presidents in the league, including Amherst's, are more supportive of sports in general and football in particular, than the ones that they replaced.  Amherst's new president, Biddy Martin, is a college football fan, with football coaching brothers. Thus there is optimism for a 9 game season. As I stated in the past, Wes's recent strong push in sports is primarily driven by its ongoing fund drive.  Their website clearly states that they need to return to the time when their endownment was very strong....in the 60's and could compete with their peer schools.

[frank uible]

amh63: There is an old epigram about being able to identify the pioneers by the arrows sticking out of them.

[banfan]

Well, turnover is great and hope springs eternal.  However, there is also a bit of tradition in NESCAC or among these schools.  I sense a change at Bates, Wes, Tufts and maybe Hamilton.  Of course anything looks like hope at some schools.  I was talking about where we are rather than where we might be headed.

[banfan]

Trinity, of course, is a special case.  (The football jock school of the NESCAC?)   

I see the wink quite clearly.  I think you might be surprised at the high percentage of the football team which has gpa's above 3.0.