FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[hamfan88]

Just took a quick glance at the NCAA bylaws and it looks like the individual conferences (in this case the NESCAC) handle/grant the hardship waivers that would allow a player an extra year of elegibility. I'm not sure, however, if the NESCAC  will have to step in and take action based on Williams' use of an ineligible player, or if a broader NCAA rule covers that.

[#cruncher]

Been waiting for site approval so sorry for going back to a couple older posts.  RE: the disappointing Colby defense numbers this year.  Watched the last 2 games in Waterville and tried to figure out the huge downtick on rush D especially.  There were some personnel and number changes in the offseason - 2 year starting DT changed from #47 to #77 and moved to starting OT in the summer due to lack of depth there.  Replaced him with two converted LB's.  So middle of line goes from 275 to 210 or 240 according to roster.  Doesn't appear to be enough beef in the middle to stop the run.  On the Middlebury sidelines could hear the Oline talking about how soft the middle was.  Seems to make all-NESCAC DE for Colby much less of a threat this year.  Tough to see them go from 1st in Rush Defense last year to dead last in all categories this season.  Still trying to figure out the logic of this move.  The past two seasons they have had some guys go both ways at times, wonder if it's a move they are going to have to make this year.  Need to toughen up the line, especially with losing #31 for the season

The Mules caught a couple bad breaks in the Wes game, especially muffing the opening kickoff for a quick 7 points, not a team that can give up an easy score and be able to rebound.  Seem to have some success when they speed things up but it's not a consistent thing so far.  Having #4 out last week hurt but did see some good moves out of his young backup.

The change of AD is going to be a real plus for all the teams on Mayflower Hill.  Probably one of the most unsupportive AD's in the league.  The new president has been to both home games and makes a point of spending Friday night and rest of Saturday's attending other games on campus.  Hopefully this bodes well for future support of athletics on the Hill!

[gridiron]

#cruncher--Astute observations all around.  Could explain a great deal that has been puzzling given the number of Colby returning starters.  Combined with an offense that has not been able to put together sustained drives, the defense can ill afford to continue to bend.

Clearly the new president has other ideas in mind with respect to the direction of the program, given the changes already enacted.

[amh63]

#Cruncher...like your post! Plus K.   Also, the confirmation of the change in Waterville.  Hope the new president will support a 9 game football season IF the topic ever appears on the agenda.  Seems my personal Don Q.pursuit is losing some moss.

[quicksilver]

I believe that the delay in filing Alex Syocurka's medical hardship paperwork with the NESCAC for an extra "medical hardship" year and Williams' resulting use of a technically ineligible player for two games is what is known as a "secondary violation" of the NCAA's rules. That category covers inadvertent violations and violations that do not give the noncomplying school a recruiting advantage, etc. As such, the NCAA has wide latitude in doling out punishment, including deciding not to punish at all or delegating the handling of the violation to the conference. Since Syocurka was eligible for the extra year and the NESCAC ruled in favor of his request, the violation would appear to be a technical violation of the NCAA's rules and would probably not warrant much more than a sternly worded letter of reprimand to the school if this is the first time that Williams has committed a violation of this sort. If this is one of a series of similar violations, then a harsher penalty might be in order like a forfeiture or a "vacating" of a win (which would take the Bowdoin win off the books for Williams but would not give Bowdoin credit for a win) but even if Williams is a repeat offender then a harsher penalty would not necessarily be in order, if, lets say, the last violation was a long time ago.

[gridiron]

Quicksilver, thanks for the clarification.  Amazed at the breadth and depth of the knowledge of some posters on this board, present party excepted, of course. 

[lumbercat]

Warriorcat-Polarcat.......any injury reports from Bobcat Den?

[gridiron]

Any additional feedback from those who may have attended the Middlebury game on the newly implemented tailgating policies in Vermont? 

[PolarCat]

Warriorcat-Polarcat.......any injury reports from Bobcat Den?

My sources tell me Ben Coulibally and Zach Shabman were both concussed Saturday.  Not clear whether either will be cleared to play against Wes.  I've gotten conflicting reports about Cannone: Monday I was told he was "fine", last night I was told he is "questionable". Guess we won't know for sure till later in the week, maybe even game day.  (Not very helpful I know - almost like the Patriots injury report each week).

Maybe WarriorCat has better / more reliable sources than I do.

[banfan]

Regarding a couple of points raised recently.

First, requests for injury reports or status of key player's status; kinda a touchy subject. Bates is a different team if their starting QB is out so if I was the Bates coach, I would want that status to be held close to the vest. I know that Trinity is cautious about such information. Of course, if the key player is in a cast and 'walking' the campus in crutches, the info gets out.

Second, the Medical Redshirt issue has  a lot of facets. I am pretty sure that at D1, this is not handled by the conference, as may be the case at D3. It can be a big deal to a team and the player in question at Williams is a big deal to that team. Again, at D3 maybe it is an infraction that we look the other way on. If this has been a problem in the past where a coach or school (in the CAC) has been held accountable in a serious way, Williams may be looked at differently. I am not sure that the Bowdoin loss/win will have any impact upon where the two schools end up, but if a precedent is to be set, and these were favorites in the conference, all bets are off. It may seem harsh now but it could be a very big deal in the future.

Just some thoughts.

On to Tufts. Getting ready for Tufts. Planning for Tufts. Any questions about Tufts?

[amh63]

Middle of the week...quiet.  Only info of interest to posters is up in Willytown.  This weekend, there will be a dedication and a celebration.  The new facilities in general and the football field in particular will be dedicated.  The famous coaches associated with the fields will also be honored.  Writeup indicate that food and refreshments will be available...I take it it will be provided without charge! 
Frank U....maybe you can confirm?  Know you will be at the Log for  the particulars afterwards.
This is really for the fans of the opposing team.
Still not sure about some of the particulars at the Amherst Homecoming game Frank.  You are invited to my class tent in any case...refreshments particulars still unknown...due to the late start.  There will be an open lunch provided in Coolidge cage between 12-2pm....no charge, if the policy of after the game activities are followed....beer and wine do cost...unless some alum subsidize it as has been done.  Parking is not clear.  Last year, because of the new grass...tailgating was not allowed.  Not sure what is going on this season.  Know that parking on the lower old practice field has been allowed.
Oh yes, for posters who may wish to attend the game..alums, parents or otherwise...this info applies to you also.  Expect no charge for the game...not sure if the game programs will be free as they were last year.

[lumbercat]

Thanks for the report Polarcat

[Gr8ful1]

The sky is fall, the sky is falling!

[Nescacman]

Any additional feedback from those who may have attended the Middlebury game on the newly implemented tailgating policies in Vermont?

We attended one of the games in Middlebury. They are very serious about enforcing the NA policy. They search cars coming in, have security and real police (both in uniform and undercover) patrolling the parking lot and searched cars in the lot if they suspected a breach in the rules. With that being said, if you drink "coffee" and are not overtly obvious that you are consuming (bottles, cans and red solo cups would be a no-no), you can get away with consumption.

[gridiron]

The Middlebury enforcement sounds very similar to experiences at Williams.