FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

amh63 · May 23, 2015, 10:05:17 AM

This weekend is one that marks the Graduation Ceromonies for a number of schools....including Amherst and Bowdoin. Graduation holds a special time for me and I in recent years try to set aside time to watch graduation Ceromonies at Amherst....to watch the seniors that I have watched and met participate in a number of Amherst sporting events over the years walk across the stage...graduate.
In that regard, I want to point out here the nice gesture that Bowdoin will make this year....it will have a special Commissioning Ceremony for 2nd Lt. Mac Caputi in the Quad. It will be a special time for the Caputi family and Mac's teammates this weekend.

PolarCat · May 23, 2015, 10:09:47 AM

Mac, Dave and the entire Caputi family had a spectacular day for his commissioning: http://community.bowdoin.edu/news/2015/05/a-quad-commissioning-ceremony-for-2nd-lt-mac-caputi-15/

amh63 · May 23, 2015, 10:28:39 AM

PolarCat....thanks for the link! Plus K
Allowed me to confirm that Mac Caputi will serve as a " jarhead".....had met many such fine Marines over my career.

NewtoNescac · May 23, 2015, 02:21:58 PM

Thanks for sharing PolarCat, and may God Bless and keep him safe.

frank uible · May 23, 2015, 03:38:30 PM

High quality stuff for Mac and the other Caputis and also for the Marines - especially apropos this weekend.

gridiron · May 28, 2015, 08:40:04 PM

Regarding Colby football, it is now official that HC Michaeles will take on the play calling duties of the OC this upcoming season. Coach Michaeles had a good reputation as the OC prior to taking over as head coach. Those close to the program hope the transition is smooth and the results positive.

NewtoNescac · May 28, 2015, 10:00:42 PM

Very smart move for Colby. The next smart move, after regressing to 2-6, with an anemic offense would be to open up all positions to competition. That's how you win.

amh63 · May 29, 2015, 10:22:32 AM

Colby posters/fans.....another way to jumpstart a program is to bring in the talent.
Colby had a huge increase in applicants this year....over 8000 applicants. Colby must be doing some fine marketing, etc.
Can anyone put an up to date prespective on the incoming football class? I tend to forget a lot of data.
Aware that it is Summer time and particulars are not easy to obtain.....before September when schools open up again.
Interesting info to date has been the top QB recruits for Hamilton and Middlebury...the latter being a transfer. With respect to Amherst, there are a number of young QBs available and expect open competition again. Offensive line and key defensive positions need a " rebuild". Both areas are rarely filled by FY players, IMO.

lumbercat · May 29, 2015, 07:53:39 PM

Amh 63-

Here is a list of some of the Colby recruits.

Note no QB's on the list as they are already 6 deep there.

Sebastian Ferrel WR Kent School, CT 6'2" 175
Sebastian Philemon LB Boston Latin, MA 6'1" 200
Greg Whelan RB Arlington Catholic, MA 5'11"
Liam Brandel TE Newton, So. MA 6'3" 220
Tim Hood WR St Pauls, NH 5'11" 180
Kevin Moyette LB Pingree, MA 6'1" 225
Gerry Nvule DL BB&N, MA 6'2" 229
Matt Richman WR Lincoln Sudbury, MA 5'10" 187
Shane Normandeau OL Kennebunk, ME 6'3" 250
Sam Greenfield OT Loomis, CT 6'3" 305
Nick Strand LB Dexter, MA 6'2" 210
Scott Gosnell LB BC High, MA 6'1" 190
Sam Friedman FB BC High, MA 6'0" 218
A.J. Carrigan DE St. Johns Prep, MA 6'3 215

Overall a busy recruiting year in the NESCAC as usual but the story is Tufts. Civetti and Jumbo admissions really went to town. Their incoming class looks like a Trinity group. No question that Tufts is turning it up significantly.

lumbercat · May 29, 2015, 10:39:18 PM

Newtonescac
A transfer doesn't get in and it will have an adverse effect on future recruiting? .....That's an over reaction. Won't hurt Murray a bit- happens all the time.

NewtoNescac · May 30, 2015, 09:18:59 AM

Lumbercat please disregard. My source was completely wrong on the facts. Didn't even get the school right. I need to exercise more caution before posting. Sorry

amh63 · May 31, 2015, 09:37:59 AM

Interesting to read that Tufts continue to build its recruiting efforts in Football...now to see if it is reflected on the playing field. Yes, last season was a "big" step up. Seems the Big school in the conference wrt to size and location is awaking. This Spring....winning two more National titles in Lax and softball.
Speaking of titles....Bates won its first National rowing title. Congrats! Trinity was second and several other CAC Schools did well. The conference had a banner year in collecting trophies. I posted the rowing results here since there is not a board for it.
Rowing at Amherst has been around for decades....but never reached Varsity level. Been a fan since the 60's when my frat had a large number of rowers. Interesting sport in terms of evolution of oar design and training facilities....though I agree watching rowing is like watching grass grow...an expression.

PolarCat · May 31, 2015, 09:50:48 AM

I watched the final yesterday. Probably the first time in 25 years I've watched a rowing regatta - last time I went to one was the legendary Head of the Charles in Boston, though admittedly that was more to people watch and consume large quantities of fermented beverages than to watch the crews.

The announcers on NCAA.com ended their broadcast by congratulating Trinity on repeating as National Champions. The only problem was that, while the Trinity 1 boat won its race, their 2 boat finished third in the other race, and Bates 2-1 finish nipped Trinity's 1-3 on points. Another facepalm moment brought to you by the NCAA.

The 2 boat from Wellesley took second place in its race. I can't remember the last time I've heard Wellesley mentioned athletically, but in a way, the Bobcats owe their National Championship to Wellesley's "assist". My Bobcat son has some friends on the team, and it was fun to see them holding up the trophy.

NewtoNescac · May 31, 2015, 10:09:49 AM

Getting back to Football. I cannot understand why the Williams program has fallen so far so quickly. Has Admissions tightened things? It seems Mills at Amherst gets any player he wants within reason. Any thoughts?

amh63 · May 31, 2015, 12:15:33 PM

NewtoNescac....asking a question that has drawn many points of views...admission standards, coaches abilities, etc. Suggest you go through at least the last 100 pages to get some perspective.
I can go through a litty of points wrt to my bias opinions...such as Amherst's football reputation, coaches stability and reputations, recruiting contacts/ abilities, etc. much of it is overall school marketing....see the new football website call "Crank It... "
I will relate a recent experience on my visit to the Cornell Un. dairy bar. While waiting in a long...long line, I struck a conversation with some UConn grads behind me and a Cornell group from CT in front. Conversation turned to football. I mentioned "Sprint Football" at Cornell, which caught the attention of the Cornell group's senior member. The father had played 155 lb class football at Cornell...in my days weight category. I was informed that Sprint football now allows players up to 172 lbs. Anyway, his kids all went to Staples HS in Wesport, Ct...one a 2015 Cornell graduate, another a LeHigh grad and another to attend Cornell in the Fall. His first remark when learning that I was an Amherst Alum was ..."good football program". When I mentioned Staples had sent a number of fine players to Amherst, he stated that he knew many players going to both the Amherst and Trinity programs. I made a sort of face that caused him to qualify his remark by saying that he was well aware of the academic standards/differences between the schools Seems his children were/are student-athletes.