FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[NewtoNescac]

Good observation, Lumbercat. That's probably a major factor in Tufts' turnaround, as well. The teams that win very little year after year should open their eyes to what competition does for a team.

[lumbercat]

To develop a truly competitive program it!s about depth and numbers- aka recruiting.
You also need admissions support to bring in 35 FYs as Tufts did this year. That doesn't happen at other Nescac schools.

And throw in a very strong QB transfer to Tufts from Dartmouth to boot.

If this continues at Tufts they will soon move to the Nescac elite.

[westcoastDad]

I gather they had a shortage of players.  Even D1 programs typically bring in 25 a year.  Tufts should have a better football program based on size of student population, location, and facilities.  My son loved his hs visit there but chose Amherst because of 2 reasons:  Amherst academic reputation and they recruited him strongly.

[NewtoNescac]

Yes Lumbercat, recruiting is another very important element. And support of admissions does help a great deal.

[Jonny Utah]

Tufts made some "cuts" this past weekend, with some freshmen invited to stay with the team in a non playing capacity (lifting, film, etc), while others were not invited to stay with the team.  Several upperclassmen (Drew Burnett), are helping with the offensive coaches for game/practice prep and film work.  I heard the kid Marcus Edmonds from Central Catholic had a good camp.

(Also a rumor that Dibiaso left Dartmouth because of some sort of off the field incident or problem)

[Eagle322]

Polar Cat
New to Nescac reports numerous injuries on Bates squad that will limit the Bates - Colby scrimmage.
What do your sources report? Hope nothing significant especially at the QB position where they are very thin.

Lots of the injuries on the Bates side are guys dealing with little tweaks and strains here and there, nothing to be overly concerned about. Last year, Amherst was one of their more physical games and I'm sure they want everyone as healthy as possible and ready to go for that one. No sense in risking losing a player for the season opener.

[lumbercat]

Thanks for the Tufts info Jonny. Looks their cuts last weekend have Tufts roster all the way down to a meager 91 bodies.

Some Freshman invited to stay with the team lifting, film etc.....that's what I call the "Nescac red shirt system" a common practice at Trinity.

Believe Civetti now has Trinity-like support in Medford. This would not have been possible 5 years ago at Tufts.......new AD and recent national championships in other sports have spawned a change in the direction and priorities for Football and Athletics at Tufts.

Any idea of venue and time for the Jumbos encounter with Bowdoin  this weekend? Is it in Medford?

Eagle-thanks for the Bates report- puts the Mayflower Hill buzz on Bobcat injuries in perspective.

[gridiron]

Colby/Bates scrimmage is now being touted as a limited "half game" scrimmage.  Limited action for the starters of both teams.

[polbear73]

Even though all players are nicked up and sore at this point in camp, they can't wait to hit another color jersey.  I'm sure cabin fever has set in. 

[amh63]

Not surprised that there is " nothing" ...not a peep...wrt to a scrimmage on Amherst's website.
Ditto on the roster....preliminary or final.  Not surprising in this era of the 75 player limit.
Some historic perspective and numbers as a poster mentione 91 players still on the Tuft's squad.
Before the 75 roster limit...redshirt concept and/ or JV squad....there was the freshman team and only 3 years of varsity...remember posters .  In the all male years before 1975 or there abouts, the enrollment at Amherst  was under 1500...more like 1300-1400. Heck, my freshman class was small...the Amherst enrollment was 1000...the true capacity of the dorms, etc.  It was common at Williams and Amherst to carry a roster of over 90 players.  The rest of the present CAC schools could barely reach 70's......ergo...the 75 roster limit to be fair and equitable and the 14 tips allowed for the football team.  Today, with enrollment under 1800, there are about 900 males at Amherst.  I remember people complaining that 1 in 10 fY's was a football candidate.  Oh the good old days.
That is why I believe, competition, critical recruiting and coaches are the backbone of a successful program...in the CAC.  One cannot hide players or recruit players from rivals like Nebraska did in its Glory Days..and elsewhere.

[NewtoNescac]

Amh63, I agree with you completely. It's competition, coaching and recruiting that makes a winning program.

[NED3Guy]

Goes without saying that support (from admissions, and administration in general) is the precursor to recruiting success. Sure, a great head coach can play the politics games on campus and win that support in some situations...but without that support you could hire Urban Meyer and still end up in the middle of the conference.

Happens at all levels of the sport but is especially magnified in the NESCAC and Ivy League.

[amh63]

Just realize that Bates plays Williams in lovely Willytown.  PolarCat, who likes to contribute to the Tailgate Party...must be a foodie , will be hindered with his contributions under the alcohol ban.  Question will be...how does he get his Special Kentucky Burbon BBQ sauce and/or his famous Rum Cake through the "gate- keepers"?  Rumors has it that the Rental TSA guards will take a bride of Amherst HC Mills' favorite pizza...in Willytown.  Cannot remember the place...but the town is not large.  A Williams poster must know the best pizza place in town.
Dead time on my hands and will Not be able to get to any scrimmage. 
Did not someone post that NESN will not cover the game in Nov.  Amherst made a concession last season and decided to host the game at night...in the cold, cold night.  Son-in-law informed me that he saw a lot of drinking sitting on the EPHs side.  No room on the Amherst stands.  Alcohol was available in the Class tents....not in the Amherst side stands.  Oh well, can someone explain to me why Williams will not host a night game in their FINE lighted NEW stadium with the limited visitor seating arrangements.?  Still thinking about going up to Willytown to meet Frank U, see the game and admire what many, many millions of dollars have bought amid the Purple Hills. 

[PolarCat]

Some Freshman invited to stay with the team lifting, film etc.....that's what I call the "Nescac red shirt system" a common practice at Trinity.

Rookie question here.  If a student is only on the roster for 3 years as an undergraduate (i.e. he is a "NESCAC red shirt"), and attends grad school in the NESCAC, do the conference rules permit him to play as a post-grad?  I know Steven Hauschka only played for 3 years at Midd, so he was able to play an additional year in D1 after graduating.  But I don't know if NESCAC would permit a grad student to play?

If some of those red shirted freshmen plan to attend Tufts Dental School or Medical School, could they benefit from lifting and hanging out with the team, and still play 4 years with the Jumbo's?

Just realize that Bates plays Williams in lovely Willytown.  PolarCat, who likes to contribute to the Tailgate Party...must be a foodie , will be hindered with his contributions under the alcohol ban.  Question will be...how does he get his Special Kentucky Burbon BBQ sauce and/or his famous Rum Cake through the "gate- keepers"? 

While I appreciate the flattery, you've obviously never tasted my grub, as you are greatly exaggerating my culinary skills.  However, the answer to your question should be obvious: there is one sure-fire way to get my Kentucky Bourbon Sauce and my Rum Cake (plus my killer hot spiced apple cider with 181 rum) past the WCTU (Williams College Temperance Union):  In my belly.    And don't worry: PolarMama is my designated driver.

[RetiredMule]

To back up what polarcat and lumbercat were saying about the Colby-Bates scrimmage.  I spoke to a Colby player today who confirmed it will be a short half of football with the majority of the playing time being deadicated to the second third and fourth string guys.  Bates' injuries or tweaks come first and with week one around the corner, its much more important for both groups of starters to be healthy for that.