FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

Trin9-0 · April 18, 2016, 10:51:36 AM

Not sure when the field is set to be finished but I don't think it will be done before August arrives. Below is the photo I saw and it looks like they're still grading the foundation layer.

Trinity holds Commencement on the quad so that won't be an issue but I'm not sure what they'll do about the skills camp. I imagine they'd just hold it on the turf lacrosse field or maybe the grass soccer fields.

PolarCat · April 18, 2016, 11:23:43 AM

Quote from: Trin8-0 on April 18, 2016, 10:51:36 AM
Not sure when the field is set to be finished but I don't think it will be done before August arrives. Below is the photo I saw and it looks like they're still grading the foundation layer.

Did they sell off chunks of the old turf as a fund raiser? Like selling the parquet from the old Garden? It would be pretty cool to have "your" little chunk of the 48 yard line in perpetuity.

Speaking of fields, it looks like nothing is going to happen at Whittier. The Bowdoin Administration is too busy supporting the Social Justice Warriors and waging war on sombrero-wearing, tequila-sipping enemies of the state. I'd heard rumors that JB Wells was promised a new field, but obviously Pres. Rose and his gang are otherwise occupied. (Plus I have heard anectodal evidence that Bowdoin's fundraising is way down following the articles in the Washington Post and elsewhere).

I wonder if that's a contributing factor in Blumenaur's defection to Williams? Somehow, I don't think Wells and his staff anticipated that "Water the Bamboo" would refer to the weeds growing on their playing surface.

(For anyone who's interested, here's the latest tempest-in-a-teapot brewing in Brunswick: an article in the Bowdoin Orient, arguing that athletics are divisive, create an overly-competitive and elitist atmosphere that is inimical to education, and should be abolished: http://bowdoinorient.com/article/11119 . The Comments section is quite entertaining.)

amh63 · April 18, 2016, 01:15:59 PM

Trinity8-0....thanks for the pic! I also like the "new" appearance of the Trinity Website. It helps in the competative nature of attracting applicants in general and student athletes in particular. Upgrades of facilities helps too!
Speaking of competitiveness wrt Nescac, I fear " the elephant in the room" has awaken.
I have been looking around the conference at the admission/ selection numbers of the schools...those that have reported them on their websites. What struck me are the numbers from Tufts. I also realize that the numbers are sometimes not ways Apple to Apple numbers. Tufts has reported a record number of applicants....yes they are the largest school..this season and has accepted a record LOW number of admits...14 percent! There was always a concern that the "urban" atmosphere of Boston would be most attractive to this new generation of students of social media awareness. The Jumbos have been developing national title level sports teams of late. Their new student wide fitness center...think NY Giants money..is a factor, IMO.

RetiredMule · April 19, 2016, 12:34:30 PM

PolarCat -

Completely ridiculous article from the Orient regarding student athletes perspective. I know this board will obviously defend athletes and athletics (we are a football board after all), but I think some of this child's complaints hint at something in this younger generation. The loss of the Renaissance Man. The idea that one should not be completely specialized in one topic but instead show a breadth of knowledge across subjects, physical and mental.

The reason that firms tend to hire athletes out of college is as some of the commenters noted their ability to manage time, to be coached and to act within the collective interest. Combine that with the personal growth found through sports and you create a more well rounded individual. Perhaps the time commitment and the competitive drive have something to do with company's desire to hire these people over individually focused academics only people. And the complaints that people who enter these teams tend to form friendships with "groups of people all have the same gender, body type, and often race and social class" seems baseless. People tend to form friendships along these lines regardless as it avoids socially mismatched situations. And sports, particularly football, tend to cut across "body type, and often race and social class" lines as it is a pure meritocracy in your value to the team.

I think this board has long recognized Bwodoin as the most openly hostile towards athletics and football, but it is sad to see things like this being disseminated through the school paper without it being done in sarcastic tone.

amh63 · April 19, 2016, 01:03:28 PM

RetiredMule.....well said! Plus K

nescac1 · April 21, 2016, 10:18:41 AM

A few interesting tidbits from this article on Coach Raymond:

Alex Smith, formerly his QB coach at St. Lawrence, will be the offensive coordinator. Between Blumenaur and Smith, that will hopefully be two creative offensive minds who will add a bit more juice to the offense. Raymond will be the defensive coordinator. Raymond also said he intends to run a shotgun, no-huddle offense. I'm all for picking up the pace of the offense. But it might be a tough adjustment in the first year or two because Williams doesn't have an obvious reservoir of talent at QB (the two QBs returning on the roster have no playing experience and are basically unknown quantities, and Regensburg is the only WR who made a significant on-field impact who is returning) or WR to draw upon ... still, I think the future is (finally) bright at Williams and it should be an easy sell for his first recruiting class -- the best facilities in the league, a great football tradition, now a strong coaching staff across the board, and a chance at IMMEDIATE playing time for any stud recruits (especially at the QB/WR spots), while revitalizing a moribund team.

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/localsports/ci_29793294/new-williams-football-coach-keeping-busy

IslandTime · April 21, 2016, 11:24:08 AM

Williams running a no-huddle with inexperienced QB's. Might get uglier before it gets better....

Replacing Creighton as recruiting coordinator is a good move. Nice guy, completely unorganized.

Looking forward to AMHERST continuing it's domination over the cows.

Jonny Utah · April 21, 2016, 12:26:40 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on April 21, 2016, 10:18:41 AM
A few interesting tidbits from this article on Coach Raymond:

Alex Smith, formerly his QB coach at St. Lawrence, will be the offensive coordinator. Between Blumenaur and Smith, that will hopefully be two creative offensive minds who will add a bit more juice to the offense. Raymond will be the defensive coordinator. Raymond also said he intends to run a shotgun, no-huddle offense. I'm all for picking up the pace of the offense. But it might be a tough adjustment in the first year or two because Williams doesn't have an obvious reservoir of talent at QB (the two QBs returning on the roster have no playing experience and are basically unknown quantities, and Regensburg is the only WR who made a significant on-field impact who is returning) or WR to draw upon ... still, I think the future is (finally) bright at Williams and it should be an easy sell for his first recruiting class -- the best facilities in the league, a great football tradition, now a strong coaching staff across the board, and a chance at IMMEDIATE playing time for any stud recruits (especially at the QB/WR spots), while revitalizing a moribund team.

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/localsports/ci_29793294/new-williams-football-coach-keeping-busy

St. Lawrence ran pistol/shotgun last year, and although I don't remember if they huddled, a no-huddle offense does not necessarily mean it will be fast paced, it simply means the plays are called in differently. Obviously you have the option to hurry up, as well as the advantage of not letting the defense huddle, but I don't think you will see the 2014 Oregon Ducks next year in Williamstown.

Also, is McCormick still coaching football? He was a coordinator off and on I believe and is also an Ithaca guy (who was out of there before Raymond arrived). Not sure if he is still in the picture there or not.

amh63 · April 21, 2016, 12:43:33 PM

IslandTime....see you are getting into the "spirit" of the "rivalry" in the conference! A word of caution though....some posters may ding you..smite....when you refer to Williams as the " cows". I too am confused on the matter of Williams' mascot...official or unofficial. It appears on the Nescac website and Williams fans have it on shirts, etc. Yet, all media postings refer to Williams as the Ephs....see the latest Berkshire Eagle article on the coaching changes in Willytown. Thanks Nescac1 for the link. Any Williams supporters want to provide clarification? I am aware that "Ephs" is a short version of the first name of Col. Williams who settled in the area and also served in the French and Indian War. This is like JEFFS is a shorten version of the first name of Lord Amherst, etc. Rarely have I heard here or elsewhere wrt to sports the term cows used...like the Bates Bobcats or the Midd Panthers, or Colby Mules.

Found the Berkshire Eagle article interesting...also the video...but full of "coach- speak" remarks.
Seems that players on hand and recruits to arrive point to a "running based offense" initially. Having only seen the Amherst-Williams game footage, I cannot say that Williams' strength last season was its running game. It also points out...maybe supporting Nescac1's post...that the passing game needs work with QBs and WRs to be found/ developed. No comment on a " shotgun" offense other than the present QBs available may have more potential/experience as passers than as runners...say in a " single wing" offense

. It is to be noted that Amherst also has a no huddle type offense. The returning quarterbacks can run and pass well, with the key element , IMO, being the decision making one. Believe, most of the conference teams feature a running game...except the Panthers...first.

IslandTime · April 21, 2016, 03:57:48 PM

Considering I picked up some Williams gear emblazoned with Ephelia the Purple Cow on them, the use of cows was certainly not a dig. In fact, considering I will be sending checks to Amherst for the next few years and shouldn't say it out loud, IMHO their mascot is one of the coolest in all of college sports.

With that being said....

I look forward to Amherst's continued domination of the.......Ephs!

PolarCat · April 21, 2016, 04:13:01 PM

The Purple Moose as the Dominatrix, and the Purple Cow as the Submissive. It's like Fifty Shades of Purple out in Western Mass.

nescac1 · April 21, 2016, 04:54:22 PM

IslandTime, this fall, admittedly, I don't love Williams' chances in football. But don't get too used to it ... Williams still dominates the series historically, interrupted only by one very poor hiring decision which opened the door for Amherst's recent run of dominance vs. the Ephs. Now that after six years that has finally been rectified, I imagine Williams football will be back to historic levels of excellence in a few short seasons! Need about two strong recruiting classes along with a change in culture at the top for Williams to be back in the mix again ...

amh63 · April 21, 2016, 05:43:00 PM

Nescac1.....can you provide any light wrt to why "Ephelia"...never knew it had a name..the Purple Cow is not used. It is the mascot?...official or unofficial. Have bought things in the House of Walsh...many years ago in Williamstown and looked over the stock in another store, but never saw an item at the time with a name.
You are most correct wrt to the win-loss record. Yes, there has been periods of win runs by both schools over the past century. All runs come to an end, though the present one of six..thanks for the number.....is also associated with undefeated seasons and a present 19 game winning run. Amherst's present streak will end....the one with Williams...but it may continue for several more years with the players on hand. Who knows...maybe Williams will find a Johnny Unitas in a recruit/ transfer.

PolarCat....I wonder about your "reading material" at times

. Then again, a graduate of the school in Hanover and the stories of what happens during Winter Carnival. I have to be upfront here...there is some residual resentment...lost my first longtime college steady to an Dartmouth man.

jumpshot · April 22, 2016, 12:07:54 PM

As far as nicknames go, the plague, hamster, and moose will never be topped!

PolarCat · April 27, 2016, 03:34:14 PM

On a slow news day / week / month, here's some news about a former Eph player. Conan Leary was a Williams Class of 2001. In addition to playing football, Conan's primary sport was wrestling, where he was New England Champion, and named to the DII / DIII National Team, where he competed internationally.

He was one of my kids' favorite teachers and coaches at Tabor Academy. He's one of those rare individuals who goes "all in" for his students and his school. It was not unusual for him to be going through the Dunkin Donuts drive through, see a carload of Tabor students in his rear-view mirror, and pick up their tab.

Conan has just been named AD for his prep school alma mater, Tabor Academy. I think we can expect to see many more TA athletes headed to the 'CAC in the coming years. (In addition to my kids - playing football and WLAX, other TA alums are playing football, WBB and track at Bowdoin, Men's Crew at Bates, Women's Crew at Trinity, Football at Wes, Men's Hockey at Tufts and Wes, Women's Hockey at Colby, Conn and Trinity, and Wrestling at Trinity).

For any of Conan's Williams teammates, here's the article announcing his promotion: http://www.taboracademy.org/page/News-Detail?pk=1037214

PS: Thanks to nescac1 for proof-reading this for me!