FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[dlippiel]

Williams was listed by Forbes fairly recently as the top college in the country and US World News Report lists them as the top liberal arts and Forbes simply has Williams listed as the top undergrad institution in the nation, categories be damned. Outstanding! Amherst is # 3  , just behind Princeton. Many other NESCAC schools are right up there as well.

In terms of academics, all NESCAC schools are powerhouses and dwarf the D3 pack. For NESCAC fans that's something we take no small measure of pride in. And while NESCAC may not be a powerhouse football conference-- it's probably the conference's weakest sport on a national scale, but it's still highly entertaining-- you won't find a more powerful D3 sports conference - - for both men and women sports.

Good luck to all teams this season!

Obviously a real well rounded scholar here...

According to this a Penn State grad is more likely to get a job than a Williams grad.  In fact when the WSJ ranked the top 25 schools according to corporate recruiters only one Ivy (Cornell) and no NESCAC schools made the list.  Most were state schools and engineering schools.

A round of +k to KS!

[nescac1]

I hate when we get into academic stuff, but Penn State has 50,000 undergrads, Williams has 2000, hence the smaller pool of on-campus recruiters.  Obviously your job prospects are better coming out of Williams.  You guys have Joe Pa, so give us something here . 

[PBR...]

I hate when we get into academic stuff, but Penn State has 50,000 undergrads, Williams has 2000, hence the smaller pool of on-campus recruiters.  Obviously your job prospects are better coming out of Williams.  You guys have Joe Pa, so give us something here . 

1 thing to consider here...psu and the big10 schools have really ramped up their academics (not ivy standards but very strong) In fact many kids who are Pa. residents w/ straight A's (or just about) and very good SAT scores dont get into main campus. But since the big 10 schools have joined forces on massive research projects especially in their engineering/science/math schools a lot of these kids have a great working knowledge and hands on experience when they graduate either undergrad/graduate programs. Thus are recruited and accepted to into positions that obviously they are very familiar with having worked on them for the previous couple of years.

[AUPepBand]

I hate when we get into academic stuff, but Penn State has 50,000 undergrads, Williams has 2000, hence the smaller pool of on-campus recruiters.  Obviously your job prospects are better coming out of Williams.  You guys have Joe Pa, so give us something here . 

1 thing to consider here...psu and the big10 schools have really ramped up their academics (not ivy standards but very strong) In fact many kids who are Pa. residents w/ straight A's (or just about) and very good SAT scores dont get into main campus. But since the big 10 schools have joined forces on massive research projects especially in their engineering/science/math schools a lot of these kids have a great working knowledge and hands on experience when they graduate either undergrad/graduate programs. Thus are recruited and accepted to into positions that obviously they are very familiar with having worked on them for the previous couple of years.

Materials science engineering majors (including ceramic engineering and glass science) often land summer jobs with their profs doing research at Alfred, giving them expertise in their field that result in nice jobs when they either graduate, or get their master's or doctorate degrees. Pep often plays hoops or volleyball with said students. It's nice to have some folks around Alfred during the summertime!

[redtail]

Hamilton did upgrade to field turf near end of last year.  If it means anything, they beat Uitca, second string in a scrimage 37 to 7.  Defense will be good as usual.  All comes down to offense.  Word is for the first time in long time, going to pick one QB and ride him out - no switching back and forth.  Going to have to win alot of 14-10 games.  Tufts will be a good test to open the eason.

[mullethead]

Trinity looked strong in a scrimmage against Wesleyan this last weekend with what looks like an impact freshman class. Week two against Williams should be interesting.

[Trin9-0]

In addition to Hamilton, Bates also installed a new turf field at Garcelon.  I believe they're putting in new stands and a press box and the field will also be lighted.  

I always thought a NESCAC night game would have an incredible atmosphere but I won't hold my breath on that happening anytime soon.

[frank uible]

NESCAC night games would tend to exclude attendance of many customary attendees, due to the distance which they must come and the prospect of extended night drives or lodging requirements.

[Knightstalker]

NESCAC night games would tend to exclude attendance of many customary attendees, due to the distance which they must come and the prospect of extended night drives or lodging requirements.

Plus the presidents would never allow it.  Night games are contrary to the schools primary mission.   

[amh63]

To me night games are Friday night high school games.  College games should be in the afternoon in the Fall with tailgates, etc. Conference night games would be a nightmare, especially in New England late in the Fall.

[dlippiel]

NESCAC night games would tend to exclude attendance of many customary attendees, due to the distance which they must come and the prospect of extended night drives or lodging requirements.

Plus the presidents would never allow it.  Night games are contrary to the schools primary mission.   

Keep the +k coming KS's way, nice KS 

[Jonny Utah]

To me night games are Friday night high school games.  College games should be in the afternoon in the Fall with tailgates, etc. Conference night games would be a nightmare, especially in New England late in the Fall.

I agree with that.  But I do think every college should play one Saturday night football game a season if possible.  Saturday night games have become somewhat of a tradition.

[union89]

To me night games are Friday night high school games.  College games should be in the afternoon in the Fall with tailgates, etc. Conference night games would be a nightmare, especially in New England late in the Fall.

I agree with that.  But I do think every college should play one Saturday night football game a season if possible.  Saturday night games have become somewhat of a tradition.

Agreed to an extent....the NESCAC has their own plan and should not be questioned in wanting Saturday afternoon tailgates for every game though....every game for them is an event....I think we should let them enjoy their 'thing'.

Honestly not meant as a dig....they want their own gig.....let them have it...

[nescac1]

Plus, for anyone who has ever been in northern New England in the evening in late October or November, night games would be BRUTALLY cold and would scare a lot of fans away. 

Two random Eph football mentions:

Some random site lists Williams among the top ten places to watch college football.  Kinda ridiculous, but hey, I'll take it :

http://www.prweb.com/releases/equalapp/21_09_10/prweb4510594.htm

Eph B.J. Griffin quoted in this article on former teammate / possible first overall draft pick Andrew Luck.  Griffin could be primed for a break-out year, btw:

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2010-09-21/andrew-luck-the-next-great-quarterback

Anyone hear anything about the Williams / Amherst scrimmage? 

[Trin9-0]

I'm willing to bet that attendance at NESCAC night football game would be much higher than average (not that the schools are raking in money at the ticket gate). 

Sure, those who make it a day trip would be less inclined to attend a night game but the students (especially those who play other fall sports and therefore couldn't attend otherwise) would turn out in droves. 

Let's be honest, 99% of people who attend NESCAC football games are either the player's and coach's family and friends, students and a few alumni who live within a reasonable driving distance. Not only would the experience be great for the students in attendance (who would certainly add to the "atmosphere" most likely because of the increase in blood alcohol level) but it would be tremendously exciting for the players.

I always felt there was something special about playing at night and I think one night game a year in the NESCAC would be very exciting for the players and fans.

I agree that night football is great for high school and I don't ever expect the NESCAC to have a night game. I'm just saying I would love to see it.