FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PistachioX]

Tailgating for both the home and away teams at Trinity happens behind Ferris Athletic Center, adjacent to the parking lot off Broad Street.  You can park in the lots there if you arrive early, but many fans park on the streets immediately surrounding campus. 

Like any urban area - don't leave anything of value visible ... and lock your vehicle.

http://www.trincoll.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/2012_College_map.pdf

[gridiron]

Glad to hear there really is a tailgating area at Tufts.  Will try to get there early as suggested.

[amh63]

Seems to be some confusing info here on this board.  Anyway, for those hoping to catch a Tufts game...and maybe tailgate....suggest the Amherst vs. Tufts game at Amherst this weekend.  It is Family weekend so try to get there early for a spot near the football field.  Going to a Tufts game this weekend at Tufts will be a little early, imho.
So the tailgaters of Trinity goes to Suffield.  Where do they park to see the game?

[amh63]

There will be a "first" event at the Annual Amherst vs. Williams game at Amherst this year.  To mark the end of the grass football field at Amherst, there will be a coin toss before the game.  Any football captains from both schools, present and PAST are invited to join in for the coin toss and stomp on the grass for the last time.  Meeting of the captains will be at the DARP memorial marker before the game.  Expect to see some posters there.
For any athlete that competed on Pratt Field AND/or on the surrounding track.....there will be a group picture (with family members) AFTER the football game...around ten minutes after.   For posters that attend, remember to say Cheese!

[PistachioX]

Tailgating for both the home and away teams at Trinity happens behind Ferris Athletic Center, adjacent to the parking lot off Broad Street.  You can park in the lots there if you arrive early, but many fans park on the streets immediately surrounding campus. 

Like any urban area - don't leave anything of value visible ... and lock your vehicle.

http://www.trincoll.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/2012_College_map.pdf

To clarify my above post, ^this^ was directed at Maineman, who asked in two separate posts: 

"Where is the best place to park for the Trinity football field?"

"I think he  was pulling my chain, but seriously, is there a tailgate area?"

[gridiron]

And to clarify from my end, I do plan to attend and tailgate AT TUFTS in two weeks.  Hence the question about suggestions regarding location of tailgating area, etc.  Thanks.

[gridiron]

Was going through some numbers and became aware of something about which I am sure amh63 is well aware but was news to me.

Williams has been slowly slipping for a period of time now while both Trinity and Amherst have been rising, at least in terms of wins.  The trend indicates that while Williams had a large lead for the first many years of true NESCAC only competition (since 1992), Trinity has overtaken Williams in the "Championship" era (2000 and beyond) and continues in the past five year period as Amherst also has performed better.

Just wanted to get that out there.

[gridiron]

Since the NESCAC teams have only been playing other NESCAC teams the overall records by team follow (through week 5 this season):

1992 - 2012 (NESCAC Era)         
   W   L   T
Williams   134   29   2
Trinity   130   35   
Amherst   112   52   1
Middlebury   97   68   
Colby   82   82   1
Wesleyan   79   86   
Tufts   61   103   1
Bowdoin   53   111   1
Hamilton   43   122   
Bates   30   135   

[gridiron]

Here are the records since football champions have been declared (since 2000).  Sorry about the formatting--cannot seem to get the hang of it here.  As you can see, Trinity has taken the number one spot and Amherst climbs.

2000 - 2012 (Champion Era)      
   W   L
Trinity   85   16
Williams   79   22
Amherst   75   26
Middlebury   62   39
Colby   52   49
Wesleyan   43   58
Tufts   36   65
Bowdoin   30   71
Bates   23   78
Hamilton   20   81

[gridiron]

Finally, if you look at the NESCAC over the most recent five year period, the trend continues with Williams continuing to lose ground to Trinity and Amherst, in particular.  Again, this is through week 5 of this 2012 season.

2008 - 2012 (Five Year)      
   W   L
Trinity   33   4
Amherst   31   6
Williams   27   10
Middlebury   23   14
Bowdoin   15   22
Colby   15   22
Wesleyan   15   22
Bates   10   27
Hamilton   9   28
Tufts   7   30

[lumbercat]

Gridiron-
They set up home and visitors tailgate areas at Tufts in smaller areas next to or behind the home stands. Unless you are lucky enough to get a parking spot in the small lot near the north end zone you will need to park elsewhere and walk to the "tailgate area"---thus no actual tailgating where you can drive into a designated tailgate parking area.
They have ample space for a great tailgate area on the grassy area behind the scoreboard but they have never allowed cars in that area. Thus the tailgate area for visitors is a small grassy area adjacent to the opposite endzone. Parking is difficult so arrive early.

[frank uible]

gridiron: Does your work up lead to the conclusion that Williams should grant more concessions at its Admissions Office in order to regain its football supremacy?

[gridiron]

Lumbercat--thanks for the validation.  I spoke with a former player who indicated "back in the day" tailgaters were allowed on that grassy area you reference, but no more.  Sounds as if it will be difficult for those planning to bring tents for the tailgate, if they have to park elsewhere.

[gridiron]

Frank, to the contrary.  I think Williams does just fine with its recruiting and tends to have some inherent advantages over many of the others given the reputation of the school.  If anything, I like the idea of more balance in the league, although I don't think that a slight downturn for Williams indicates more balance overall.  However, it is nice to see a team like Middlebury in the hunt this year as opposed to only Trinity, Williams and Amherst as is almost always the case.  Just my opinion.

[Nescacparent]

A couple of pages ago lumbercat and others discussed how slow this board seemed to them lately. I am a new NESCAC football parent and have been looking at this board since I found it in September. I have learned a lot about the league from your discussions- so thank you. I do not know much about the league so this board really helps (and also explains why I do not post ). So please keep your discussions up and do not get discouraged - it is the quality of the discussion that matters, not the quantity.