FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

Wondering if there will be a lot of former Polar Bear players headed to Brunswick this week for Coach Caputi's final home game?  It's Bowdoin Family Weekend (I guess it's not politically correct to call it Parents' Weekend any more), so hopefully there will be a decent crowd despite the forecast (rain and temps in the low 40's) and the P Bears' record.

I have this schmaltzy image in my mind's eye of that scene in White Christmas when General Wainwright walks into the ballroom to find Bing, Danny and the troops.  Hoping Coach C has a similar moment.

[jumpshot]

A while back I posted about the prospect that football may well not be played in the NESCAC (and at other D3 schools) at some point in the future due to concerns regarding concussions, declining number of players nationwide, regional concentration of football cultures (such as Texas, Florida, Southeast United States), fiscal constraints, recent changes in Division 1 permissions and dilution of NCAA governance, etc.. 

Now we know that certain New England prep schools have dropped football (Northfield-Mt. Herman), and others have down graded their schedules to make them less weighted toward large schools for the first time in decades (Deerfield).

Stay turned more to come ....

[hamfan88]

Very interesting re: cutback to football programs on the high school level.

NFMH says that they cut the football program because they struggled to get sufficient participation, and at a school of 650 I could see how running a football program (Varsity, JV, Frosh team) could be difficult.

In the NESCAC, however, many posters have chimed in about the need to increase roster limits imposed by the conference. I wonder, then, if NESCAC coaches have, or will have to begin recruit outside the confines of NE prep schools that may cut or decrease their football programs (i find it hard to see a high school with 1,000+ students even consider cutting its football program).

[nescac2018fan]

There is no question about the differing admission standards - Why does everyone dance around it?  To paraphrase the conversation with Whalen when he was recruiting my kid - "I had certain demands to come here and one of them was having admissions work with me to get the players we need  - President is on board with this as he knows it will have a positive impact on giving"  -  Perhaps he saw a change in admissions policies at Williams?  Their record since he left may reflect this -

[quicksilver]

So Northfield Mount Hermon made the decision to drop football in April of 2014 and implemented it immediately (meaning that there is no 2014 football season for NMH). The stated reason is the tendency on the part of high school athletes to specialize in a single sport and the resulting inability to fill out the NMH football team. To extrapolate further, I expect that it is a comment on the demise of the two- and three-sport athlete at the prep level, meaning there are fewer and fewer prep school baseball players who also play football and so on . . .

[amh63]

Wow...thought I would have to jump start this board at the start of the work week.....what's that
This board does keep on rolling on.  Before I respond to Banfan's post to me, some general comment to topics raised.
To the question of NE prep schools dropping football.....it is all about the money.  NFMM got its name by combining existing single sex prep schools.  It may not have football, but is a powerhouse in MBB..supplying talent o all the Ivies and top Div1 programs.
Conn College's new Prez from Brown and a native of Lyme Ct, does not seem to me to be one to turn to sports to raise the endownment of CC....which it really needs to do.
Banfan.....thanks for the link to Andover High.  Have not studied the Trinity roster until Last night.  Ned Deane...with an "e" ...is a key defensive player for Amherst.  A captain on the team and sets the defense for his side, according to Coach Mills.  Hope your son md Ned will keep in touch after college.  One of the benefits of playing in the "CAC" is that many players become friends long after graduating.  I become acquainted with many parents in many sports over the years.  I often see the parents at sports events years after their kids have graduated.
Now some info about the upcoming Trinity vs. Amherst battle in the Coop.
I assume it will be Senior day in Hartford..  Guess the parents of Chris Ragone will be sitting on the home side.  Met Mrs Ragone, from Florida at a Hamilton game in Clinton.  While rooting for Amherst, she was on the phone checking on the Trinity game.  She is what I will call a "pistol" of a mom fan.
Met both parents at the Homecoming lost to WES last year.
Remember a story about the Bunker RBs.  The older Amherst Bunker was asked by his team mates,  if he would get upset if they hit his brother hard during the game.  He responded..." Go ahead, I hit him all the time."
I wonder what the younger Amherst Ragone will say if his team mates ask the same question.

[Bantsfan]

I found this article written by a two sport athlete from Amherst very interesting.  I think it's sad that so few students enjoy more than one sport in college, this is the last 4 years that they get to "play" - "Hello real world!". ... I also feel bad for the parents - with only two more games left in my son's football career, I for one am glad he has one season left of wrestling before I have to find a hobby - haha

[Bantsfan]

oops - forgot to add the link - http://amherststudent.amherst.edu/?q=article/2014/04/30/dangers-specialization

[PolarCat]

So Northfield Mount Hermon made the decision to drop football in April of 2014 and implemented it immediately (meaning that there is no 2014 football season for NMH). The stated reason is the tendency on the part of high school athletes to specialize in a single sport and the resulting inability to fill out the NMH football team. To extrapolate further, I expect that it is a comment on the demise of the two- and three-sport athlete at the prep level, meaning there are fewer and fewer prep school baseball players who also play football and so on . . .

Stated reason?  Or stated excuse?

My kids went to a New England boarding school and played NMH in their respective sports.  While not everyone at their prep school was an athlete, lots of their friends and classmates played multiple sports for their prep school, plus club sports on the side.  In fact, every student was required to play 3 sports their freshman and sophomore years, and most continued to play at least 2 sports straight through to graduation.

NMH has a beautiful campus, but it's in the middle of nowhere, and the NMH coaches my kids played against were not exactly inspiring leaders.  The fact that they have a post-graduate program, yet still can't / won't field a football team says more about the NMH administration than any make-believe shortage of versatile athletes.

[lancer]

amh63, "pistol mom" here......thanks for the nice mention!  Will you be attending any of the remaining Amherst games?  We will all be in Harford this Saturday.  The following Saturday we plan on driving down to Wes for Chris' last collegiate game and then head up to Amherst for the 4pm start. We certainly got lucky this year with the two games being at different times.  If you are planning to go, I hope to see you there!

[Bantsfan]

Here's a story about another NESCAC split family with one son at Amherst and one at Middlebury - check out the pic of the mom's half-and-half jacket - looks like another Pistol mom! - LOL .

http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/northeast/2014/rudolph-family-has-split-loyalties

[amh63]

Lancer....interesting "handle".  Yes, I will be there with wife and my Amherst grad daughter and her family.  Looking forward to saying hi again.
These days, the most live football games I go see are three.   I go up to visit my daughter and her family in the Ithaca area in the Fall.  It Amherst is playing Hamilton, we make the trip to Clinton.  If not it usually is the Cornell homecoming game with Yale.  I enjoy the band...football is terrible.  Wearing too much purple..and normally an Amherst umbrella, I get to talk to to some interesting fans.  Met an Amherst grad who had a grandson on the Yale coaching staff...Midd grad.  Also met a classmate of Frank U. there...wore a class baseball hat..could have been a teammate.  Anyway, the other two games would be the WES game in Middletown and of course Homecoming at Amherst.  Next year I plan a trip up to Willytown and knock on Frank's door .  I have limited funds to make more...to outdoor sports.  I save my funds for Winter sports...usually to watch live basketball games at Amherst.  Still thinking of establishing a resident in Amherst sometime for sports.  I digress.
I missed the WES game this year since my host in CT. was away.  He is my BodyGuard at MBB games and Wes Football and soccer games.
The Nescac Sports community is a interesting one if you inquire.  Chatting with my Host...also my best man and I his...who I refer to as the Trinity guy....another story, I find out that the HFC of Trinity...Coacn D...was a classmate at East Lyme HS of my Host's oldest daughter!  small World. 
Wife back...behind on my chores that I did not outsource.  Guess I have to buy her lunch..again.

[lancer]

amh63, I know you enjoy the details......spoke with Mrs. Spears at a recent game.  We hope to pick up Johnnie at Trinity and bring him to the Wes game because he does not travel with the squad due to injury. Hope to bring him up to Amherst to join his parents as they watch his older brother Jaymie play. Just another brother duo to watch for next year!

Rest assured, there will be no holding back at the Amherst/Trin game as far as my two boys go.  In fact, you will be pleased to know my younger son is on a mission to match his older brothers undefeated season (and ring!)

Finally, lancer = high school mascot (St. Francis HS, CA) the origin of my fascination with football 

See you in two weeks!

[middhoops]

amh63, you old stallion, you!
Bringing football loving young moms to our board...... +k a day for a week, my friend.

[Bantsfan]

Rest assured, there will be no holding back at the Amherst/Trin game as far as my two boys go.  In fact, you will be pleased to know my younger son is on a mission to match his older brothers undefeated season (and ring!)

He may get a ring (if Amherst gives championship rings when you don't go undefeated) but I am predicting the Bantams come out with a chip on their shoulders much like the Wesleyan game last year.  Amherst would have been better off if Trinity had won last week.  The Seniors are upset the streak ended on their watch - look for them to be at their toughest. 
I can't wait - the curiosity is killing me!