FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

Pat Coleman · May 15, 2015, 12:56:28 PM

I mean, I'd have been OK if you just were unfamiliar with GIF files but when you called them new ...

Lawrence Oliver · May 20, 2015, 08:33:05 AM

Joe Early stepping down at Middlebury! Anyone know why?
PolarCat any feedback from your weekend in CT?

continental · May 20, 2015, 08:54:15 AM

Hamilton sent out a list of 2015 HS recruits to alums...31 total from 10 states (13 from NY, 7 from MA). Also mentions some transfers that are not yet finalized...I think this is why Murray was brought on board, and it looks like the school is supporting his efforts. The focus was clearly up front (6 OL and 6 DL) and on speed (7 RBs!)...they also picked up TWO 6'7" 220lb TEs! Things are certainly happening in Clinton!

amh63 · May 20, 2015, 11:15:11 AM

Continential....Interesting info....thanks! Have to go check on HFC approach to offense a bit in his days at Alfred U. The tall TE recruits looks more like big wide receivers.....if they have the speed and hands...than as blocking TEs. Maybe when they gain some "size" since their present listed weight will not even help them in basketball. imo. With the earlier QB recruit discussed here, things are looking promising in Clinton.

FourMoreYears · May 20, 2015, 04:29:35 PM

http://athletics.middlebury.edu/sports/fball/2014-15/releases/20150519dla5vo

Dave Caputi to Middlebury as OC

NewtoNescac · May 20, 2015, 05:26:40 PM

Joe Early went to Brunswick. Isn't that a prep school? I thought he was a terrific coach and great guy. Thought he would have been a good fit at Bowdoin, or Hamilton. But it looks like Hamilton make a great hire with Murray.

PolarCat · May 20, 2015, 07:48:51 PM

The press release is on the Bowdoin Twitter feed. It states Early will be the OC, not the head coach, at the Brunswick School. Seems like a step down career wise, but maybe there is a story attached. Really happy for Dave and the whole Caputi family.

Someone asked about our experience in Hartford for the WLAX Regional. Trim 8-0 and I were both right. Parking was not an issue as Trinity had reserved lots for each of the visiting teams. And there were a TON of HS kids at the clinic (I'd estimate 100) which lasted well into the late afternoon.

I think the HS kids and their parents were pretty blown away by the size and creativity of the Polar Bear post game tailgate. Lots of eyes bugging out as they filed past. We may have helped Coach Wells' recruiting efforts. 😋

Lawrence Oliver · May 21, 2015, 08:35:59 AM

PolarCat you mean Trin 8-0 was correct. You were criticizing Trin Staff for having camp. I guess you were wrong!

polbear73 · May 21, 2015, 09:33:54 AM

Quote from: NewtoNescac on May 20, 2015, 05:26:40 PM
Joe Early went to Brunswick. Isn't that a prep school? I thought he was a terrific coach and great guy. Thought he would have been a good fit at Bowdoin, or Hamilton. But it looks like Hamilton make a great hire with Murray.

Brunswick is an excellent private day school in Greenwich, CT that has upgraded its entire athletic program over the last few years and plays the top prep and boarding schools in New England.

Great to see Dave Caputi at Middlebury and know he will do an excellent job. Despite all of the positive news coming out of Bowdoin regarding the new coaching staff and football direction, Dave's presence at Midd probably is yet another challenge for the Polar Bears. Good luck to Dave and his family.

PolarCat · May 21, 2015, 09:47:52 AM

Quote from: Lawrence Oliver on May 21, 2015, 08:35:59 AM
PolarCat you mean Trin 8-0 was correct. You were criticizing Trin Staff for having camp. I guess you were wrong!

No, Trin 8-0 and I were both correct, and we also were both wrong.

I was wrong in worrying that parking would be a problem on Saturday. It was not.

Trin 8-0 was wrong in thinking there would be very few HS players there, and that the clinic would be over before our game. It was a very large crowd, and they were still there when we were tailgating after our game.

NewtoNescac · May 22, 2015, 08:38:13 AM

I don't know about anyone else, but I can't wait for the 2015 season. So many intriguing questions. Will Wesleyan continue the upward swing under a new HC? Will Williams finally turn it around, and if not, will Kelton be gone? Can a Tufts, continue winning, and possibly take it to the next level? Does the revolving coaching door at Colby impact yet another season? Is Bowdoin serious about building a winning program? Will Murray start winning at Hamilton in the first year having some if his own true recruits? What a great upcoming year to be a NESCAC football fan.

Trin9-0 · May 22, 2015, 08:41:13 AM

Quote from: PolarCat on May 21, 2015, 09:47:52 AM
No, Trin 8-0 and I were both correct, and we also were both wrong.

I was wrong in worrying that parking would be a problem on Saturday. It was not.

Trin 8-0 was wrong in thinking there would be very few HS players there, and that the clinic would be over before our game. It was a very large crowd, and they were still there when we were tailgating after our game.

Glad the parking was not an issue PolarCat; sorry the outcome wasn't what you had hoped for. I recall my estimate for camp attendees was 50. I subsequently spoke to a Trin coach who said they were expecting 70. I'm not sure if that number was accounting for walk-ins. The Trinity Football facebook page posted a few photos from the camp. Looks to be less than 100, but hard to tell for sure with only 1 partial group shot. Here's a link if anyone's interested:
https://www.facebook.com/TrinFootball/photos/pb.401122496608423.-2207520000.1432297771./852348108152524/?type=3&theater

I've also heard that the Bantams are expecting big things from Sonny Puzzo at QB this year. This is music to my ears as quarterback play has been the Achilles heel for the Bantams in recent years. If they can get good production from that position it could mean a return to the top of the NESCAC for Trin in 2015.

PolarCat · May 22, 2015, 09:09:03 AM

Quote from: NewtoNescac on May 22, 2015, 08:38:13 AM
Is Bowdoin serious about building a winning program?

I had an interesting conversation with some folks affiliated with Bowdoin Athletics during our WLAX playoff run. Their take: Coach Wells and his staff are serious about winning, and the AD really wants to turn things around. But the stumbling block will continue to be Admissions, who is less-than-interested in supporting recruiting efforts. The feeling was that, if Coach Wells is successful in getting Admissions to bend Bowdoin's academic standards to support football, there would be an outcry from coaches of other sports who have been dealing with their intransigence for years.

All anecdotal at this point, and the real challenge for 2015 will be if Wells and his staff can "coach up" the players he's inherited, until his own recruits can start having an impact.

BTW there have been no news stories about improving the Whittier Field playing surface, so unless tractor trailers full of turf suddenly appear, I think the Polar Bears will be stuck with the worst field in the NESCAC again this year. Maybe Bowdoin's incoming President will turn out to be as much of a fan as Clayton Spencer at Bates?

NewtoNescac · May 22, 2015, 02:40:08 PM

From what you're saying PolarCat, it looks like it will be the same old story at Bowdoin. I feel sorry for Wells. Without help from Admissions nothing will change.

polbear73 · May 23, 2015, 09:18:43 AM

Quote from: PolarCat on May 22, 2015, 09:09:03 AM
Quote from: NewtoNescac on May 22, 2015, 08:38:13 AM
Is Bowdoin serious about building a winning program?

I had an interesting conversation with some folks affiliated with Bowdoin Athletics during our WLAX playoff run. Their take: Coach Wells and his staff are serious about winning, and the AD really wants to turn things around. But the stumbling block will continue to be Admissions, who is less-than-interested in supporting recruiting efforts. The feeling was that, if Coach Wells is successful in getting Admissions to bend Bowdoin's academic standards to support football, there would be an outcry from coaches of other sports who have been dealing with their intransigence for years.

All anecdotal at this point, and the real challenge for 2015 will be if Wells and his staff can "coach up" the players he's inherited, until his own recruits can start having an impact.

BTW there have been no news stories about improving the Whittier Field playing surface, so unless tractor trailers full of turf suddenly appear, I think the Polar Bears will be stuck with the worst field in the NESCAC again this year. Maybe Bowdoin's incoming President will turn out to be as much of a fan as Clayton Spencer at Bates?

Plans have been drawn up for a Whittier Field renovation and discussions with donors continue. In any event, an upgrade in facilities was never planned before the 2016 season. As far as Admissions is concerned, Coach Wells has expressed confidence that he'll be able to work with them, otherwise he wouldn't have taken the job. Let's at least give them a chance.