FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

Bates is 0-4 and giving up an astounding 45 ppg.  If anyone thinks they are anything but in the bottom few squads, that would be nuts. And I've seen no claims to that effect here ...

And please, for the love of God, let's not invite another crusade against a NESCAC football coach here.   I mean, one obsession is enough ....

[ColbyFootball]

Nescac1 - If you consider it an obsession to being tired of watching blowouts week after week, and having the kids being scapegoated, then I'm proudly obsessed.

[PolarCat]

Mark Harriman is a fine human being.  It's impossible to dislike the guy.  And it's next-to-impossible to evaluate his coaching ability, since the Administration handcuffs him with a budget too small to even afford decent uniforms, let alone qualified assistants and coordinators.  In my opinion, Harriman's actually done a remarkable job, given the hand he's been dealt.  The boys have won 3 straight CBB's, despite the types of coordinators Colby's been able to afford, and Bowdoin's recent investment in the Wells program.

The Bobcats are the Jamaican Bobsled Team of the CAC.  Bates' new AD seems to understand the challenges, but unless Clayton Spencer signs on and opens up the checkbook, things are unlikely to change.

In the face of all that internal adversity, the players adopt an "it's us against the world" mentality.  They don't whine about it, they just try to rise above it.  Maybe a better life lesson than playing in a program that has the best of everything, though it can be frustrating as a parent and fan.  If my kid doesn't bitch, I figure I don't have the right to.

My 2 cents after 3 1/2 seasons of watching the program pretty closely. 

[Canvas Hightops]

Nescac1 - If you consider it an obsession to being tired of watching blowouts week after week, and having the kids being scapegoated, then I'm proudly obsessed.

Ok, you are proudly obsessed.
Could you maybe just be obsessed someplace else for some new people?
We know.  We know already that you are obsessed with Michaeles.
What does your son think about your public obsession?

[ColbyFootball]

Nescac1 - If you consider it an obsession to being tired of watching blowouts week after week, and having the kids being scapegoated, then I'm proudly obsessed.

Ok, you are proudly obsessed.
Could you maybe just be obsessed someplace else for some new people?
We know.  We know already that you are obsessed with Michaeles.
What does your son think about your public obsession?

First, nescac1 sent the velvet dagger my way, I merely responded. Second, if you don't like what I have to say don't read it. Or tell me to F---off. I'm fine with that. Third, and most important, this forum has nothing to do with my son. I don't mention yours, or anyone's else's son to them, so don't mention mine. Number 3 is non-negotiable. And that goes  for anyone else reading this that thinks it's ok to go there.

[westcoastDad]

Has Bates, Colby or Bowdoin ever won NESCAC?

[quicksilver]

Has Bates, Colby or Bowdoin ever won NESCAC?

NESCAC has not been around that long as a playing conference but Colby has a surprisingly good record in the 17 years of NESCAC records that are available on the NESCAC website:
2000: 7-1 (tied for no. 1)
2005: 7-1 (no. 2)
2004: 6-2 (tied for no. 2)
2003: 5-3 (tied for no. 3)

Bates and Bowdoin are less accomplished but there were a number of years in which one or both had solid, middle-of-the-pack records (like 4-4 and 5-3) -- Bowdoin's best year was 6-2 in 2005 (tied for no. 3).

[PolarCat]

Number 3 is non-negotiable.

Or else what?

[ColbyFootball]

Number 3 is non-negotiable.

Or else what?

I will answer that with a question, If I brought your son into a conversation, as I have not and would not ever do, how would you react?

[ColbyFootball]

Has Bates, Colby or Bowdoin ever won NESCAC?

NESCAC has not been around that long as a playing conference but Colby has a surprisingly good record in the 17 years of NESCAC records that are available on the NESCAC website:
2000: 7-1 (tied for no. 1)
2005: 7-1 (no. 2)
2004: 6-2 (tied for no. 2)
2003: 5-3 (tied for no. 3)

Bates and Bowdoin are less accomplished but there were a number of years in which one or both had solid, middle-of-the-pack records (like 4-4 and 5-3) -- Bowdoin's best year was 6-2 in 2005 (tied for no. 3).

Thanks for the facts. What they show is that Colby can have a competitive, even winning, program. Despite the location way up in Maine etc. So the Colby faithful should have hope for the future.

[lumbercat]

No-
The obsession of competing with each other in the CBB emanates from the great and ancient Maine State Series which has essentially frozen these 3 schools in quicksand since the beginning of the NESCAC.

The State Series was on network TV in Maine as far back as the early 60's with great crowds- it was a big event each fall in Maine..

Bates would bring in a live Bobcat in a cage on the sidelines and Colby would have a Mule. Marching bands pep rallies and Bon fires would hi lite game weekend in the State Series.

The Series consisted of U Maine, Bates, Bowdoin and Colby and was huge in Maine until the mid 60's when Maine moved on. Since then the CBB teams have been unable or unwilling to committ to competing at a high level in the NESCAC.

At the end of the day the CBB title is still big in Maine but success in this royal and ancient classic has actually stunted the competitive growth of The Garnet Bobcats of Bates, The Polar Bears of Bowdoin and The Blue and Grey Mules of Colby. There is too much satisfaction based on success in the State Series based on ingrained State tradition at each school. Not enough emphasis or commitment to success beyond the CBB. It's a successful year of sorts to win the CBB and that will never change but the CBB has drifted to a new low this year.

Here's hoping for a recovery of the once proud CBB.

[westcoastDad]

Thanks Quicksilver (and Colby Football).  Amazing history and not too far back to find competitive play (from Colby).  I cannot say its from lack of marketing because my son received tons of literature via mailing prior to his deciding on his college.  At least 10 different mailings from Colby and maybe 1 related to football. 

[ColbyFootball]

Lumbercat - I continue to be amazed at the depth of your knowledge. Your post about the history of the CBB is one of the most fascinating I've read. Those must have been great days for Maine football.

[maineman]

No-
The obsession of competing with each other in the CBB emanates from the great and ancient Maine State Series which has essentially frozen these 3 schools in quicksand since the beginning of the NESCAC.

The State Series was on network TV in Maine as far back as the early 60's with great crowds- it was a big event each fall in Maine..

Bates would bring in a live Bobcat in a cage on the sidelines and Colby would have a Mule. Marching bands pep rallies and Bon fires would hi lite game weekend in the State Series.

The Series consisted of U Maine, Bates, Bowdoin and Colby and was huge in Maine until the mid 60's when Maine moved on. Since then the CBB teams have been unable or unwilling to committ to competing at a high level in the NESCAC.

At the end of the day the CBB title is still big in Maine but success in this royal and ancient classic has actually stunted the competitive growth of The Garnet Bobcats of Bates, The Polar Bears of Bowdoin and The Blue and Grey Mules of Colby. There is too much satisfaction based on success in the State Series based on ingrained State tradition at each school. Not enough emphasis or commitment to success beyond the CBB. It's a successful year of sorts to win the CBB and that will never change but the CBB has drifted to a new low this year.

Here's hoping for a recovery of the once proud CBB.

They had a state series in VT, too with Middlebury, UVM and Norwich.  UVM went away in the late 60's and Norwich in the early 90's when we went to all NESCAC play.  Perhaps we will get a 10th game some day and the Norwich rivalry, which was generally the last game of the season, can be renewed.

[nescac1]

I think criticizing Harriman is pretty unfair, in light of his overall record.  Before Harriman, Bates was 2-53-1 in the preceeding seven seasons (under two different coaches).  Harriman won more games than that (5) in  his first two years.  Harriman very recently led Bates to three year stretch of 13-11, which may not seem remarkable but is certainly respectable and was Bates' best three season stretch since 1982.  There is definitely no way to be sure that any other coach would do significantly better in light of the programmatic constraints / history discussed elsewhere.

As for Bates' struggles so far this year, I wonder if part of the issue, especially when compared to Middlebury's recent run of excellence, is that (I believe) high schools are increasingly moving away from the triple option in favor of the spread attack favored by Midd.  Could it be that there just aren't as many talented players (especially QBs) to recruit who are natural fits as triple option players as there were when that was the dominant high school offense, and that there are a lot more spread QBs and WRs to choose from?  Just throwing it out there as a theory ... in all events, Bates could well still salvage the season with a few CBB wins.