FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[JoeBag]

Can't see Amherst beating Trinity.

Agreed...  Bants are stacked and I'm sure looking to make a statement this week.  I think it could be ugly.

I do not agree. This is going to be a close game with injuries. Sorry for that prophecy. They are the most hard nosed teams in the NESCAC and this is going to be a slugfest. However if the Bant's do in fact win this weekend next weekend against Worslyan will be a statement game.

[ColbyFootball]

A number of Bates seniors asked to memorialize former Bobcat Alexi Whitney before the Bowdoin game Saturday.  For those who don't know, Whitney was a former Bobcat fullback (and Bobcat lax bro) who joined the USMC and served in Anbar Province in 2005, as a Captain in Force Recon.  He was killed in Afghanistan this past December, while serving in the CIA.  Teammates and fellow Marines have started an initiative to memorialize Captain Whitney's service with a bust on campus: https://www.change.org/p/bates-college-should-honor-captain-george-alexi-whitney

The seniors proposed to stand at the 50 yard line holding Capt. Whitney's Bates jersey, and have the Navy Hymn played before the National Anthem.  Simple and dignified, just current Bobcats honoring one of their own, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

They were shot down.  And told memorializing Capt. Whitney would only "reinforce the divide between non-athletes and athletes."

I've very grateful for the education my kids have gotten in the CAC, but I am SOOOOO fed up with all the liberal horse poop that comes along with it.  (Earlier in the week, a tenured professor announced in one of my son's classes that "Fannie Mae was created for the sole purpose of promoting and enabling segregation.")  Sometimes, I think football is NESCAC's sole connection to "the real world."

/End rant.

Mistake number 1, they should not have asked for permission. They should have honored the Bates Patriot in their own way and to hell with the administration. It is always better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

I agree JoeBag. I don't know how the PC culture has gotten so out of hand. God Bless that fallen hero.

[JoeBag]

A number of Bates seniors asked to memorialize former Bobcat Alexi Whitney before the Bowdoin game Saturday.  For those who don't know, Whitney was a former Bobcat fullback (and Bobcat lax bro) who joined the USMC and served in Anbar Province in 2005, as a Captain in Force Recon.  He was killed in Afghanistan this past December, while serving in the CIA.  Teammates and fellow Marines have started an initiative to memorialize Captain Whitney's service with a bust on campus: https://www.change.org/p/bates-college-should-honor-captain-george-alexi-whitney

The seniors proposed to stand at the 50 yard line holding Capt. Whitney's Bates jersey, and have the Navy Hymn played before the National Anthem.  Simple and dignified, just current Bobcats honoring one of their own, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

They were shot down.  And told memorializing Capt. Whitney would only "reinforce the divide between non-athletes and athletes."

I've very grateful for the education my kids have gotten in the CAC, but I am SOOOOO fed up with all the liberal horse poop that comes along with it.  (Earlier in the week, a tenured professor announced in one of my son's classes that "Fannie Mae was created for the sole purpose of promoting and enabling segregation.")  Sometimes, I think football is NESCAC's sole connection to "the real world."

/End rant.

Mistake number 1, they should not have asked for permission. They should have honored the Bates Patriot in their own way and to hell with the administration. It is always better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

I agree JoeBag. I don't know how the PC culture has gotten so out of hand. God Bless that fallen hero.

Look up the history or "political correctness" it is actually rooted in Marxism.

[meadowdale]

There are times when I wonder why we don't have professors of COMMON SENSE!!!!!!

[nescac1]

While I know nothing about what Bates is choosing to do, I note this private GoFundMe to pay for a bust of Whitney to be displayed on the Bates campus.  Seems like a worthy endeavor:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/30/marine-seeks-to-honor-fallen-veteran-with-sculpture-on-college-campus.html

[lumbercat]

nice gesture by NESCAC1- thanks from the Garnet and Black

[nescac1]

Whoops — I actually see now other folks posted a link to the GoFundMe first.  In all events, seems like a very cool idea. 

[PolarCat]

Thanks, nescac1.  +1 for the support.

I don't think the challenge is going to be the funding, it's going to be getting this crazy liberal Administration to find it a "home".  If you think Capt. Whitney should be treated with dignity and respect, may I suggest you send an email to Bates' President Clayton Spencer, at President@Bates.edu.  Something simple like:

Dear President Spencer,

As a Bates alumnus / Bates parent / NESCAC parent / NESCAC fan / NESCAC student / member of the local community, I've heard Bates is considering allowing the friends and teammates of Captain George "Alexi" Whitney USMC to erect a bust commemorating Alexi (and all the Bates alumni and alumnae who have died in service of our country).  What a fabulous idea!

In a year when sports fans are divided over whether taking a knee during the National Anthem shows devotion to a cause, or disrespect to our men and women in uniform, there could be no clearer message than Bates honoring one of her own, a fallen hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice.  This is a terrific opportunity for Bates to show moral leadership in turbulent times, and I commend you for this effort.

If Ol' Clayton gets 50, 100 or 200 of those emails, it will be hard for her to just sweep the initiative under the rug.

[FanOfNescac]

A number of Bates seniors asked to memorialize former Bobcat Alexi Whitney before the Bowdoin game Saturday.  For those who don't know, Whitney was a former Bobcat fullback (and Bobcat lax bro) who joined the USMC and served in Anbar Province in 2005, as a Captain in Force Recon.  He was killed in Afghanistan this past December, while serving in the CIA.  Teammates and fellow Marines have started an initiative to memorialize Captain Whitney's service with a bust on campus: https://www.change.org/p/bates-college-should-honor-captain-george-alexi-whitney

The seniors proposed to stand at the 50 yard line holding Capt. Whitney's Bates jersey, and have the Navy Hymn played before the National Anthem.  Simple and dignified, just current Bobcats honoring one of their own, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

They were shot down.  And told memorializing Capt. Whitney would only "reinforce the divide between non-athletes and athletes."

I've very grateful for the education my kids have gotten in the CAC, but I am SOOOOO fed up with all the liberal horse poop that comes along with it.  (Earlier in the week, a tenured professor announced in one of my son's classes that "Fannie Mae was created for the sole purpose of promoting and enabling segregation.")  Sometimes, I think football is NESCAC's sole connection to "the real world."

/End rant.

I'm confused. Why would the divide occur between ``athletes and non-athletes,'' over an issue that doesn't seem principally athletic, except that the fallen soldier played football a decade ago? (I can think of other groups that might stand on opposite sides of this decision, but presumably, some athletes would support, others would not). I want to ask why some regard this decision as a bloodied victim of ``political correctness,'' but I have a feeling that would result in somebody calling me a snowflake. And not for the first time.

[PolarCat]

I'm confused. Why would the divide occur between ``athletes and non-athletes,'' over an issue that doesn't seem principally athletic, except that the fallen soldier played football a decade ago?

Agreed.  Welcome to the crazy world of liberal small colleges.  One plausible explanation: some in the Administration may feel that "glorifying" the death of a white cis-gender former athlete (shades of Pat Tillman) would be an affront to all the non-white, non-cis-gender, non-athletes who die each year.  Maybe (by a YUGE stretch of the imagination) at the hands of police officers or other instruments of racial and socio-economic oppression.

Having a kid in the CAC is a bit like taking public transportation in Hong Kong or Tokyo.  At first all the gibberish surrounding you makes zero sense.  But after a while, you start to catch on to the underlying message.  And learn things that amaze you, like Fannie Mae being an instrument of forced segregation.  Or fallen Marines being unworthy of remembrance at their alma mater.

[FanOfNescac]

I'm confused. Why would the divide occur between ``athletes and non-athletes,'' over an issue that doesn't seem principally athletic, except that the fallen soldier played football a decade ago?

Agreed.  Welcome to the crazy world of liberal small colleges.  One plausible explanation: some in the Administration may feel that "glorifying" the death of a white cis-gender former athlete (shades of Pat Tillman) would be an affront to all the non-white, non-cis-gender, non-athletes who die each year.  Maybe (by a YUGE stretch of the imagination) at the hands of police officers or other instruments of racial and socio-economic oppression.

Having a kid in the CAC is a bit like taking public transportation in Hong Kong or Tokyo.  At first all the gibberish surrounding you makes zero sense.  But after a while, you start to catch on to the underlying message.  And learn things that amaze you, like Fannie Mae being an instrument of forced segregation.  Or fallen Marines being unworthy of remembrance at their alma mater.

It's possible that colleges are concerned about offending the dozens or hundreds of alumni who fell in battle but are not being honored. Who is worthy and who is not, and who decides? It seems like a challenge.

BTW I went to a CAC school, as did one of my kids. The gibberish made sense to both of us. I respect that it doesn't make sense to you, but the absolute you describe is inaccurate.

Suggest reading up on Tillman. He was complex guy who would not enjoy the simplified polarization of today's culture, especially if he was being used as somebody's symbol. But he was a badass FB player.

[hamgrand]

In just 9 short days and 2 games, it will be the end of a 15 year/season stretch of coaching or watching by boys play football.  Certainly was an era that brought a ton of fun and created many good memories.  Hard to believe, but NESCAC Football spanned 7 of those seasons.  It sure goes fast!

Thought I would share a few random thoughts as my NESCAC experience nears its end, but first a few thoughts regarding last weeks Midd-Trinity game.

Trinity plays the game with passion and a killer instinct.  They are well coached, hard nosed and play hard to the end.  Sometimes that killer instinct attitude can come off as in your face arrogance, and sometimes it is.  It is funny how perspective differs when you are viewing from the inside (#1 son's freshman year) versus outside in.  But regardless of perspective, you have to admire how hard they play!

Having said all this, this years Trinity team is certainly very beatable and not nearly as dominant as last year.  While the Midd score looked a little lopsided because they didn't score a TD,  the stats tell a much more balanced story.  Even without Lebo, Midd got in the red zone 5 times and only walked away with 5 points.  Kudos to the Trinity defense, but you have to find a way to score especially when you get down to the 1 yd line twice.  Midd scores on those drives and maybe it's a different game.  Also a different game with Lebo under center.

More random thoughts -
Heart goes out to Lebo who couldn't play last week.  Seasons are so short, that missing any games is tough - especially for seniors. #1 son had sr season cut short due to injury.  Very Tough when one minute you are playing hard scraping for yards and the next minute your playing career is over.  #1 son played the game with passion and loved every practice, every sprint, every minute playing the game.  Hamilton and The NESCAC provided him a wonderful opportunity, experience and education.

I have seen the best (Ritter, Murray, Devanny) and the worst (Cohen) of NESCAC coaching, but I have certainly seen much more good than bad coaches in my NESCAC experience.  Most of the coaches work extremely hard and do a great job with the kids.  I feel lucky that my boys have been able to be mentored by some of these men.

Coach Ritter, Mandingo and the entire Middlebury staff run an outstanding program and you feel like they really care about the players.  Not only do they build a competitive program, but they make it fun for the kids.  Very glad #2 son chose to attend and play at Middlebury.  He also loves the game of football and has been fortunate to have a great career, made many great friends and will also walk away with a great education!

Hamilton has one of the best home tailgates in league.
Middlebury has the best view!
Trinity has the best strength coach and weight program.
Wesleyan and Tufts also have and play with that killer instinct.
Raymond is instilling that killer instinct and done a heck of a job at Williams.
Hamilton will continue to rise under Murray's leadership.
Amherst is a class outfit from top to bottom.  I'm a Mills fan.
Despite the standings, There is definitely more parity in the NESCAC now versus several years ago.
Bowdoin has every advantage and opportunity to build a good program.
Bates has great fans, but needs a new offfense.
Colby - great campus, bad visitor stands-  probably needs a new coach. 
Despite the pundits rankings to the contrary, NESCAC football is definitely a grade above Liberty League and other New England D3 leagues.
My buddy DC53 has some of the most eloquent posts!

This board has been a blast to follow!  Best of luck to all the teams and all the NESCAC fans!

[Trin9-0]

Wow, a lot to respond to this Friday morning! I hope common sense prevails at Bates and they are allowed to honor Alexi Whitney in the pregame ceremony. With that said, I do understand why the administration would be hesitant about the placement of a bust on campus for the same reason FanofNescac mentioned; which is that many alumni have been killed in the service of our country and College's shouldn't be in the business of determining which ones should be honored. If anything, a memorial for all veterans seems more appropriate to me.

I'm shocked at the sentiment that Trinity will roll Amherst. The Bants are deservedly the favorite but Trinity hasn't won in Amherst since 2007! The physical nature of both programs has continually produced close, hard-fought games that seem to always go down the wire with one or two big plays late in the game determining the victor. I don't anticipate Saturday being any different.

I'll give a slight nod to Trin because of Puzzo's experience at QB and the Bantam's red zone defense. But if the Mammoths can shut down Chipouras and find a way to score early they could very well find a way to crush Trinity's dreams of the first ever NESCAC 9-0 season and earn themselves a share of the crown.

hamgrad, great post! You touched on all the best points of NESCAC football. I think we can all agree, whether you're a player or a parent, it goes by way too fast.

[PolarCat]

For all the seniors out there, who are taking the field on Senior Day and wondering what they will do with Saturdays for the rest of their lives:

https://youtu.be/GEc1m-r_0gM

[JEFFFAN]

In just 9 short days and 2 games, it will be the end of a 15 year/season stretch of coaching or watching by boys play football.  Certainly was an era that brought a ton of fun and created many good memories.  Hard to believe, but NESCAC Football spanned 7 of those seasons.  It sure goes fast!

Thought I would share a few random thoughts as my NESCAC experience nears its end, but first a few thoughts regarding last weeks Midd-Trinity game.

Trinity plays the game with passion and a killer instinct.  They are well coached, hard nosed and play hard to the end.  Sometimes that killer instinct attitude can come off as in your face arrogance, and sometimes it is.  It is funny how perspective differs when you are viewing from the inside (#1 son's freshman year) versus outside in.  But regardless of perspective, you have to admire how hard they play!

Having said all this, this years Trinity team is certainly very beatable and not nearly as dominant as last year.  While the Midd score looked a little lopsided because they didn't score a TD,  the stats tell a much more balanced story.  Even without Lebo, Midd got in the red zone 5 times and only walked away with 5 points.  Kudos to the Trinity defense, but you have to find a way to score especially when you get down to the 1 yd line twice.  Midd scores on those drives and maybe it's a different game.  Also a different game with Lebo under center.

More random thoughts -
Heart goes out to Lebo who couldn't play last week.  Seasons are so short, that missing any games is tough - especially for seniors. #1 son had sr season cut short due to injury.  Very Tough when one minute you are playing hard scraping for yards and the next minute your playing career is over.  #1 son played the game with passion and loved every practice, every sprint, every minute playing the game.  Hamilton and The NESCAC provided him a wonderful opportunity, experience and education.

I have seen the best (Ritter, Murray, Devanny) and the worst (Cohen) of NESCAC coaching, but I have certainly seen much more good than bad coaches in my NESCAC experience.  Most of the coaches work extremely hard and do a great job with the kids.  I feel lucky that my boys have been able to be mentored by some of these men.

Coach Ritter, Mandingo and the entire Middlebury staff run an outstanding program and you feel like they really care about the players.  Not only do they build a competitive program, but they make it fun for the kids.  Very glad #2 son chose to attend and play at Middlebury.  He also loves the game of football and has been fortunate to have a great career, made many great friends and will also walk away with a great education!

Hamilton has one of the best home tailgates in league.
Middlebury has the best view!
Trinity has the best strength coach and weight program.
Wesleyan and Tufts also have and play with that killer instinct.
Raymond is instilling that killer instinct and done a heck of a job at Williams.
Hamilton will continue to rise under Murray's leadership.
Amherst is a class outfit from top to bottom.  I'm a Mills fan.
Despite the standings, There is definitely more parity in the NESCAC now versus several years ago.
Bowdoin has every advantage and opportunity to build a good program.
Bates has great fans, but needs a new offfense.
Colby - great campus, bad visitor stands-  probably needs a new coach. 
Despite the pundits rankings to the contrary, NESCAC football is definitely a grade above Liberty League and other New England D3 leagues.
My buddy DC53 has some of the most eloquent posts!

This board has been a blast to follow!  Best of luck to all the teams and all the NESCAC fans!

Really nice tribute, Hamgrand - well done!   My youngest is out of school for five years now and I still miss the sports weekends!