FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

JoeBag · August 03, 2018, 04:11:16 PM

I can tell you that the off the field 'academic oversight program" is what sealed the deal for us when we decided that our baby should go to Trin. He was a C Band student that needed the oversight.

Without giving too many details I can tell you that the oversight is real time, has a regular cadence, and there is nowhere for the student athlete to hide if they are not doing what is expected of them. I am pretty sure they have lost only one student athlete in the last three years because they didn't get with the program.

So when coach D goes to admissions with his list of 'tipped' players he can usually get what he wants because he has proven that he can help to mold these young me into being NESCAC student athletes.

NBC93 · August 03, 2018, 04:41:55 PM

JoeBag
Thanks for the informed response. I thought it was odd that Trinity was singled out and I assumed jealousy rather than facts by the detractors. I think heard the same about Williams relaxing admission standards for football players in order to claw back to the top. Not sure its true or even possible in this league to get away with it. It seems that this is simply a very difficult league in which to recruit since the prospects still have to have a chance of being accepted without football.
My son was also recruited heavily by MIT and they really wanted him and that was his first choice even without athletics. He scored well enough on tests and GPA and interviewed well but at the end of the day the coaches said it is in the hands of admissions and athletic departments had little or no say in the process. That may be the only toigher recruiting job than a NESCAC school.

lumbercat · August 03, 2018, 05:55:13 PM

JoeBag-

Thanks for the confirmation and your first hand account- the old Trinity tutor program has evolved to "the academic oversight program". Its a great idea that I believe is another element that sets Trinity apart and allows them to take a chance on an applicant who might be a little below typical NESCAC academic standards.

This is a great practice that works for Trinity which is strongly supplemented by something else. Let me introduce a major part of the equation beyond admissions..........it's the faculty. Trinity has strong support and little opposition from their faculty for their system. This is a requisite factor in doing things they way they do in Trinity Football.

I know there has historically been very strong opposition at other schools from faculty to "accommodations" like this which are perceived to represent "special treatment" for football players and an unnecessary expense for the college. I've heard this opposition voiced repeatedly, most specifically at Bowdoin in recent years.

In short, to build a great program like Trinity everybody has got to be on board- Starting at the top with President, Trustees, Boards, Deans and Faculty right on down......Don't overlook the influence of the faculty in the equation.

It's difficult to get that Trinity type of majority support at most other NESCAC venues where they would just as soon eliminate the violent, expensive game of Football which is riddled these days by the controversy of CTE issues.

frank uible · August 04, 2018, 05:46:17 AM

The mess at Ohio State reminds why NESCAC football is superior to the major college kind.

amh63 · August 04, 2018, 09:40:50 AM

Good point Frank U!

gridiron · August 05, 2018, 05:19:14 PM

While NESCAC schools also use a special band for legacy applicants that does not count against their allotment of tips, most schools reserve it for legacies who are also big donors or big donor potentials. Sort of like the Z band that was publicized this past week at Harvard. A legacy that is also an athlete must also meet this seldom discussed additional requirement

lumbercat · August 06, 2018, 10:04:23 PM

Colby has posted their roster as pointed out deftly by Amh63 a couple of weeks ago. At 65 bodies Coach Cosgrove will endure the fallout from a campaign of negativity surrounding the Colby program on this blog. Discussions with continuing coaches indicate allegations about Micheales and the program were grossly exaggerated but they have accepted the changes and are moving forward. They acknowledge the need for a change, just as they did at Bates, but the animosity was.... "unjustified, over the top" per a staff member. Just as some projected on this board.

Hell hath no fury like that of scorned football helicopter parents.

I wouldn't put it past Cosgrove to achieve an unexpected level of success with the Mules early on. He didn't have a chance to recruit this year but he's just the guy to bring the Blue and Gray back. Good luck to the Mules

NBC93 · August 07, 2018, 10:55:46 AM

Just read an article from Noontime sports ranking New England D3 football teams. Trinity#3, Amherst #8. Middlebury and Williams were listed as teams on the rise.
Does that sound about right comparing CAC teams to other schools in the region?
https://noontimesports.com/2018/07/30/d3-football-early-preseason-noontime-top-10-poll/

harlequinfarm · August 07, 2018, 12:45:59 PM

Has Williams incoming class of '22 been announced/posted?

ColbyFootball · August 07, 2018, 02:14:02 PM

Quote from: lumbercat on August 06, 2018, 10:04:23 PM
Colby has posted their roster as pointed out deftly by Amh63 a couple of weeks ago. At 65 bodies Coach Cosgrove will endure the fallout from a campaign of negativity surrounding the Colby program on this blog. Discussions with continuing coaches indicate allegations about Micheales and the program were grossly exaggerated but they have accepted the changes and are moving forward. They acknowledge the need for a change, just as they did at Bates, but the animosity was.... "unjustified, over the top" per a staff member. Just as some projected on this board.

Hell hath no fury like that of scorned football helicopter parents.

I wouldn't put it past Cosgrove to achieve an unexpected level of success with the Mules early on. He didn't have a chance to recruit this year but he's just the guy to bring the Blue and Gray back. Good luck to the Mules

I try to enjoy this site as much as possible, following all of the teams. And then your gratuitous uninformed attacks resurface. You can defend Michaeles all you want. His pathetic record on all fronts speaks for itself. He couldn't win games. Had the same anemic offense under 3 OCs and 1 year as the OC. Could not score, despite having some decent talent. And on top of that he lost many talented players because of his coaching. And the new HC kept the entire staff, so he obviously didn't believe the losing was their fault. Common sense tells me it was him. And you can point to some coach that's still there for an account of what went on. Coaches aren't blaming Michaeles openly to you. Wake up guy. I was there. I've seen first hand how bad a coach Michaeles is. So you blame me and my postings on this site. That's truly laughable. Now if you can give it up, Id like to go back to enjoying following these teams and rooting for Colby.

amh63 · August 07, 2018, 02:28:54 PM

As Noontime pointed out.....only several weeks before D3 schools start practice. For Nescac teams, rosters should start showing up around the time the FYs' start arriving for orientation/check in. Amherst recruiting class will be be revealed....along with a HC expectation newsletter. Check in on the website.
That's my two bit comment for now

. For the newest poster seeking Williams roster info....check the date of FY orientation.

polbear73 · August 07, 2018, 03:03:48 PM

As I recall, several NESCAC schools don't post final rosters until the week before the first game. Of course, my recollection is less reliable as years go by.

harlequinfarm · August 07, 2018, 03:38:41 PM

Thank you.

Was trying to get feel for roster strengths as son was hoping to be an Eph. Now wanting to know about roster and future teammates as son will be an Eph.

gridiron · August 07, 2018, 08:30:28 PM

One of the reasons Colby's roster numbers are slightly down at the moment is the systematic process the new coach has employed ensuring those with the program understand expectations and commitments required. Not sure how things will play out but am certain Colby's Coach Cosgrove will not settle for the pace of turnaround being experienced in Brunswick, for example. Whether he recruited this current roster or not, he understands they are his players now and no excuses are acceptable. He will get the most out of his committed players.

ColbyFootball · August 07, 2018, 11:51:27 PM

Quote from: gridiron on August 07, 2018, 08:30:28 PM
One of the reasons Colby's roster numbers are slightly down at the moment is the systematic process the new coach has employed ensuring those with the program understand expectations and commitments required. Not sure how things will play out but am certain Colby's Coach Cosgrove will not settle for the pace of turnaround being experienced in Brunswick, for example. Whether he recruited this current roster or not, he understands they are his players now and no excuses are acceptable. He will get the most out of his committed players.

Colby is clearly on the right path. The AD is doing a tremendous job. He rid the team of Michaeles, and brought in a real HC. And the new HC had enough self confidence to keep the old staff allowing for much needed continuity. Thebfuture hasn't looked this bright on Mayflower Hill in a long time. I can't wait for this season to get started.