FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Trin9-0]

Former Wesleyan football coach Don Russell passed away on February 2 at 93. Here is part of an announcement sent by Wesleyan Provost, Nicole Stanton:

"Don earned his BA from Bates College, where he played offensive and defensive tackle for the football team. Arriving at Wesleyan in 1960, he served as an assistant football coach under Norm Daniels, then became Head Football Coach from 1964 through 1970, after which point he stepped down from that position, though he remained as the head of athletics until his retirement in 1991.

Don led the Cardinals to three Little Three championships ('66, '69, '70) and to a stunning undefeated 8-0 record in 1969. All of this took place during tumultuous years on campus with demonstrations, bomb threats, and sit-ins. In fact, the year the football team was undefeated, Wesleyan had to get a restraining order to prevent a demonstration from interfering with the homecoming game with Williams. John Biddiscombe, Adjunct Professor of Physical Education, Emeritus said: 'Throughout this difficult time, Don's steadfast leadership and strong relationship with the players was instrumental in the team's focus on football and accomplishing what no Wesleyan football team has done since.' Don was elected into the Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016."

[amh63]

Trin8-0...nice bit of info.  Those years are somewhat blank for me wrt Nescac football.  My kids did not enter Amherst yet...was out making a living or attending grad school at MIT.  Did recall catching a few football games at Tufts with a Cambridge neighbor that received his Phd at MIT...though.  Getting old with cloudy memories.

[The Mole]

Wesleyan with 27 incoming recruits from 11 different states: 5 from NY, 4 each from MA and PA, 3 each from NJ CT and CA, 1 each from IL GA LA FL and MD

Awoke from a non-sport NESCAC slumber....surprised a bit wrt to the recruiting comments towards Trinity.
Anyway, recently I noticed that Bates enrollment has risen....2000 now.  Has any other Nescac schools' enrollment moved up?  My interest here is wrt admission/sports connections..if any.  A stir the pot inquiry.

[Trin9-0]

Breaking: NESCAC Presidents have reached agreement on a limited schedule of conference competition for spring sports!

[amh63]

Trin8-0....great notice!   Here's hoping enough schools will field cited sport teams to have conference games....6 minimum.   Amherst has shut down the campus to visitors....and the students on campus to the town.  Will await words/polices wrt opening up the campus for games, etc.

[DC 53]

I spoke with an athletic administrator at a NESCAC member school this morning. There is much work to be done in order to have a spring sports season. If things continue to move in the right direction, we should have a "normal" fall season, though some restrictions may be in place, according to my friend. (Not an imaginary friend! Lol)

[NESCACFball24/7]

Though we haven't been able to see them play yet due to covid it looks as if Tufts has quietly brought in what may be one of the most talented freshman classes I have seen in a while in the NESCAC. Multiple kids with high FCS and even FBS offers in a class that looks to be upwards of 30 kids. Looking as if Coach Civetti down at Tufts is really looking to make a big jump next year.

Of those 30+, ones that stand out are:
LB: Tyler Roach, EJ Comerford, Shane Reiner, Stephen Michaels
WR: Clark Smith, Jaden Richardson, Robbie Moret
QB: Matt Crowley, Andrew Weisley
DB: Victor Garza, Jeremy Zuniga, Jered Kenny
DL: Javier Rios, Andrew Franco, Max Meyer
OL: Gus Bickert, Ethan Rosenthal, Dylan Johnson, Kent Oliver

Will be interesting to see if this is a change in recruiting strategy that will continue with the class of '25 or if this is a one-hit wonder for the Jumbos. From my memory, I think most of their starters from last year will have graduated next time we see them on the field so look for them to be a really young but talented team, although I don't know how many players will stay for a fifth year relative to other schools in the league. Excited to see how they compete against the top of the league in the next few years.

[nescac1]

Uggghh:

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/31128746/massachusetts-high-school-fires-football-coach-anti-semitic-play-calls

[Trin9-0]

Uggghh:

https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/31128746/massachusetts-high-school-fires-football-coach-anti-semitic-play-calls

Yikes! This is appalling.
So much for that Duxbury to Williams pipeline.

[nescac1]

Yeah.  It's a bummer for the Ephs.

I just don't understand what the coaching staff (or even the players, although as kids they obviously get more of a pass) was thinking.  It occurred to NO ONE that this outrageously offensive rhetoric, would (rightfully!) blow up in their face?  They could not choose literally any other of the millions of words available to them for play-calling?  Utterly bizarre.

[Hawk196]

maybe someone can smarten up (hopefully Tufts  ) and focus on the Big North in N.NJ. Back ups on these (well) coached teams would be starters/stars on these New England Highschool teams.
Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just stating the obvious and I paid close attention to the scene for the past 7yrs+

[Trin9-0]

I've previously shared some renderings of the Trinity stadium project , but you can now view some additional photos and read more information on the project here.

It looks like demolition work has begun and construction is slated to start in June with the expectation that it will be completed in time for the fall seasons (which will likely/hopefully be played!).

[lumbercat]

Very nice.... but UGH, no visiting side.
Hope the Bantam faithful will enjoy sitting next to visiting fans. Did Lord Jeffrey sign off on this layout?

Was any information released about beefing up Stadium security for the confrontations that will arise when the Cardinals or other visitors get a little feisty sitting on the Bantam's "home" side.

[nescac1]

Quite a game this week for Williams-bound TB Anthony Morrison, who ran for 312 yards and three TDs.  He's had a massive senior year and could (along with a few other intriguing skill position recruits in the class of 2025 who, like Morrison, appear to have a lot of speed, Jack Ledden, Mario Fischetti, Cameron Lee, all of whom look like they can motor) add some quality depth to what should be an absolutely loaded group of offensive playmakers for Williams.

Assuming all with eligibility return, and I believe they are, the Ephs will again feature Maimaron, Nicholas, Stola, Justin Nelson, Spiezio, and Dan Vaughn as big-time playmakers on offense.  Some other guys who didn't make an impact in 2019 due to the talent in front of them, but certainly have the ability to, will also be back.  Hard to remember a more loaded and experienced group of returning skill guys in recent NESCAC history.  The Ephs will have to replace three OL starters and a fantastic blocking HB, so blocking will be a big question mark (although three star-caliber offensive linemen, two of whom missed a lot of time with injury in 2019, at least give a good foundation if they have better luck with injuries), but it will be a nightmare for defenses to account for all those big play threats at once, especially if a guy like Morrison can add yet another big-time threat as a third or fourth WR. 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/28/sports/emass-football-bridgewater-raynhams-anthony-morrison-headlines-players-week/

[amh63]

Trin8-0....nice bit of info on the new stadium.  Seems a number of posters are taking shots wrt two of the " Little Three" schools .
Been on the urban/Hartford campus a number of times...lovely campus.  My take on the no visitor side stand comments is....lack of space and Nescac opponents in the stands are generally well behaved.
Considering that many of the Nescac schools have no visitor side stands and those that do have small stands...like the new Williams stadium.  See, I am taking my shot at that wealthy endowed "little three " school just North of Amherst.  Beautiful campus in the boon docks...have visited it many times with wife and family, etc. art museums and music events in near by Tanglewood.
I am a believer that a great defensive coach will prevail over a fine offensive team.  Amherst's head coach takes the lead on the defensive side.  Believe that the next Amherst vs Williams game will be a close battle and the best defensive team will win.