FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[jmcozenlaw]

Lumber, that is why I did not mention either of those--Chicago and Hopkins. Highly selective--ditto would for Carnegie Mellon and Wash U. Schools in the 30-50% acceptance range can make it interesting. I am in the Philly area, many kids will fixate walking on at Patriot League school to "play D1" and get swallowed up as a walk on instead of being a bigger fish in a small pond at a NESCAC or Centennial. The Ivies are viewed as a Golden Ticket that you take, but it has become so difficult--you don't ask them, they'll ask you kinda thing for athletics. That was my experience. 

No question about that Mole but I see countless situations year after year predominantly among New England and Northeast prospects where they are pretty much fixated on the NESCAC. If a school can extend downward a bit they have a higher hit percentage on that large pool of recruits.
However, no question there are other schools in various conferences which offer some great options.
I'm not up to speed on acceptance rates but aren't Johns Hopkins and U Chicago harder to get into than most, if not all, NESCAC schools.

Hey Mole, I'm also outside of Philly (in bucolic Doylestown........Bucks County, PA) as well. I could cite more non-NESCAC schools than those listed above, including my undergraduate alma mater, Swarthmore. There are more options out there than many of the "NESCAC or Bust" folks seem (or want ) to think. Heck, for their rigorous engineering programs, I'll even take a school like Drexel. I know many Dickinson, Gettysburg, Bucknell and Lehigh grads who are making serious coin AND doing the right things (sharing with those less fortunate) with it. I've gotten to know David Tepper a smidge over the years as I manage assets for high net worth individuals. His Carnegie Mellon is no joke. When I look at the undergrad institutions of my client base (taking out those who married or inherited old money), you'd be blown away at how many are NOT from highly selective schools. Two in my top five are from PA State Schools and were the first to graduate from college in their families. There is something to be said for hunger and drive and coming from squatta. I love that kind of story. The Prep School kid, with all of the benefits in life, should succeed. These gritty, public school kids who were told they would never "make it". I want them in my foxhole every day of the week...........vs. the kids looking to call Dad for a way out.

[lumbercat]

Couldn't agree more counselor.

I raised my family in a Boston suburb which is heavily populated by Ivy and Nescac grads. The 3 contemporaries in town who I considered to be among the most successful and affluent were from Plymouth St, Norwich and Northeastern.
Though not to say the many Ivy and Nescac grads were struggling by any means.
As a side, it may be coincidence, but I always noted a large number of very successful grads from Norwich in my travels over the years.

[SpringSt7]

As much as I'm sure Jmc is enjoying any opportunity to bash the NESCAC, what does any of this have to do with recruiting? All of us know that there are plenty of different ways to succeed in life, the 17-18 year olds who are choosing schools don't. If you ask me, the best way for those schools to get quote on quote "NESCAC kids" to go to their schools is to talk up their football programs. I'm always surprised at how many kids choose to play 9 games in the NESCAC with no chance to compete nationally over 12 games in the Centennial conference

[The Mole]

Spring, that is what my son chose--a NESCAC with a later start, a shorter season with no spring practice and the chance to study abroad or intern in the offseason.

Couldn't agree more counselor.

I raised my family in a Boston suburb which is heavily populated by Ivy and Nescac grads. The 3 contemporaries in town who I considered to be among the most successful and affluent were from Plymouth St, Norwich and Northeastern.
Though not to say the many Ivy and Nescac grads were struggling by any means.
As a side, it may be coincidence, but I always noted a large number of very successful grads from Norwich in my travels over the years.

[jmcozenlaw]

As much as I'm sure Jmc is enjoying any opportunity to bash the NESCAC, what does any of this have to do with recruiting? All of us know that there are plenty of different ways to succeed in life, the 17-18 year olds who are choosing schools don't. If you ask me, the best way for those schools to get quote on quote "NESCAC kids" to go to their schools is to talk up their football programs. I'm always surprised at how many kids choose to play 9 games in the NESCAC with no chance to compete nationally over 12 games in the Centennial conference

I'd never bash the NESCAC and your comment saying so is far, far off base. As you were....................

[jmcozenlaw]

Couldn't agree more counselor.

I raised my family in a Boston suburb which is heavily populated by Ivy and Nescac grads. The 3 contemporaries in town who I considered to be among the most successful and affluent were from Plymouth St, Norwich and Northeastern.
Though not to say the many Ivy and Nescac grads were struggling by any means.
As a side, it may be coincidence, but I always noted a large number of very successful grads from Norwich in my travels over the years.

Thank you co-counselor. The two Pa state schools (or state related universities) that i mentioned are not excellent schools such as Penn state and Pitt. They are Bloomsburg St. and California University of Pennsylvania. It's funny that you mention Plymouth St. I know several "successful" people (and have one as a client) from that institution. Ithaca is another school that would never be on most NESCAC kids radar..................but they have produced many successful grads.

Although, many folks have different defintions of successful. My buddy has a daughter who played hoops at Amherst and graduated recently. Her goal in life is to make a difference in the lives of kids. She became a second grade teacher. It's not about the bankroll, it's about the difference that one makes in the lives of other's. THAT is success.

[nescac1]

How dare anyone suggest that a football recruit would refuse to even CONSIDER picking Swarthmore over a NESCAC program!  Oh, wait ... 

[lumbercat]

Couldn't agree more counselor.



Thank you co-counselor. The two Pa state schools (or state related universities) that i mentioned are not excellent schools such as Penn state and Pitt. They are Bloomsburg St. and California University of Pennsylvania. It's funny that you mention Plymouth St. I know several "successful" people (and have one as a client) from that institution. Ithaca is another school that would never be on most NESCAC kids radar..................but they have produced many successful grads.

Although, many folks have different defintions of successful. My buddy has a daughter who played hoops at Amherst and graduated recently. Her goal in life is to make a difference in the lives of kids. She became a second grade teacher. It's not about the bankroll, it's about the difference that one makes in the lives of other's. THAT is success.

Great point Cousin and I agree but you started the discussion on a little different premise. You based it on wealth or "coin"  as you said.
We all know wealth and success are measured in different ways.

[jmcozenlaw]

How dare anyone suggest that a football recruit would refuse to even CONSIDER picking Swarthmore over a NESCAC program!  Oh, wait ...

That's Swarthmore County Community College to you nescac!!

[nescac1]

There been a lot of talk here about Bowdoin making a huge number of offers.  Colby by my count has made at least 26 (!) offers already (probably far more since not every recruit is on Twitter), so they are clearly casting a similarly wide net for players ..

[amh63]

Bowdoin's "new" HC mentioned that their Nescac record needs to be improved.....as to ALL the Maine based schools.  Bigger net to get the the talent needed....and somehow stay within the  NESCAC guidelines.  My two cents worth here...

[lumbercat]

There been a lot of talk here about Bowdoin making a huge number of offers.  Colby by my count has made at least 26 (!) offers already (probably far more since not every recruit is on Twitter), so they are clearly casting a similarly wide net for players ..

If Colby makes another 100-120 offers on top of the initial 26 you've counted for the class of '26 you may have a point. 125+ Bowdoin  offers for 24 spots in the Class of '25 and in many cases the kid getting the offer never heard from them again.

[nescac1]

Now up to at least 28 ... and not even August.  It does seem like Colby is on that type of pace.  But I guess we will see ....

[lumbercat]

Definitely a faster pace this year for the Mules but I think a Colby offer is far more meaningful than a watered down Bowdoin offer.  Believe Cosgrove recruits intelligently and will land his 25 recruits without going over the top in terms of offer inflation. As you say NESCAC 1 we will see.

Coach Cos has Colby admissions eating out of his hand these days. Colby Prexy is totally on board- same thing in Basketball, Hockey and Lacrosse on Mayflower Hill- significant downward admission "flexibility".

They didn't build that zillion dollar facility to lose games.

[Trin9-0]

Williams changing up their athletics identity again? This image was posted on their athletics twitter account although it doesn't appear in either their "graphic standards" or "logos guide".

C'mon guys, pick a cow and go with it.

Williams rolling out a new: "visual identity"
It doesn't appear to include athletics but there's a lot to unpack here if you're into that sort of thing:

OLD:

NEW: