FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Middlebury has its roster out.  Although it has a good number of key 2021 guys back -- in particular Jernigan, Connell, Pistorius, Bailey, Roselle and Paskewitz -- a few important defensive guys opted not to stay the extra year (Huggins and McKissick).  But the biggest missing name is Alex Maldjian; if he's not playing this year, obviously a massive hole to fill for the Panthers.

BTW, we count 104 on the roster (and only half of them are named Biff and are from Darien!)....seriously, impressive...

[Nescacman]

Most positive news wrt football in awhile is some mentioning of relaxing the tailgating rules.  Hopefully, by the Homecoming game at Amherst vs Williams, the weather and rules will favor tailgating with food tents by other sport teams and a number of academic departments.  Then there is the gathering in the Cage with free food and drinks.  Even the Williams' crowd will have a cookout outside for the Williams' players...before departing on their buses...parked nearby.  It's is a "festival" of sorts.   Note: Homecoming with Wes. has the cookout, etc. and even get invitation for drinks inside the Amherst cage.

Lm63...you need to get on the Lord Mammoth staff....very poor job in our opinion....It's Tuesday 4 days before opening kick-off and they still show no 2021 roster...EJ & Co. are slipping...must be the blankets...

[lumbercat]

I think final rosters are due on Thursday to NESCAC office. Some teams may be making cuts so holding off on posting. EJ Mills isn't concerned that some may be curious about the Amherst roster.

[Trin9-0]

Just a few football related notes for events at Trinity this fall. It appears there will be both a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new stadium this Saturday as well as a more formal dedication on the Saturday of Homecoming Weekend, October 2. There will also be two separate Trinity Athletics Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies (one each for the Classof 2020 this Friday, and for the Class of 2021 on Friday, October 1). Football inductees include:

Class of 2020
Charlie Sticka '56
Sticka '56 was a Little All-American twice in football in the late 1950s and went on to get drafted by the Los Angeles Rams.
Rick Hazelton Administrator/Coach
Hazelton was the Trinity Director of Athletics for 28 years, spearheading the rise of Trinity athletics onto the national stage in several men's and women's sports and overseeing the construction of the Koeppel Community Sports Center and other top-level facilities.

Class of 2021
Ron Duckett '74
Duckett holds numerous Trinity and New England football pass catching records and led the nation in receiving in 1973.  He was an All-New England and All-American wide receiver for the Bantams.
Karl Kurth Coach/Administrator
One of the three "founders" of the NESCAC, Kurth was an assistant football coach, the head track and field coach and the athletic director for Trinity until his retirement in 1982. He played a prominent role in bringing varsity women's athletics to the college.

Also on October 2 there will be a halftime ceremony honoring the 30th Anniversary of the 1991 football team which finished with the best record in the NESCAC featuring special recognition for legendary coach, Don Miller.

[nescac1]

In general, I've noticed things like previews and rosters are being handled differently across NESCAC than in prior years, clearly a result of so much COVID-related turnover.  For example the Midd football preview mentioned exactly two players.  Many Williams previews have been far more sparse than in prior years.  Roster and previews across the league in football seem to be coming out belatedly and/or in abbreviated format.  And we still haven't seen (I think) a single week one preview that usually includes the projected starters for each team.  I just think SIDs, like everyone else, are scrambling and clueless regarding what this season is gonna look like ... and coaches clearly want to use every day available to them to figure out how to integrate 50 percent new players. 

[amh63]

Yes, the season starts this Sat.  Yes, Amherst's football info like roster is terse.  Football site still has a coach that has moved to another Nescac school.  Yes, Amherst needs a  good SID...maybe Trin 8-0 can move to Amherst.  Me, awaiting Sat. game up in Maine.  See the coaching staff for Bates is down a few coaches.  What is the "normal" allowed paid coaches in the conference?  See Trinity is honoring former HC Miller.  Remember when he was on the Amherst staff with Amherst's late great Coach O.  The former Delaware QB handled the offense while the HC handled the defense.  Lumbercat...hope the Bobcats give Amherst a break.  Count the buses coming in.....a big squad means lots of buses and no overnight stay in Maine...early start of trip to beautiful Maine.

[JEFFFAN]

Off topic a bit but how many of the NESCAC schools have an athletic hall of fame?  I remember a conversation with an Amherst coach who felt that a HOF was a mixed blessing because while it would honor a number of players it would, of course, exclude many others ...

[SpringSt7]

I remember a conversation with an Amherst coach who felt that a HOF was a mixed blessing because while it would honor a number of players it would, of course, exclude many others ...

If that doesn't sum up the NESCAC in one sentence I don't know what does!

[lumbercat]

I remember a conversation with an Amherst coach who felt that a HOF was a mixed blessing because while it would honor a number of players it would, of course, exclude many others ...

If that doesn't sum up the NESCAC in one sentence I don't know what does!

Profoundly true.

Brings me to the thought there are some new posters on the board who just don't understand the NESCAC. No offense intended to the poster who suggested that schools should "open their wallets" to enclose stadiums and remove tracks around fields. I hope he and his son understood this league before committing. In the NESCAC they are not going to enclose stadiums to get more fans. The great renovations going on at Trinity will be the exception and as far as any school will go.

This is D3 and it's not Mount Union D3.

[NESCACFBFAN]

maybe the ticket prices at Trinity are helping with the renovations, Premium Seating: $15, Bench seating: $10, Standing room: $7, the other 9 schools should start charging admission to Trinity fans only!!  and by the way, the tailgating area for the visitors is the worst in the NESCAC.

[Charlie]

Middlebury has its roster out.  Although it has a good number of key 2021 guys back -- in particular Jernigan, Connell, Pistorius, Bailey, Roselle and Paskewitz -- a few important defensive guys opted not to stay the extra year (Huggins and McKissick).  But the biggest missing name is Alex Maldjian; if he's not playing this year, obviously a massive hole to fill for the Panthers.

BTW, we count 104 on the roster (and only half of them are named Biff and are from Darien!)....seriously, impressive...

Will be huge if Maldjian is out. He was a game changer. But seeing Williams is at home they have to be slight favorite !!

[Charlie]

Just a few football related notes for events at Trinity this fall. It appears there will be both a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new stadium this Saturday as well as a more formal dedication on the Saturday of Homecoming Weekend, October 2. There will also be two separate Trinity Athletics Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies (one each for the Classof 2020 this Friday, and for the Class of 2021 on Friday, October 1). Football inductees include:

Class of 2020
Charlie Sticka '56
Sticka '56 was a Little All-American twice in football in the late 1950s and went on to get drafted by the Los Angeles Rams.
Rick Hazelton Administrator/Coach
Hazelton was the Trinity Director of Athletics for 28 years, spearheading the rise of Trinity athletics onto the national stage in several men's and women's sports and overseeing the construction of the Koeppel Community Sports Center and other top-level facilities.

Class of 2021
Ron Duckett '74
Duckett holds numerous Trinity and New England football pass catching records and led the nation in receiving in 1973.  He was an All-New England and All-American wide receiver for the Bantams.
Karl Kurth Coach/Administrator
One of the three "founders" of the NESCAC, Kurth was an assistant football coach, the head track and field coach and the athletic director for Trinity until his retirement in 1982. He played a prominent role in bringing varsity women's athletics to the college.

Also on October 2 there will be a halftime ceremony honoring the 30th Anniversary of the 1991 football team which finished with the best record in the NESCAC featuring special recognition for legendary coach, Don Miller.

Is the Stadium finished why has Trinity not posted any up to date pics of the Stadium ?

[JEFFFAN]

I remember a conversation with an Amherst coach who felt that a HOF was a mixed blessing because while it would honor a number of players it would, of course, exclude many others ...

If that doesn't sum up the NESCAC in one sentence I don't know what does!

It is my posting and I agree with you 100%!!!!   Not just at my alma mater but everywhere ... we worry too damn much about hurting feelings.

[Nescacman]

maybe the ticket prices at Trinity are helping with the renovations, Premium Seating: $15, Bench seating: $10, Standing room: $7, the other 9 schools should start charging admission to Trinity fans only!!  and by the way, the tailgating area for the visitors is the worst in the NESCAC.

Word is Hartford State needs the extra $$$ to fund their athletic scholarships...

[Trin9-0]

There has been some uncertainty about whether or not the new Trinity facility would include seating on the visitor side of the field. Based on the new

Trinity ticketing site it looks as though there will be ample seating for visiting fans. I'm curious as to why the away stands appear to be off-center (running from the south goal line to the 30 yard line on the north end).


Of course, visiting fans could still purchase seats behind the Trinity bench.
Also, for now "premium" seats (those between the 40 yard lines with seat backs) are only available for this Saturday's game against Tufts. The remaining three home games currently only offer "reserved" or "general admission" tickets, though I'm assuming that will change.


Finally, with many of us heading to NESCAC campuses to enjoy a game here's a summation of the various tailgating, vaccine, and masking policies posted on NESCAC athletics websites:

Amherst:
No tailgating or post-game team gatherings with spectators is permitted until further notice. This includes:
Single or multi-family pre- or post-game tailgates
Team gatherings with parents, spectators, etc. prior to or after contests.

*All visitors are welcome to attend all outdoor athletic events but must be masked at all times.

Bates:
Temporary restrictions through Sept. 30: Indoor athletic events will only be open to Bates students, faculty and staff with valid ID. All indoor spectators must wear masks. There will be no tailgating at any athletic events through the end of September. Check back for updates as they become available.

Bowdoin:
Tailgating and post-game team gatherings with spectators will not be permitted until further notice. This includes

• Single or multi-family pre- or post-game tailgates
  
• Team gatherings with parents, spectators, etc. prior to or after contests
  
• Please plan to arrive for an event, enjoy the contest, and depart in a timely fashion
  

Spectators are expected to be fully vaccinated and are asked to be prepared to show proof of full vaccination in one of three ways:

• Registering for campus events through the Health Pass by Clear App
• A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
  
• A photocopy or mobile photo of a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card
  

*Spectators under the age of 12 are permitted, but required to mask at outdoor events
All other spectators are asked to follow current CDC guidance for outdoor activities by considering masking when distancing cannot be maintained. Spectators will not be permitted within campus buildings; alternative restroom access will be provided

Colby:
Large gatherings with teams that include parents/friends/alumni before and after competitions are not allowed. Parents are able to provide post game "to go" food to teams at home and away competitions.
*Visitors who are vaccinated do not have to wear face coverings outdoors. If unvaccinated, visitors need to wear face coverings outdoors if unable to socially distance.

Hamilton:
The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) recently announced that it will not allow team gatherings or receptions with family and friends at home or away competitions until further notice. A number of NESCAC members, Hamilton included, will prohibit any similar type of gatherings, including pre- and postgame tailgates, for at least the month of September. These restrictions, which were discussed and approved by Hamilton's COVID-19 Task Force, also apply to our community members' participation in nonconference competitions, and include away contests, even if the host institution permits such gatherings.

*Neither proof of vaccination nor masks are required for outdoor events.

Middlebury:
NESCAC member institutions have decided they will not hold team gatherings or receptions with family and friends (e.g., postgame tailgates) home or away until further notice.  For spectators not involving team members, consumption of food and beverages is not prohibited at Middlebury events, but is discouraged where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

*Visitors must be fully vaccinated and are encouraged to wear a mask.

Trinity:
By agreement of the NESCAC Presidents, there will be no tailgating or pre-/post-game gatherings.

*Visitors must be able to provide proof of vaccination upon request. Masks are required by all fans in attendance over 2 years of age while they are not eating or drinking.

Tufts:

• All visitors must always wear face coverings indoors, regardless of vaccination status
  
• Vaccinated visitors are not required to wear face coverings outdoors
• Unvaccinated visitors must wear face coverings outdoors if unable to socially distance
• Group tailgating is not permitted

Wesleyan:
All NESCAC institutions have suspended postgame tailgates/gatherings/receptions with teams and families/friends until further notice.

*Visitors must be able to provide proof of vaccination upon request. Spectators under the age of 12 are required to mask at outdoor events. All other spectators are asked to follow current CDC guidance for outdoor activities by considering masking when distancing cannot be maintained.

Williams:
Because the consumption of food and beverages in close proximity to others increases the risk of spread, NESCAC member institutions are not holding team gatherings or receptions with family and friends (e.g., postgame tailgates) until further notice, either at home or away.

*Masks are not required outdoors.