FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[amh63]

Discussion here has taken an interesting "turn".  Retention of head coaches.  The Amherst HC of WBB returned to the Amherst area in part because of family.  HC of football Mills' wife is an Amherst grad...class of '95 (a classmate of my youngest son).  Coach Mills has at least one son that plays football at Amherst HS.  Like Harvard in the past, Amherst may still give a qualified town resident free tuition.  My oldest son was born in Cambridge, Ma.  I believe he qualified for free tuition to Harvard.  My oldest son made the choice to attend Amherst, class of '92.  Qualified kids of faculty also get free tuition.  It is noted that the present Amherst AD has a son that graduated from Amherst.

[xPolarDadx]

Polardad-

Very interesting point about Tufts recruiting.

Ironically, last Saturday in some pregame coaching banter I learned that Bates has 15 commits for the class of '26 while Tufts has 2.
Speaks directly to your point. I was really surprised when I heard those numbers but your comments provide the answer.

However, Civetti and Tufts have never had a problem recruiting top kids to Tufts regardless of the timetable. Im sure he will  catch up and exceed those numbers as the recruiting cycle starts to wind down.

To this point, the coaches can be (and were, in our experience) clear of their intentions before they officially offer support.  "We have you on our board so please be patient, don't make a quick decision, we want you, etc.". The guys they are going to offer support for should know at this point, even if it isn't official (except the guys they pick up late because they have great early senior years).

[Charlie]

But you have to cut Civetti some slack based on the program he inherited- it was awful- He had an unsupportive administration and an indifferent AD. Civettis first few years of losses sit with Willy Samko who had no support either. Civetti was the lowest payed head coach in the conference just trying to grind things out. He was on the verge of being fired, check the record. Then, along came his gift out of the sky.....a new AD came in followed closely by a new President (or vice version) who was a Football Fan and things took off from there. He was given more support than he ever anticipated.

Civetti needs to take a demonstrative step forward because there are no more excuses in Medford- he's got arguably the best situation in the league other than Trinity. He Needs to win a title soon. Not entirely sure, but beleive he makes play calls, possibly with input from Frankie Houser in the sky.....but Tufts game management on game day has not been good for a few years.

The blueprint for the resurgent NESCAC Football programs in the last 10-15 years consists of schools with Presidents who support Football and want to win.

Wesleyan, Tufts......and believe me, despite the rips on the Colby program recently, they are the next program to take that step up based on the unprecedented administrative support they are getting.

If you want to forecast the success of NESCAC programs find out if there are any Football Fans at the top of the administration and in admissions. It's impossible to win with any regularity in this conference without that dynamic.........unless you are talking about Williams and Amherst......the NESCAC Harvard/Yale----

Agreed on most of the points but I still do not think the administration is not behind the football program. The new field renovation was performed by private funding from local youth programs and the city of Medford and Sommerville for use of the field. A small portion was donated by Football Alumni. The school did not invest funds into this project. It shows the lack of support into the football program. You would also think that had they cared the field and renovation would have been completed in addition to the locker rooms installed for players and visiting teams. The visiting teams had two showers located away from the field. It is disgraceful. The program should have two state of the art locker rooms at the field the kids should not have to walk back to the gym to shower. In addition the opening game on the field less than 100 students. The culture needs to change.

[amh63]

Wow...surprised myself...back again.  Bowdoin has a nice review wrt the upcoming game with Amherst.  It is noted that Bowdoin, like Amherst has replaced/updated its historic football field within the last decade.  In the review, several things amused and puzzled me in the picture that was included in the review.  First...it was a game between Bates(black uniform) and Williams (purple & gold uniform).  Second, the Bates' team was on the "visitor" side...the side with the historic covered stands.  The Williams team was on the new larger fan seating area with the broadcaster/reporters building.  Both stands have filming rooms.  Behind the new stands are the dressing rooms for Bowdoin...and visitors ??. I always thought that the home team sat on the home side.

[xPolarDadx]

I can't tell if you are joking or not.  The picture here is from last week's Williams / Bowdoin game.

The Bowdoin locker room is behind the metal stands (where this picture is taken from).  The visitors go out the gate to somewhere else.  The building below the historic stands is currently closed.

[polbear73]

Bowdoin still sits on the covered historical grandstand while the visitors sit where the Williams team is pictured.

[Trin9-0]

A few things Lumber...we agree that Mills and Ritter are pretty locked and they are probably/definitely too old to move up at this point in their career but you don't think Raymond or Devanny would leave if offered the opportunity to step up to an HCOF spot at an Ivy, Patriot or CAA school??? Bet you a beer they would and will...

As far as HCOF Chuck, we don't think he regrets the move to Stony Brook at all...let's not forget, as Hs5-4 will remind us, in his last four years at Hartford State, Chuck was 31-1 with 3 undefeated seasons and won or shared the NESCAC title all 4 years....what did he have left to prove at HS???...unlike HCOF Devanney he was not an alum of HS and had no allegiance to the Bants....HCOF Priore has done pretty well building a solid, winning FCS program in a tough environment on Long Island...kudo's to him...
[/quote]

Devanney isn't going anywhere and why would he? He began his coaching career at the D1 level (assistant at Georgia Tech) and came away disenfranchised. A head coaching job in the NESCAC is a sweet gig, especially for those with families who want balance. There's just 9 games a year, you're not allowed to travel to recruit, he has a phenomenal staff that is loyal, and they coach smart, motivated kids who rarely cause the types of off the field issues that are inherent at D1 programs. He has been successful since day 1 at Trinity and surely has been approached multiple times over the last 15 years by bigger schools. My guess is that he coaches another 10-15 years at Trinity and shatters every coaching record in the league.

As for Priore, I agree and would be surprised if he has any regrets about leaving Trinity. He built the most dominant teams in the history of the league in very short order and then moved on. While he hasn't had the same level of success at Stony Brook he has still done quite well there.

[polbear73]

At 1-5, Stony Brook is down in the Colonial Athletic Conference, a very competitive league comprised of some of the best FCS schools in the country. Priore has been competive in his tenure and the program appears to have support of the school. I would say that he's built a good situation and would seriously doubt he would have any regrets. They play Delaware on Saturday.

[PolarCat]

SPOILER ALERT You're new here, so sorry to burst your bubble, but this is what we do.  We haven't really gotten into coach bashing yet, but it's only a matter of time.  We'll have a drive by shooting by guys from the Liberty League or Empire 8 Board, the traditional debate about uniforms, mascots, and who has the worst President in the 'CAC.  Almost certainly a debate about whether punters and kickers are indeed football players.  Someone will bring up the list of former CAC players who went on to play in the NFL or CFL (it's a short list) and we will take sides.

Johnny Utes will come up with a sly observation that will make us all smile and go "Whoa! Johnny can still bring it!"  If we are lucky, an ex coach will stop by, take exception to something one of us said, and wave his penis in our collective faces.  Homage will be paid to Darp, and we will keep track of HCOF Kelton's progress in D1.

In mid-November the ritual lamenting about playoffs and post-season play will ensue.  We may no longer marvel at the novelty of night games, but I hope not.  Tweaking the nose of Trin 7-2 and sh*tting on the Obnoxious New Guy (the name and persona change each year, but he appears every year in some new guise, often a parent from Joisey who is not-so-subtly boasting about his kid, and upset that the coach can't see he's the best player in the history of the conference), and some older guy who tries to match the venom (often Jumpshot but not always).  We love to see that amh63 is still walking this earth, and more sprightly and coherent than our POTUS.   (If you didn't know, amh was one of Lord Jeffrey's original crew, who handed out the blankets to the Indigenous Peoples). 

This board is like that sofa in your mom's house where you watched the Macy's parade before the big feast every Turkey Day.  A little thread bare, a little stained, with who-knows-what prizes lurking in the cushions, but comfortable and homey AF.

This is us.  It's what we do.  Welcome.

Question off topic why does the NESCAC not expand football for playoffs or allow the teams to go into Division 3 playoffs. Seems odd that they play nine games and thats it. I know they are trying to follow the Ivy league model. But as times change in this crazy world so should these football rules. You know Coaches and players would be for it. I mean D2 schools even play 10 games for regular season. I just think 9 is way to small a season versus what other leagues play collegiately. This small amount of play has to change or playoffs should be the NESCAC needs more games

Can I call 'em or what?  True, the post season discussion started a month earlier than I predicted, but still.

[PolarCat]

The best one to me is Daddy Warbucks saying the Colby football program has disrupted sonny boys sleep schedule. I can't stop laughing at that one.

It makes our day when Lumber gets feisty (or should I say "when Lumber gets wood?")  Da Board is coming to LIFE!

[SpringSt7]

I think Raymond would certainly consider a move to a D1 program but I also think it would have to be the right situation to move his family away from Williamstown. It's pretty clear that they make their decisions in tandem with one another---she left Skidmore when he took the St. Lawrence job and then took a job at Clarkson.

On a bigger scale however, Raymond is really far away from earning a D1 move. His last 5 years have been built around an unprecedented opportunity for top recruits to immediately earn playing time at a world class college. If I was an AD I'd like to see what he does without Maimaron and co. and I'd also like to see him win the league once.

[lumbercat]

I'll revisit the Bowdoin Stadium Renovation debacle again.

What we are seeing currently is the expected level of confusion we predicted a few years back when they completed the renovations. The head scratching will probably recur now and then into the future but this is my last account of things for the new people on the board.

Not sure who made the call in Polartown but it was decided in the renovation plan that Bowdoin would vacate the "home side" of Whittier Field where they had resided for about 80 years. Somehow, in their infinite wisdom, it was determined that the Bowdoin home side would be moved across field to the traditional visitors side in front of the newly constructed metal stands and press box.

Worst decision in the history of Bowdoin Athletics!

The Bears would bequeath the home side and the great iconic grandstand to the visitors!! Folks at Bates and Colby were in disbelief.

What are they doing- are they crazy? How could they be screwing around with Iconic Whittier Field....one of the greatest and most venerable Football Facilities in the country. It reeks of tradition- It's Wrigley Field, Fenway Park one of those things you don't change.

The project was completed with the installation of the turf. The Polar Bear on the 50 yard line was positioned facing the newly declared home side. Unbelievable.

Then the explosion happened- Bowdoin Football Alums were apoplectic. After the first year the home side was appriorately moved back to the right place and now the Black and White are home again where they belong......... but the fans don't know where to sit- the planned home side now seems to be where the visitors sit. In my visits to Whittier in the the past couple of years I'm never sure what the deal is but I guess the visitors are back on the traditional visitors side in the new stands. Vey nice of the Bears to take such great care of visiting fans.

I usually stand on the sidelines anyway. I'll never sit in that great grandstand out of pure jealously. It's not for a Bates guy, it's for Bowdoin. Not interested ........but they wanted to give it away!

Despite this folly I know one thing for certain, Whittier Field is still one of the great great, iconic gems. Thank god they couldn't screw it up.

[amh63]

Thanks lumbercat for the "clarification" of the home side vs visitor's side wrt Whittier Field. Still,  it appears to be a long walk to the restrooms for Bowdoin fans.  I am now expecting the visiting Amherst players will be in white uniforms with purple trim and numbers and Bowdoin players will be in their Black home uniforms with white trim and numbers.  I expect Amherst will have a battle on the field and a close WIN.  Biggest question wrt Amherst is....who will be the starting QB.

[Nescacman]

Thanks lumbercat for the "clarification" of the home side vs visitor's side wrt Whittier Field. Still,  it appears to be a long walk to the restrooms for Bowdoin fans.  I am now expecting the visiting Amherst players will be in white uniforms with purple trim and numbers and Bowdoin players will be in their Black home uniforms with white trim and numbers.  I expect Amherst will have a battle on the field and a close WIN.  Biggest question wrt Amherst is....who will be the starting QB.

Have no fear lm63...picks coming soon...had to do some good ole fashioned recruiting at Friday night lights in Joisey....for those in the know, Wayne Hills in a shocker giving undefeated Ramapo all they can handle...Ramapo up 7-0 at the half...

[Nescacman]

2021 Week #5 NESCACMAN Picks

Welcome back NESCAC...it's Week #4 in the league where they "pay to play"...this week marks the half way point in the season...we still have 3 teams vying for the league title...

Amhurst College at Bowdoin College: A rejuviunated Bowdoin squad could make this interesting...if RB Eden plays for the Polars this could be a real ballgame...never easy to win in Maine! Ha-ha...LMs going with QB Breckenridge...LMs playing old school football; tough defense and ball control offense...Amhurst has owned the Polars winning the last 14 times...

Amhurst College 24 Bowdoin College 17
Point Spread: Amhurst -7
Weather: Showers in the AM. Cloudy in the afternoon. High of 67.

UBates (Lewiston Campus) at Hartford State: Costa could give the Bants a scare....we think the Cats at full strength would have problems winning in Hartford....UBates hasn't beaten Hartford State since 1979...keys for Hartford State are staying healthy and not looking too far ahead to 10/30 when they travel to Ephville...

Hartford State 35 UBates 17
Point Spread: Hartford State -14 
Weather: Mostly cloudy in then AM then periods of showers later in the day. High near 75.

Middlebury College at Colby College: Lot's of questions going into this one...Who will be at QB for the Pants? Which Colby team shows up, "good Colby" or "bad Colby"? Will Colby actually score more than 14 points?...MID looked very average/below average without Jernigan last week...neither team is scoring, 9th and 10th in the league respectively...toss-up game...we'll go with the home team...

Colby 17 Middlebury 14
Point Spread: Colby -3
Weather: Showers early, becoming less numerous during the day. High of 64.

Wesleyan University At Tufts University: Two of the top offenses in the league face-off...Tufts defense is second to last in the league in yards allowed and Wes is last in pass defense...last 4 games have been decided by 7 points or less and Wes has not won at Ellis Oval since 2012...Wesleyan has won 12 of their last 13 games and 7 straight...we expect a shoot-out with Wes coming out on top in another squeaker...

Wesleyan 38 Tufts 34 
Point Spread: Wesleyan -3
Weather: Cloudy. Cloudy sky early followed by partial clearing. High of 77.

NESCAC Game of the Week

TTUN at Hamilton College: Game of the week by default; only game with 6 or more combined wins...Ephs train continues on a collision course with Hartford State in week 7....Ephs have scored 28 or more points in every game and only allowed 3 points last 2 weeks...

TTUN 35 Hamilton 13
Point Spread: TTUN -14
Weather: Showers and thunderstorms. Storms may contain High gusty winds. High of 70.

NESCACMAN's Picks (winners):
2021 Season: 16-4
2020 Season: 0-0
2019 Season: 33-12
2018 Season: 36-9
2017 Season: 35-10
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 244-71 (.775 winning percentage]