FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

old news.

[lumbercat]

They don't get it at UMass, never have, idiot inexperienced AD- they let Don Brown go too soon. He had no NIL money but despite that they were making progress. Lost to Liberty in OT. They refused to let him turn the corner.
Now the new UM guy will get the NIL money- let's see what he does.

The UMass football Alum base has always been invisible and the Mass liberal politicians never spend a dime on Athletics.

UMass should apply for a spot in the Patriot League or lead the way in restructuring a reincarnation of a Yankee conference clone. The MAC is not the answer.
Umass UNH Maine URI should be a base for a new conference and add 4-5 more schools in the Northeast not including the likes of the D1 wannabees like Merrimack Stonehill Bryant Sacred Heart.

[Nescacman]

For the record, Ty hasn't committed anywhere yet as near as we can tell since he continues to post offers he is getting at both FBS and FCS schools, including Furman, where he would be a teammate of fellow NESCACer Wesley Abraham. As we said, good luck wherever he ends up. 

[Nescacman]

UMass is joining the MAC in all sports and committed to raising an NIL pool for the new coach. I wouldn't have made the move either but supplying context

Correct and it should have said "rejoining" the MAC, which they were originally a member of when they first moved up to the FBS level. Interestingly, they have never had a winning record since they moved up back in 2012. 

[Scoops]

I like how posters have zeroed in on UMass, opposed to the other opportunities the young man has. The kid's got a lot of great opportunities, some of which are better academic fits with good football. Given that he's a California kid, I have to assume the San Diego and UC Davis offers are quite appealing to him. Also, if he wants to focus on education he can just stay at Tufts and continue to build his resume for next year's transfer portal. Although I can't imagine many QBs throwing at him next season if he stays.

[NESCACFball24/7]

Something else to note is that many schools do not start for another 2 weeks or more and if I remember correctly his brother did not commit to USC until late in the process so there is no telling who else may offer him before it's all said and done.

[Scoops]

Serious question: With all the transfer portal madness reaching the NESCAC, are we going to start seeing "representatives" from higher level programs roaming the sidelines in the future?

[NESCACFball24/7]

Serious question: With all the transfer portal madness reaching the NESCAC, are we going to start seeing "representatives" from higher level programs roaming the sidelines in the future?

Outside of ty richardson this year the only other undergrad transfer I can remember is Tyler Jameson who went to sacred heart (barely a d1). All the other transfers we've send have bend grad transfer guys which should slow down significantly since none of these guys have covid years anymore.

[nescac1]

It's interesting that Jaden and Ty Richardson and Brady Jung all went to the Menlo School and ended up forsaking NESCAC for D1 (assuming Ty does indeed leave Tufts).  Jung was committed to Amherst, where he would join his brother, before switching very late in the Spring to USC.

But yeah, generally speaking I agree with NESCACFball.  There aren't a significant enough pool of guys who D1 schools would want to poach after 1-2 seasons in NESCAC who would have been missed as seniors in high school. 

Looking at underclassmen on the all-NESCAC team, Ryan Lynskey was the only other first-team all-NESCAC guy which seems like a prerequisite for attracting serious D1 interest as an undergrad.  And Lynskey has shown no signs of looking to leave Bates.  Beyond he and Richardson, I can't even think of anyone with at least two years of eligibility who a D1 program would be focused on trying to recruit as a transfer. What made grad transfers so appealing is that you had guys who were four years out of high school, who had often had 3-4 years of reps as a starter and that many years of physical development as well, so D1 schools could see where they could plug in right away.   
 

[NESCACFball24/7]

It's interesting that Jaden and Ty Richardson and Brady Jung all went to the Menlo School and ended up forsaking NESCAC for D1 (assuming Ty does indeed leave Tufts).  Jung was committed to Amherst, where he would join his brother, before switching very late in the Spring to USC.

But yeah, generally speaking I agree with NESCACFball.  There aren't a significant enough pool of guys who D1 schools would want to poach after 1-2 seasons in NESCAC who would have been missed as seniors in high school. 

Looking at underclassmen on the all-NESCAC team, Ryan Lynskey was the only other first-team all-NESCAC guy which seems like a prerequisite for attracting serious D1 interest as an undergrad.  And Lynskey has shown no signs of looking to leave Bates.  Beyond he and Richardson, I can't even think of anyone with at least two years of eligibility who a D1 program would be focused on trying to recruit as a transfer. What made grad transfers so appealing is that you had guys who were four years out of high school, who had often had 3-4 years of reps as a starter and that many years of physical development as well, so D1 schools could see where they could plug in right away.

I think the Brady jung situation is a little different because he was a walk on at USC.

To your point about those guys going to the same school, Wesleyans starting RB this year Tyler Flynn and Bates Sergio Beltran both are from that same high school I believe. Carter Jung (Amherst), Avery Romain(Amherst), and Ben Banatao(trinity) also went there with them.

[Nescacman]

Dear Fellow Boardsters,
 
We want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a huge thank you for all the support of the 9 Weeks NESCAC podcast in 2024.  It was a great year for the podcast, Wesleyan Football, and the NESCAC in general.

When you win it means your program is doing well in many areas.  It was a great year to be a Wesleyan Cardinal. Wesleyan had a lot to be thankful for in 2024:
 
2024 NESCAC Champions
2024 Little Three Champions (3rd Year in a row and 6 in the last 8 years)
 
NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year – Chase Wilson – WR
NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year – Ben Carbeau – LB
NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year
 
First Team All NESCAC
Mike Rowan – SR – DL (2nd team 2022)
Jason Villano – SR – DL
Ben Carbeau – SR – LB (1st Team 2023)
Jake Edwards – GR – LB (2nd Team 2022)
Wesley Abraham – SR – DB (1st Team 2023)
Dylan Connors – JR – DB
Nick Donatio – GR – DB
Chase Wilson – SR – WR (1st Team 2023)
(The 7 First Team Players on Defense is a league Record)
 
Second Team All NESCAC
Niko Candido – SR – QB
Gavin Tatum – SR – OL
 
NESCAC All Sportsmanship Team – Rickey Eng – SR – WR
 
Division 2/3 NEW England Football Writers All New England Team
Ben Carbeau – SR – LB
Dylan Connors – JR – DB
Chase Wilson – SR – WR
 
Division 2/3 NEW England Football Writers Coach of the Year
Dan DiCenzo
 
Boston Gridiron Club – Joe Zabliski D2/3 Defensive Player of the Year
Ben Carbeau (Previous WES winners Jake Bussani '14, Nick Helbig '23)
 
D3Football.com All Region Team
1st Team – Ben Carbeau – LB
1st Team – Wesley Abraham – DB
2nd Team – Chase Wilson – WR
3rd Team – Mike Rowan - DL
 
Happy New Year! Looking forward to another great year in the NESCAC in 2025.

NM

[lumbercat]

NM-
Very nice job this year with your great NESCAC coverage- much enjoyed and appreciated.
Happy New Year- now we switch our attention to the Bowl picture.

[Nescacman]

NM-
Very nice job this year with your great NESCAC coverage- much enjoyed and appreciated.
Happy New Year- now we switch our attention to the Bowl picture.

Thanks Lumber. We appreciate you! Look forward to seeing you in Lewiston next Fall. We expect the Kitties to be especially Frisky in 2025.

[lumbercat]

As Coach Coyne continues his rebuild insiders in Bates Athletics and Bates Football are ecstatic as they send AD Jason Fein packing. The firing tactfully took place under the radar with year end approaching.

New Bates president is serious about Athletics.

Fein was an affable guy but had zero experience in sports--- playing, coaching or management. Made the worst misguided hire in Bates history when he brought in Malik Hall as Bates HCOF. Fein was an SID, a hype guy but somebody at Bates thought he was the answer to run the Bates Athletics program. Watching the learning curve for Fein in a new job where he was totally unqualified was very painful for Bates Athletic supporters.

[Nescacman]

Dear Fellow Boardsters,
 
We want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a huge thank you for all the support of the 9 Weeks NESCAC podcast in 2024.  It was a great year for the podcast, Wesleyan Football, and the NESCAC in general.

When you win it means your program is doing well in many areas.  It was a great year to be a Wesleyan Cardinal. Wesleyan had a lot to be thankful for in 2024:
 
2024 NESCAC Champions
2024 Little Three Champions (3rd Year in a row and 6 in the last 8 years)
 
NESCAC Offensive Player of the Year – Chase Wilson – WR
NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year – Ben Carbeau – LB
NESCAC Coaching Staff of the Year
 
First Team All NESCAC
Mike Rowan – SR – DL (2nd team 2022)
Jason Villano – SR – DL
Ben Carbeau – SR – LB (1st Team 2023)
Jake Edwards – GR – LB (2nd Team 2022)
Wesley Abraham – SR – DB (1st Team 2023)
Dylan Connors – JR – DB
Nick Donatio – GR – DB
Chase Wilson – SR – WR (1st Team 2023)
(The 7 First Team Players on Defense is a league Record)
 
Second Team All NESCAC
Niko Candido – SR – QB
Gavin Tatum – SR – OL
 
NESCAC All Sportsmanship Team – Rickey Eng – SR – WR
 
Division 2/3 NEW England Football Writers All New England Team
Ben Carbeau – SR – LB
Dylan Connors – JR – DB
Chase Wilson – SR – WR
 
Division 2/3 NEW England Football Writers Coach of the Year
Dan DiCenzo
 
Boston Gridiron Club – Joe Zabliski D2/3 Defensive Player of the Year
Ben Carbeau (Previous WES winners Jake Bussani '14, Nick Helbig '23)
 
D3Football.com All Region Team
1st Team – Ben Carbeau – LB
1st Team – Wesley Abraham – DB
2nd Team – Chase Wilson – WR
3rd Team – Mike Rowan - DL
 
Happy New Year! Looking forward to another great year in the NESCAC in 2025.

NM

Since we published this post, Wesley Abraham was named a D3 All-American for the 2nd time. Congratulations Wesley!