FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

Hello fellow NESCAC lovers,

There is currently a coalition of athletes who are pushing for the NESCAC to allow teams to go to the playoffs, and we need your help. We have created a Twitter page and posted a petition to change the league's rules to allow the NESCA C to finally be given our fair shot. If anyone has any connections at NESCAC schools, including but not limited to SAAC representatives, administration, etc please DM this Twitter account and let us know so we can all watch an NESCAC team in the playoffs next year!

Twitter: https://x.com/NESCACFBPA
Petition: https://www.change.org/p/grant-nescac-football-teams-access-to-d3-football-playoffs

Obviously, we are very supportive of this initiative.

Hopefully we can be helpful both personally and through our various platforms at 9 Weeks NESCAC. Vman, please reach out on this site via a DM and we can exchange contact info so that we can coordinate efforts.

As an aside, over the last two days we have spoken to a NESCAC AD and a NESCAC Head Football Coach, both of who are very supportive of this effort.

Look forward to connecting.

NM

[Charlie]

Heard some intersting news today that Trinity Athletic Director will be leaving Trinity College. This will be an intersting year in the Hartford State as a new President of the College was also introduced. This could have a major impact going forward for the football program at Trinity. We have all seen what incoming Presidents and Athletic directors have done to sports programs.

[The Third Division]

We have all seen what incoming Presidents and Athletic directors have done to sports programs.

Care to elaborate?

[lumbercat]

Heard some intersting news today that Trinity Athletic Director will be leaving Trinity College. This will be an intersting year in the Hartford State as a new President of the College was also introduced. This could have a major impact going forward for the football program at Trinity. We have all seen what incoming Presidents and Athletic directors have done to sports programs.

Bantam Prexy has been one of the most supportive and strongest Football and sports advocates in recent NESCAC history. Look what's been done in her tenure. Unilateral, strong, rubber stamp approval of most any Sports advancement initiatives which has yielded numerous facility and program upgrades. Most of which have been accomplished on shorter duration than similar Athletics initiatives at other NESCAC schools which typically are slow in their duration.

At the end of the day she listened to Alums and perpetuated the monetization of winning Football.  She was keenly aware of the significant financial impact of Trinity Athletics Alums, the most lucrative group therein is the Bantam Football Alumni aresenal. In light that it's been a no brainer for her to be all in on Athletics with Football leading the way.

In light of the culture and financial picture in Hartford don't see a new leader doing anything differently to kill the Athletics and Football golden goose.

[DagarmanSpartan]

As I've said before.

If UAA teams can compete in the D3 football playoffs, as several have, then obviously any other academically oriented d3 school should be able to.

[Trin9-0]

Sadly, I can confirm Charlie's report about Drew Galbraith leaving Trinity as he has accepted a position as a Senior Vice President at the NBA. Drew's tenure in Hartford has been exceptional and he will leave big shoes to fill. The year prior to his arrival, Trinity finished 179th in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings. This past year they were 45th. I imagine the College will wait until the newly announced President, Daniel Lugo, is inaugurated this summer to make any decisions regarding the vacancy but in the meantime I'm sure they'll do their due diligence regarding a candidate pool.

Regarding lumber's post, it's important for everyone to realize that at every College/University it is the Board of Trustees, and not the President who approves spending for any capital projects (athletics or otherwise). Certainly it helps to have the support of the administration but these are anything but unilateral decisions made by presidents based on their perceived support of athletics. I do agree that President Berger-Sweeney was great for Trinity and understood the culture/importance of Athletics at Trin.

Trinity does indeed have a passionate football alumni base who support the College and the program but it's not anything disproportionate to the rest of the league. In fact, as illustrated below, Trinity is clearly on the lower end of the NESCAC financially; both in endowment and fundraising capabilities.

This not only limits what Trinity's Athletics Department receives as their annual allocation from the College's budget but also their ability to fundraise for Athletics because the College's priorities from a fundraising perspective will always be for the endowment and financial aid (as they should be). I would actually argue that from a financial perspective Trinity athletics, and football in particular, is doing more with less.

SCHOOL         CURRENT ENDOWMENT      MOST RECENT CAMPAIGN  Williams $3,911,574,095    $650,000,000 Amherst $3,775,153,114    $625,000,000 Bowdoin $2,718,438,000    $500,000,000 Tufts $2,646,506,000    $1,500,000,000 Wesleyan $1,669,796,000    $600,000,000 Middlebury $1,511,001,000    $600,000,000 Hamilton $1,411,536,000    $400,000,000 Colby $1,257,738,000    $1,000,000,000 Trinity $795,206,957    $425,000,000 Bates $466,016,288    $300,000,000

[lumbercat]

Trin 9-0

Thanks for the endowment info but that's not what I was addressing here on the Football board.  I am not talking about overall Alumni support for the College or the total endowment. I am referring specificlly to the Football Alums and groups supporting Football. I am saying Trinity has the most involved, supportive Football alums driven by years of dynasty like success within the program. They consistently deliver very significant financial support for Trinity Football. In recent years we believe this has spread increasingly to other sports but Trinity Football is the hub of the wheel in terms of financial commitment.
The Trinity Football Alumni network is stronger than any other NESCAC program.

I understand the importance of the Trustees but I wouldn't downplay the hand of the President in matters concerning Football and Athletics.

[Charlie]

I am not saying it will happen and there were other factors involved but we have seen in the past what a change in President and Athletic Director can do to a football program. If we look at what happened to Amherst when they had that 5 to 7 in NESCAC football. There was a philisophical change in recruitment by the President and the AD and the program has not been the same.

[lumbercat]

Good point Charles.

[Trin9-0]

This will be Trinity's fourth Athletic Director and fifth President since 2002 when the program began winning championships again. I'm confident that football will adapt to changes under the new administration.

[lumbercat]

9-0
That's what I was saying 2 days ago. The new President may bring some changes but will not get in the way of that Bantam Football revenue arsenal, will not kill the golden goose. Way too much support from Alums, administration and faculty, it all works beautifully for Trinity.

Trin is unlike any other NESCAC Football program. Though I'm not a fan of the HCOF and his arrogance Ive always commended the College for their unwavering commitment to winning Football.

[Trin9-0]

9-0
That's what I was saying 2 days ago. The new President may bring some changes but will not get in the way of that Bantam Football revenue arsenal, will not kill the golden goose. Way too much support from Alums, administration and faculty, it all works beautifully for Trinity.

Trin is unlike any other NESCAC Football program. Though I'm not a fan of the HCOF and his arrogance Ive always commended the College for their unwavering commitment to winning Football.

And I'll still disagree on the financial point. Why do you believe so strongly that Trinity has a "revenue arsenal"? What evidence do you have to support your claim that the Trinity football program is a "golden goose"?

They do plenty of things right in Hartford; and I'm certainly not arguing that they don't have certain advantages. But I'm confused as to why you so fervently believe the football program is printing money without ever providing rationale. Please enlighten us.

[lumbercat]

9-0

Based on relationships with at least 7 Trinity Alums going back to the 70's, most of which are loyal and very generous supporters to date. At least 2 of them will someday be in the Bantam HOF. I also was privy to the finances and donations specifically for their golf event going back 10 years as well as other fundraising efforts including stadium, scoreboard etc.

I know you are a loyal Trinity guy and it all seems normal to you. It's not, if you think other NESCAC Football programs are generating that kind of revenue you're mistaken.
It is the Golden Goose when compared with other NESCAC programs and any new leader would be crazy to tamper with it.

[The truth 101]

Take a look at the link below with Midd OL Thomas Perry absolutely putting in work at the shrine bowl vs an SEC dlineman. Putting on for the NESCAC!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFWGGvGyw2N/?img_index=1&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[lumbercat]

Great rep there- pulling for Panther Perry!!