MBB: NEWMAC

WPI89 · March 02, 2016, 09:13:55 AM

Gompei the Goat

AMH63 - I do not have time to do any research right now, but I suspect there are some easily accessed stories on google if you would like to have the real background.

Here is what I do know: there was a Japanese engineering student at WPI in the 1800's that had a goat on campus (the twist is that the student was named Gompei - not the goat). Tradition says they literally beheaded the poor goat - and mounted it (to be bronzed years later) - there was some type of class competition each year that got quite serious - with the winning class getting the eventually bronzed goat.

Don't have much more for you - other than just prior to my arrival, there was a Goat's Head Pub on campus (more commonly referred to as Gompei's pub). Alas as the drinking age changed - it simply turned into a comfortable alternative place (although somewhat dark) to study in the 80's. The Goat knick-name was always present when I played there - but it has become much more prevalent - (including a full size bronze statue on the quad) in recent years!

rlk · March 02, 2016, 11:46:02 AM

Quote from: amh63 on March 02, 2016, 07:55:17 AM
rlk........I guess I did it again. Thanks for being understading, For your info..plus K. The mascot/nickname is really odd thing to me.

So other than a beaver, what would the mascot for engineers be, without getting too nerdly (or kinky)?

Hugenerd · March 02, 2016, 11:50:11 AM

Quote from: rlk on March 01, 2016, 06:14:27 PM
WPI always plays us tough. I can't think of when we last swept them. In our 29-2 year, they were our lone regular season loss -- at MIT.

Last time MIT swept WPI was 2009-2010, the year after Jimmy Bartolotta graduated. That was the year MIT had Noel Hollingsworth transfer in, and had freshman Mitch Kates and Will Tashman (in addition to getting Billy Johnson back as a super senior). However, it is definitely not a common occurrence...only time that I can remember. In fact, Bartolotta never beat WPI in his career, going 0-10. I was a grad assistant during his freshman year (05-06), and I remember losing both games by a total of 3 points (there was a big call at the end of the 2nd game at home, when Jimmy took a charge but was called for a block, that resulted in that 1 point loss). In his senior year (08-09), when the team famously won the NEWMAC tourney and upset RIC in the first round of the NCAAs, WPI was upset in the NEWMAC semis by Springfield and Bartolotta shredded the Pride (as he usually did) in the finals and MIT won comfortably by 26.

rlk · March 02, 2016, 11:58:18 AM

Guess everyone was shocked that Joey Flannery won NEWMAC athlete of the year. Not. Congratulations to Flannery! Helluva player, with a great team around him. We got him in foul trouble in the second half of the final, but unfortunately that was just as we were wearing out.

Bradley Jomard was rookie of the year and first team. I don't see all the NEWMAC teams in any given year, but I did see the top 5, and I don't recall seeing any other frosh that can match his overall ability on the court. He's a bit rough around the edges at times; when he refines his game, he'll be a major force (and the combination of him and Adam Jurko will give opposing defenses real fits).

amh63 · March 02, 2016, 11:59:21 AM

rlk....you maybe correct....tools maybe

My confusion with nicknames and mascots is in general wrt to schools and sports related. As an example...the UVA are called the Cavaliars...but die hard fans prefer Wahoos lord just Hoos.
The topic has a harsh element at Amherst recently where the unofficial mascot ...LORD Jeffs...has ceased and a committee of alums and students are set to pick an official mascot or nick name or both.

WPI89 · March 02, 2016, 12:05:03 PM

Must be tourney time - HUGENERD is posting! Welcome back HN!

amh63 · March 03, 2016, 10:58:07 AM

WPI89.... Had the same thought wrt HN!
Hughnerd....are you still enjoying life in/ near Pittsburg?

Pat Coleman · March 03, 2016, 01:54:14 PM

Folks, just five more hours to enter the men's D-III bracket challenge before tonight's tipoff!
https://d3challenge.com/login/register.php

Hugenerd · March 04, 2016, 09:00:42 AM

Quote from: amh63 on March 03, 2016, 10:58:07 AM
WPI89.... Had the same thought wrt HN!
Hughnerd....are you still enjoying life in/ near Pittsburg?

I try to check in on the boards, but don't follow closely enough to post regularly. Still talk to Coach Anderson every once and awhile also...tough end of the season for them, but they have a lot of young talented players, so hopefully they are on the upswing.

We are still in the Pittsburgh area, actually moved into the suburbs (so even closer than we were before, which was about 1.5 hours out). I coached my older daughter's 3rd grade team this year, so I have been taking her to some of the CMU women's games this year. They have a big matchup tonight against Hope, so hopefully they get it done. CMU women have a great coach and some really talented players. Their All-American center, Lisa Murphy, shot over 75% from the field for the entire regular season, which is amazing considering the attention she draws in the post. Interested to see how they do tonight.

Anyway, good luck to the NEWMAC teams, would have been nice to have 3, but hopefully the 2 that made it represent well.

gordonmann · March 05, 2016, 10:45:51 AM

I had a chance to speak with WPI Jostens Trophy winner and now Keene State head coach Ryan Cain about his team's first round tournament win. He also talks about his time as an assistant at WPI.

http://www.d3hoops.com/playoffs/men/2016/keene-state-cain-interview

rlk · March 05, 2016, 07:47:29 PM

Is Flannery hurt or something? He doesn't appear to have played in the first half against Susquehanna.

Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) · March 05, 2016, 11:43:01 PM

Quote from: rlk on March 05, 2016, 07:47:29 PM
Is Flannery hurt or something? He doesn't appear to have played in the first half against Susquehanna.

In a walking boot all day. He did not play in this game; they won anyway. They think he'll play next week, but who knows?

Dave 'd-mac' McHugh · March 05, 2016, 11:56:16 PM

I was told he injured it (rolled) early in the Hartwick game... then injured it even worse in the second half... yet still played 39 minutes. Was in a walking boot all day and was hoping to play... but as you can see, didn't.

middhoops · November 06, 2016, 08:36:25 AM

Joey Flannery is named pre-season first team All-America!
Where is the love on the NEWMAC board?
Congrats to Flannery and Babson.

rlk · November 07, 2016, 10:29:46 PM

MIT lost our exhibition against that little red brick college up the creek (they call themselves Hahvahd or something) 78-63. Pretty good game, actually. It was a bit rough for the first 10 or 12 minutes, but we settled down and after about midway through the first half it was actually pretty flat the rest of the way -- neither team really put together much of a run, and we were within 9 with a few minutes to go. We were playing to win at that point, so we were fouling, but that didn't work. The starters/top subs came out with only about 30 seconds left. Actually outrebounded and outshot (%) but the TO's killed us.

Game photos: https://rlk.smugmug.com/Sports/Basketball/MIT-Harvard-mbb-20161103/