MBB: NESCAC

[amh63]

ContinentalDomer...just saw your informative post....thanks for the info wrt Elite Camps.  Have some comments since you noted my previous post and Amherst's Elite camp.  You are correct that no D1 coach attended though they could.....since the NCAA/Nescac guidelines state that such camps have to be "open" .  I was in error... There was an social media Instagram that listed coaches that attended Amherst's camp and also listed where the players attended college.  The schools where players went included some Div1 schools.  A relook at the list of coaches showed NO Div1 schools.
I have been told that the camp may have d3 assistants from other schools.
You did comment that most Nescac schools may also have Elite camps.  I noted Amherst's camp since it's required ad noted 11-12 grade participants which is different from the normal MBB summer camps.  I made a quick look at some other CAC schools and did not find any advertised with a 11-12 grade specification.  Does Hamilton have an Elite Camp?  Did not look at Hamilton.

[ContinentalDomer]

Hamilton does have such a camp:  http://athletics.hamilton.edu/information/MBKBclinic110616.pdf

Not all schools label them as "elite" . . . in some cases, schools offer more than one during a calendar year.  Off the top of my head, Williams, Bowdoin, Bates, Wesleyan, and Middlebury offer them.  Regardless of the labeling, they are, in fact, elite camps.  Some recruits are encouraged to attend . . . these clinics are definitely not taught at a sub-varsity level. 

Did not realize D1s and others could attend.  I've witnessed a number of them and never seen any cross-pollination (i.e., between schools).  I have seen current players assisting the coaches with drills, etc.- good for all sides to communicate the vibe between prospect and school as well as "sell" the program.

ContinentalDomer...just saw your informative post....thanks for the info wrt Elite Camps.  Have some comments since you noted my previous post and Amherst's Elite camp.  You are correct that no D1 coach attended though they could.....since the NCAA/Nescac guidelines state that such camps have to be "open" .  I was in error... There was an social media Instagram that listed coaches that attended Amherst's camp and also listed where the players attended college.  The schools where players went included some Div1 schools.  A relook at the list of coaches showed NO Div1 schools.
I have been told that the camp may have d3 assistants from other schools.
You did comment that most Nescac schools may also have Elite camps.  I noted Amherst's camp since it's required ad noted 11-12 grade participants which is different from the normal MBB summer camps.  I made a quick look at some other CAC schools and did not find any advertised with a 11-12 grade specification.  Does Hamilton have an Elite Camp?  Did not look at Hamilton.

[grabtherim]

The idea of these camps and what they do is generally great.  The problem is the often crazy expectations of the parents who in too many cases over estimate the talent of their own while under appreciating the same of the other kids.  After taking my kid to a few camps during his freshman summer, and hanging out as permitted, I never went back to any others until it was time to pick him up. My only contact with coaches took place if/when they called me or asked my son for his contact details.  With regard to my son, I simply asked if he played his best, and how he felt he stacked up to the competition.  Less was more.  Served my son and me well.   

Hamilton does have such a camp:  http://athletics.hamilton.edu/information/MBKBclinic110616.pdf

Not all schools label them as "elite" . . . in some cases, schools offer more than one during a calendar year.  Off the top of my head, Williams, Bowdoin, Bates, Wesleyan, and Middlebury offer them.  Regardless of the labeling, they are, in fact, elite camps.  Some recruits are encouraged to attend . . . these clinics are definitely not taught at a sub-varsity level. 

Did not realize D1s and others could attend.  I've witnessed a number of them and never seen any cross-pollination (i.e., between schools).  I have seen current players assisting the coaches with drills, etc.- good for all sides to communicate the vibe between prospect and school as well as "sell" the program.

ContinentalDomer...just saw your informative post....thanks for the info wrt Elite Camps.  Have some comments since you noted my previous post and Amherst's Elite camp.  You are correct that no D1 coach attended though they could.....since the NCAA/Nescac guidelines state that such camps have to be "open" .  I was in error... There was an social media Instagram that listed coaches that attended Amherst's camp and also listed where the players attended college.  The schools where players went included some Div1 schools.  A relook at the list of coaches showed NO Div1 schools.
I have been told that the camp may have d3 assistants from other schools.
You did comment that most Nescac schools may also have Elite camps.  I noted Amherst's camp since it's required ad noted 11-12 grade participants which is different from the normal MBB summer camps.  I made a quick look at some other CAC schools and did not find any advertised with a 11-12 grade specification.  Does Hamilton have an Elite Camp?  Did not look at Hamilton.

[ContinentalDomer]

No disagreement here with the sentiments in your 2nd sentence . . . I will simply add that your statement about expectations can and should be applied to other aspects of the game ranging from, in no particular order, life in general, AAU, high school bball teams, and player development prior to high school.

Further, regarding "less is more", I'm not sure exactly how far you wish to take that statement, so I won't make any assumptions.  Rather, from my perspective I believe there are appropriate and important roles for parents to play in the recruitment of their kids . . . guidance and advice about the process is something most kids generally need.  In my opinion, the vast majority of HS coaches and AAU coaches are unqualified to provide such advice.  Consequently, helping one's child come to a reasonable assessment about their abilities (athletic and academic), their goals (i.e., does s/he really want to play college ball), the need to create interest among prospective coaches (most D3 level kids should to take affirmative steps to help themselves - and not wait for someone to notice), and the gauging the interest of  prospective coaches (many/most kids do not naturally know how to ask the right questions and carry on such conversations with adults; you can certainly give your child advice about how to maximize such conversations, including asking closing questions).

The idea of these camps and what they do is generally great.  The problem is the often crazy expectations of the parents who in too many cases over estimate the talent of their own while under appreciating the same of the other kids.  After taking my kid to a few camps during his freshman summer, and hanging out as permitted, I never went back to any others until it was time to pick him up. My only contact with coaches took place if/when they called me or asked my son for his contact details.  With regard to my son, I simply asked if he played his best, and how he felt he stacked up to the competition.  Less was more.  Served my son and me well.   

Hamilton does have such a camp:  http://athletics.hamilton.edu/information/MBKBclinic110616.pdf

Not all schools label them as "elite" . . . in some cases, schools offer more than one during a calendar year.  Off the top of my head, Williams, Bowdoin, Bates, Wesleyan, and Middlebury offer them.  Regardless of the labeling, they are, in fact, elite camps.  Some recruits are encouraged to attend . . . these clinics are definitely not taught at a sub-varsity level. 

Did not realize D1s and others could attend.  I've witnessed a number of them and never seen any cross-pollination (i.e., between schools).  I have seen current players assisting the coaches with drills, etc.- good for all sides to communicate the vibe between prospect and school as well as "sell" the program.

ContinentalDomer...just saw your informative post....thanks for the info wrt Elite Camps.  Have some comments since you noted my previous post and Amherst's Elite camp.  You are correct that no D1 coach attended though they could.....since the NCAA/Nescac guidelines state that such camps have to be "open" .  I was in error... There was an social media Instagram that listed coaches that attended Amherst's camp and also listed where the players attended college.  The schools where players went included some Div1 schools.  A relook at the list of coaches showed NO Div1 schools.
I have been told that the camp may have d3 assistants from other schools.
You did comment that most Nescac schools may also have Elite camps.  I noted Amherst's camp since it's required ad noted 11-12 grade participants which is different from the normal MBB summer camps.  I made a quick look at some other CAC schools and did not find any advertised with a 11-12 grade specification.  Does Hamilton have an Elite Camp?  Did not look at Hamilton.

[Old Guy]

Interesting discussion - ContinentalDomer and grabtherim. Domer makes many valid points about the benefits of having parents sophisticated in the process calling the shots for their sons, mature people, experienced in various processes - but I think I prefer grabtherim's "less is more" approach, as most parents run the risk of over-involvement, with their kids paying the price of their ego run amok under the guise of parental concern and investment.

[grabtherim]

I see both of your points.  In our case, my son was lucky to have some amazing choices.  Once a school showed real interest, as best we could, my wife and I did research on each school and coach.  If my son wanted to go forward with any, a visit with the three of us took place, but even more importantly, we insisted on him taking an overnight visit to get a feel for if and how he would feel about being on that campus.  Perhaps not a blueprint for everyone, but it worked well for us. 
Here is an article just sent to me which speaks to some of these issues. 
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/06/20/sports/ncaabasketball/division-iii-basketball-recruits-academics.html?ref=topics&_r=0&referer=http%3A%2F%2Ftopics.nytimes.com%2Ftop%2Fnews%2Fsports%2Fcolumns%2Fwilliamcrhoden%2Findex.html

[ContinentalDomer]

I don't actually believe that there's much disagreement here.  The comments below about research and encouraging the prospect/child to take an overnight are all well-taken.  It is their decision to make.  But it's not easy to read tea leaves in "recruiting world" . . . If we want to draw brighter lines, I suppose I'm trying to say that "hands off" is not an approach I'd take or recommend.  It's about balance and perspective.  Trust, but verify . . .

Interesting discussion - ContinentalDomer and grabtherim. Domer makes many valid points about the benefits of having parents sophisticated in the process calling the shots for their sons, mature people, experienced in various processes - but I think I prefer grabtherim's "less is more" approach, as most parents run the risk of over-involvement, with their kids paying the price of their ego run amok under the guise of parental concern and investment.

[amh63]

grabtherim......Thanks for the informative link!     Interesting to hear how competitive the D3 has become over the past several decades.   plusK

[TheHerst2and4]

In sports news indirectly related to NESCAC hoops, Coach Hixon's son Michael has qualified for the 2016 Olympics in Rio for men's 3M synchronized diving, Michael has another shot for the individual 3M this Saturday. Big congrats to the Hixon family.

[AmherstStudent05]

Congratulations to Coach Hixon as his son, Michael, is now an Olympian!  Michael is a world-class diver who has been coached by his mother.  My understanding is that there are other diving events over the weekend for which Michael may qualify, but in any event, he has secured his place as an Olympian in Rio!  Hope the Hixons stock up on the bug spray. 

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/6/22/12010788/2016-olympic-trials-diving-results-sam-dorman-michael-hixon

[AmherstStudent05]

Michael Hixon just qualified for the individual 3M dive as well.  He will now be extra busy in Rio.  Congrats!

[amh63]

My congrats to the Hixon family too!  The youngest son was a multi NCAA title winner as a freshmen at the U of Texas...now a multi- event Olympian for the USA!  Maybe a mult medal winner.
Will coach Hixon be around for his camps?

On a slow Summer Sports start...have to give a shout-out to Tufts' Jumbo Cast.  Found their Jumbo Cast videos of the NCAA sweet 16 and Elite 8 broadcasts on-line.  Just finished watching Amherst's wins over Babson...yes that one...and Tufts! Again.  Looking forward to the Tufts vs. J&W game....never saw the game when it was played.   If interested...go to the Tufts website and proceed to the athletic Utube listings?

[magicman]

My congrats to the Hixon family too!  The youngest son was a multi NCAA title winner as a freshmen at the U of Texas...now a multi- event Olympian for the USA!  Maybe a mult medal winner.
Will coach Hixon be around for his camps?

I remember writing a post on this board quite a while ago about Michael Hixon when he was featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" section. I believe that was for winning the NCAA Championships in 2014 on the 1 meter and 3 meter boards. Happy to see he has made the Olympic Team and now will be in 2 events. This gives me a real good reason to watch the diving competition more than ever. Hope he can grab a medal. Will be tough with the Chinese divers who won 6 gold, 3 silver and a bronze in the last Olympics. (Men and Women combined.)

[amh63]

Happy 4th everyone!   
Am in NC presently and will miss all the festivities at home.  Will pause to remember!

[amh63]

A random post on a hot Summer day! 
Went to NothingBut Nescac for news.  Closed for the Summer .  However on the side in the Twitter column, there was one wrt to a Colby player/ recruit?.  It contained a link to a video of the player making a impressive dunk...6'2" player.  Am impressed.  Any poster have any more info on the player?