FB: Liberty League

[Caz Bombers]

I just think it's a bummer that this IC graduating class will never get a single home Jug game. Cortland lost their home game in 2020? Oh well, we lost ours in 2019.

[UfanBill]

I just think it's a bummer that this IC graduating class will never get a single home Jug game. Cortland lost their home game in 2020? Oh well, we lost ours in 2019.

Ithaca CHOSE to play their 2019 home game in Metlfe Stadium. There are other league rival games just as meaningful to those participating schools as the Jug game. Consider that RPI will play the Shoes game in Schenectady again this season, losing out on their home turn. It is what it is. Just be thankful they're playing. 

[Oline89]

Can I be the first to say that any preseason poll done this year is 100% speculative.  We have no idea about 50% of the players taking the field for any team.  It is going to be a wild ride

[Caz Bombers]

HWS going from 23 sports to 35 over the next five years. Alpine skiing, in the flattest part of the state, seems like an odd choice.

It will be nice to have another baseball/softball/volleyball school in the LL though.

https://hwsathletics.com/news/2021/8/5/general-hobart-and-william-smith-colleges-plan-to-add-sports.aspx

[Oline89]

HWS going from 23 sports to 35 over the next five years. Alpine skiing, in the flattest part of the state, seems like an odd choice.

It will be nice to have another baseball/softball/volleyball school in the LL though.

https://hwsathletics.com/news/2021/8/5/general-hobart-and-william-smith-colleges-plan-to-add-sports.aspx

Plus indoor and outdoor track, men's and womens swimming and diving, and women's bowling!  Love that this school realizes the importance of student athletes on campus

[Bartman]

This has been in the works for the last year as most of the HWS athletes have been great students and successful post graduation.It helps recruit multi-sport athletes as D3 is a great home for these talented athletes . There have been plenty of lacrosse/football athletes over the years, and in the old days there were quite a few baseball/football jocks. Hobart has lost  a few potential Hobart men to other LL schools without baseball and track , and I'm sure some potential Herons , especially for softball and volleyball.  This is a great move by the President and supported by the Board, complemented by the new Masters in Management and other graduate and certificate programs to be rolled out over the next few years. All of these strategic moves are necessary in an increasingly competitive environment.
Our biggest draw is , of course, one of the top debate teams in the country that would help our overall won and loss record if the debate team was declared a sport

[Ice Bear]

This has been in the works for the last year as most of the HWS athletes have been great students and successful post graduation.It helps recruit multi-sport athletes as D3 is a great home for these talented athletes . There have been plenty of lacrosse/football athletes over the years, and in the old days there were quite a few baseball/football jocks. Hobart has lost  a few potential Hobart men to other LL schools without baseball and track , and I'm sure some potential Herons , especially for softball and volleyball.  This is a great move by the President and supported by the Board, complemented by the new Masters in Management and other graduate and certificate programs to be rolled out over the next few years. All of these strategic moves are necessary in an increasingly competitive environment.
Our biggest draw is , of course, one of the top debate teams in the country that would help our overall won and loss record if the debate team was declared a sport

Ice Bear says as usual Bartman hits the nail on the head. Ice Bear says +k to you. 

[tony/troy]

RPI announced on Friday that all spectators will be banned "until further notice". Are any of the other six LL football programs doing this too?? What about the E8 or SUNY conference???

[ITH radio]

Not surprised.

We've also heard the league has pushed this agenda, but it's ultimately up to the schools themselves.

[Oline89]

The lack of consistency is what is driving most sane Americans crazy.  RPI says no fans allowed in their outdoor stadium.  Buffalo Bills will allow 70,000 fans into the stadium, no masks no testing needed. Let's hope the rest of the LL follows the science and common sense.  Get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.  Wear a mask if you are worried. Allow fans/parents outside in the fresh air to watch the games.

[Caz Bombers]

The lack of consistency is what is driving most sane Americans crazy.  RPI says no fans allowed in their outdoor stadium.  Buffalo Bills will allow 70,000 fans into the stadium, no masks no testing needed. Let's hope the rest of the LL follows the science and common sense.  Get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.  Wear a mask if you are worried. Allow fans/parents outside in the fresh air to watch the games.

Was reading in the local paper today about NY high school sports supposedly beginning soon, unless they don't. Nobody seems to know who has the authority to say yes or no, let alone actually announce a decision. A clusterf*** waiting to happen.

[MUC57]

Oline89

You did a great job of showing the inconsistencies in thinking - no fans allowed at RPI vs  70.000 in Buffalo. What's wrong with this picture?
The Ohio Athletic Conference, Mount Union's conference, said back to business as usual. Of course, this is subject to change based on Delta Variant progression, but for now, pack the stands, tailgate and cheer for your team.

Gave you a +k for pointing out how ridiculous some of this is! Hope everyone can have  a good season. Go Everybody! 

[stlawus]

Even before we had vaccines there were no few to no examples of superspreader events resulting from outdoor sports crowds.  We've demonstrated that we can safely have spectator sports outside.

[Oline89]

Oline89

You did a great job of showing the inconsistencies in thinking - no fans allowed at RPI vs  70.000 in Buffalo. What's wrong with this picture?
The Ohio Athletic Conference, Mount Union's conference, said back to business as usual. Of course, this is subject to change based on Delta Variant progression, but for now, pack the stands, tailgate and cheer for your team.

Gave you a +k for pointing out how ridiculous some of this is! Hope everyone can have  a good season. Go Everybody! 

MUC57, I have been watching your "Go Everybody" sign off for a few years now.  For the first time, I agree with you.  As a country we really need a full, successful football season...Go Everbody!

[UfanBill]

All across the Liberty League THE BOYS ARE BACK.

Union has published it's 2021 Roster https://unionathletics.com/sports/football/roster/2021...and it's got a ton of unfamiliar names. After all, there are 2 recruiting classes that have joined the Dutchmen since they last played a game on 11/30/2019 in the NCAA playoffs. The 2020 recruits spent last fall practicing with the LL champs and the 2021 newbies are in town now. While it will be exciting to see what the next generation of Dutchmen can do, it's the veterans returning (and those that did not) that really catch my attention.

2020 seniors that have taken advantage of the Covid 5th year opportunity are headlined by QB Will Bellamy (yes Bartman he's back), LB Colin Lama, DT Daniel Gioioso, OT Chris Katchadurian and WR Will Sirmon...Notably absent is All American C Ryan Ehrets along with starters OL Teddy Hood, TE Spenser Crystal, CB Travis Demby, DE Dante Scott, S Mark Zazzaro, CB Brandon Scadlock and K Marcos Rodriguez. Sad that they missed their senior year but they went out champions.   

The Dutchmen also bring back stars RB Ike Irabor and WR Andre Ross Jr. as well as all league performers S Austin St.Pierre and RB Joe Ferreira. What you'll see from the Dutchmen this season will be a team led by experienced stars and supplemented by talented new comers.

As for whether Union will be fan friendly this season? The Dutchmen website is actively promoting the sale of season tickets so let's...
FIRE THE CANNON