WBB: NESCAC

[gordonmann]

I have to correct myself from the 7:43 post. Renner was on the team last year, I just didn't remember her.

[Ralph Turner]

Sure.

Totally agree on George Fox.  I was also impressed by how Howard Payne closed the season.  Is it safe to say the Yellow Jackets have crossed the threshold from star burst sensation under Coach Kielsmeier to sustained national contender?

ASC talk moved to the ASC board.   

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=1526.4245

[sumfun]

Gordon - thanks for great article on the Amherst team.  You captured so much of what they've been feeling.   As you pointed out, they are accomplished students that are going pro is something else besides basketball. 

[gordonmann]

Thanks. I hope they see the players, coaches and community see the article and enjoy it.

When I meet players during the Final Four, I often get a little envious of the parents, coaches and fans who have been able to get to know the players and see them develop over four years.  I think, "This is a really cool person - I wish I had seen them play and got to know them better."  I had that thought when I met Jaime McFarlin of Washington U and the same feeling after interviewing Courtney, Jaci, Sarah and Kristyn.

[amh63]

Gordonmann....thank you for your response last night to my post.  Read your D3hoops article on the Amherst WBB team/program today and I add my kudos to the other posters.  You do justice to your "liberal arts" education at Trinity...much more than I.  Since you shared with me some of Coach G's (I refer to him like others do Coach K of Duke, with one letter) pointed humor, I will respond in kind.  The info was shared with me by the parents of Sally Marx of the D.C. area.  Sally is a FY recruit that did not dress this season.  Last Spring, the WBB coaching job at UMass-Amherst became vacant and there was speculation about that he would apply for the job "down the street".  Sally's father at the time made a call to Coach G. to inquire.  His daughter had been accepted by Amherst and was planning to attend.  Coach G. first response to the call was that he had just returned from his interview at UMass.  Coach G. had to tell Sally's father that he was just joking.
At Homecoming in the Fall, I met Sally's parents again near the WBB tent.  They recognized me from the Spring reception.  I asked how Sally was enjoying Amherst.  I was informed that Sally had an ACL injury in the Sept. time frame and was now in the recovery phase.  Sally really missed not being able to practice with her team members this season.  Otherwise school life was great.  Sally's mother told me that when Coach G. was informed of her injury, he jokingly asked Sally how she felt about attending five years at Amherst.
Last comment to you.  I agree that Trinity should spread its resources around to other sports such as the WBB program.  Especially away from its football team.  Oh yes, I hear that Trinity's new sparkling ice hockey facility is something else.  Part of Trinity's Community Outreach Program?

[gordonmann]

Amh63:

Thanks for the kind words. 

I  took a guided tour of Trinity's new hockey arena last summer when I visited campus for my 10th year reunion.  It's a really nice facility that is apparently pretty busy with rec league teams when the College isn't using it.  There was a roller hockey game taking place when I visited.  The arena is in the same neighborhood where a lot of the community outreach happens, but I don't think there's an intuitive connection to the surrounding community.  That community probably gets more out of the charter school or performing arts center than the hocky rink.

I'm not real big on spending lots of money on new facilities but, in the case of the hockey rink, there was a compelling reason for it.  The College was renting space at a high school a couple towns over. Sort of embarrassing when you're recruiting against Middlebury or Norwich.

I wish Trinity would put some money in the Athletic Center since Ray Oosting Gymnasium is pretty non-descript, especially compared to LeFrak or Chandler.  Then again I don't wish that so much that I respond to the weekly letters asking me for another alumni contribution.

[ECSUalum]

A belated CONGRATULATIONS to Amherst women for a fantastic 2010/2011 season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[remsleep]

Any word on progress toward naming permanent coach at Colby?

[cantdothat]

what I heard was that the search is ongoing and that it should be wrapped up by mid-may for Colby WBB Coach.

[sumfun]

Is the current interim coach in the mix?  She was pretty young, and I thought could have showed a little more emotion to help fire up her kids, but I thought she could grow into the role.  Particlarly if she surrounded herself some some experienced assistants.  I got the impression the girls liked her.

[cantdothat]

Personally I thought Clancy would be a slam dunk, but I'm hearing that the search is ongoing. NESCAC's a very tough league and I thought her team performed very well especially in tough back to back weekend games. Her Assistant, Tony Staffiere is very capable and experienced. Poor recruiting class last year. This is a huge year recruiting wise for the Mules as the players McBride recruited will be in their last years.

[remsleep]

If the search and final decision are extended into mid-May it is almost a foregone conclusion that there will be a new coach at Colby.  Too bad.

[wbbhoopsfan]

My understanding is that former Bowdoin assistant and current Navy assistant Julie Vielleux is on campus at Colby interviewing today.  Interesting decision if the interview goes well.  On paper, Veilleux has much more impressive credentials but Clancy did a good job as interim head coach this year.  AS mentioned earlier, recruiting will be very important if Colby wants to sustain the success.  McBride proved to be an exceptional recruiter, benefitting a bit from the coaching transition at Bowdoin, but the last 2 classes have been sub-par.  Jenn Nale will be a non-factor and I don't think Colby has much talent coming in next year.  Colby's best players - Vaughn, Mack, Ritchie - will be seniors next year and then things really thin out.

Will be interesting to see how much longer this search lasts, especially with a men's coach to be hired as well.

[Maine 1]

It would certainly be unfair if Clancy is not rehired.  She did a good job with the team she had.  No recruiting was done in the prior year, so she did have as good team as the prior year, and yet she ended up with just about the same record. I think you have to at least give her a chance with her own recruits.

I do believe the big question with Clancy is, does she have the ability to convince players, such as the caliber that Colby was able to attrack the last four-five years, to play for her.

[wbbhoopsfan]

Julie Veilleux was on campus yesterday and word is she was impressive.  Her dad is a colby alum and played for outgoing men's coach, which adds an interesting wrinkle.

Perhaps Colby couldn't really go wrong hiring from the interim or Julie... or could they screw it up and go with an uknown candidate.

Anyone know is anyone else is interviewing?