NESCAC

[D3soccerwatcher]

It is recommended that one avoid this thread if he should desire to have greater equanimity and less anxiety arising out of comparisons of his favorite educational institution with NESCAC.

Honestly I'd rather compare Messiah to NESCAC, but that's not even a fair fight, particularly when it comes to fan attendance.  So I went a notch lower to Wheaton (a soccer program with which I have absolutely no affiliation at all) simply because they are an easy comparison.

[D3soccerwatcher]

I think part of what drives some crazy about NESCAC and some of its fans is that no matter the topic the answer is always that NESCAC is the best.  And being the best always seems to have the overlay of that special brand of New England elitism, where the NESCACs are almost the extension programs of the Andovers and Exeters in the region (prep college as it were).

Not big crowds?  Well, that's by design.  Participation over spectating.  Athletic, active student bodies.  Plus all sports play at the same time (and somehow this is construed as unique to NESCAC when a ton of other D3s also play all their sports on the same day and around the same times).

Didn't win this year or get enough NCAA bids?  Well, that's because NESCAC plays less games and has no spring season, which of course is spun as NESCAC schools doing collegiate athletics the right way and kept in perspective with respect to the overriding academic missions (even though there are a lot of similar non-NESCAC schools who do the same sorts of things and are even more strict in terms of admissions pull for athletes (need go further than Swat, Haverford, Johns Hopkins, Wash U, Carleton, Oberlin, etc).  But even despite the self-imposed, supposedly higher order restrictions, we're still the best anyway.

Tufts just own a national title.  Wheaton hasn't won one in 20 years.  Of course Wheaton has been in the NCAA tourney for how many consecutive years, and often with very deep runs?  And Tufts at least in recent years hasn't had even two NCAA appearances back to back.  Well, let's go back to talking about what an absolute bloodbath the NESCAC is.  The team beat each other and instead of the 6 or 7 bids they deserve they only get 3-4.

NESCAC fans sometimes seem to get defensive and even defiant when confronted by lukewarm reactions.  But some of that is on NESCAC.  Some seem to prefer keeping NESCAC, its schools, and its image as insular as possible, which of course contributes to the country-clubbish, exclusive aura.  Despite the complaints, one wonders if the some NESCAC supporters prefer the negative reactions from outside as confirmation of how special the schools and their athletics and academics are.  In other words, I'm not sure the NESCAC family really wants to be embraced (which might have the effect of bringing them too much into a bigger fold, a bigger family, with some perceived dilution of their exclusivity).

In short, for some of us outside the NESCAC grand ballroom, the whole NESCAC self-congratulatory industry can be a bit much to take.

Very well said.  And very true!

[All NESCAC]

 

If your correspondent were a bettor, he might place a small sum favoring the truth of the proposition that NESCAC is most probably not unhappy with the level of attendance at its men's soccer games, whatever the causes of such level may be.

The "truth of the proposition" that NESCAC is "not unhappy with the [low] level of attendance at its men's' soccer games" is very consistent with everything I've observed about NESCAC.  It's rather unfortunate that NESCAC and its member institutions are so disconnected from the very players that they purport to represent that they perpetuate this type of attitude about attendance, of which you seem to have a fairly high level of certainty.  And here's the disconnect...and you can ask any current or former college soccer player on these boards...great players LOVE to play for great crowds.

The fact that you point out, that NESCAC isn't concerned with such things is disappointing for the players.  And I suppose that's one way to go.  Or they could take a page out the Messiah or Wheaton (IL) playbook, and embrace and foster the large crowds, and build the facilities to accommodate them.  While I know there are many things that soccer recruits consider when picking a school, attendance at games is one of them.  It's unfortunate its not something that NESCAC cares too much about.  Because certainly with the quality of NESCAC soccer that is so heralded on these boards, NESCAC should surely be able to draw large crowds for their men's soccer teams.  Perhaps one day they will.

The truth of the matter is most colleges D1, D2 and D3 don't have much of a following/crowd/attendance for Men's soccer.  Yes there are a few (very few), but if you are getting 250+ attendance at most games (regardless of the Division) then you are doing pretty well.  I've been to many a D1 game (ACC and others) and they hover around this mark.  Yes the players like to play in front of big crowds (biggest NESCAC I've seen is about 1500 at Conn's homecoming--remember no football at Conn), but this is no different than these players had in Club, DAP or HS---small crowds, thus it really isn't a let down because they are used to low fan attendance.  Wheaton (IL) and a handful of others seem to be rare exceptions....and good for them....but I don't see the NESCAC (or other leagues or Divisions) changing much any time soon.  Football dwarfs soccer in this country for spectator attendance at the college level (at any level) and it does so on the NESCAC campuses as well providing a very big hurdle unlikely to be overcome.  Combine that with the NESCAC students would rather be doing than watching and you arrive at the attendance results we have.

The truth?  Really?  You should probably know what the truth is before you attempt to define it.  Your contention that "there are few (very few)" college soccer programs at any NCAA level with "much of a following/crowd/attendance" is simply FALSE!  Below is the list of the top 50 teams' average attendance per game across all D1, D2, and D3 programs.  There are many (very many) college soccer programs with significant followings/crowds/attendance on a regular basis. 

The truth?  You have to go way further down this list until you even hit the top NESCAC soccer team.  You can run and hide behind excuses like academics and football teams.  But the truth?  The truth is that many other schools have high academic standards and football teams.  The truth?  The Wheaton (IL) football team finished the 2014 season ranked 8th in the nation and NESCAC doesn't even have a football team in the top 25.  And yet Wheaton soccer crowds are almost triple those of the top NESCAC team.

The truth?  Very few fans attend NESCAC soccer games compared to other NCAA teams in the nation.  And that is also very much the case when compared to many other D3 soccer programs.  And that's the truth!!!

Rank   Div   Institution   Conference   Avg Attendance
1   I   UC Santa Barbara   Big West   3,844
2   I   Louisville   Atlantic Coast   3,572
3   I   UConn   AAC   3,541
4   I   Maryland   Big Ten   2,688
5   I   South Carolina   Conference USA   2,602
6   I   Cal Poly   Big West   2,397
7   I   Indiana   Big Ten   2,379
8   I   New Mexico   Conference USA   2,276
9   I   Virginia   Atlantic Coast   2,182
10   I   Creighton   Big East   2,170
11   I   Clemson   Atlantic Coast   1,895
12   I   North Carolina   Atlantic Coast   1,833
13   I   Akron   Mid-American   1,825
14   I   Utah Valley   Western Athletic   1,750
15   III   Messiah   Commonwealth   1,730
16   I   Penn St.   Big Ten   1,706
17   I   UCLA   Pac-12   1,615
18   I   Syracuse   Atlantic Coast   1,424
19   I   Wake Forest   Atlantic Coast   1,402
20   I   SIUE   Missouri Valley   1,259
21   I   Tulsa   AAC   1,254
22   I   Notre Dame   Atlantic Coast   1,242
23   I   Washington   Pac-12   1,220
24   I   Charlotte   Conference USA   1,199
25   I   Kentucky   Conference USA   1,167
26   I   Saint Louis   Atlantic 10   1,160
27   I   Portland   West Coast   1,148
28   I   Michigan   Big Ten   1,134
29   I   Dayton   Atlantic 10   1,127
30   I   Providence   Big East   1,114
31   I   Stanford   Pac-12   1,100
32   I   Dartmouth   Ivy   1,095
33   I   UNCW   Colonial   1,064
34   I   UMBC   America East   1,059
35   I   St. John's (NY)   Big East   1,042
36   I   Michigan St.   Big Ten   1,039
37   I   Georgetown   Big East   1,031
38   I   San Diego   West Coast   1,028
39   I   Hartford   America East   1,018
40   I   UAB   Conference USA   920
41   III   Ohio Wesleyan   North Coast   888
42   III   Wheaton (IL)   CCIW   876
43   I   Old Dominion   Conference USA   860
44   I   Duke   Atlantic Coast   856
45   I   North Carolina St.   Atlantic Coast   847
46   I   High Point   Big South   844
47   I   Binghamton   America East   843
48   I   Furman   Southern   843
49   I   Virginia Tech   Atlantic Coast   839
50   I   Oakland   Horizon   830

Wow...someone is a little cranky.  Here's the truth---I've been to  many BC, Northeastern, BU, Holy Cross and UNH soccer games (all D1  Men and Women) and rarely have they ever topped 250+ when I've been in attendance.  small sample I know but I'd say this is a general statement about college soccer in New England in total, not just D3 NESCAC.   D2's and D3's in New England are just as bad, but honestly who cares.  Those who watch are soccer fans....just proves there aren't many soccer fans in New England.  Sure you can point to UConn, but their soccer program has been pretty consistently good since the 1980's.  Hey if you want to label everyone associated with the NESCAC provincial, elitist, snobbish....feel free...doesn't bother me in the least.  The league has great schools, great students and great athletics...as do a number of other D3's, but top to bottom #1 through #11 you'll be hard pressed each year to find a better League in D3 combining these qualities....sorry but I couldn't help myself returning to the my provincial elitism.  LOL

[PaulNewman]

It is recommended that one avoid this thread if he should desire to have greater equanimity and less anxiety arising out of comparisons of his favorite educational institution with NESCAC.

Perfectly parallels the dynamic described.

Members only strongly preferred, but if you must visit then at least be a very grateful, polite, and envious guest. 

[Nutmeg]

 

It is recommended that one avoid this thread if he should desire to have greater equanimity and less anxiety arising out of comparisons of his favorite educational institution with NESCAC.

Perfectly parallels the dynamic described.

Members only strongly preferred, but if you must visit then at least be a very grateful, polite, and envious guest.

Must be something right with the NESCAC as the non- NESCAC fans seem to dominate the NESCAC thread lately!

[Nutmeg]

If your correspondent were a bettor, he might place a small sum favoring the truth of the proposition that NESCAC is most probably not unhappy with the level of attendance at its men's soccer games, whatever the causes of such level may be.

The "truth of the proposition" that NESCAC is "not unhappy with the [low] level of attendance at its men's' soccer games" is very consistent with everything I've observed about NESCAC.  It's rather unfortunate that NESCAC and its member institutions are so disconnected from the very players that they purport to represent that they perpetuate this type of attitude about attendance, of which you seem to have a fairly high level of certainty.  And here's the disconnect...and you can ask any current or former college soccer player on these boards...great players LOVE to play for great crowds.

The fact that you point out, that NESCAC isn't concerned with such things is disappointing for the players.  And I suppose that's one way to go.  Or they could take a page out the Messiah or Wheaton (IL) playbook, and embrace and foster the large crowds, and build the facilities to accommodate them.  While I know there are many things that soccer recruits consider when picking a school, attendance at games is one of them.  It's unfortunate its not something that NESCAC cares too much about.  Because certainly with the quality of NESCAC soccer that is so heralded on these boards, NESCAC should surely be able to draw large crowds for their men's soccer teams.  Perhaps one day they will.

The truth of the matter is most colleges D1, D2 and D3 don't have much of a following/crowd/attendance for Men's soccer.  Yes there are a few (very few), but if you are getting 250+ attendance at most games (regardless of the Division) then you are doing pretty well.  I've been to many a D1 game (ACC and others) and they hover around this mark.  Yes the players like to play in front of big crowds (biggest NESCAC I've seen is about 1500 at Conn's homecoming--remember no football at Conn), but this is no different than these players had in Club, DAP or HS---small crowds, thus it really isn't a let down because they are used to low fan attendance.  Wheaton (IL) and a handful of others seem to be rare exceptions....and good for them....but I don't see the NESCAC (or other leagues or Divisions) changing much any time soon.  Football dwarfs soccer in this country for spectator attendance at the college level (at any level) and it does so on the NESCAC campuses as well providing a very big hurdle unlikely to be overcome.  Combine that with the NESCAC students would rather be doing than watching and you arrive at the attendance results we have.

The truth?  Really?  You should probably know what the truth is before you attempt to define it.  Your contention that "there are few (very few)" college soccer programs at any NCAA level with "much of a following/crowd/attendance" is simply FALSE!  Below is the list of the top 50 teams' average attendance per game across all D1, D2, and D3 programs.  There are many (very many) college soccer programs with significant followings/crowds/attendance on a regular basis. 

The truth?  You have to go way further down this list until you even hit the top NESCAC soccer team.  You can run and hide behind excuses like academics and football teams.  But the truth?  The truth is that many other schools have high academic standards and football teams.  The truth?  The Wheaton (IL) football team finished the 2014 season ranked 8th in the nation and NESCAC doesn't even have a football team in the top 25.  And yet Wheaton soccer crowds are almost triple those of the top NESCAC team.

The truth?  Very few fans attend NESCAC soccer games compared to other NCAA teams in the nation.  And that is also very much the case when compared to many other D3 soccer programs.  And that's the truth!!!

Rank   Div   Institution   Conference   Avg Attendance
1   I   UC Santa Barbara   Big West   3,844
2   I   Louisville   Atlantic Coast   3,572
3   I   UConn   AAC   3,541
4   I   Maryland   Big Ten   2,688
5   I   South Carolina   Conference USA   2,602
6   I   Cal Poly   Big West   2,397
7   I   Indiana   Big Ten   2,379
8   I   New Mexico   Conference USA   2,276
9   I   Virginia   Atlantic Coast   2,182
10   I   Creighton   Big East   2,170
11   I   Clemson   Atlantic Coast   1,895
12   I   North Carolina   Atlantic Coast   1,833
13   I   Akron   Mid-American   1,825
14   I   Utah Valley   Western Athletic   1,750
15   III   Messiah   Commonwealth   1,730
16   I   Penn St.   Big Ten   1,706
17   I   UCLA   Pac-12   1,615
18   I   Syracuse   Atlantic Coast   1,424
19   I   Wake Forest   Atlantic Coast   1,402
20   I   SIUE   Missouri Valley   1,259
21   I   Tulsa   AAC   1,254
22   I   Notre Dame   Atlantic Coast   1,242
23   I   Washington   Pac-12   1,220
24   I   Charlotte   Conference USA   1,199
25   I   Kentucky   Conference USA   1,167
26   I   Saint Louis   Atlantic 10   1,160
27   I   Portland   West Coast   1,148
28   I   Michigan   Big Ten   1,134
29   I   Dayton   Atlantic 10   1,127
30   I   Providence   Big East   1,114
31   I   Stanford   Pac-12   1,100
32   I   Dartmouth   Ivy   1,095
33   I   UNCW   Colonial   1,064
34   I   UMBC   America East   1,059
35   I   St. John's (NY)   Big East   1,042
36   I   Michigan St.   Big Ten   1,039
37   I   Georgetown   Big East   1,031
38   I   San Diego   West Coast   1,028
39   I   Hartford   America East   1,018
40   I   UAB   Conference USA   920
41   III   Ohio Wesleyan   North Coast   888
42   III   Wheaton (IL)   CCIW   876
43   I   Old Dominion   Conference USA   860
44   I   Duke   Atlantic Coast   856
45   I   North Carolina St.   Atlantic Coast   847
46   I   High Point   Big South   844
47   I   Binghamton   America East   843
48   I   Furman   Southern   843
49   I   Virginia Tech   Atlantic Coast   839
50   I   Oakland   Horizon   830

Wow...someone is a little cranky.  Here's the truth---I've been to  many BC, Northeastern, BU, Holy Cross and UNH soccer games (all D1  Men and Women) and rarely have they ever topped 250+ when I've been in attendance.  small sample I know but I'd say this is a general statement about college soccer in New England in total, not just D3 NESCAC.   D2's and D3's in New England are just as bad, but honestly who cares.  Those who watch are soccer fans....just proves there aren't many soccer fans in New England.  Sure you can point to UConn, but their soccer program has been pretty consistently good since the 1980's.  Hey if you want to label everyone associated with the NESCAC provincial, elitist, snobbish....feel free...doesn't bother me in the least.  The league has great schools, great students and great athletics...as do a number of other D3's, but top to bottom #1 through #11 you'll be hard pressed each year to find a better League in D3 combining these qualities....sorry but I couldn't help myself returning to the my provincial elitism.  LOL

Provincial elitism aside Jeeves, spot on....

[Nutmeg]

I think part of what drives some crazy about NESCAC and some of its fans is that no matter the topic the answer is always that NESCAC is the best.  And being the best always seems to have the overlay of that special brand of New England elitism, where the NESCACs are almost the extension programs of the Andovers and Exeters in the region (prep college as it were).

Not big crowds?  Well, that's by design.  Participation over spectating.  Athletic, active student bodies.  Plus all sports play at the same time (and somehow this is construed as unique to NESCAC when a ton of other D3s also play all their sports on the same day and around the same times).

Didn't win this year or get enough NCAA bids?  Well, that's because NESCAC plays less games and has no spring season, which of course is spun as NESCAC schools doing collegiate athletics the right way and kept in perspective with respect to the overriding academic missions (even though there are a lot of similar non-NESCAC schools who do the same sorts of things and are even more strict in terms of admissions pull for athletes (need go further than Swat, Haverford, Johns Hopkins, Wash U, Carleton, Oberlin, etc).  But even despite the self-imposed, supposedly higher order restrictions, we're still the best anyway.

Tufts just own a national title.  Wheaton hasn't won one in 20 years.  Of course Wheaton has been in the NCAA tourney for how many consecutive years, and often with very deep runs?  And Tufts at least in recent years hasn't had even two NCAA appearances back to back.  Well, let's go back to talking about what an absolute bloodbath the NESCAC is.  The team beat each other and instead of the 6 or 7 bids they deserve they only get 3-4.

NESCAC fans sometimes seem to get defensive and even defiant when confronted by lukewarm reactions.  But some of that is on NESCAC.  Some seem to prefer keeping NESCAC, its schools, and its image as insular as possible, which of course contributes to the country-clubbish, exclusive aura.  Despite the complaints, one wonders if the some NESCAC supporters prefer the negative reactions from outside as confirmation of how special the schools and their athletics and academics are.  In other words, I'm not sure the NESCAC family really wants to be embraced (which might have the effect of bringing them too much into a bigger fold, a bigger family, with some perceived dilution of their exclusivity).

In short, for some of us outside the NESCAC grand ballroom, the whole NESCAC self-congratulatory industry can be a bit much to take.

Does Wheaton play their football games the same time or simultaneously with their football games?

[D3soccerwatcher]

If your correspondent were a bettor, he might place a small sum favoring the truth of the proposition that NESCAC is most probably not unhappy with the level of attendance at its men's soccer games, whatever the causes of such level may be.

The "truth of the proposition" that NESCAC is "not unhappy with the [low] level of attendance at its men's' soccer games" is very consistent with everything I've observed about NESCAC.  It's rather unfortunate that NESCAC and its member institutions are so disconnected from the very players that they purport to represent that they perpetuate this type of attitude about attendance, of which you seem to have a fairly high level of certainty.  And here's the disconnect...and you can ask any current or former college soccer player on these boards...great players LOVE to play for great crowds.

The fact that you point out, that NESCAC isn't concerned with such things is disappointing for the players.  And I suppose that's one way to go.  Or they could take a page out the Messiah or Wheaton (IL) playbook, and embrace and foster the large crowds, and build the facilities to accommodate them.  While I know there are many things that soccer recruits consider when picking a school, attendance at games is one of them.  It's unfortunate its not something that NESCAC cares too much about.  Because certainly with the quality of NESCAC soccer that is so heralded on these boards, NESCAC should surely be able to draw large crowds for their men's soccer teams.  Perhaps one day they will.

The truth of the matter is most colleges D1, D2 and D3 don't have much of a following/crowd/attendance for Men's soccer.  Yes there are a few (very few), but if you are getting 250+ attendance at most games (regardless of the Division) then you are doing pretty well.  I've been to many a D1 game (ACC and others) and they hover around this mark.  Yes the players like to play in front of big crowds (biggest NESCAC I've seen is about 1500 at Conn's homecoming--remember no football at Conn), but this is no different than these players had in Club, DAP or HS---small crowds, thus it really isn't a let down because they are used to low fan attendance.  Wheaton (IL) and a handful of others seem to be rare exceptions....and good for them....but I don't see the NESCAC (or other leagues or Divisions) changing much any time soon.  Football dwarfs soccer in this country for spectator attendance at the college level (at any level) and it does so on the NESCAC campuses as well providing a very big hurdle unlikely to be overcome.  Combine that with the NESCAC students would rather be doing than watching and you arrive at the attendance results we have.

The truth?  Really?  You should probably know what the truth is before you attempt to define it.  Your contention that "there are few (very few)" college soccer programs at any NCAA level with "much of a following/crowd/attendance" is simply FALSE!  Below is the list of the top 50 teams' average attendance per game across all D1, D2, and D3 programs.  There are many (very many) college soccer programs with significant followings/crowds/attendance on a regular basis. 

The truth?  You have to go way further down this list until you even hit the top NESCAC soccer team.  You can run and hide behind excuses like academics and football teams.  But the truth?  The truth is that many other schools have high academic standards and football teams.  The truth?  The Wheaton (IL) football team finished the 2014 season ranked 8th in the nation and NESCAC doesn't even have a football team in the top 25.  And yet Wheaton soccer crowds are almost triple those of the top NESCAC team.

The truth?  Very few fans attend NESCAC soccer games compared to other NCAA teams in the nation.  And that is also very much the case when compared to many other D3 soccer programs.  And that's the truth!!!

Rank   Div   Institution   Conference   Avg Attendance
1   I   UC Santa Barbara   Big West   3,844
2   I   Louisville   Atlantic Coast   3,572
3   I   UConn   AAC   3,541
4   I   Maryland   Big Ten   2,688
5   I   South Carolina   Conference USA   2,602
6   I   Cal Poly   Big West   2,397
7   I   Indiana   Big Ten   2,379
8   I   New Mexico   Conference USA   2,276
9   I   Virginia   Atlantic Coast   2,182
10   I   Creighton   Big East   2,170
11   I   Clemson   Atlantic Coast   1,895
12   I   North Carolina   Atlantic Coast   1,833
13   I   Akron   Mid-American   1,825
14   I   Utah Valley   Western Athletic   1,750
15   III   Messiah   Commonwealth   1,730
16   I   Penn St.   Big Ten   1,706
17   I   UCLA   Pac-12   1,615
18   I   Syracuse   Atlantic Coast   1,424
19   I   Wake Forest   Atlantic Coast   1,402
20   I   SIUE   Missouri Valley   1,259
21   I   Tulsa   AAC   1,254
22   I   Notre Dame   Atlantic Coast   1,242
23   I   Washington   Pac-12   1,220
24   I   Charlotte   Conference USA   1,199
25   I   Kentucky   Conference USA   1,167
26   I   Saint Louis   Atlantic 10   1,160
27   I   Portland   West Coast   1,148
28   I   Michigan   Big Ten   1,134
29   I   Dayton   Atlantic 10   1,127
30   I   Providence   Big East   1,114
31   I   Stanford   Pac-12   1,100
32   I   Dartmouth   Ivy   1,095
33   I   UNCW   Colonial   1,064
34   I   UMBC   America East   1,059
35   I   St. John's (NY)   Big East   1,042
36   I   Michigan St.   Big Ten   1,039
37   I   Georgetown   Big East   1,031
38   I   San Diego   West Coast   1,028
39   I   Hartford   America East   1,018
40   I   UAB   Conference USA   920
41   III   Ohio Wesleyan   North Coast   888
42   III   Wheaton (IL)   CCIW   876
43   I   Old Dominion   Conference USA   860
44   I   Duke   Atlantic Coast   856
45   I   North Carolina St.   Atlantic Coast   847
46   I   High Point   Big South   844
47   I   Binghamton   America East   843
48   I   Furman   Southern   843
49   I   Virginia Tech   Atlantic Coast   839
50   I   Oakland   Horizon   830

Wow...someone is a little cranky.  Here's the truth---I've been to  many BC, Northeastern, BU, Holy Cross and UNH soccer games (all D1  Men and Women) and rarely have they ever topped 250+ when I've been in attendance.  small sample I know but I'd say this is a general statement about college soccer in New England in total, not just D3 NESCAC.   D2's and D3's in New England are just as bad, but honestly who cares.  Those who watch are soccer fans....just proves there aren't many soccer fans in New England.  Sure you can point to UConn, but their soccer program has been pretty consistently good since the 1980's.  Hey if you want to label everyone associated with the NESCAC provincial, elitist, snobbish....feel free...doesn't bother me in the least.  The league has great schools, great students and great athletics...as do a number of other D3's, but top to bottom #1 through #11 you'll be hard pressed each year to find a better League in D3 combining these qualities....sorry but I couldn't help myself returning to the my provincial elitism.  LOL

OK...your last line got a chuckle out of me...truth is always funnier then fiction.

But let's be honest, the five D1 schools you listed aren't very good soccer teams...with the possible exception of BU.  Four of the five programs were well under .500 and none of them made the national tourney.  I don't think programs of this caliber would get much fan support in any part of the country.

Fan attendance points to style of soccer that people like to watch.  I think that's why Messiah, Ohio Wesleyan, and Wheaton draw such large and loyal crowds.

[Nutmeg]

I agree with this mostly. Messiah has the best style I've seen. Great midfield work. Tufts played the next best brand or pretty soccer with Wheaton a close 3rd...this is based on last years games....

[D3soccerwatcher]

I think the trick is to establish a style of soccer that people like to watch and to produce a winning tradition with that style over a long period of time.  That builds large and loyal fans bases.  I think Messiah, OWU, and Wheaton have done that.  Tufts now has the opportunity to build that kind of loyal following.  Time will tell if they are able to sustain their success.

[1970s NESCAC Player]

It is recommended that one avoid this thread if he should desire to have greater equanimity and less anxiety arising out of comparisons of his favorite educational institution with NESCAC.

Couldn't agree more Frank.  They hate us, cause they ain't us, as the Pats would say.  I think everyone else's contempt for the NESCAC parallels that for the Patriots.  And I'm sure this post will bring negative karma, but NESCAC alums can take it.

[amh63]

In the midst of Winter Sports CAC championship events, was wondering what was driving all the posts on the soccer board....especially the astute Frank U.
Found the logic in the posts to be both programmatic at times and good.  It does keep one busy...including me...on a cold day. 
My conclusions from the attendance related topic are...the Midwest colleges like Wheaton like soccer...attendance at soccer games does not relate to winning championships...mixing attendance numbers from big schools with small schools and collective levels is counter productive.
I have attended a championship tourny at Messiah..women soccer.  Messiah plays the games on a field/ pitch..whatever...with stands for the fans.  Did not see tremendous number of fans  in attendance...less than a thousand....many parents, friends, etc of the players mostly.  Yes, Messiah had much more fans than Amherst in attendance...probably due to shorter drive times

[D3soccerwatcher]

In the midst of Winter Sports CAC championship events, was wondering what was driving all the posts on the soccer board....especially the astute Frank U.
Found the logic in the posts to be both programmatic at times and good.  It does keep one busy...including me...on a cold day. 
My conclusions from the attendance related topic are...the Midwest colleges like Wheaton like soccer...attendance at soccer games does not relate to winning championships...mixing attendance numbers from big schools with small schools and collective levels is counter productive.
I have attended a championship tourny at Messiah..women soccer.  Messiah plays the games on a field/ pitch..whatever...with stands for the fans.  Did not see tremendous number of fans  in attendance...less than a thousand....many parents, friends, etc of the players mostly.  Yes, Messiah had much more fans than Amherst in attendance...probably due to shorter drive times

I would somewhat agree that "attendance at soccer games does not relate to winning championships".  So while you have said what doesn't impact attendance, I'm curious what factors you think do impact attendance.

I also agree that the big schools (like Tufts) would be expected to have larger crowds at their games...that's logical.

Finally, I think that characterizing Messiah's  soccer game attendance  by what you saw at a Messiah's women's game is not relevant.  That's kinda like comparing the WNBA to the NBA.

[FourMoreYears]

Partial 2015 NESCAC Men's Soccer schedule posted:

http://www.nescac.com/sports/msoc/2015-16/schedule?confonly=1

I do not believe this is a complete schedule ... it looks like each school has 9 conference games instead of 10.
Is there a chance soccer has adopted football's $#$%^* idea that one shouldn't play all other team's in the conference?

[Corazon]

Nice dig. Looks like a work in process as 3 or 4 schools have all 10 NESCAC games scheduled while the rest only show 9 games.