NESCAC

[Pat Coleman]

I would say, if you feel there are any issues with Paul Newman posts, keep reporting them to moderator. I'll check them out.

This statement should not be read as endorsement of his older posts.

Hello Pat,

Not really following your last sentence or exactly how it relates to the first paragraph.

And your first sentence suggests you have been receiving reports as you say "keep reporting..." Would love to know which posts if any were flagged...and also would encourage a full audit of my posting from 2021 to the present.

I have indeed received reports.

I know you were posting before 2021, and oddly enough, it might be exactly that which I was referring to in my last sentence.

Very interesting...reports received from 2021 to the present?

And what conclusions did you reach on analysis?

Am I on some kind of clandestine double -secret probation?

You've made a ton of assumptions, which are not particularly accurate.

Please go back to whatever it is you do.

[northman]

I'm curious about why Kenyon would have representation at the Bowdoin inauguration.  Is that typical for such events?

Yes. It's a longstanding tradition, for colleges and universities to send a representative to the inauguration of a new president at another institution. That person might be a current faculty member or administrator, or an alum who might be employed by that other school or who has some particular interest in attending the event. The rep typically dons academic regalia for the occasion and is listed in the program.

At risk of being blasted again for posting off (soccer) topic, I'd add that it's one of my favorite traditions for these events. I've had the privilege of representing my alma mater at two Middlebury inaugurations; and Middlebury, in kind, was generous enough to send me back to Lexington for Will Dudley's inuguration a few years ago.

Having just learned about this recently, I think it's a cool tradition!  In fact, I'm on a nonprofit board with a woman who is general counsel at Bowdoin.  She and another senior administrator are both Middlebury alums.  Her colleague drew the long straw and will be wearing the Middlebury regalia at Safa Zaki's inauguration.

[Brother Flounder]

I would say, if you feel there are any issues with Paul Newman posts, keep reporting them to moderator. I'll check them out.

This statement should not be read as endorsement of his older posts.

Hello Pat,

Not really following your last sentence or exactly how it relates to the first paragraph.

And your first sentence suggests you have been receiving reports as you say "keep reporting..." Would love to know which posts if any were flagged...and also would encourage a full audit of my posting from 2021 to the present.

I have indeed received reports.

I know you were posting before 2021, and oddly enough, it might be exactly that which I was referring to in my last sentence.

Very interesting...reports received from 2021 to the present?

And what conclusions did you reach on analysis?

Am I on some kind of clandestine double -secret probation?

While I have had some arguments with PN several years ago, I really don't believe that any kind of Double Secret Probation is warranted.... really?

[Hopkins92]

Seems like every year/season we have something weird go down on this board.

[SierraFD3soccer]

Seems like every year/season we have something weird go down on this board.

It is October after all. But seriously. Hey, moderator or no, if anyone has an issue with another, you got the person's email to contact that him to figure it out.

[PaulNewman]

In 11 years here I don't think I've ever seen a poster called out by name with an open invitation for folks to send complaints about said name to the moderator.

And "Please go back to whatever it is you do"?  That's respectful and necessary?  Wow.

[stlawus]

Pretty typical of the D3sports staff on here. I'm actually surprised it took this long for it to spill over to the soccer board.

[College Soccer Observer]

amHurst awarded a total of 10 yellow cards in last two games, including 6 today against Conn College ... longstanding thug style of direct play.

@Enmore Cat will be shocked that I am defending Amherst.  The Mammoths commit a lot of fouls.  This is by design.  They are physical, and they press.  Of the cards against them in the Conn game, most were for tactical fouls.  When Amherst faces a counter attack where they feel the do not have enough numbers behind the ball, they take a page from Pep Guardiola's coaching book and immediately foul.  These were not disgusting challenges that endangered players.  They were fairly run of the mill tactical fouls.  Neutral observers may not like it, but Amherst is willing to accept these yellows as the cost of doing business.

[Hopkins92]

amHurst awarded a total of 10 yellow cards in last two games, including 6 today against Conn College ... longstanding thug style of direct play.

@Enmore Cat will be shocked that I am defending Amherst.  The Mammoths commit a lot of fouls.  This is by design.  They are physical, and they press.  Of the cards against them in the Conn game, most were for tactical fouls.  When Amherst faces a counter attack where they feel the do not have enough numbers behind the ball, they take a page from Pep Guardiola's coaching book and immediately foul.  These were not disgusting challenges that endangered players.  They were fairly run of the mill tactical fouls.  Neutral observers may not like it, but Amherst is willing to accept these yellows as the cost of doing business.

This is a REALLY good point, and something you have to basically be "wise" enough to just sort of accept and not ascribe... I dunno... evil thoughts to?

Here's the thing, and why it gets so much run in NESCAC discussions... Those tactics are usually reserved for teams that don't have the talent to match up. That's why it's so jarring and his been a point of contention for so long. You are choosing to foul when you have the talent to let the game flow a bit more.

But, to your, point... That's aesthetics for many of us and when it comes to players/alums/parents it's a very low hanging fruit/easy to ignite conflagration.

[Hopkins92]

Pretty typical of the D3sports staff on here. I'm actually surprised it took this long for it to spill over to the soccer board.

Very very weird.

I keep deleting responses that might get me in trouble, so I'm just going to leave it that for now.

[Pat Coleman]

In 11 years here I don't think I've ever seen a poster called out by name with an open invitation for folks to send complaints about said name to the moderator.

And "Please go back to whatever it is you do"?  That's respectful and necessary?  Wow.

I received a moderator report. I came to check it out. I mentioned that anyone who has more to report should do so, and Paul Newman made a bunch of wild assumptions.

I never said anything about probation. If you guys are making assumptions, I'm not sure I can help you.

[Freddyfud]

amHurst awarded a total of 10 yellow cards in last two games, including 6 today against Conn College ... longstanding thug style of direct play.

@Enmore Cat will be shocked that I am defending Amherst.  The Mammoths commit a lot of fouls.  This is by design.  They are physical, and they press.  Of the cards against them in the Conn game, most were for tactical fouls.  When Amherst faces a counter attack where they feel the do not have enough numbers behind the ball, they take a page from Pep Guardiola's coaching book and immediately foul.  These were not disgusting challenges that endangered players.  They were fairly run of the mill tactical fouls.  Neutral observers may not like it, but Amherst is willing to accept these yellows as the cost of doing business.

This is a REALLY good point, and something you have to basically be "wise" enough to just sort of accept and not ascribe... I dunno... evil thoughts to?

Here's the thing, and why it gets so much run in NESCAC discussions... Those tactics are usually reserved for teams that don't have the talent to match up. That's why it's so jarring and his been a point of contention for so long. You are choosing to foul when you have the talent to let the game flow a bit more.

But, to your, point... That's aesthetics for many of us and when it comes to players/alums/parents it's a very low hanging fruit/easy to ignite conflagration.

Agree this is a very good point.  Can't speak to past discussions on here and have never watched a NESCAC game.  But like it or not tactical fouls are part of the game now, dark art or otherwise.  I don't agree it is a reflection of talent--if done properly without risk of injury it should be accepted as a good play for any team.

We know amateurs are certainly watching the pros as examples where this happens just like any sport.  Look at the tactical fouls in the NBA for example (other than Laimbeer?) For amateurs it should be understood the tactical foul is still being learned so mistakes in judgement will be made.

But I can see how frequency or other abuses can affect perception.  Perhaps there is a risk a hold up foul is no longer tactical if it appears to be egregious or even part of team strategy.

[EnmoreCat]

amHurst awarded a total of 10 yellow cards in last two games, including 6 today against Conn College ... longstanding thug style of direct play.

@Enmore Cat will be shocked that I am defending Amherst.  The Mammoths commit a lot of fouls.  This is by design.  They are physical, and they press.  Of the cards against them in the Conn game, most were for tactical fouls.  When Amherst faces a counter attack where they feel the do not have enough numbers behind the ball, they take a page from Pep Guardiola's coaching book and immediately foul.  These were not disgusting challenges that endangered players.  They were fairly run of the mill tactical fouls.  Neutral observers may not like it, but Amherst is willing to accept these yellows as the cost of doing business.

Whilst I am glad I was sitting down when I was reading this CSO and your support (I won't call it Ammiration as I know the circles you move in and don't want to damage your credibility) is of course welcome.  I hasten to add the latest update from the NCAA website does confirm Midd's foul count at 13.89/gamewhich is quite close to the Mammoths' 15.00, but of course, make no judgement on it, other than to say I think your points are well made.

Whilst it would be wonderful if D3 was played in the Corinthian spirit, the pragmatist in me says there will be times where the "dark arts" are required.  That is definitely not the same as saying injuring opposition players is okay, because it clearly isn't, but sometimes legitimate means are either unavailable or insufficient.  I challenge anyone here to look deep inside and say that if it was the final minute of the national tournament and your team is leading, but there is a potential risk of conceding a goal that you could just say, "que sera sera".  I certainly couldn't...

[Falconer]

amHurst awarded a total of 10 yellow cards in last two games, including 6 today against Conn College ... longstanding thug style of direct play.

@Enmore Cat will be shocked that I am defending Amherst.  The Mammoths commit a lot of fouls.  This is by design.  They are physical, and they press.  Of the cards against them in the Conn game, most were for tactical fouls.  When Amherst faces a counter attack where they feel the do not have enough numbers behind the ball, they take a page from Pep Guardiola's coaching book and immediately foul.  These were not disgusting challenges that endangered players.  They were fairly run of the mill tactical fouls.  Neutral observers may not like it, but Amherst is willing to accept these yellows as the cost of doing business.

This is a REALLY good point, and something you have to basically be "wise" enough to just sort of accept and not ascribe... I dunno... evil thoughts to?

Here's the thing, and why it gets so much run in NESCAC discussions... Those tactics are usually reserved for teams that don't have the talent to match up. That's why it's so jarring and his been a point of contention for so long. You are choosing to foul when you have the talent to let the game flow a bit more.

But, to your, point... That's aesthetics for many of us and when it comes to players/alums/parents it's a very low hanging fruit/easy to ignite conflagration.

Agree this is a very good point.  Can't speak to past discussions on here and have never watched a NESCAC game.  But like it or not tactical fouls are part of the game now, dark art or otherwise.  I don't agree it is a reflection of talent--if done properly without risk of injury it should be accepted as a good play for any team.

We know amateurs are certainly watching the pros as examples where this happens just like any sport.  Look at the tactical fouls in the NBA for example (other than Laimbeer?) For amateurs it should be understood the tactical foul is still being learned so mistakes in judgement will be made.

But I can see how frequency or other abuses can affect perception.  Perhaps there is a risk a hold up foul is no longer tactical if it appears to be egregious or even part of team strategy.

This is very close to the complaint I used to voice after many Messiah games, but chose to put a sock in it since I was being perceived as making unduly biased comments. I wasn't.

I've never objected to deliberate fouling, as long as the officials were on top of it and issuing yellows without hesitation. It's such a common strategy against Messiah, but when the fouls aren't being called it unfairly favors their opponents. Unfairly. It's no different from calling fouls on one team and not the other. In the NBA, it was common practice to play "hack a Shaq," since he was such a miserable foul shooter. That was fine. NBA refs called the fouls, the offending team scattered them around to keep men out of foul trouble, and they actually EXPECTED the fouls to be called as part of their strategy. In soccer, it seems, coaches are hoping the fouls WON'T be called. When they aren't, it nearly always favors the Falcons' opponents. That's part of what happened in the game vs PSU two days ago, but I didn't mention it b/c I knew it would be taken as pure bellyaching. In fact, PSU received just two yellows when there should have been at least half a dozen. That might have forced them to back off a bit, re-balancing the playing field.

I remember attending the national final in Glassboro, NJ, in 2000--the Falcons' first title. The Profs were awfully good, but not as quick or fast as Messiah--and a Jersey team (obviously). They fouled intentionally from the start. When Falcon players went flying past, they grabbed them. However, those officials were not going to be played. There were two quick yellows, both fully deserved. A fan got up and yelled, "Whaddya think this is, a girls' game?" The Profs decided they had to play futbol, not football, and the rest of the way it was a terrific game, with both teams being dangerous and playing their best soccer. In the post-game interviews, Brandt was asked about those early calls. His reply: fouls are fouls. They're supposed to be called."

Exactly. I've never had a complaint against the teams that foul strategically. I'll always have a complaint against the officials that don't call them. It changes the game, unfairly, no less than choosing not to call back a goal that was offsides.

[camosfan]

I think there is an incentive to foul excessively in D3, because the Refs are so hesitant to issuing cards and some teams really exploit it.