All Things We Like/Dislike About A Program

[SimpleCoach]

All -

Wasn't sure how to name this thread, but since I noticed a lot of individual commentary about specific schools that go beyond the field of competition, figured I would start a new thread to capture it all here.  So have at it.... hate NESCAC?  Fire away.  Love MSOE? Break our you TI calculator and formula away.  Think SimpleCoach is sexy?  Have your eyes checked. 

SC.

[stlawus]

Shout out to Bard for having the best play by play commentator in Howard Megdal.  He started doing basketball games last year and was the best, and did soccer this year and was just as good. 

[SimpleCoach]

I'm laughing Saint_Dad, because you've summed up about a decade worth of complaints (and both sides of the debate) about Amherst's soccer program, if you scroll through the archives of the NESCAC board.  On the one hand, the coach's personality, the rough / ugly style of play, and the field all receive, to put it mildly, very little love throughout NESCAC (and broader D3 circles, when they are exposed).  But on the other, Amherst wins big and does so consistently, brings in great players consistently, and the players seem (unlike the rest of the league) to enjoy playing for him.  Part of it can be attributed to the fact that it's never fun to lose consistently to any team, but on the other hand, Williams, Midd, Conn and especially Tufts have all had championship eras lead by HOF-caliber coaches over the past 30 years, and there was never the same sort of animosity directed towards any of those programs.  In short, it works for Amherst, but doesn't make a lot of friends outside of Amherst.

Yes, the complaints about Amherst have been detailed and entirely consistent from a range of sources for well over 10+ years.  You can't ask people to un-see and un-hear what they see and hear, often numerous times over.  And the Amherst program and its fans will concede nothing.  In that sense they are impenetrable and nearly cultish.

Saint-Dad, you're right, SLU could not have had a more disastrous start.  And then even with a one goal right away within the first five minutes the Amherst players, bench, and especially the coach were throwing tantrums on almost every foul call.  They tried to rough up everybody but especially Sibanda.  So then you're in a bind about how to defend yourself, how to combat what's happening, and then you unwittingly try to match them and get out of your own game.  ten Cate is a histrionic thespian...on literally almost every single call...one minute taking someone out and another minute writhing on the ground in agony.  And then even #8 and some others were mock-clapping Sibanda.  Just insufferable behavior and very painful to watch.  It's a bit like Messiah in a different kind of way....insofar as you get get so focused on the opponent and how difficult it is play them that you're almost immediately not playing your own game.

And then afterwards, Serpone sounds like a perfectly reasonable and even generous and gracious man, praising the opponent, praising SLU coach, praising Sibanda, praising how well SLU held the ball, etc.  You can see what recruits and parents would be infatuated.  And the same with the players.  The contrast is remarkable, stunning, and confusing...making you almost question if what you saw is what you saw.  And I've seen Serpone do this after a loss as well.  If you get a chance click on the video on the front of the Amherst soccer website. 

You SLU folks should feel proud.  At 3-0 I thought there was zero chance SLU was going to stay in the game, but they did.  Showed a lot of character and eventually a very skilled, attractive style.

Now one thing I don't understand is why the Amherst bench doesn't get more yellows.  I saw a lot of teams getting coach and bench yellows for far less.  Maybe they do and I I've missed it but one wonders if the refs adjust ot Amherst as well....like ref fatigue where they say we're not going to call fouls past 25....or at a minimum the bar moves and what is considered egregious moves.

First post for me here on the board. Possibly a controversial one. Having been at the Amherst-SLU game I'm happy I wasn't the only one who was embarrassed for the behavior of the Amherst squad. Late, dirty fouls were clearly emphasized by the coaching staff as a tactic before the game, and the words coming from the Amherst bench were almost comical. One tackle went in on Saints winger #7 when he was on the floor, borderline red card offence, and the Amherst assistant is saying the game has gone soft. Players on the Amherst bench wearing hard hats is pretty pathetic in my view. Coach Serpone prides himself on creating leaders yet to an outside viewer it felt as though the team were a bunch of sheep. All just repeating and following generic orders from coach, clearly those players have been stripped of the ability to think for themselves. How can you say a program is full of leaders who go in late on tackles, wear hard hats on the sideline and yell instructions that they clearly don't even understand. I'll give respect to the team for clearly being devoted to winning, but even after the game, the insincerity of the players was again just a bad look. Actions speak louder than words, even though Serpone was full of praise after the game, would've been nice to know what he truly thinks of his own players intentionally going in studs up.

[Caz Bombers]

Shout out to Bard for having the best play by play commentator in Howard Megdal.  He started doing basketball games last year and was the best, and did soccer this year and was just as good.

Howard used to post here many years ago. Met him once or twice, a real character.

[Gregory Sager]

Shout out to Bard for having the best play by play commentator in Howard Megdal.  He started doing basketball games last year and was the best, and did soccer this year and was just as good.

Howard used to post here many years ago. Met him once or twice, a real character.

Indeed. Seeing the name "Howard Megdal" posted on d3boards.com is like stepping into Mr. Peabody's Wayback Machine.

[d4_Pace]

There has obviously been a lot of negative talk about Amherst here which warms my heart but I will give them this... I don't think Tufts or Conn win 5 of the last 7 titles without Amherst. Everyone in the NESCAC knows what to expect in that game and comes in prepared for that game. Not every team can match it but everyone is prepared for it. I think non-NESCAC teams often come in completely unprepared the first time and like SLU this weekend get blown away in the beginning. Having to deal with that experience makes the other teams stronger and prepares you for anything come tourney time.

When brackets came out I was always hoping to get paired up with teams we've never played before because I knew that teams seeing us for the first time often weren't prepared for the combination of physicality and intensity that we could bring in addition to technical ability.

[paclassic89]

Were the players on the Amherst bench really wearing hard hats?!  That's so corny lol

[EnmoreCat]

My task as an Amfluencer has been much easier than I expected, so keep the hits coming please.  I know the Mammoths Nation do follow the goings on in here, but since most of them probably went to Amherst or somewhere similar, they clearly are much smarter than me and know not to engage.i do feel that I have at least managed to generate some occasional bits of begrudging praise, albeit delivered in a backhanded fashion.  Job almost done

Of course the thing that hurts the most, aside from an Amherst late tackle, is being irrelevant and whilst Messiah led national rankings for one measure, for sheer bad vibes, the Mammoths are easily number one.

I am doing my best to keep up with the foul count each game and fortunately most weeks we are in the ascendancy, but appreciate people keeping it current  I loved the use of Amtics, by someone here and again, it feels like my Amfluencing is gaining traction.

I was tempted to answer all the criticisms, but really the best thing is to say I am so glad most of you here don't like our style.  If my son was playing them I might be similarly nervous, but the message I would give him is to just go out there and play.  Ultimately, if the Mammoths' game is that simple to breakdown then victories should be hard won, but relatively straightforward.

Finally, Mammoth skin was pretty thick I understand, so perhaps I am only half Mammoth, but rest assured we love being in the family and all those people that receive considerable criticism in here are held in the highest regard, on the billiard table that is Hitchcock Field

[Ejay]

My task as an Amfluencer has been much easier than I expected, so keep the hits coming please.  I know the Mammoths Nation do follow the goings on in here, but since most of them probably went to Amherst or somewhere similar, they clearly are much smarter than me and know not to engage.i do feel that I have at least managed to generate some occasional bits of begrudging praise, albeit delivered in a backhanded fashion.  Job almost done

Of course the thing that hurts the most, aside from an Amherst late tackle, is being irrelevant and whilst Messiah led national rankings for one measure, for sheer bad vibes, the Mammoths are easily number one.

I am doing my best to keep up with the foul count each game and fortunately most weeks we are in the ascendancy, but appreciate people keeping it current  I loved the use of Amtics, by someone here and again, it feels like my Amfluencing is gaining traction.

I was tempted to answer all the criticisms, but really the best thing is to say I am so glad most of you here don't like our style.  If my son was playing them I might be similarly nervous, but the message I would give him is to just go out there and play.  Ultimately, if the Mammoths' game is that simple to breakdown then victories should be hard won, but relatively straightforward.

Finally, Mammoth skin was pretty thick I understand, so perhaps I am only half Mammoth, but rest assured we love being in the family and all those people that receive considerable criticism in here are held in the highest regard, on the billiard table that is Hitchcock Field

The parent in me supports my son and his program 100%, but the coach in me is often confused and disappointed.  I love that you've so fully embraced your son's new school and style of play, and I wish I had your unabashed enthusiasm.  Best of luck throughout the remainder of the tournament.

[northman]

My task as an Amfluencer has been much easier than I expected, so keep the hits coming please.  I know the Mammoths Nation do follow the goings on in here, but since most of them probably went to Amherst or somewhere similar, they clearly are much smarter than me and know not to engage.i do feel that I have at least managed to generate some occasional bits of begrudging praise, albeit delivered in a backhanded fashion.  Job almost done

Of course the thing that hurts the most, aside from an Amherst late tackle, is being irrelevant and whilst Messiah led national rankings for one measure, for sheer bad vibes, the Mammoths are easily number one.

I am doing my best to keep up with the foul count each game and fortunately most weeks we are in the ascendancy, but appreciate people keeping it current  I loved the use of Amtics, by someone here and again, it feels like my Amfluencing is gaining traction.

I was tempted to answer all the criticisms, but really the best thing is to say I am so glad most of you here don't like our style.  If my son was playing them I might be similarly nervous, but the message I would give him is to just go out there and play.  Ultimately, if the Mammoths' game is that simple to breakdown then victories should be hard won, but relatively straightforward.

Finally, Mammoth skin was pretty thick I understand, so perhaps I am only half Mammoth, but rest assured we love being in the family and all those people that receive considerable criticism in here are held in the highest regard, on the billiard table that is Hitchcock Field

The parent in me supports my son and his program 100%, but the coach in me is often confused and disappointed.  I love that you've so full embraced your son's new school and style of play, that I wish I had your unabashed enthusiasm.  I wish you much luck throughout the remainder of the tournament.

I love all the attention being lavished on Amherst, because it is well earned.  My general observation in life is...where there's smoke, there's almost always fire.  And there has been a huge amount of smoke surrounding Amherst in a number of these D3 mens soccer threads.

As I've mentioned before, I've been an occasional outside observer of the Amherst program and Justin Serpone since he recruited my son during his very first year in charge in 2007.  Amherst's record over the ensuing years speaks for itself.  Sustained high levels of performance and achievement in the NCAA tournament over a 15 year time period.

With all that acknowledged, the simple and undebatable fact is that Serpone allows...and likely encourages...an extremely physical, chippy, aerial and direct style of play.  Year and in and year out, this team has had the talent...and frankly the coaching skill and experience...to win without some of the "Amtics" that have been described here.  But I reckon the culture is deeply ingrained and in the words of Bill Belichick..."it is what it is".

[PaulNewman]

Can we get some kind of confirmation (or disconfirmation) on the hardhat observation/allegation?  Is it one hardhat that gets passed around to that day's (or most recent previous game's) most outstanding sideline performance?  An award at the end of the match that always goes to that day's most outstanding warrior on the pitch?  Or literally multiple players on the sidelines wearing hardhats throughout the game?

[Hopkins92]

Bump... I, too, am really curious about this hard hat accoutrement angle.

Just watched their highlights from the SLU game... https://youtu.be/WeLaTE2O0iA

Nary a hardhat in sight on that bench. Not trying to make too big of a deal on this, but there's enough written on here about Amtics without conjuring... And, again, whoever put this out there, maybe they saw something more fleeting or maybe it was from another game, but... That was 4 different shots of the bench in the SLU highlights...

[SimpleCoach]

Speaking of Muhles - interesting article today about Matt Turner, USA GK....

One memory that still resonates with Turner came in the state tournament his senior year. It was a chance to prove himself in front of the head coach at Muhlenberg, who came to watch the match at Paramus Catholic. They had met before on a campus visit, and Turner liked the idea of going to his cousin's school. Instead, his plan and his high school career both ended that day with a 2-0 loss to the Paladins.

"I never could get back in contact with him," Turner said. "He just ghosted me. He never said hey, thanks but no thanks. Nothing. I remember seeing him in the stands, and that was the last I ever heard from him."

https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/soccer/2022/11/16/matt-turner-park-ridge-nj-usa-goalkeeper-world-cup-2023/69540220007/

[AZ -Soccer Guy]

As a RECENT Messiah parent I am filled with all sorts of emotions after sundays match.  Word on the street was this Messiah squad was one of the best in years (they are ALL very very good teams).  Enough of the weekend and congrats to Williams for winning a match in a tournament that is very hard to win games!

I wanted to give a little insight to our families experience watching our son be a part of the program at Messiah.  From a freshman to super senior I have watched a kid (on and off the field) grow in ways I couldn't even fathom.  Messiah is a tough program to play for. The D3 soccer expectation is to be in the mix of  a National title ever year BUT they (the players) never talk about it.  The core values they have is their focus. You have to experience it to believe it's really true.  To play for messiah is much greater then each individual and a national title.  Do they want to win it all? Of course they do!

As a former college coach, recruiter-  I can say the college experience is a super important decision to upcoming players.  Our son made the right choice for him.  The soccer was so fun to watch, and the guys he was surrounded with was a blessing (from coaching staff, current and alumni).  What a program filled with so many traditions!

Was the Messiah experience perfect? No
Was Messiah the perfect place for our son? Yes

I would always ask recruits the following- (same process for our son).
1. If you get injured in your first year and you can't play again are you at the school you want to be?
2. Are you around the guys you want to be around?
3. If soccer is taken away is this the place for you? 

If you can say yes to those questions this is a good fit for you.
(Of course there are several other things that go into the decision)

Messiah was an A-plus experience!

To those future college players looking to find their place - I wish you the best experience possible! These four years go by way too fast!

[SimpleCoach]

Speaking of Muhles - interesting article today about Matt Turner, USA GK....

One memory that still resonates with Turner came in the state tournament his senior year. It was a chance to prove himself in front of the head coach at Muhlenberg, who came to watch the match at Paramus Catholic. They had met before on a campus visit, and Turner liked the idea of going to his cousin's school. Instead, his plan and his high school career both ended that day with a 2-0 loss to the Paladins.

"I never could get back in contact with him," Turner said. "He just ghosted me. He never said hey, thanks but no thanks. Nothing. I remember seeing him in the stands, and that was the last I ever heard from him."

https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/high-school/soccer/2022/11/16/matt-turner-park-ridge-nj-usa-goalkeeper-world-cup-2023/69540220007/

Funniest thing.  If you go on Instagram and look at Muhlenberg's account, the posted the part that he was being recruited by Muhlenberg... the next paragraph is not. 

SC.