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At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

Photo Credit for Header: Alex Foucre-Stimes

Harvard Wins One For The NESCAC

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Harvard’s win over New Mexico in the second round of the NCAA tournament was good news for all of us hoping to see the New England Small Conference Athletic Conference make the leap to DI athletics. The Ivy League, just like the NESCAC, does not award athletic scholarships, which certainly didn’t look like it mattered Thursday evening as the Crimson’s speed around the perimeter created a lot of open three point shots exposing the sluggish Lobo defense, eventually busting a whole bunch of NCAA brackets.

The NESCAC is at the top of DIII athletics with schools like Williams, Bowdoin, and Trinity competing at some of the highest levels of collegiate competition regardless of level. ‘Cac schools do not award athletic scholarships relying instead on massive endowments to award need based scholarships to offset the exorbitant costs of higher education helping to create and promote socio-economic diversity.  Generally  NESCAC schools are smaller than the Ivies but the infrastructure exists within some of these rural New England institutions to increase the size of the student body and properly support DI athletic programs.

The questions for the NESCAC is why should they make the move to DI? The answer is simple: exposure and revenue. The NESCAC brand is already strong with over achieving high schoolers looking for an alternative to the Ivy and Patriot Leagues and adding DI athletics would not dilute the applicant pool but rather serve to increase the national profile of schools that are still relying heavily on the Northeast to fill their dormitories. More bodies in beds means more tuition money. Plus former NESCAC athletes like myself would love the move which will lead to an increase in school pride and a rise in annual giving.

Plus with Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany threatening a move to DIII should Ed O’Bannon’s lawsuit against the NCAA go through there could all of a sudden be a massive void in top tier collegiate athletics which could be filled by the likes of Wesleyan, Amherst, and Tufts. I say the NESCAC should call Delany’s bluff and 10 years from now I want to be talking about the Bates College Bobcats pushing Butler in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Ok, maybe not Bates but you get my point. – JL

view from Harvard gymnasium courtesy of @SchwartzHub

College Football Roundup: Rivalry Weekend for the “Little Ivies”

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While major college football waits a few weeks for Ohio State/Michigan and Alabama/Auburn, fans/alums of Division III conferences like the NESCAC, were able to enjoy a beautiful weekend full of tradition rich rivalries. The contest that usually receives the most recognition is the matchup between Williams and Amherst.  Yesterday was the 125th time that these two colleges have squared off against one another in what is generally referred to as the “The Biggest Little Game in America”.  This time around, Williams defeated Amherst 31-16, completing an undefeated season and winning the NESCAC title outright.

I was able to travel up to Waterville, Maine to watch my alma mater Colby College take on our rival Bowdoin College in the battle for the C-B-B (Colby, Bates, Bowdoin). The game did not turn out well for the Mules who lost 26-21 and ended their 2010 season at a mediocre 4-4.  All was not lost however as I was able to spend the perfect 60 degree afternoon tailgaiting with a group of friends.

This view from my seat doesn’t do the day or game any justice as it would be nearly impossible to capture the overall experience in a single photograph.  For me, yesterday was proof that you don’t need a 100K stadium or College Gameday to manufacture the type of environment which makes alums proud of their school and friends thankful for the opportunity to create new memories.