for 5/31/02
Overall Mens Womens
Bucknell (22) 112 Army (10) 53 Bucknell (11) 60.5
Army (19) 103.5 Bucknell (11) 51.5 Army (9) 50.5
Lehigh (22) 91.5 Lehigh (11) 50 American (10) 45.5
American (18) 87.5 American (8) 42 Lehigh (11) 41.5
Colgate (21) 77.5 Colgate (10) 41.5 Lafayette (11) 37
Lafayette (22) 71.5 Lafayette (11) 34.5 Colgate (11) 36
Navy (13) 63.5 Navy (7) 30.5 Navy (6) 33
Holy Cross (20) 61.5 Holy Cross (10) 30 Holy Cross (10) 31.5
3 big surprises. Number 1) After a rough year, finishing as high as we did was a pleasant surprise. It puts a few of the losses in perspective. Last year, I don't think we had a single team finish higher than their predicted place. This year, that did happen for us. So a few more teams are meeting or exceeding expections as compared to last year. Of course, the expectations were lower to begin with. There were two types of dissapointments this season. There were the teams that were just not able to compete with the rest of the league. Beyond that, there were the teams that should have been contenders for league titles, but missed the boat. Those are usually the losses that hurt more, and I think that was the case this year.
Surprise 2) American was only 4th? Wow. I was expecting to see them win it all. Or at least be close. I think they had at least 5 league titles. Maybe more. And it seemed like they never fell into the bottom half of the league in any sport. Keep in mind, American played in 4 fewer sports than Bucknell. Had they played those sports, and had the same results, they could have won the title. I was all set to write about how American doesn't fit in, and it certainly seems like they keep taking league titles from us. But that facts put them right in the middle. They are clearly an upper half team, and atheltic scholarships and lower academic standards have clearly enabled them to be steadily in the top half of the league.
Surprise 3) Holy Cross dead last... in everything! And not just by a small margin either. Sometime's, listening to certain people, you would think Holy Cross had the greatest athletic program ever. The facts no longer support that claim at all. Some Holy Cross fans went as far as to claim that every single one of their sports is harmed by being in the Patriot League, and were they in another league, they would not be last. I'm not sure I follow the logic there. The other school of thought trying to justify the placing was that Holy Cross is a basketball school. And that they just don't care if the lacrosse team can't complete a pass. This group is interested in seeing their basketball team be national contenders, maybe see the football team take the league title, and beyond that, they don't care. Most of the people both of these groups want to see Holy Cross leave the Patriot League, either just in basketball, or everything. Either that, or to have the rest of the league adopt the same policies they have. The final group of Holy Cross fans was embarrassed by the finish, and don't want to see any of their teams do poorly. Many of these people want Holy Cross to stay in the league.
There is a bit of a turnaround in what I'm about to suggest. Holy Cross fans have been saying for a few years now that they want to leave the league, at least in basketball. While I don't know enough about the Universities athletic policy, a last place finish in the standings could indicate that the school itself also mostly cares about basketball. My question is, do we want Holy Cross in the league? Should we say "You are no longer wanted here."? While they fit the academic model to a T, athletically, they keep pushing the envelope. The league was willing to grant them scholarships in basketball, and that is the direction the rest of the league has adopted as well. However, Holy Cross has taken focusing on basketball to a new level. Go ask their fans, they will tell you perfectly seriously that their basketball teams very well might win the league title for every year in the foreseable future. While that might be a bit too much, they will certainly be contenders. But while they are pushing themselves in one direction, they might be ignoring the rest of their teams. If this is the case, they are ignoring the basic principles of the league. While the league stresses football and basketball more than the other sports, the league was designed to be a place for more than just those two teams. While every school does it to some degree, the scope in which Holy Cross operates, flies in the face of what the league stands for.
Bucknell has become the role model program in the league. They maintain their academic standards and expectations. And they just won the President's Cup, again. This is the 9th time in 12 years. While Bucknell rarely has a team that is head and shoulders above the rest of us, but they are solid all around. I consider them to be the perfect league mate. Army could have won the title, had they not had three fewer sports. Navy only competes in half the league sports. But they usually finish near the top. So I'm not sure what to make of that. Lafayette had the lowest finish of the teams competing in every sport.
I finally found one negative to having Adonal Foyle come to Colgate. And that is having to sit behind the 6'10" NBA center at the local movie house in Hamilton. Oh well, at least the top half of "Attack of the Clones" looked good.
2 of the 3 coaching moves of last year came out with very positive results. The womens basketball and mens lacrosse teams both did exceptionally well with their new coaching staffs. The volleyball team was not as lucky. And they were without a coach for several months after coach Hall left the University in the spring. A new head coach was just appointed. The one positive that has come out of the coaching turmoil is the team has had the chance to grow together, and to rely on each other more.
Aside from coach Hall, and coach Dallis of the tennis team, there have not been any coaching changes yet this year. Which coaches are safe, and which are not? Here's my rundown.
Emmett Davis- Mens basketball- On thinning ice?
Despite having his first winning season, and giving Colgate it's second highest win total in school history, this year had to be considered disapointing. Coach Davis has shown he can recruit. And out record this year was good, but a first round exit via upset two years in a row now? I'd give him a few more years to establish himself, and unfortunatly, whoever is in that post will need to get consideration granted to the rest of the leagues attitude towards hoops.
Beth Spycher- Womens basketball- Just getting started
She was brought in to replace a failing coach, and I don't think anyone has had a complaint. The honeymoon is not over yet. And with last years crop of freshman, it can go on for a while.
Kathy Foto- Field Hockey- Here till retirement
A coach with just 6 wins in two seasons is safe? I think so. After 13 years at the school, she has proved herself many times, and is held in high regard by the administration. I just don't see her going anywhere.
Dick Biddle- Football- Here to stay
Following a decade long stint as an assistant coach, Biddle took the reigns of the program 5 years ago and turned us towards success. We haven't had a dissapointing season since that time, so Biddle should be around as long as he wants.
Don Vaughan- Mens hockey- good enough to go
While the team has had two lean years, Vaughan has to be considered one of the best coaches in the league. And if you go to USCHO.com, you will see he is. I can't see him being forced from his post. But he is good enough, and at that age where it is still very possible another school could snatch him up. Would Vaughan jump at the chance to be able to recruit with scholarships and lower academic standards or an ivy degree as bait? Would you?
Ted Wisner- Womens hockey- His program to build
Ted is pretty much the sole guy responsible for our move to division one, and the successes we've had under his few short years here. As a result, his job is nice and safe, even if we do have a few more years near the bottom of the league. Again, is a young and skilled coach going to stay with us should another school recruit him? Time will tell, but he should be here for at least another few years.
Jim Nagle- Mens lacrosse- Just getting warmed up
A newcomer to the division one scene, it seems as if Nagle might actually make us contenders for the league title. I'd say he's here for at least the next few years to see what he can do.
Katrina Silva- Womens lacrosse- on shakey ground
She's getting frustrated with Colgate, and Colgate is getting frustrated with losing. If nothing changes, she should be the next to go, either by her decision, or the schools, take your pick. The breaks have not been going our way a lot, which hurts. But when things are going smoothly, they are very good. Does Silva's style match the teams? How much longer are we going to work at it before deciding to move on and try something more productive for both parties. I give it a year or two tops at this point.
Mike Doherty- Mens soccer- Maroon to the end
He took over the program when he was just 25. That was almost 20 years ago. Over that time, he has won Hartmans, league titles, and kept the team in the top half of the league almost all during the 90's. His leadership and dedication to Colgate will keep him in front of the bench as far as Colgate goes. And I seriously doubt he will be leaving the school either.
Kathy Brawn- womens soccer- First tests
For ten years under coach Brawn, the team was untouchable by anyone in the league. For that time period alone, Brawn has a lot of job security. But now, the dynasty has been dismantled as other schools have taken more of an interest in womens soccer. It's amazing how bad a 5th place finish can feel after a run like we enjoyed. There will be plenty of time to right the ship. But let's see how these new challenges are handled by everyone involved.
Vickie Sax- Softball- dedication galore
The team has had a few let downs in the past two years, but that does not take away from coach Sax's work ethic. She just doesn't seem to get tired, and it 100% devoted to her job. I don't really know her personality well, but Colgate needs more coaches like her.
On that, the summer is upon us. And we'll just have to wait to see how things pan out in relation to all the topics covered today, and several others. I'll be bringing you more stories over the summer as they develope. There are two articles also heading your way over the summer at least. And Remember the Red Raider's is on pace to be concluded next fall. Expect regular updates to the recruiting database between now and August as I get more information, and have the time to put it up.
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