Re: Nescac 2011-2012
I think both sides are to blame (anti-beaney and pro beaney)
When Middlebury came into the NCAA limelight in the mid-90s they brought not only a system but a style of play no one was use to seeing. Speed and a team built around defense. I know for a fact Plattsburgh had to change its recruiting style to keep up with Middlebury.
Middlebury (and we argued this for years) worked with the admissions department to get borderline students in. I still go back to the quote from the former Middlebury captain ...if it wasn't for hockey I couldn't have attended a college like Middlebury....I was told that the administration has sense put a much tighter grip on things these days..
Diluted hockey pool. Because Middlebury is who they are, they have a smaller pool of players to pick from. DIII hockey in todays state have so many programs that have taken the next step to be competitive. Teams have taken players that would have only gone to your top 5-10 teams and now are going to start up programs.
Back to Beaneys system. In order for it to work EVERYONE has to work as a team and buy into the system. With the lawsuit and all these vanishing players (you should have seen the shock on peoples faces when I told Middlebury fans BonDurant was no longer on the team) I think Beaney has lost control of his team. For a team that really took it to Elmira and played a decent game in a 0-0 tie against Plattsburgh should have gone up and forward not this downward spiral.
Having said all that calling for Beaneys head...a man thats brought Middlebury more NCAA titles then any DIII in NCAA history at a school/league where sports is seen as a good time I doubt you will see it. Middlebury and the NESCAC care more about their academic (dont get me wrong its not a bad thing) then a coach having a down year(s).
So in short, IMO, Beaney is only part of the issue but at a school like Middlebury I could see them being a .500 team and the admin saying "its okay, our student athletes are getting a great education"...
When we were talked to by Middlebury security a few weeks ago for cheering to loud a Middlebury fan came down and summed it up pretty good. In regards to being blowout 7-0...."we (Middlebury fans) don't know what to do"..
IMO, very well said. I'll add that personally I dislike the arrogant attitude represented by the NESCAC administration, though I will acknowledge it is part of their "brand" and as such it is what it is - this is not necessarily an issue of the players and fans - sometimes you are the same as the company you keep - yet other times you are a victim of circumstance - myself, I do not begrudge the players and fans.
I also think you are spot on - Middlebury's "decline" is a cause and effect of their success - there is nowhere else to go from the top, and once you've earned the "target" everyone has their sights set, successful coaches like McShane and Emery (and others) will devise a solution and others will at least copy the solution and/or enhance it, but it will not be sustainable.
The comment "we (Middlebury fans) don't know what to do" might also reflect in Beaney, I have voluntarily left more than one management position because of my own success - I felt I had no more rabbits left in my hat. IMO, for his sake, I think he should consider moving on - but could Middlebury replace him - certainly anyone is "replaceable" but someone of his talent and skill would be a formable task, and someone with his success - impossible at this time - yes they broke the 4 minute mile - in large part because it became the target.
There is also the "facts" of the lawsuit - yet to be determined in a court of law - but if Beaney is found at fault, he and those who associate with him will have some deep soul searching to do - there is IMO no place for that extreme behavior in DIII sports.
Finally there is the "love them or hate them", like the Yankees, Lakers, Celtics, Steelers, Packers, Dodgers, etc have shown winning doesn't always "create fans" - though I would argue it has to create some level of respect. That said, it is one thing to "hate to play a team" and another "to hate the team".
I hate the NESCAC brand, but I for the most part respect and sympathize with their players and fans. Lastly, your comment: "I could see them being a .500 team and the admin saying "its okay, our student athletes are getting a great education" might apply any other league - and it might at Middlebury - but it STRONGLY goes against the grain of their brand.
.... FIRE Kangas?
