Fall 2010 Newsletter
At the time this was written, every team was undefeated and the usual September optimism reigns. It's a great time of year here!
2009-2010 presented the usual mixed bag of victories, near misses, and disappointments. The women tied for 5th of 12 schools in the Conference All Sports competition. Men were 8th of 11, which is lower than usual.
The national organization of college athletic directors also ranks relative institutional performance, pooling men's and women's sports by NCAA Division and considering only NATIONAL competition. 311 of the +/- 430 Division III (ie., non-athletic scholarship) programs scored at that level. Carleton placed a respectable 51st with 304 points.
One interesting aspect of that competition is the make up of the top institutions. Traditionally, Williams (Steinbrenner, you say?) has been the winner (and often the only very selective school in the top 15); other top places were most often schools with large enrollments, low tuition, and essentially open enrollment policies (UW LaCrosse, Rowan, UW-Stevens Point, St. Thomas, Salisbury State, etc.)
Note the 2010 rankings:
Institution Points
1) Williams 1292
2) Amherst 905
3) Washington U 858
4) Middlebury 751
5) Illinois Wesleyan 704
6) Tufts 699
7) UW LaCrosse 678
8) New Jersey 677
9) Salisbury State 673
10) St. Thomas 670
11) MIT 662
12) UW Stevens Point 654
13) Johns Hopkins 638
Why? Darned if I know...perhaps some other leading schools want to join Williams with top programs and now recruit and allocate student aid accordingly. Perhaps in the current recession, only schools with big endowments can fund large, high level, multi-sport programs. Perhaps those with big endowments are able to devote more money to financial aid. Any ideas?
There are changes here this year too:
- Synchronized swimming, after several years as being one of the very few varsity programs in the entire NCAA, has reverted to club status.
- There are eight new, attractive, well-designed tennis courts on Bell Field.
- Leon Lunder, Athletic Director for some two decades, has returned to teaching and coaching (throwing events for the track teams).
- Gerald Young, formerly an assistant coach of football and softball, has become the new Athletic Director.
Basketball coach Tammy Metcalf-Filzen has retired to spend more time with her family and has been replaced by Cassie Glasrud Kosiba '03. Tammy's departure is indicative of an unfortunate trend: people are finding job pressures (recruiting) even in Division III demand too much time to allow one to raise a family. Her priorities are right, but another outstanding coach and individual has left the field.
And the rains came!!! More on this later, when all damage is known!
Now, please send your nominations for the Alumni C-Club Hall of Fame. As we have said in the past, names of former athletes, coaches, and inundated co-conspirators are welcome.
Please focus on reunion classes (2001, 1996, 1991, etc.) Nominees should be at least ten years out of school and not working for Carleton.
Thanks! Hit the Carleton Athletics website for current sports information, and let me know if I can be of help.
Bill Huyck