What’s the NESCAC?
The NESCAC stands for New England Small College Athletic Conference consisting of 8 of the oldest colleges in the country. Nicknamed the “Mini-Ivies” the academic and networking experience and ROI of this conference is just as good, if not better than the Ivy League.
The NESCAC has a 75 man roster so they prefer to take combo K/P or LS/Other position.
It is also one of the few conferences where you can play multiple sports in different seasons.
How good is NESCAC Football?
Really good. Some of these rivalries go back 100 years or more. NFL kicker Stephen Hauschka played at Middlebury College and other NFL prospects have come through the NESCAC as well. It is also is not uncommon for NESCAC talented football players to do a graduate year at a larger university. For example, Tufts kicker last year is now going to Duke to kick for his last year of eligibility and start graduate school.
What numbers do I need to kick to go here?
Generally, almost on par with what the Ivy League would want to see ability wise. Because of the conference’s exclusivity, they usually only take one specialist a year, and sometimes, no specialist because of the 75 man limit on the roster:
KO - Are from the 40 yard line, but wills till want to see 65-70 yard KO w/ 3.8+ hang time.
FG - Range should be 55 without wind assisted off the ground.
P - 4.5 Hang time, 40 yards per punt, located at or outside the numbers in 1.4 hang to foot time.
Academically, the threshold is high, while these are not exact, they represent about the average of past players coming through their program:
GPA 3.7+
Transcript must be challenging i.e. taking 6 AP cumulatively over the course of four years of HS. Got to score a B or better in AP courses, doesn’t need to be a 5 out of 5.
SAT 1250+ helps.
Sometimes it can be a scale: if you have a lower GPA like a 3.4 GPA but your SAT is 1300+ admissions can work with you on that.
You are going to go to probably some kind of Ivy League camp which will have the NESCAC schools invited to as well.
What is the best way to get in touch with NESCAC schools?
Email first. These schools are excellent at responding to emails.
Follow up with Twitter DM/office call if needed.
Fill out their recruiting questionnaire which will then get your information into their system.
Schedule a tour or visit with the general admissions department and stop by their office if you can.
Bowdoin College (ME)
Looking for:
→ 22’ Punter but not sure what their current crop of specialists are going to be doing, so needs could change.
Amherst College (MA)
Williams College (MA)
Wesleyan (CT)
Looking for:
→ 22’ K/P Combo. Has very strong incumbent senior kicker, one underclassmen who is unproven.