You might remember the segment that used to appear on CBS in the morning: The reporter had his back to the map of the United States and threw a dart over his shoulder. It might land in Menlo Park, Calif., Castine, Maine or anywhere in between. He would then go to that locale and pick a name randomly out of the phone book.
The person was always a great story. The point: There is a story worth telling in EVERYONE.
We have an unbelievable pool for outstanding stories in Division III football with 244 teams playing the game. That is why I read all the stories on the site from every region of the country.
Endicott athletics photo
Stories on and off the field that are riveting. Stories that will stay with you. And as the 2014 season unfolds so will the stories. It should be an unforgettable ride.
It was one of the last days of September 2007 when I first heard from Pat Coleman. The columnist for the Northeast was bailing out and he "had a relatively sudden need" for a replacement is what the follow up email said.
I am glad I answered his request in the affirmative. There is nothing quite like Division III football.
Here are some of the games to watch in 2014 in the Northeast.
Sept. 6, Endicott at Framingham State. The conference champions of their respective conferences squaring off. Both are the pick to repeat. What a way to kick off the season.
"There is a good amount of buzz about the game. I expect it will be a full crowd," Endicott coach J.B. Wells said.
Sept. 13, Hobart at Endicott. No rest for the Gulls. They meet another NCAA playoff team in Hobart the very next week.
Sept. 27, Western Connecticut at Framingham State. It's early, but the only two teams to get first-place votes in the MASCAC coaches poll could be playing for the title.
Oct. 11, Salve Regina at Western New England. These are definitely contenders in the NEFC.
Oct. 18, Gallaudet at Husson. It is the defending ECFC champions on the road against a Husson team that is on the rise and could be playing for the crown itself.
Oct. 18, Amherst at Wesleyan. Unlike the other conferences, the NESCAC does not have the carrot of an NCAA playoff. But they do have traditions and one of the best is The Little Three game between the Lord Jeffs and Cardinals.
Nov. 1, Gallaudet at Norwich. This might also be for the ECFC title. The ball won't be in the air much. The game will be quick and just might come down to the wire just as it did last year. And the winner could be dancing in the playoffs.
Nov. 8, Williams at Amherst. Biggest Little Game in America. 10,000-plus fans. Alumni groups watching all over the country and abroad. Maybe it will be for the NESCAC title and maybe it won't. Either way, it has to make this list. This one matters.
Nov. 8, Trinity at Wesleyan. A better bet that this one will be played with the NESCAC title on the line.
Nov. 15, Castleton at Norwich. The game could very well have championship implications for Norwich. But it will be every bit as important for Castleton. State pride and the Maple Sap Bucket are high stakes.
This week
There is something about openers. Everyone is unbeaten and filled with hope.
The Western New England game at Springfield promises to be a good one but it is also tremendous for the Greater Springfield area in just its second year.
"It is starting to take on the trappings of a rivalry," WNEU coach Keith Emery said. "I can't believe how quickly it has taken off in the Springfield area."
That game will be Friday night.
Also intriguing is the Friday night game at Westfield State that has Nichols paying a visit. Both teams have new head coaches.
Nichols has been the league doormat but the Bison have a new head coach, a new staff and a special teams coach for the first time. Sixty of their 98 players are new. Yes, Nichols is getting serious about football and that is great to see.
The next day MIT welcomes Pomona-Pitzer all the way from California as the visitors reciprocate the Engineers' trip to the West Coast last year.
"I just want to give a shout out to the league (NEFC)," Salve Regina coach Kevin Gilmartin said in a teleconference on Thursday. "The knock on us is that we never played outside New England and this year we are playing teams from California, Virginia, New York and New Jersey.”
NEFC Commissioner John Harper praised the schools and their athletic directors for going outside the region and giving the players educational experiences as well as testing themselves on the football field.
Plymouth State comes into Castleton on Saturday hoping to end a two-game losing streak against the Spartans.
A game that intrigues me on Friday night has Becker hosting Fitchburg State. When I was speaking to Becker coach Mike Lichten during the preseason he told me his defensive line could be among the best in New England. That's quite a mouthful, but if it is something close to that the Hawks might be a sleeper in the ECFC.
Hey, they nearly derailed league champion Gallaudet last season.
