Tuesday's Musings

A story on the Ivy League web site takes a look at the change in Ivy League football venues, with particular attention paid to the playing surface. Of the work being done at Dartmouth, the story says: "The new building, estimated at $19.5 million, and a synthetic field might detract from the 'White Mountain' feeling, but it should pick up Big Green gridiron spirits."

From the Manchester Union Leader: "Now it's Dartmouth College's turn to take its shot at the No. 1 Wildcats this week. The University of New Hampshire, after its lopsided 62-7 victory against Stony Brook on Saturday in Durham, solidified its lofty standing as the No. 1-ranked team in The Sports Network Division I-AA top 25 poll." Not much more about Dartmouth in the story, but it's a reminder that something special is happening this weekend.

For the full Sports Network release on the voting, click here. Find the poll here. In addition to UNH being No. 1, Harvard is at 26, Penn at 28, Brown at 31 and Colgate at 38. Just an opinion, but I'd buy Colgate at that price. The Raiders' value should be going up. If you have Central Cennecticut at 23, it's time to sell.

Sometimes the need to turn a phrase gets in the way of telling the story accurately. I've seen a many times with young writers I've helped over the years. Here's a perfect example from the Cornell Sun overview of the week in Ivy football: "Colgate took off running and never looked back en route to a 28-7 win over Dartmouth in Hamilton, N.Y., on Saturday." Nice play on words, given Jordan Scott's 65-yard gallop on the Raiders' first play from scrimmage. But Colgate was losing at halftime and clinging to a seven-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. Never looked back doesn't quite tell the story.

It didn't take long, and it was no great surprise, who answered the challenge after Harvard dropped its early "action" policy. Stepping to the plate: Princeton. Here's a quick story about the New Jersey school's decision to drop its early "decision" program.

Princeton Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye, quoted in the Princetonian: "(W)e're in a position of strength, and it takes courage, but it's the right thing to do." ... A story in the Harvard Crimson included the following, which is revealing: "Harvard’s dean of admissions and financial aid, William R. Fitzsimmons ’67, said he is encouraged by Princeton’s move and hopes that more schools will follow Harvard’s lead. But he stressed that potential antitrust violations constrained Harvard from consulting with other schools regarding changes to early admissions programs."