Welcome back

Here's hoping you had a special Thanksgiving with family and/or friends.

Before I begin to get the blog up to offseason speed, I'd like to invite you to add to the comments several friends have already shared about Kathy Slattery Phillips, the tireless and longtime Dartmouth sports information director who died early this week (next posting). I don't know about you, but these thoughts (and dozens I have received personally) have helped me at a very difficult time. (Note: Even I can't tell who makes anonymous posts so if that's more comfortable for you, feel free.)

A reminder if you'd like to make a contribution to help Kathy's young stepchildren:
Kathy & Corey Phillips Family Fund
c/o Mascoma Savings Bank
67 North Park Street
Lebanon, NH 03766

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An Illinois high school quarterback who completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,987 yards and 18 touchdowns this fall and has never received anything lower than an "A" is on Dartmouth's radar screen (and the screen of at least three other Ivies). Mark Tolzien of Fremd High School in Palatine, Ill., has one brother who plays QB at Wisconsin and another who went to Air Force Academy as a defensive back and now boxes for the Falcons. His Rivals profile is here and his Scout bio is here.

Standout Yale nose guard Brandt Hollander has been invited to play in the Hula Bowl as noted in this Yale release. Whenever an Ivy player goes on to the postseason it's great for the league.

Barring a surprising change, that Dartmouth schedule won't get any easier next year. Holy Cross junior quarterback Dominic Randolph was named the Patriot League player of the year while Colgate junior tailback Jordan Scott was named to the Patriot League first team. The All-Patriot League release can be found here.