Our Final Salute to Summer 2016 (Thru Tweets)

@jmnetter33

The games began more than one month ago.

Members of the general student body began trickling onto campuses across the NEC soon after.

The summer essentially ended a few weeks ago, but, now, it’s official.

The Autumn Equinox is here.

It’s time to write the obituary for Summer 2016.

Since we’re somewhat Twitter-obsessed here at the Overtime! Blog, we are going to use tweets to tell the story of the summer.

After all, if it wasn’t tweeted about, did it really even happen?

There is one little twist to our Summer In Review Tweet Sheet. We used tweets from NEC coaches only. After all, coaches like summertime, too, right?

So, find out how your favorite coach spent summer by scanning the tweets below…

 

#Adventure

I may have had more fun than the kids! ❤️them #goingtomissthem pic.twitter.com/8zt0iOSsQz

— Heather Jacobs (@CoachHJacobs) July 16, 2016

#AmericasPastime

.@PeteRose_14 & @TheBigHurt_35 w/@FDUKnights Head Coach Greg Herenda during #STLvsCIN

MLB #WhipAround right after! pic.twitter.com/DcDlEISHpu

— FS1 (@FS1) August 3, 2016

Great weekend with family in Cooperstown, Coaching my kids baseball in summer. FB Camp is 5-6 weeks away. #SHUFB pic.twitter.com/YoNaQ38e8T

— Coach Nofri (@mark_nofri) June 27, 2016

RMU head coach @AndyToole is here to throw out a first pitch for @RMU Night! #BurghProud pic.twitter.com/cSc9e8VJZv

— Pirates (@Pirates) June 22, 2016

Summertime. Bringing heat pic.twitter.com/AyUTPjKJ4k

— FDU Women’s B Ball (@FDU_WBB) June 25, 2016

#Getaways

Here’s wishing for a great season for both the men and basketball women’s teams!@BryantAthletics @BryantUprez pic.twitter.com/ezJkAUXABW

— Timothy O’Shea (@toshea1) August 23, 2016

S☀️mmer! #nofilter pic.twitter.com/lY0XgPjERw

— Heather Jacobs (@CoachHJacobs) August 13, 2016

It couldn’t have been a better day today. Just enough wind to keep it comfortable pic.twitter.com/A21KWkE4jq

— Joe Haigh (@CoachJoeHaigh) August 7, 2016

Hershey Park happy🙂 pic.twitter.com/X9LEJAdWKk

— CoachBryan Whitten (@CoachWhitMSM) August 3, 2016

Bye bye Grand Cayman – wish I could stay here forever! I miss you already 🌴⛱☀️ 🐠🐢🍹#grandcayman #amazing pic.twitter.com/Uh94xtsaL8

— Coach Jess Mannetti (@jmnetter33) June 21, 2016

#TheIncredibleSummerOfStephanie

So thankful to be here tonight with my family…one subway stop away and I’m in heaven #sangennaro ❤️💚 pic.twitter.com/lFi9k4Hik0

— Stephanie Oliver (@CoachOliverLIU) September 15, 2016

We are EVERYWHERE! Even in the Jersey shore! #Brooklyn #blackbirdnation pic.twitter.com/6LxMvb9G7x

— Stephanie Oliver (@CoachOliverLIU) August 15, 2016

I cannot wait to see you @PaulMcCartney #dayinthelife 🎼 pic.twitter.com/SdQhilJXVA

— Stephanie Oliver (@CoachOliverLIU) August 7, 2016

Happy Sunday from my family to yours! #tradition #stretchypants pic.twitter.com/fm3dOuKTjN

— Stephanie Oliver (@CoachOliverLIU) August 7, 2016

Thank you @UnderArmour for an amazing day at headquarters &for sharing your vision with us! #iwill #blackbirdnation pic.twitter.com/n1Bo7Ah2eN

— Stephanie Oliver (@CoachOliverLIU) July 22, 2016

Moms birthday surprise dinner was a success. Happy 60th to my name sake! Love you lady #mygirl pic.twitter.com/y1Xms99YT7

— Stephanie Oliver (@CoachOliverLIU) July 1, 2016

First time at the Jersey shore! Will never ever forget these moments! #artieluna #bestie #dts @laurenimakeup pic.twitter.com/TuFWIQznpJ

— Stephanie Oliver (@CoachOliverLIU) June 25, 2016

#FORE

Solid day on the course today with @CoachOliverLIU and @CoachTGardner #progress #pgatour #unclebuck #sweetcooler pic.twitter.com/87wmQqxPXf

— Heather Zurich (@CoachZurichLIU) August 31, 2016

Ryan T. Lee Memorial golf outing with @mfmlides Representing the #4thfloor #blackbirdnation pic.twitter.com/CA3IjgbH8A

— Stephanie Oliver (@CoachOliverLIU) August 12, 2016

Attempting to play golf today at Sacred Hearts very own Great River golf course in Milford!!! Let’s see how this goes.. #mentaltoughness ⛳️

— Coach Jess Mannetti (@jmnetter33) July 2, 2016

#GoodTimesForGoodCauses

SO PROUD of @SacredHeartWBB for their love & enthusiasm at the #CTchallenge!!! Thank you @kiana_xo23 for the video! pic.twitter.com/J45lps2Rnx

— Coach Jess Mannetti (@jmnetter33) August 18, 2016

Myself and Coach D sitting together on sidelines of Coach Calhoun’s Charity event. Officially Passing the Torch pic.twitter.com/mgUCL1xn6Y

— Donyell Marshall (@Dmarsh42) August 13, 2016

Great time at Jeffrey Osbourne Charity event – with Andy Katz and Dr. J @ESPNAndyKatz pic.twitter.com/5Y6LafQ21a

— Timothy O’Shea (@toshea1) August 8, 2016

#TryingSomethingNew

Due to overwhelming feedback…THIS happened… protein style of course. And it was worth every calorie! 🍟🍔😁 #delicious pic.twitter.com/pI56pIKvT3

— Coach Jess Mannetti (@jmnetter33) July 14, 2016

#Random

Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸😎🏀 #saucin @dana_direnzo @SFBK_HeadCoachT pic.twitter.com/csEKTMHKgw

— Mia (@MiaEhling) July 4, 2016

#Sunrise

Chasing Striper’s…what a view. pic.twitter.com/mDhxrkwGbW

— Peter Rossomando (@CoachRossomando) July 20, 2016

#Sunset

Tonight’s sunset pic.twitter.com/EVo9dmW8qq

— Timothy O’Shea (@toshea1) July 4, 2016

NEC Institutions Lauded for More than Sports

The U.S. News & World Report revealed its 2017 Best Colleges rankings and the Northeast Conference has plenty of representation.

Four NEC members – Bryant, Mount St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart and St. Francis Brooklyn — were named amongst the “Best for Veterans.”

A total of eight NEC schools appeared on top-100 lists for best regional colleges/universities, while Robert Morris made its first appearance on the U.S. News and World Report rankings of national universities, debuting at No. 188.

 

Where NEC Schools Stand…

National Award Winner: Hines Has His Way with Dayton, Earns STATS FCS Honor

Their offense features the third-leading passer in NEC history, but the Dukes’ latest performance proves they’re much more than one-dimensional.

One week after scoring three touchdowns in a convincing win over Patriot League member Bucknell, freshman AJ Hines erupted for 189 yards rushing and two scores in a win over regional rival Dayton. The rookie running back accounted for the highest single-game rushing output by a DU freshman since Larry McCoy (the program’s all-time rushing leader) logged 195 yards at Nicholls State on Sept. 12, 2009.

As a result, Hines, who scored on touchdown runs of 10 and 37 yards, snared the STATS Inc FCS Freshman Player of the Week award.

From STATS…

FRESHMAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

The defending Northeast Conference champion Dukes had a hole to fill at running back and they’ve filled it with a true freshman. Hines was a workhorse in their 34-20 win over Dayton, which avenged a loss from last season. He carried the ball 29 times for 189 yards – the most by a Dukes freshman in seven years – and two touchdowns. Adept at picking up yards in bunches, he scored on a 10-yard run in the second quarter and a 37-yard run in the fourth quarter, giving him five touchdowns on the young season. He’s been named NEC rookie of the week in two of the season’s first three weeks. – STATS Inc

STATS, which also issues weekly awards on offense, defense and special teams, lauded two more NEC players with a Week 3 Honorable Mention. Duquesne’s Christian Kuntz was a top candidate for the Defensive Player of the Week honor after leading Duquesne’s dominant effort with 6.0 tackles for loss. Saint Francis’ Marcus Bagley, who ran for a Division I FCS single-game season high 220 yards at Columbia, was one of seven offensive players to receive an Honorable Mention.  Read more here.

 

Watch Hines Find the End Zone vs. Dayton…

This is how you run your way to the @FCS_STATS National Freshman of the Week award (example: @GoDuquesne‘s AJ Hines) pic.twitter.com/0N19yDfhPE

— Northeast Conference (@NECsports) September 19, 2016

 

TWEET SHEET

Top FB performers: AJ Hines of @DuqFB rushed for 189 yards and 2 TDs in a win over Dayton

— Chuck Curti (@CCurti_Trib) September 18, 2016

Fike grad AJ Hines runs for 189 yds as @DuqFB Comes From Behind to Defeat Dayton, 34-20 https://t.co/1D6N0c2VDS

— PDsports (@PDsports) September 18, 2016

District football roundup: Duquesne, A.J. Hines pour it on in win vs. Dayton https://t.co/ek7d2FrN9x

— Pittsburgh PG (@PittsburghPG) September 18, 2016

 

Three Former Wagner Seahawks Play for Pay

Former All-NEC linebacker Julian Stanford is entering his fifth season as a pro. (PHOTO – New York Jets)

It was a good week for former Wagner Seahawks in the pros.

With NFL teams trimming their rosters down to 53 players apiece, former Wagner linebacker Julian Stanford earned one of those coveted roster spots. Stanford, who enters his fifth season in the NFL following stints with Jacksonville, Detroit and Tampa Bay, signed a futures/reserve contract with the Jets this past winter.

Dominique Williams, Stanford’s former teammate at Wagner, made the Jets’ preliminary 53-man roster, but was released one day later. One of the NEC’s all-time leading rushers wasn’t out of work for long, however, as the Jets signed Williams to their practice squad later in the week.

While Stanford and Williams were auditioning for Gang Green, another former Wagner Seahawk was battling for a return to the big leagues. Right-handed relief pitcher Andrew Bailey, a former two-time American League All-Star, hadn’t earned a save at the MLB level since 2013.

After performing well for the Salt Lake Bees, the Angels’ AAA affiliate, Bailey earned a return ticket to the bigs and seems to have solidified the back end of Los Angeles’ bullpen.

 

#TweetSheet

With Freddie Bishop getting cut, look for LB Julian Stanford to make the 53. Flashed a lot in preseason #Jets

— NY Jet Fanatic (@NYJetsFanatics) September 3, 2016

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We have signed 4 to our practice squad & waived TE Brian Parker (failed physical)

DETAILS → https://t.co/FeqMQmb19A pic.twitter.com/le3NCzzOC0

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 6, 2016

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Angels have announced C Juan Graterol & LHR Cody Ege have been recalled & RHR Andrew Bailey has been selected to roster. All 3 were with SLC

— Angels (@Angels) September 2, 2016

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Here is a story about new Angels closer Andrew Bailey, velocity readings, and an Oakland Coliseum security guard https://t.co/0j9rvAqBOB

— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) September 7, 2016

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Read more about it…

Andrew Bailey picks up first save since 2013 – Los Angeles Daily News (Jeff Fletcher)

 

Dominique Williams signed to New York Jets’ practice squad – Staten Island Advance (Jim Waggoner)

 

Two former Wagner College players earn spots on Jets’ roster – Staten Island Advance (Jim Waggoner)

National Award Winner: Jerome Snags STATS FCS Special Teams Player of the Week Honor

It was the biggest stage that Saint Francis had ever played on during its history as a Division I FCS program, but the moment wasn’t too big for the Red Flash’s All-American return man.

Senior Lorenzo Jerome, who was the 2015 national leader in kickoff return average, torched No. 13 Montana for 237 all-purpose yards. He logged 196 yards and one touchdown on four kickoff returns during the 41-31 season-opening setback that was played before a crowd of 26,002 in Missoula.

As a result, STATS Inc., the leader in FCS coverage, tabbed the SFU senior as its top special teamer of the week.

From STATS…

STATS FCS SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Jerome returned a kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter and it wasn’t even his longest return in the Northeast Conference team’s 41-31 loss at FCS power Montana. In the third quarter, the second-team STATS FCS All-America kickoff returner had an 86-yard return to the Montana 7, which set up a Red Flash touchdown and gave his team a 17-13 lead in the third quarter. He finished with 196 yards on four kick returns and had another 41 yards on two punt returns. He also terrorized Montana on defense, collecting 10 tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss, two interceptions and one pass breakup – STATS Inc.

 

See Two of Jerome’s Returns in this week’s #NECFB Super 7 Plays Countdown…

 

Tweet Sheet

Don’t be satisfied with just competing. Have the crave to win every game, every rep and every second.

— Lorenzojerome (@numerolUNO_1) September 5, 2016

Lorenzo Jerome is a legit. If you haven’t seen this kid play, NFL GMs, you’re missing out on a gem. Came into WaGriz and balled!

— Eric (@EW406) September 4, 2016

@NECralph, BTW, Lorenzo Jerome is the real deal. Recorded the game. Watching now. Impressed. Big time.

— Jon Kasper (@jon_kasper) September 4, 2016

 

What They’re Saying about the 2016 NEC Football Season

It’s Here!

NEC football teams lift the lid of the 2016 season with games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week.

During the summer-long anticipation of the new season’s start, pundits, analysts, former players, writers and more shared thoughts across the internet.

We’ve taken some of what we’ve found over the past two months and capsulized it for you below.

Here’s to a fun-filled football season for all!

 

Notable Quotables

“The NEC figures to be competitive again, with 2013 and ’14 champ Sacred Heart expected to get back into the championship mix.” – STATS Inc

 

“Don’t sleepwalk through this schedule. … There are landmines everywhere in the NEC so taking each opponent seriously would be wise.” – HERO Sports

 

“Despite the finish, it was a stunning breakthrough not many predicted. Now the bar is set even higher for Chris Villarrial’s team.” – WJAC TV

 

Preseason Reading List

Defenses hopes to stop ‘Year of QBs’ in NEC Football – STATS Inc (Craig Haley)

 

Saint Francis’ Chris Villarrial Talks Breakout 2015, NFL Years – HERO Sports (Brian McLaughlin)

 

Double Trouble – Connecticut Post (Doug Bonjour)

 

FCS preview: Defending NEC champ Duquesne looks to return to postseason — Pittsburgh Tribune Review (Doug Gulasy)

 

After breakthrough season, Saint Francis raising expectations – WJAC NBC 6 (Jordan Conigliaro)

 

Central Football Looking Ahead To Better Season – Hartford Courant (Desmond Conner)

 

Bryant Football Looks to Get Over “Hump” in 2016 — GoLocalProv (Joe Calabro)

 

Wagner College football kicks off Thursday, Houghtaling looking for rebound year – Staten Island Advance (Cormac Gordon)

 

2016 Northeast Conference Preview – STATS Inc (Craig Haley)

 

Northeast Conference Football 2016 Preview – HERO Sports (Brian McLaughlin)

 

Preseason #TweetSheet

@SHU__Football @NECFootball @Abailz1 Even in St Augustine Fl we know that the Pioneers are winning it all this year. pic.twitter.com/t5utgCCBrk

— Allen Bailey (@usmcjustlikeme) July 23, 2016

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Duquesne is the Spurs of @NECFootball which makes Coach Schmitt (Popovich) #NECFB

— Gordon Hill (@G_Hill_) July 21, 2016

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Wagner is gonna fired up this year after seeing that preseason ranking #NECFB

— Q (@Mr_QAnderson) July 21, 2016

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Kudos to the Northeast Conference for putting on an incredible preseason ‘social’ media day #NECFB @HeroSportsNews pic.twitter.com/gBjtkurvHS

— Brian McLaughlin (@BrianMacWriter) July 21, 2016

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Video Vault (Preseason Outlook)

Seven Summertime Headlines Revisited via Tweets

Danielle McEwan (above) picked up her second PWBA Tour title in early July. (PHOTO – @Storm_Nation)

Summer is a time to unwind and recharge, but the months of June, July and August aren’t exactly news-free.

Thanks to Twitter, our staff has been able to effectively follow the NEC-related headlines that popped up over the past 12 weeks. We’ve selected seven noteworthy  headlines to review and condensed them into a #TweetSheet below…

 

Terriers Bring National Championship to Brooklyn Heights

Here are the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll winners for each division! Full list: https://t.co/MCbS8EzniV pic.twitter.com/td7xe7R8bi

— WBCA (@wbca1981) August 2, 2016

 

Nobody Better than the Blackbirds, but Red Flash come close

Congratulations to @LIUbowling on achieving the highest team GPA with 3.71 🏆#NCAABowl pic.twitter.com/37nSQo84JW

— TheNTCA (@TheNTCA) June 30, 2016

 

More Herenda, Please! Defending #NECMBB Champions’ Coach Receives Extension

Very excited about continuing to build the program here with our players, staff and all of our alumni, family and friends at FDU
Go Knights!

— Greg Herenda (@CoachHerenda) July 1, 2016

 

SFU Says Goodbye to Accomplished AD

We are going to miss you Mr. Krimmel! Thanks for all that you have done for @SFUathletics! Enjoy retirement! #BestAD pic.twitter.com/YM8lYYD7oJ

— SFU SAMs & SAAC (@SFU_SAMs_SAAC) July 29, 2016

 

Former FDU star Bags Professional Tournament Title

.@Danielle_McEwan wins her second career PWBA title, taking the PWBA Wichita Open title Tuesday on @CBSSportsNet. https://t.co/tFw1u6XXHv

— PWBA Tour (@PWBATour) July 6, 2016

 

Lineman-turned-Nurse Represents RMU on National Stage

Congrats to @RMUAthletics Nick Faraci @FCSADA Scholar Athlete of the Year! Nursing major with 3.94GPA #NECpride pic.twitter.com/mhePhnjPVM

— Noreen Morris (@NECcommish) June 13, 2016

 

NEC Record Holder Lives the Olympic Dream

LIU sprinter Brendon Rodney eyes gold at Rio Olympics https://t.co/U33Afer054 pic.twitter.com/hZ6mScAXsu

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) July 4, 2016