While many students did, in fact, welcome their families to campus and music and theater performances went forth as originally scheduled, torrential rain forced the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) to cancel the highly anticipated men's and women's soccer games and move the field hockey game to Springfield, Mass., in addition to keeping families indoors and away from what could have been a quintessential fall day on the Amherst campus. Nevertheless, nearly everyone seemed to enjoy their weekend with their families.
While the weather hampered first-year Cait Patterson's original plans to spend Saturday at the athletic fields, her family found alternative activities. "Because the weather was crummy, we went shopping," she explained. "My dad wasn't too happy about it, but my mom and I had fun." After their shopping excursion, the Pattersons made it over to Pratt Field to watch the Lord Jeffs defeat the Tufts University Jumbos, 24-6. "My dad kept remarking that the field was bigger when he played on it," commented Patterson with a smile.
Yet, Patterson pointed to another consequence of the downpour. "Due to the unfortunate weather, my parents felt they were not able to meet as many of my friends and their families as they would have liked."
Mike Guttilla '09 explained that his family took full advantage of the musical performances on campus this past weekend. From the Concert Orchestra's and Choral Society's concerts to performances by the College's six a cappella groups, the Guttillas saw it all. Guttilla particularly enjoyed the Zumbyes' a cappella performance and their creative rendition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
While Guttilla shared his penchant for the Zumbyes' Chris Gillyard '08, Jordy Haviv '09 chimed in, "Chelsea Draper '09 [of the Bluestockings] made the show." Guttilla also spent time at the football game with his parents and they took him out to dinner at Carmelina's one night, and brought him and his roommates along for a meal at Pasta E Basta the other night. Guttilla said he enjoyed the weekend and so did his parents. "They actually called me up today to say how impressed they were [by the College]."
Jack Conway '10 and his family savored the football game and dinner at his aunt and uncle's house in Northampton. His siblings were impressed by their older brother's living situation in Stearns Dormitory. But the weather proved a downer again. "We were disappointed that the soccer game got cancelled," he explained. Men's varsity soccer player Mark Crane '10 expressed a similar view. "The team was really looking forward to the game. A lot of alums had flown up. All the parents were here. But [the cancellation] was probably the best decision because somebody would have gotten hurt," Crane explained.
While the Jeffs did not get the opportunity to clinch the NESCAC regular season title and earn the right to host the NESCAC Tournament, the weather, and the team's prospects, improved on Sunday. The team beat Tufts in an exciting thriller that ended in penalty kicks and allowed Amherst to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Will Fairhurst '10, a member of the cross country team, spent Friday with his parents in Amherst, strolling around town and dining at the Amherst Brewing Company. However, Saturday brought the Fairhursts to Connecticut College for the cross country NESCAC Championships. "It was probably pretty miserable for [my parents] standing out in the rain." Fairhurst has one souvenir to show for the weekend: a rash he and other runners throughout the NESCAC developed from running through the water that flooded a section of the course. Several members of the team are now also members of Facebook group, "Victims of the NESCAC rash." Yet, Fairhurst said he still enjoyed his time with his parents who made the voyage to Amherst from Florida.
The College does not treat its parents to Jerry Seinfeld performances and other lavish events like George Washington University does, as The New York Times reported in an article titled, "Parents Weekends Go Beyond Big Game." However, despite the uncontrollable weather situation, students seem to agree that a little football, a stroll around town, some Zumbyes and a good meal do just fine.