No, this isn’t about the theological component of NASCAR (though the popularity of auto racing is perhaps best explained by sophisticated brainwashing techniques)– it’s much more important: A story on ESPN.com about the Williams-Amherst rivalry:
Although the unusual history of the two schools inspired the rivalry, the annual success of both programs certainly has turned up the heat. And since schools in the New England Small College Athletic Conference don’t participate in postseason football, the Williams-Amherst matchup has decided more than a few conference championships.
The 1997 season finale, for instance, has become something of a local legend in New England. Williams entered the game 6-1; Amherst was a perfect 7-0. The Lord Jeffs took a 46-45 lead with just over a minute to go on a trick two-point conversion. But Williams answered, driving 70 yards to set up a 27-yard field goal, which freshman Collin Vataha (in his first year of kicking — ever) nailed to ruin the Lord Jeffs’ perfect season, 48-46.
“Nailed” is too strong a word– if I remember correctly, that’s the game-winning kick that hit both uprights before going in. I watched it in a bar in the DC area, with a bunch of other Williams alumns, and some people from Amherst who were allowed in so we could mock them after the game.
Needling aside, it’s a good article, with lots of quotes and anecdotes from both sides of the rivalry. I’m not sure it’ll be interesting to anybody outside our elite little bubble, but I got a kick out of it, and it’s my blog…
(On a vaguely related note, the same alumni association email newsletter contained a link to a blog by an art professor whose latest project involves traveling around the world on one line of longitude (more or less). He’s in the Arctic now, and has lots of pictures.)