Williams Names Kelton New Head Football Coach

 WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The search for the next head football coach at Williams College is over, and the job hunt has ended with a historic hiring.

On Monday, the college officially announced Aaron Kelton as the successor to Mike Whalen, who left Williams in March to become the coach and assistant athletic director at Wesleyan University. Although records at Williams College cannot verify every coach in the program's 126-year history, it is believed that Kelton is the first black head football coach in school — and New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) — history.

Kelton said in an interview Monday afternoon that he has been informed by other sources that he is the first black head football coach in Williams history.

"This is monumental," Kelton said. "I'm elated by it. It shows the commitment Williams has by making sure it goes about the process in the right way, by giving everyone an opportunity. It helps carry on the rich tradition that Williams already has."

In a press release, Williams College Athletic Director Harry Sheehy expressed his excitement in the hiring of Kelton.

"I’m thrilled that Aaron and his wife Charlotte will be joining the Williams athletic family and college community," Sheehy said. "The search committee was impressed with Aaron’s energy and passion for teaching the game of football to young men, and this passion resonated with people on our campus throughout the process. He’ll be a tireless teacher, coach, and recruiter. Current and future Eph football players will be inspired and challenged to reach for their potential under Aaron’s tutelage. It’s with much enthusiasm that we call on him to carry forward the great tradition that is Williams football."

Kelton joins the Ephs after four seasons coaching in the Ivy League at Columbia University — he was the Lions' defensive coordinator for the last two seasons following two seasons as their secondary coach. He came to Columbia after five seasons as a defensive coach at Virginia State, where he spent four as the linebackers coach and one as the secondary coach.

Following his graduation from Springfield College in 1992, Kelton was an assistant at his alma mater, Wellesley (Mass.) High School, for four years and an assistant at Wayland (Mass.) High School for one season. After one season each as an defensive assistant at Clarion and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he filled roles as the defensive coordinator, defensive special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Concord College (West Virginia) from 1999 to 2001.

The job at Williams will be his first head coaching position.

Drury Softball, Tennis Postponed

Wednesday's Drury softball and tennis events have been postponed due to inclement weather. Drury at Taconic junior varsity and varsity softball will now be played on Tuesday, May 18. Varsity will start at 4 p.m.

Drury at Lee varsity tennis will be played on Wednesday, May 26 at 4 p.m.

Any cancellations or postponements can be sent to pronan@iBerkshires.com.

Ummm.....Really?

Boston Mayor Tom Menino should really fire his speech writer or stop accepting invitations to speak at sports-related events. Check out what he says during a ceremony revealing the new Bobby Orr statue at TD Garden in Boston.

Did he say 'ionic'? Good lord. And maybe when he said 'Varitek splitting the uprights,' he was referring to this.

I've been watching SportsCenter for a half hour, and they've already played the Menino clip three times. And let's not forget this dandy from the late Ted Kennedy.

For a state with such a rich sports tradition, you wouldn't know it by listening to our elected officials. Speaking of politics and sports, check out our president.

Now this gets me thinking... Do the elected officials here in North County have any hidden athletic skills? We should organize a North Adams vs. Williamstown sports challenge to raise money for charity. I know North Adams City Councilor Mike Bloom can play hockey. Who else in the local governments can excel in athletics?

Seriously, that would be a great way to raise some money for a worthy cause. Whether it's basketball, softball or even a bowling match, I think a lot of local residents would come check this out.

And...Sportscenter just showed the Menino highlight for a fourth time. Poor Mayor. I hope he called in sick today.

Brotherly Glove: Three Raimers Share The Infield For McCann Tech

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Last November, McCann Tech senior Ben Raimer threw a touchdown pass to his little brother, Chad, a freshman, during the last game of the Hornets' football season.

Junior Ryan Raimer was the starting safety on McCann's defense, which meant the three Raimer brothers shared the varsity stage for Ben's final high school football game. Steve and Tarryn Raimer, the boys' parents, thought it was the last time they'd witness their sons play on the same team.

Not so fast.

Five months later, the Raimers were sharing the field once again, but this time on the baseball diamond.

In an April 30 varsity baseball game against Westfield Vocational at Joe Wolfe Field, Ben, Ryan and Chad were side by side — quite literally — in the starting lineup. Ben was at shortstop, Ryan at third base and Chad, who was called up from junior varsity, at second base.

Hornets head coach George Canales, who has been coaching for 36 years, has never seen or heard of three brothers playing the infield together during a varsity baseball game.

"I've talked to umpires, I've talked to coaches," Canales said. "They've seen two brothers together, but no one can remember seeing three, especially in the infield at the same time."

Senior shortstop Ben Raimer, left, warms up during McCann's game against Westfield Vocational on April 30 at Joe Wolfe Field. His younger brothers are close by; Ryan, right, plays third base and Chad, center, plays second.

For Canales, the situation presented itself when starting second baseman Jimmy Nowak was out of town competing in the SkillsUSA State Championships. Chad, who had impressed coaches with his defense on the JV team, was the logical choice to fill Nowak's spot.

Ben, who can play just about any position — from center field to catcher to pitcher — started at shortstop because McCann's usual starter, Bryce Horsfall, was on the mound. Ryan is the team's everyday starting third baseman.

"They were outstanding together in the infield," Canales said. "The way they talked to each other, worked together, it was outstanding. They get along so well, and it's just an honor to have them on the team."

It was no shock to Steve Raimer that his boys performed like a well-oiled machine; he gets a glimpse every night at the dinner table.

"They like to debrief and talk about game situations," he said.

"I'm proud as heck, not just in their athletic accomplishments, but I'm just proud of the young men they've become and the character they show as students at McCann and as members of the community."

Steve admitted that one of the major upsides to having Ben, Ryan and Chad on the same field is the added convenience for he and his wife. When Chad was in middle school, there were days in which all three boys were playing in different towns for different teams.

"With both parents at the same game, we're not shuffling from place to place, calling each other in between innings with updates on each game," Steve said.