West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[Scrub]

I would note that Shepherd U is further than Hillsborough.

PSAC has an East and West. So it may only be once every few years Gannon has to travel to Shepherd. Not sure if GMAC has the same structure. But if not, you're going to Owensboro every year.

[boatcapt]

Slippery Rock and Clarion aren't too far either.

Sure beats going to Hillsdale, MI or Owensboro, KY for road games.

I would note that Shepherd U is further than Hillsborough.

[Scrub]

Edinboro, Hurst, & Gannon are all in proximity to each other. That's at least 2 games where you barely have to leave town to play away.

Slippery Rock and Clarion aren't too far either.

Sure beats going to Hillsdale, MI or Owensboro, KY for road games.

[Scrub]

Last chance for WLU to right the ship before tourney season today @ Wheeling. Will the toppers break 100 and sail to 40% from three, or will they struggle as they have in four of their last five games and limp into the MEC Tourney?

I don't really care what the score and percentages are. Just need a W. At this point, they're among the 7 getting spots in the NCAA tourney. Just gotta get a W today and stay away from a badly timed bad loss.

[Scrub]

Who were the local rivals?

Edinboro, Hurst, & Gannon are all in proximity to each other. That's at least 2 games where you barely have to leave town to play away.

[boatcapt]

Last chance for WLU to right the ship before tourney season today @ Wheeling. Will the toppers break 100 and sail to 40% from three, or will they struggle as they have in four of their last five games and limp into the MEC Tourney?

[boatcapt]

They may be interested in Gannon and Mercyhurst but it's safe to say that's one-way interest. Neither is leaving the PSAC.

Both wanted to join the PSAC for years due to the short road trips and local rivalries.

Who were the local rivals?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I do not know, but I have heard the GMAC commissioner speak before and the focus recently has been strictly private schools. Part of that is it is so hard to compete in a lot of the sports with public schools having more money, more scholarships, etc. They have been trying to maintain a competitive league. I have heard Gannon and Mercyhurst as names the GMAC might be interested in. Indianapolis University is another one, along with Davenport in Michigan. Then schools thinking of moving up to D2, such as Indiana Wesleyan.

While I think Wheeling and West Lib would be good fits, Wheeling is most likely not going to be around. I don't think the GMAC would be interested in any other Mountain East Schools.

They may be interested in Gannon and Mercyhurst but it's safe to say that's one-way interest. Neither is leaving the PSAC.

Both wanted to join the PSAC for years due to the short road trips and local rivalries.

[tuffeagle]

Is there a restriction in the GMAC Constitution/By Laws? While the current members may not include publics, I would note that Central State (a public school) was a member of the GMAC from 2012-15 and UVa Wise (a public school) was a in 12-13.

I do not know, but I have heard the GMAC commissioner speak before and the focus recently has been strictly private schools. Part of that is it is so hard to compete in a lot of the sports with public schools having more money, more scholarships, etc. They have been trying to maintain a competitive league. I have heard Gannon and Mercyhurst as names the GMAC might be interested in. Indianapolis University is another one, along with Davenport in Michigan. Then schools thinking of moving up to D2, such as Indiana Wesleyan.

While I think Wheeling and West Lib would be good fits, Wheeling is most likely not going to be around. I don't think the GMAC would be interested in any other Mountain East Schools.

[boatcapt]

A super conference isn't a bad idea, but the GMAC to this point has not accepted public schools into its footprint. Eventually they might not have a choice, because more schools from both conferences are going to close.

Is there a restriction in the GMAC Constitution/By Laws? While the current members may not include publics, I would note that Central State (a public school) was a member of the GMAC from 2012-15 and UVa Wise (a public school) was a in 12-13.

[Bballfan]

I've said for a while now that it is in the best interest of the GMAC and the MEC to merge. Maybe the spate of school closures will finally convince the leaders of both conferences to see the light.

A super conference isn't a bad idea, but the GMAC to this point has not accepted public schools into its footprint. Eventually they might not have a choice, because more schools from both conferences are going to close.

[boatcapt]

Wheeling College will be the next to fall. The G-MAC could be looking at losing a couple too. Lake Erie College is in about as bad a shape as Wheeling and Notre Dame College. Multiple colleges are going to shut their doors over the next few years. Survival of the fittest.

I've said for a while now that it is in the best interest of the GMAC and the MEC to merge. Maybe the spate of school closures will finally convince the leaders of both conferences to see the light.

[Bballfan]

A number of factors. COVID obviously accelerated the small college decline with lower enrollment. Online schooling. Trade schools. Apprenticeship programs. Less kids are going to college and typically private schools are more expensive than public schools. Then the Catholic church has started pulling out their funding and support. Wheeling a few years ago. Notre Dame College last year. There is a school in the east (Saint Rose I believe) that also lost its funding and is now closing. Many of the small D3 schools are surviving on huge endorsements, but they are not going to be immune either. A few Ohio D3 schools are now on life support too. Going to get worse.

[Topper_Hopper]

What's causing all of this? The Notre Dame articles mention changes in demographics / a shrinking college-age population, costs, etc.

Maybe also something to do w/ large/online-schools stealing enrollment that would have otherwise attended a smaller school?

[Bballfan]

Wheeling College will be the next to fall. The G-MAC could be looking at losing a couple too. Lake Erie College is in about as bad a shape as Wheeling and Notre Dame College. Multiple colleges are going to shut their doors over the next few years. Survival of the fittest.