PSAC WEST

[Ship69]

Yes, they're viable as a bare bones operation - but only because West Chester covers some administrative functions at no cost.

I just don't see the vocational co-op experience like a Cooper Union being attractive to their core demographic given its location. There are too many high acceptance or low admissions threshold HBCU experiences in the region offering a more traditional college experience. It might work if they were trying to mimic the Drexel approach if they were in the city, maybe. But they're out in the extra lilywhite exurbs without ANYTHING for students within an easy walk. I still firmly believe that athletics will boost enrollment, campus life, and all sorts of external engagement - and offer additional financial aid for students. I honestly believe their current administration doesn't understand athletics enough to see its benefit. Plus, its an easier sell for a somewhat more traditional campus experience and a larger enrollment that it would attract.

I like Aaron Walton and their Dean of Students is a personal friend, but neither are higher ed guys. Aaron Walton was on the board at Highmark and PASSHE Board of Governors. That's his higher ed experience. Their Dean of Students was a pharma sales exec who retired early and ran a Black male mentorship program in Pittsburgh. Both are great people but sometimes can't imagine how financial decisions play out.

Their location and the fact that the PASSHE system as a whole is not as segregated as it once was works against their traditional role as an HBCU. When I went to Ship in the '60s I doubt we had 20 black kids on the entire campus. Most of the athletic teams in the conference were lily white (even Cheyney had two white starters on the basketball team and a white coach in the mid-'60s.). The last time I looked Ship had well over 600 minority students on campus now, and I know they're recruiting the Philadelphia area and other locations extensively to attract minority students. I'm sure that's ticked up a lot at the other PASSHE schools as well.

[Fightingscot82]

Yeah, I don't think we'll see Cheyney again as far as PSAC athletics. I also hope all the money thrown out there has made them viable. There are too many financial problems with the PASSHE system as a whole to support big leaks in the money pot much longer.

Yes, they're viable as a bare bones operation - but only because West Chester covers some administrative functions at no cost.

I just don't see the vocational co-op experience like a Cooper Union being attractive to their core demographic given its location. There are too many high acceptance or low admissions threshold HBCU experiences in the region offering a more traditional college experience. It might work if they were trying to mimic the Drexel approach if they were in the city, maybe. But they're out in the extra lilywhite exurbs without ANYTHING for students within an easy walk. I still firmly believe that athletics will boost enrollment, campus life, and all sorts of external engagement - and offer additional financial aid for students. I honestly believe their current administration doesn't understand athletics enough to see its benefit. Plus, its an easier sell for a somewhat more traditional campus experience and a larger enrollment that it would attract.

I like Aaron Walton and their Dean of Students is a personal friend, but neither are higher ed guys. Aaron Walton was on the board at Highmark and PASSHE Board of Governors. That's his higher ed experience. Their Dean of Students was a pharma sales exec who retired early and ran a Black male mentorship program in Pittsburgh. Both are great people but sometimes can't imagine how financial decisions play out.

[Ship69]

I believe competitive sports are being put out to pasture at Cheyney. Their athletic department has put out just seven stories since August, and one was a cancelation.

Years ago the state gave Cheyney over $40M to redo Cope Hall. The current administration doesn't want NCAA athletics and tried to have the state grant permission to repurpose the money for a different project. The state refused, so Cheyney adjusted and will instead build a new campus recreation center that will have indoor courts and an indoor grass field. It sounds like part of the project is also to put in an outdoor turf field and track - but to teach students facility management, not to rebirth Cheyney Wolves athletics. If the yuppies in the area can get over being on an HBCU campus with lots of Black kids around, that facility will be popular for youth campus & tournaments and generate money for the campus. It sounds like Cope Hall and O'Shields Stadium will be razed.

Yeah, I don't think we'll see Cheyney again as far as PSAC athletics. I also hope all the money thrown out there has made them viable. There are too many financial problems with the PASSHE system as a whole to support big leaks in the money pot much longer.

[Ship69]

The timing couldn’t have been better for Gannon to implement the WL style of play. The West is a mess and very winnable for them this year.

California looks pretty good. Outside of that, it appears to be uncertain. IUP, while still good enough to beat a lot of teams, does not seem to be at its usual level and Mercyhurst so far has definitely slipped (East Stroudsburg just routed the D'Youville team that upset Mercyhurst a short while back). Slippery Rock was crushed by Daemen (which is a good team), and UPJ is average to somewhat below average at best. In the East, East Stroud so far is playing up to their favored status. Ship and Kutztown are both rebuilding after extensive roster losses. West Chester and Shepherd, as seems to be the case with them lately, are erratic teams that have the talent to compete with anyone, but don't always play that way. It should be a competitive if not particularly powerful league this season.

[Columbuseer]

Regardless if Gannon wins this game or not, the one thing I was disappointed to see was how quickly Coach Fee strayed from his hockey line changes. The 2nd line played 3 minutes first half, didn't fare any differently than the first line, and that same 2nd line never came back in. He made some multi-player substitutions but also a bunch of single player subs too. It would seem this style of play is fueled by rested players and Lincoln punched through their defense many times, and Gannon players weren't getting back like they usually do.

Just think it would have been interesting to see how this true style play would have held up.

The hockey line changes at wlu were only added to the style around 2015, probably due to increase in quality depth. Nova SE does not do it as frequently as wlu - witness finals last year.
Perhaps Fee adjusted his sub pattern based on the matchups.

[Fightingscot82]

At one point they had two Hall of Fame coaches running their basketball programs at the same time. It's been a shame to watch the decline.

I believe competitive sports are being put out to pasture at Cheyney. Their athletic department has put out just seven stories since August, and one was a cancelation.

Years ago the state gave Cheyney over $40M to redo Cope Hall. The current administration doesn't want NCAA athletics and tried to have the state grant permission to repurpose the money for a different project. The state refused, so Cheyney adjusted and will instead build a new campus recreation center that will have indoor courts and an indoor grass field. It sounds like part of the project is also to put in an outdoor turf field and track - but to teach students facility management, not to rebirth Cheyney Wolves athletics. If the yuppies in the area can get over being on an HBCU campus with lots of Black kids around, that facility will be popular for youth campus & tournaments and generate money for the campus. It sounds like Cope Hall and O'Shields Stadium will be razed.

[Chuck Norris]

Harder for the hockey lines subs to hold up against the better teams. Not saying Lincoln is a great team either.

Ojamafo is incredibly good. Fee should send KJ a Christmas card for recruiting him. the three grad transfers are all solid players too.

Will be curious to see how the style holds up in the West. I could see them finishing anywhere from 1-5. It’s a really smart style to play if you are at a D2 with superior resources.

The timing couldn’t have been better for Gannon to implement the WL style of play. The West is a mess and very winnable for them this year.

[Ship69]

Yes the probation expired in 2019. Last year they at least kept stats, this year they aren't recording scores stats etc.

At one point they had two Hall of Fame coaches running their basketball programs at the same time. It's been a shame to watch the decline.

[bballfan03]

OK. They were put on probation about 10 years ago, dropped Division II athletics (and out of the PSAC) some years later) and really haven't come back post-Covid. I was wrong to say they were D3. They might as well be in effect as they haven't been giving scholarships. I knew they weren't affiliated. A lot of money has been put into that place to keep them afloat as is the case with some of the other PASSHE schools.

Yes the probation expired in 2019. Last year they at least kept stats, this year they aren't recording scores stats etc.

[Ship69]

Cheyney is an independent with no NCAA affiliation as they lost it when placed on probation. They can play whomever they want, but can't compete in any NCAA tournament.

OK. They were put on probation about 10 years ago, dropped Division II athletics (and out of the PSAC) some years later) and really haven't come back post-Covid. I was wrong to say they were D3. They might as well be in effect as they haven't been giving scholarships. I knew they weren't affiliated. A lot of money has been put into that place to keep them afloat as is the case with some of the other PASSHE schools.

[bballfan03]

They didn't drop their program, just went D3. They are on Ship's schedule as well, so count us up as pish posh I guess.

Cheyney is an independent with no NCAA affiliation as they lost it when placed on probation. They can play whomever they want, but can't compete in any NCAA tournament.

[bballfan03]

Looking at their schedule, i think Lincoln is the best team Gannon has played yet. Lost to ESU bt 7, beat Kutz by 14, lost at #25 Florida Southern by 12, lost to Cal by 1. Those are strong losses.

[bballfan03]

They didn't drop their program, just went D3. They are on Ship's schedule as well, so count us up as pish posh I guess.

I meant pish posh of teams as it was a mix of D3 and D2 teams with no conference games indicated

[Ship69]

Diff topic... when did Cheyney get a basketball program back? I thought Cheyney had closed altogether lol but I was looking at Lincolns schedule and they play Cheyney. And then went to Cheyney and they have a full schedule of pish posh teams.

They didn't drop their program, just went D3. They are on Ship's schedule as well, so count us up as pish posh I guess.

[WarriorVoice]

This was probably the first time in years that Ship has not opened with a CIAA team or two. Decided to go easy and open with West Liberty. /s

ESU now 4-0, all on the road...The Warriors are battle-tested, and I hope they're ready!!