Point Park extended invite to MEC

[JDonAB92]

Pending acceptance as a NCAA D2 member.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Pending acceptance as a NCAA D2 member.

Wow. That's interesting. No football, obviously.

Kevin Reynolds (if he's still there) in the MEC would be exciting. That said, I think this will be his last year at Point Park. He's already being linked to a couple PSAC upcoming job openings (in the rumor mill).

Overall, I wouldn't say this is a real great 'reach' for the MEC. Point Park's facilties are horrendous. I think the league could have done much, much better in finding a new school.

They are doing well in men's basketball under Reynolds, but were historically a dumpster before he got there. This smells like adding somebody for the sake of adding somebody.

[Uindy18]

Official Releases:

MEC - https://mountaineast.org/news/2024/1...niversity.aspx

Point Park - https://www.pointparksports.com/gene...20240109f8p0hy

[Scrub]

Wow. That's interesting. No football, obviously.

Kevin Reynolds (if he's still there) in the MEC would be exciting. That said, I think this will be his last year at Point Park. He's already being linked to a couple PSAC upcoming job openings (in the rumor mill).

Overall, I wouldn't say this is a real great 'reach' for the MEC. Point Park's facilties are horrendous. I think the league could have done much, much better in finding a new school.

They are doing well in men's basketball under Reynolds, but were historically a dumpster before he got there. This smells like adding somebody for the sake of adding somebody.

It actually sounds more to me like adding someone in another state in order to extend the conference's footprint. NDC & Frostburg are the only non-WVIAC schools currently in. When they added Wise a few years back (only to have them leave again) it was stated that they wanted to expand the footprint. I'm guessing that's the draw here--get into PA.

But it certainly would be fun to have KR around if he stays.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It actually sounds more to me like adding someone in another state in order to extend the conference's footprint. NDC & Frostburg are the only non-WVIAC schools currently in. When they added Wise a few years back (only to have them leave again) it was stated that they wanted to expand the footprint. I'm guessing that's the draw here--get into PA.

But it certainly would be fun to have KR around if he stays.

Also seems like giving the PSAC an easy team to poach when the day comes. I'd make them sign a long agreement.

[ESU Warrior]

I wonder where Boat is. I would like to hear if he heard any rumors of them starting football? I know when the MEC was formed it was a requirement.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I wonder where Boat is. I would like to hear if he heard any rumors of them starting football? I know when the MEC was formed it was a requirement.

I'm curious if they tried to lure any schools from the PAC. It doesn't seem like any have any interest in moving up and their travel is easy (and they are similar academic institutions). But, never hurts to ask.

[Columbuseer]

Pending acceptance as a NCAA D2 member.

Good location. Shortens travel for ndc, wlu and wu. Exposure in Pittsburgh market.

[Stea1th]

They were in NDC's old NAIA conference. That said, I really can't tell you much about them (I guess being largely forgettable isn't necessarily a good thing). If I remember correctly, I think they play all their outdoor sports at off-site rented facilities.

[ESU Warrior]

I'm curious if they tried to lure any schools from the PAC. It doesn't seem like any have any interest in moving up and their travel is easy (and they are similar academic institutions). But, never hurts to ask.

I was unfamiliar with point park’s conference, but once I looked it up (I believe red river conference or something similar), it appears this is a no brainer for them. The money they will save on travel can be used for scholarships.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I was unfamiliar with point park’s conference, but once I looked it up (I believe red river conference or something similar), it appears this is a no brainer for them. The money they will save on travel can be used for scholarships.

For them, yes, it's a no-brainer. They'll also be able to play a non-conference smorgasbord against PSAC teams (in all their sports) -- many within 1.5 hours away.

[Scrub]

They were in NDC's old NAIA conference. That said, I really can't tell you much about them (I guess being largely forgettable isn't necessarily a good thing). If I remember correctly, I think they play all their outdoor sports at off-site rented facilities.

A quick look at their athletic website regarding facilities:

Soccer plays in the Riverhounds' pro stadium (which is actually kinda cool).
Volleyball plays in a downtrodden old gym on the 5th floor of a campus building.
Baseball plays in an off-site field that was abandoned by Duquesne when Duquesne cancelled baseball.
Basketball plays in the gym of a CCAC suburban community college branch (that's a weird situation).

So, yeah, not exactly exciting facilities to play in (with the exception of soccer teams getting an opportunity to play in a pro stadium).

On the flipside, they might have some good broadcasts. It's a school with a noteworthy broadcasting program. In fact, I think I read that PPU students do work for the ACC network on behalf of Pitt because Pitt doesn't have as good broadcasting facilities as PPU.

[Scrub]

Exposure in Pittsburgh market.

That seems to me like the primary draw.

[Fightingscot82]

Point Park is struggling financially. They have a truly urban campus in the middle of Pittsburgh's business district so any facility expansion is VERY expensive and dangerous with their struggling enrollment. They can't even afford to provide parking for employees. Their feature program is ballet & dance and attracts lots of rich kids from all over who don't get in to the elite schools. Everything else isn't any better than you can get from the local state school.

My understanding is that this is a way for them to get more exposure by playing regional D2 schools with more name recognition and the occasional D1 mercenary game. Also NAIA in this region has no profile and many away games have long travel. As fans its hard to appreciate how much it helps the overall budget when you can reduce the number of overnight trips.

[TheBigCat2192]

Point Park is struggling financially. They have a truly urban campus in the middle of Pittsburgh's business district so any facility expansion is VERY expensive and dangerous with their struggling enrollment. They can't even afford to provide parking for employees. Their feature program is ballet & dance and attracts lots of rich kids from all over who don't get in to the elite schools. Everything else isn't any better than you can get from the local state school.

My understanding is that this is a way for them to get more exposure by playing regional D2 schools with more name recognition and the occasional D1 mercenary game. Also NAIA in this region has no profile and many away games have long travel. As fans its hard to appreciate how much it helps the overall budget when you can reduce the number of overnight trips.

Considering what just happened with AB I’m a bit surprised the MEC is in a hurry to invite another small school in a tight financial situation. Perhaps Point Park made a very persuasive pitch that moving to D2 could help them out financially and the MEC thought it was worth a shot bringing them up though.