Men's Regional

[boatcapt]

Re: Men's Regional

I'm not a fan, BTW, of the PSAC having 18 members. It's not so much the number but the fact only about half take athletics seriously. The other half just drag down the reputation. You look at athletic budgets accross the PSAC and the disparity is worse than MLB.

I'd love to see a PSAC with 10 schools. Twelve max. Some should be in D3 anyway.

On top of it you have 3 'private schools' mixed in with 14 state schools and then UPJ is just kind of here as No. 18. It's a strange dynamic.

Gee...That sound stunningly like what was said right before the WVIAC imploded!!

[boatcapt]

Re: Men's Regional

I've been an avid reader on here for quite some time, so I figured it was a good time to join in some discussion. I hope to add to some discussion and banter on here.

Jesuit is not a fully funded basketball team in regards to scholarships like the West Lib's and Fairmont's of the conference. So not real sure of the advantage they have. The way I see it in regards to hoops, they are at a disadvantage. You act like because they don't have football all of that money funds the basketball team.

In regards to upgrading facilities, that is all through private donations and not from the general athletic fund. I do however, understand your points about the original guidelines and issues with football. Based on the financial issues that they've had, starting football would not be a wise business decision in my opinion. Especially when they have been making cuts across the board for the last few years. You also have to keep in mind that the makeup the school is much different than West Lib. Jesuit has 1000 less undergrad students and a private instuition that is not state funded. That has to be considered and I don't think the West Lib fan base understands that. Who do you replace Jesuit with? Whatever your answer is will not be an upgrade athletically and academically. They only upgrade you will use is that they have football.

Motocross team... Hahaha I've heard it all now. Get out of here with that one.


Back lack to the regional talk, Good luck to Fairmont in the elite 8.

I can't believe things at WJU are dramatically different now than they were in 2012. What bothers me is that WJU agreed to join the MEC KNOWING that football was a required sport and had no real intention of starting the sport. Also as I recall, inviting WJU was a WLU idea because we wanted to preserve our rivalry and expand it. I bet had we known WJU had no plans to ever start a football program, we wouldn't have suggested them to join in place of Seton Hill and I would equally bet that the other MEC schools would not have voted to make WJU a member.

Motorcross surprised me too! Do a Google search and you'll actually find reference to it. Don't know if its one guy or several.

[JesuitHoops]

Re: Men's Regional

I can't believe things at WJU are dramatically different now than they were in 2012. What bothers me is that WJU agreed to join the MEC KNOWING that football was a required sport and had no real intention of starting the sport. Also as I recall, inviting WJU was a WLU idea because we wanted to preserve our rivalry and expand it. I bet had we known WJU had no plans to ever start a football program, we wouldn't have suggested them to join in place of Seton Hill and I would equally bet that the other MEC schools would not have voted to make WJU a member.

Motorcross surprised me too! Do a Google search and you'll actually find reference to it. Don't know if its one guy or several.

I found a twitter account for it. I'm guessing it's a group of students joking around or some sort of on campus club. Zero chance this is an actual funded sport. Funny none the less though.

I do understand the issues and your viewpoints. What I find interesting though it how you have such an issue with it. I have nothing but respect for West Liberty. You are obviously a basketball school, but you seem to be secretly wanting to be a football school. West Lib is the defnition of average in regards to football. My point is Jesuit makes West Liberty better in basketball, which is what you are known for. You lose Jesuit, you lose an amazing rivalry that has history and tradition like none other and it is only going to keep getting better. You know beating Jesuit trumps any other win for the fan base. The Ohio Valley would suffer if that game is not played twice a year and that would be a shame.

[CardinalAlum]

Re: Men's Regional

I can't believe things at WJU are dramatically different now than they were in 2012. What bothers me is that WJU agreed to join the MEC KNOWING that football was a required sport and had no real intention of starting the sport. Also as I recall, inviting WJU was a WLU idea because we wanted to preserve our rivalry and expand it. I bet had we known WJU had no plans to ever start a football program, we wouldn't have suggested them to join in place of Seton Hill and I would equally bet that the other MEC schools would not have voted to make WJU a member.

Motorcross surprised me too! Do a Google search and you'll actually find reference to it. Don't know if its one guy or several.

Except we don't have a motocross team. It's an old joke that's been around for several years. It started when we were adding a new sport every year after rugby, women's lax, and wrestling. Students were joking over what other sports we could throw money at. If you look hard enough you'll might be able to find references to starting a quidittch team.

[Columbuseer]

Re: Men's Regional

I've been an avid reader on here for quite some time, so I figured it was a good time to join in some discussion. I hope to add to some discussion and banter on here.

Jesuit is not a fully funded basketball team in regards to scholarships like the West Lib's and Fairmont's of the conference. So not real sure of the advantage they have. The way I see it in regards to hoops, they are at a disadvantage. You act like because they don't have football all of that money funds the basketball team.

In regards to upgrading facilities, that is all through private donations and not from the general athletic fund. I do however, understand your points about the original guidelines and issues with football. Based on the financial issues that they've had, starting football would not be a wise business decision in my opinion. Especially when they have been making cuts across the board for the last few years. You also have to keep in mind that the makeup the school is much different than West Lib. Jesuit has 1000 less undergrad students and a private instuition that is not state funded. That has to be considered and I don't think the West Lib fan base understands that. Who do you replace Jesuit with? Whatever your answer is will not be an upgrade athletically and academically. They only upgrade you will use is that they have football.

Motocross team... Hahaha I've heard it all now. Get out of here with that one.


Back lack to the regional talk, Good luck to Fairmont in the elite 8.

I think WJU is ahead of the curve with regards to not playing football. I think their decision is an enlightened one. And I was a diehard fanatic of WVU football and live in the heart of Buckeye land.
I have hear youth participation is down 20%.
More and more fans and young players are having second thoughts about the sport with concussions, injuries, dementia, etc. A friend played Wr at Ohio U and is in his 40s. At his team reunions all they talk about is what hurts them. He is looking at knee replacement and has had back surgeries, which Dr attributed to football.
It has got to be a money pit at D2, as most D1 schools cannot sustain their programs without government help or charging students. College students no longer want their tuition to fund football.
The rise of online degrees is going to accelerate as costs for traditional colleges spiral out of control.

I predict in 20 years WJU position on football will be common in D2.
Flame away.

[CardinalAlum]

Re: Men's Regional

Hahaha!!! Still looking...I've sent referrals on several kickers and punters to WLU but none have been contacted...yet!!!!

With three or four PSAC schools set to be closed by the PA state govt due to declining enrolment, I'M more concerned about which PSAC schools to take into the MEC when the PSAC implodes!! First requirement will be that the have to have a football team!!! That would be one way to restart the Ship-Shep game!!!!!!

It's really amusing you brought this up considering West Virginia is going through a funding crisis of it's own. The state is short a half billion for the next fiscal year and there are a few state lawmakers saying that instead of raising taxes they should cut spending by closing state schools like Glenville and West Lib.

[boatcapt]

Re: Men's Regional

Except we don't have a motocross team. It's an old joke that's been around for several years. It started when we were adding a new sport every year after rugby, women's lax, and wrestling. Students were joking over what other sports we could throw money at. If you look hard enough you'll might be able to find references to starting a quidittch team.

Yet one of the reasons given for not starting football is the school didn't have the money.

[CardinalAlum]

Re: Men's Regional

Yet one of the reasons given for not starting football is the school didn't have the money.

Because we don't have the money for football. Women's lax had to be started to balance scholarships. At some point the same will be true for women's rugby. Wrestling and Men's Rugby are mainly funded by very generous boosters. Rugby has a deep history with the older alums. Wrestling gets a lot of donations from the community. All of them combined bring in more students than football and cost less than a football team. No one with the pocketbooks to fund football wants football. Students, faculty, and alums will all say no.

[pennbraz]

Re: Men's Regional

There are 15+ million reasons WJ is dragging this out. WJ does not have the $15+ million to start the sport. You all sound like it is just that easy to start a football program when it would affect the entire campus -- housing, academics, expanding the McDonough Center for coaches offices, an actual sized weight room, full locker room, coaches salaries, and another expansion to the field's press box and that is just for starters.

The MEC loses out on much more than it gains by kicking WJ out of the league. The conference would no longer be able to have MEC championships in women's lacrosse, outdoor track & field, and men's soccer (you have to have a certain minimum number of teams for the NCAA to allow you to have a conference championship) to name a few of the effects -- the league would be a laughingstock in volleyball. There also is a push to start an MEC swimming conference, which that would affect as well.

Comparing WL vs. WJU, WJ actually has 21 sports not counting men's rugby. Scholarships along when comparing in basketball are laughable as well. West Liberty has the full allotment of 10.5 equivalencies when WJ is nowhere near that number and will not be for the future to come.

[pennbraz]

Re: Men's Regional

.Yes, WJ is the only one of the MEC not in compliance for having football. That part is not in question.

Actually, if you were even part educated on the MEC happenings, you would know the league is in the works to starting both a wrestling and swimming conference. Women's lax is a MEC sport and needing WJU, now that Urbana dropped it program, to keep it the number to have a league championship. Actually, with your thinking, why should West Liberty have a wrestling program with your 15 athletes (which had to have multiple forfeited weight classes when the 2 teams wrestled or should I say WJU dominated again for their dual match) when it is not an MEC sponsored sport??? Actually, 24 swimmers are a combined number for 2 teams so not really much as far as huge numbers and the MEC is 1 team from having enough for an MEC championship.

The $ to build new facilities...you need a new pipeline of misinformation. Both the "expanded" weight room, which can now fit a whole basketball team at one time if said team is no more than about 15 to 18 players and a 4-room pressbox up from a 15x15, 1-room press box is such upgrades! Both facilities were completely paid for by one donor each. Both of those donations combined totalled only about $100 to 120k compared to the far more than $1+ million WLU is getting to build it track to start a men's track and also men's soccer program where they will build a whole complex.

But again, don't let real facts get in the way.

[Sportsnut]

Re: Men's Regional

It doesn't look like WJU is remotely interesting in having a football team. This is how the MEC was formed. Some schools wanted to go one direction and others another. Maybe it's finally time to pony up and replace WJU with a football team member.

[Penguins87]

Re: Men's Regional

I watched the Fairmont State press conference after they beat IUP. That said, I'm interested if the guy who wrote this was the same guy that kept asking Calhoun questions starting with "we" as though he was a player on the team. I don't know if anybody heard it or not. But a journalist in the media room asked a question to Calhoun that essentially said (paraphrasing here), "IUP really treated us unkindly in November during the football playoffs. Did that give you extra motivation to make sure we came out on top this time?"

I know the articles in Indiana are normally favorable. Always painted Cignetti in a great lens. Same with Joe. But come on. Maybe you're from the area. Maybe you went to Fairmont State, but be professional. That's like supposedly neutral journalists and sports writers who were reported to have shown up to cover the Northwestern-Vanderbilt game wearing Northwestern gear.

I know that isn't a big deal, but that's what you get on the beat for some of these small town D2 schools.

No, it was not the same writer

[FlyHawk98]

Re: Men's Regional

I still have no idea why West Liberty wanted WJ in the conference to begin with. They need us, we do not need them. Jesuit gets one good crowd per year, and that's when all the West Lib fans come to their one home game against us.

Go to any of the sports bars when both teams are playing. You will see the West Lib game on the big screen with people wearing West Lib gear. You won't find that for Wheeling Jesuit.

We could add Frostburg State, Pikeville College, or a slew of other schools and EASILY replace Jesuit.

You are correct, I would have said this even if we won the regional because it's the truth. Either start football or take a hike. I'd much rather you take a hike and watch your school fall even more into the pits of obscurity. If Wheeling Jesuit was not in the MEC they would lose even more fans, and even more coverage. I'm sure Bethany needs a travel partner in their D3 conference, that'd be a good fit for you guys.

[CardinalAlum]

Re: Men's Regional

I still have no idea why West Liberty wanted WJ in the conference to begin with. They need us, we do not need them. Jesuit gets one good crowd per year, and that's when all the West Lib fans come to their one home game against us.

Go to any of the sports bars when both teams are playing. You will see the West Lib game on the big screen with people wearing West Lib gear. You won't find that for Wheeling Jesuit.

We could add Frostburg State, Pikeville College, or a slew of other schools and EASILY replace Jesuit.

You are correct, I would have said this even if we won the regional because it's the truth. Either start football or take a hike. I'd much rather you take a hike and watch your school fall even more into the pits of obscurity. If Wheeling Jesuit was not in the MEC they would lose even more fans, and even more coverage. I'm sure Bethany needs a travel partner in their D3 conference, that'd be a good fit for you guys.

I don't know what planet you live on, but we certainly don't need you buddy. We may have a small endowment and enrollment, but we make do with what we've got. We have the highest graduation rate in the conference, higher academic rankings, and more national championships (than you). And in the grand scheme of things, sports apparel at a bar and people attending games means nothing.

That said, I will agree with you on one thing, I don't know why we're in the MEC either. I would have preferred to be in the G-MAC, since we have a lot more in common with them than most of the Mountain East, but I don't have the power to change that.

And don't worry about us when we inevitably leave the MEC, we'll always be around. We're the only Catholic university in West Virginia, so as long as we don't piss off the diocese we'll never close.

Oh and just a quick FYI, you might want to pay attention to the rumblings of the state legislature in Charleston. West Virginia's budget is short a half billion and Republican legislators want to fix the problem through cuts instead of taxes. One of those things they really want to cut is education funding and West Lib is one of those things they're discussing completely cutting out. But yeah keep complaining about our existence in the MEC.

[IUP24]

Re: Men's Regional

I still have no idea why West Liberty wanted WJ in the conference to begin with. They need us, we do not need them. Jesuit gets one good crowd per year, and that's when all the West Lib fans come to their one home game against us.

Go to any of the sports bars when both teams are playing. You will see the West Lib game on the big screen with people wearing West Lib gear. You won't find that for Wheeling Jesuit.

We could add Frostburg State, Pikeville College, or a slew of other schools and EASILY replace Jesuit.

You are correct, I would have said this even if we won the regional because it's the truth. Either start football or take a hike. I'd much rather you take a hike and watch your school fall even more into the pits of obscurity. If Wheeling Jesuit was not in the MEC they would lose even more fans, and even more coverage. I'm sure Bethany needs a travel partner in their D3 conference, that'd be a good fit for you guys.

I'm a totally neutral party here and I am enjoying reading the back and forth banter. But what planet do you live on? You're school is from Wheeling, WV. You aren't in Maryville, Missouri or Grand Rapids, Michigan. Apparel at a sports bar? Come on. This region isn't a hotbed for rapid D2 fan bases. In a small arena, yeah, West Liberty may draw great crowds. But don't act like people are banging down the doors to get into the ASRC and buying tickets off of scalpers in the parking lot because every game is sold out.

This is the first time I've heard of a D2 school, apparel, and sports bars all in the same sentence.