G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

[UFSwimDad]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

I can understand the reasons why AB might want to rejoin it former conference-mates. For the most part, that is what the OH schools have been doing.

That said, I hope AB stays. D&E (who has been a solid G-MAC member) would be the biggest loser if a move did occur.

Being somewhat of a newbie still, I do not have that attachment to this team or that team. That being said, I would hate to lose AB simply from what I have read about them. They are a GMAC stalwart and I hope they stay with us!

[alumnifan]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

The G-MAC was a giant leap for KWC. It was very odd competing in a new undersized conference. It's a full Conference this season. There will be some changes that other incoming and current members will not all be comfortable with.

Change is what we can expect. The competition will be better. That's what is needed the most. What happens in the future does not matter this season.

[BlueBlood]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

Being somewhat of a newbie still, I do not have that attachment to this team or that team. That being said, I would hate to lose AB simply from what I have read about them. They are a GMAC stalwart and I hope they stay with us!

Completely agree. And, I'm glad that a poster from an incoming school can see that. When the new schools come in, I'm sure that KWC, CU, AB and TNU will be viewed by some as just a collection of "average" (maybe at-best in some eyes) schools. I'm not sure how much value some will view that collection of schools having. Me, the AB guys and the KWC guys have been on this thread a long time, and have together witnessed the G-MAC's wild and often scary ride. There were days of downright depression on here where we thought the conference was surely headed for collapse. However, those 4 pillars stuck together. Stalwart is an excellent description. I very much hope they stay and enjoy what has been built.

[Looking For 9]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

Very good/true post

[UFSwimDad]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

Completely agree. And, I'm glad that a poster from an incoming school can see that. When the new schools come in, I'm sure that KWC, CU, AB and TNU will be viewed by some as just a collection of "average" (maybe at-best in some eyes) schools. I'm not sure how much value some will view that collection of schools having. Me, the AB guys and the KWC guys have been on this thread a long time, and have together witnessed the G-MAC's wild and often scary ride. There were days of downright depression on here where we thought the conference was surely headed for collapse. However, those 4 pillars stuck together. Stalwart is an excellent description. I very much hope they stay and enjoy what has been built.

You have to respect the schools that took the plunge early. They trusted the vision and started the conference down that path. Sure, some of the schools coming in are going to dominate certain sports to start. I am sure that will make the rest of the conference ramp up their recruiting efforts to close that early gap. Focus on the process. In 5 years, think of how strong we should be.

[UFSwimDad]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

Well I can take Wheeling Jesuit out of my associate membership for swimming as it appears they are dropping both programs to help start a football team that will suck for years.

[alumnifan]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

I want AB to stay. They are Charter members. I remember that whole MEC/WVIAC fiasco. They shut AB out. That was a combination of colluding programs who plotted the destruction of a very historic conference in order to exclude some and start a new conference with an emphasis on Football. AB is in a pretty good Football Conference now.

[ABjo]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

I want AB to stay too. The only reason to leave, in my mind, is financial.

[UFSwimDad]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

I want AB to stay too. The only reason to leave, in my mind, is financial.

I can understand that. Schools now a days need to be very conscientious of that. No one wants to be the next St Joe. What does your gut tell you?

[ABjo]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

I can understand that. Schools now a days need to be very conscientious of that. No one wants to be the next St Joe. What does your gut tell you?

My guts says that given the chance, they go. Money talks.

[UFSwimDad]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

My guts says that given the chance, they go. Money talks.

Not having any inside knowledge but looking at it logically, I agree and cold see it happening. Makes complete sense and I couldn't be even slightly mad. Hope we are wrong

[UFSwimDad]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

So would D&E be screwed then? Maybe the idea of possibly adding NDC is in response to AB leaving possibilities? Not super close but at least they would be no longer than 3.5 hours away?

Also, am I the only one who has this feeling that something big is going to happen all across the MEC, G-MAC, GLVC, and GLIAC in the next few weeks?

[alumnifan]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

Refresh my memory, did the current MEC schools ever give a reason why they left AB out of the MEC???

Supposedly, because they did not have a football program. They created one and built a stadium while in the G-MAC. The First G-MAC football game, the Founders Cup, was played between AB and KWC.

If AB started football to get in the MEC, it has to be a financial decision and that is the bottom line for all small colleges.

[BlueBlood]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

I'll let the AB guys speaks as to specifics, but I know they announced the addition of football well prior to the formation of the MEC.

[ABjo]

Re: G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

I'll let the AB guys speaks as to specifics, but I know they announced the addition of football well prior to the formation of the MEC.

Correct. AB started club football in 2012. The stadium was already under construction. 2013 was to be their first year in the WVIAC football conference. Instead, we started play as an independent because the MEC was formed and were not invited to join. The decision to leave AB behind had nothing to do with us not having football.

The story, supposedly, goes that WVIAC held a vote on adding UVA-Wise as a member. AB and others voted no. Wise didn't have enough votes to get in. This ticked some people off and they left the WVIAC and started the MEC.