G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

[ctrabs74]

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

I think its status quo unless AB is moving. If AB moves, then I think you may see some extra moves.

Other items:
- Tiffin officially becomes a member on July 1.
- Ashland has stated they are in a holding pattern (but I think most of us think there is a spot reserved for them).
- I don't think there is any chance of UIndy unless Ashland is coming (so again, that discussion is probably on ice)
- Rumors have Mount Vernon Nazarene leaving their NAIA conference. As some of you may remember, they were one of the AMC schools that applied for NCAA (they were rejected) and planned on being in the (then un-named) G-MAC. The rumors I've heard have them staying in the NAIA, just switching conferences. I always keep my eye on them though, as they were very much a part of this when it began and I think the conference would make room for them if they wanted back in.
- I was keeping my eye on Thomas More. They appear to be going from D3 to NAIA, but it isn't in ink yet. Their location in the KY side of the Cincy suburbs seems so intriguing. The conference has previously tried unsuccessfully add schools closer to KWC and TNU. Nothing has worked out. TMC is intriguing because it helps the southern schools, but even if either one (or both) someday leaves the conference, having a school in suburban Cincy isn't a burden.
- I don't think NDC or Urbana enter the equation unless AB is moving.

just my thoughts (or I guess more accurately, recapping some stuff we all know, plus some of my thoughts)

I can't help but think that Ashland/UIndy might be more of a package deal than we think at this point. I can't disagree with that analysis, to be honest (especially since UIndy is now one of only two GLVC schools in the Eastern time zone, along with Bellarmine).

The Thomas More to NAIA rumors were apparently made official in April:

http://www.d3sports.com/notables/201...e-leaving-ncaa

Also, TMC was forced to vacate their 2015 D3 women's basketball championship due to NCAA violations and are serving a two-year probation period:

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/...etball-program

https://www.insidehighered.com/quick...er-lived-coach

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...more/93907266/

Apparently, it was a combination of losing conference affiliation (all of the schools in TMC's league are based in Western Pennsylvania) that drove TMC to the NAIA:

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...nce/102356976/

[BlueBlood]

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

ctrabs, TMC came out with this goofy statement after they were accepted by the NAIA that basically said "we'd like to thank the NAIA and the Mid-South Conference for inviting us to join. We will continue to explore this and other options" (paraphrased). Goofiest thing I've ever seen. I'll try to find it later. It was still available on their athletics website the last time I checked it. Anyway, I think they are likely going that route, but I remain intrigued until they "accept the NAIA's invitation".

[BlueBlood]

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

Found it.
http://www.tmcsaints.com/general/201...20180417pd5yyb

[UFOILERFAN]

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

How's this for a theory? If NDC and Urbana join, I think the GMAC would always take Ashland and Indy when/if they choose to join. However, if Ashland and Indy would join first, the GMAC might tell NDC and Urbana they don't need anyone else. (I have a lot of time on my hands).

[BlueBlood]

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

How's this for a theory? If NDC and Urbana join, I think the GMAC would always take Ashland and Indy when/if they choose to join. However, if Ashland and Indy would join first, the GMAC might tell NDC and Urbana they don't need anyone else. (I have a lot of time on my hands).

I always imagined the stopping point being 16 schools (plus Ursuline on women's side). That is purely based on where most conferences have traditionally stopped before a conference was deemed to be "too big" and unruly. That being said, the PSAC has been at 18, and I haven't heard any complaints (I even saw one suggestion on here that the PSAC should be proactive and take in Frostburg in addition to Shepherd). In today's conference alignment climate, I think too few schools is much more of a problem than too many. So, yeah, your theory is very possible. I do think that NDC and Urbana will eventually come to the G-MAC. It just makes too much sense not to.

[BlueBlood]

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

Congrats to Findlay for their excellent finish in the D2 Directors Cup. Despite Hillsdale winning the Conference's Presidents Cup (which totals in-conference placement), the Oilers out-paced them on the national stage. Findlay, Hillsdale and Walsh all had top-100 finishes, as did Tiffin. That's a nice showing from the conference. To give perspective, I also added the top-100 schools from our surrounding conferences below. The GLVC and GLIAC (even with departures) rank as two of the top all-sports conferences in the country. BTW, this makes it easy to see how an Ashland and/or UIndy addition/departure would affect the national presence.

Hopefully Cedarville can get back up there next year. We were #60 last year, but stumbled hard this year.

G-MAC
17 Findlay
58 Hillsdale
72 Walsh
------
53 Tiffin

MEC
76 Charleston (WV)

GLIAC
2 Grand Valley State
12 Ashland
68 Ferris State
75 Northern Michigan
80 Wayne State
99 Saginaw Valley State

GLVC
9 Indianapolis
29 McKendree
38 Drury
41 Lewis
43 Bellarmine
52 Missouri St. Louis
59 Southern Indiana

[BlueBlood]

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

On the conference website, it appears that the conference moved the Tiffin logo on the header to the main grouping of schools without incident. It had been listed under a "future member" tab on the right of the header. Remember, it was during a website update 2 years ago that they accidently (and very temporarily) displayed the Seton Hill and Mercyhurst logos - well prior to any announcement that they would be joining for lacrosse.

[Looking For 9]

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

Lake Erie gone?

[BlueBlood]

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

Lake Erie gone?

the Storm logo is still there.

[Looking For 9]

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

I swear it does not show up on my PC. Who is it next to?

[BlueBlood]

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

I swear it does not show up on my PC. Who is it next to?

The purple W.

[kdubnation]

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

Yes, immediately to the left of the conference logo in the middle. And immediately to the right of the KWC "W" logo

[Looking For 9]

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

thanks it is covered by G-MAC logo on my pc

[UFOILERFAN]

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

Random thoughts: If the MEC doesn't ask AB to join they are very foolish/stubborn OR Frostburg is not currently a go. If invited, I think AB jumps on the MEC train. I have lots of other thoughts but I think everything else will remain the same for at least another year.

[BlueBlood]

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

Random thoughts: If the MEC doesn't ask AB to join they are very foolish/stubborn OR Frostburg is not currently a go. If invited, I think AB jumps on the MEC train. I have lots of other thoughts but I think everything else will remain the same for at least another year.

The dominos are lined up. I guess we have another 5 days to see if they will remain standing another year.