G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

[BlueBlood]

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

BTW - "they only recruit international players" is a growing trend in NCAA soccer. My daughters play HS soccer. While they have no intention of playing in college, some of their friends do. I've heard many conversations between both parents and players that start with "have you ever considered XXX University?" end simply with "international only" - with no further explanation needed.

Charleston (defending national champs) is also an example of this.

[JDonAB92]

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

This week's Men's #D2SOC @UnitedCoaches Poll:
1. Simon Fraser
2. Palm Beach Atlantic
3. Young Harris
4-25: https://t.co/d514a7zvGq. pic.twitter.com/toqzwDytgM

— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) September 25, 2018

[BlueBlood]

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

AB guys, did any background info ever surface regarding the D&E move?

Months ago, there were reports that the MEC commissioner visited AB. Then, instead of the MEC adding AB, they add a combination of football-less D&E and a NC school for football. It just seemed like an odd move being that AB was sitting right there with football.

The news releases and quotes from D&E make them sound absolutely ecstatic to make the move - almost sounding giddy and like they can't believe their good fortune. Also, there was no mention in any of their press releases or newspaper quotes regarding the G-MAC . Its very normal for a school to thank their out-going conference and throw a few pleasantries in there. Plus, in this situation, the G-MAC took them in after they were essentially kicked out of their prior conference. So, if anything, you might have even expected the thank-you/pleasantries be a bit more real than the normal/stock verbiage schools throw into press releases. I always thought that the G-MAC/D&E relationship was a good one, but the lack of acknowledgment has me wondering if something deteriorated toward the end. Is the AB / D&E relationship a good one? Has it changed? Again, I always assumed that it was - but that was just an assumption based upon location and being castaways "in the same boat".

The MEC posters all seem surprised (and disappointed) with the move.

Plus, D&E isn't just moving - they are moving fast and without meeting the normal notice requirements.

Anyways, just a lot of stuff that seems a bit odd and I'm wondering if any back-story has surfaced.

[JDonAB92]

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

Congrats to Cedarville on the big road win over AB in men's soccer.

I think D&E is ok, but I always thought WV Wesleyan, Fairmont State and even Glenville were always looked at as bigger games for AB back in the day. Just my take.

I will stick by what I firmly believe: AB and Notre Dame switch conferences once the G-MAC goes further with expansion. They want to have more than 9 football schools. If the MEC invited AB to join this summer, NDC gets an invite from the G-MAC because Daeger isn't going to get stuck with only 8 football schools. I actually believe the relationship with G-MAC and MEC is cordial right now. I believe from a travel standpoint that AB to the MEC and NDC to the G-MAC is a good move for all involved. AB would be geographically in the center of the MEC. NDC is an outlier in the MEC and fits closely to Lake Erie, Walsh, Malone and Ursuline. UNC Pembroke is just an associate member of the MEC. They aren't going to be permanent. They are in southeastern NC which is a hike for all MEC schools involved. The MEC schools aren't thriving either. Enrollment is completely down. Budgets are low. They can't afford all this travel. Neither can AB.

I look for the invitation to be put back out there for Ashland, NDC and one other....probably Indy. If one declines, look for something else. I don't see NDC declining.

The day AB leaves, it better be gracious to the G-MAC. But going to the MEC will now put us within an hour travel of 4 schools alone and 2 hours to a few others. Cuts down on overnights. If AB stays in the G-MAC, I am fine with it. We will have to raise money for travel somehow.

I will leave it with this: I believe D&E was invited because no other school wanted to join the MEC. Why else would they be invited? No football. I believe the MEC presidents, found mostly in WV, wanted to keep travel close. Frostburg St is a good fit but they are D3. They joined because the conference they are in is falling a part and they were an outlier geographically in that conference. Their football is good and so is baseball but other sports aren't so good. They are closer to MEC schools than Shepherd by 1.5 hours.

[BlueBlood]

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

The day AB leaves, it better be gracious to the G-MAC.

BTW - I'm not trying to say that D&E (or possibly AB someday) owes the G-MAC anything. It just seemed unusually cold or non-cordial to not make any mention at all. Lets be honest - our schools have been through some sh!t together. The original G-MAC schools and AB/D&E/OVU had the deck stacked against them and are survivors. I think that is why I was so surprised at the lack of a mention.

This is what I'm used to seeing:

In their press release that announced their move from the MIAA to the GLVC, Southwest Baptist listed their history/accomplishnments in the MIAA and then:

SBU President Dr. C. Pat Taylor: "I have great respect and admiration for my colleagues in the MIAA and was always proud to be a member of the MIAA. After careful analysis, the decision to apply for membership in the GLVC was made because we believe that the GLVC is a better fit for our student-athletes, and the GLVC institutions are more similar to SBU."

SBU Director of Athletics Mike Pitts: "I will certainly miss so many close personal friends and colleagues in the MIAA. Both conferences are so professional and put the student-athletes first."

[JDonAB92]

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

I think D&E was let out early because the conference has more members than are needed right now. D&E doesn't have football. I do think leagues want to have 10-12 football playing schools. If you are trying to attract Ashland and say Indy, then you are taking away a school that was a 5 to 7 hour trip for both schools. I don't know if any of this is true. Just hypothetical.

[UFOILERFAN]

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

Apparently Lindenwood will make a Thursday announcement that they will be joining the GLVC in 2019. AGAIN, I'm wondering why nobody seems to have to give notice and are able to jump conferences the next year.

[MidwestHoops]

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

It seems as there is some major conference shuffling on the horizon. GLVC keeps going west, which, I am guessing may mean something is happening with the three eastern-most schools in the GLVC. Just a hunch.

[kdubnation]

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

It seems as there is some major conference shuffling on the horizon. GLVC keeps going west, which, I am guessing may mean something is happening with the three eastern-most schools in the GLVC. Just a hunch.

The GLVC has been moving west for years. I *hope* Bellarmine and Indy are looking at that and considering that the G-MAC may be a better fit for them geographically (not to mention ideologically, with it being all private schools) but I'm certainly not holding my breath.

I don't mean this negatively against AB or anyone else, but if the WV schools DID all move to the MEC or another more Eastern-facing conference, the geographic footprint of the G-MAC would look even more enticing to Bellarmine and Indy. I know D&E is already on the move. AB has been a strong basketball school and I'd hate to lose them as a conference member from that perspective, but purely from a geographical standpoint if they (and Ohio Valley, who wouldn't be a big loss, at least for basketball) did go to a different conference then that geographic shift would certainly benefit KWC, TNU, Hillsdale and prospective members that are on the western edge of the conference.

[Looking For 9]

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

I think it is possible that GLVC AD's are tired of getting pressure due to Bell (basketball) Indy (football) winning the conference year after year.

Also we G-MAC fans need to be aware of what we are asking for with Bell, Indy and Ashland coming aboard.

[BlueBlood]

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

Also we G-MAC fans need to be aware of what we are asking for with Bell, Indy and Ashland coming aboard.

[JDonAB92]

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

I heard G-MAC will not expand until 2020. In February of 2018, Ashland declined an invite. They said they would re-evaluate their situation with the GLIAC in 2020. The GLIAC added Wisconsin-Parkside which is a bit of a drive for them. I was told conference would extend invite to Ashland, Notre Dame and one other school that being of president's vote at that time in spring of 2020. That school will have to have football. Things change, but just sharing.

[UFOILERFAN]

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

I heard G-MAC will not expand until 2020. In February of 2018, Ashland declined an invite. They said they would re-evaluate their situation with the GLIAC in 2020. The GLIAC added Wisconsin-Parkside which is a bit of a drive for them. I was told conference would extend invite to Ashland, Notre Dame and one other school that being of president's vote at that time in spring of 2020. That school will have to have football. Things change, but just sharing.

Appreciate the sharing. If ND accepts an invite to join the G-MAC we all know what the MEC will do. I'm still not convinced that Ashland has any intention of leaving the GLIAC but, as you said, things change. UIndy still seems happy in the GLVC despite all the moving around. Lincoln will now take their football back to the MIAA to replace Lindenwood which is actually a win for the GLVC. I have read that Bellarmine has a committee researching where they want to be concerning D2 or moving up. If they left the GLVC maybe that would have an effect on Indy's decision making. Also, as I read this post I realize that I'm pretty much just rehashing everything that we already know but it's a slow night in Findlay, Ohio. (most nights are)

[BlueBlood]

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

I was told conference would extend invite to Ashland, Notre Dame and one other school that being of president's vote at that time in spring of 2020. That school will have to have football. Things change, but just sharing.

I'm sure that Urbana is hoping that Ashland and/or unnamed school #3 declines the offer.

NDC football is peaking at good time for invite discussion.

[BlueBlood]

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

BTW - I guess G-MAC volleyball isn't too good this year. Over the weekend, the G-MAC schools collectively had a pretty dismal showing at the 2018 Midwest Region Volleyball Crossover. G-MAC ended the event with a 9-27 record. The GLIAC was 16-20 and the GLVC was 32-10. Lake Erie and ODU both went 2-1, everybody else had losing records. Even dependable (and currently first place) Hillsdale ended the event 0-3.

I usually post positive stuff, but thought I would keep it real.