G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

[Looking For 9]

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

<-------- west east--------->

GLVC schools <-------------Indy---->GMAC schools

:)

[UFSwimDad]

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

Meant eastern most for the GLVC is that conference were to continue to move more west. I was not clear sorry.

[alumnifan]

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

I believe Alumnifan hit is squarely on the head. No real need to have anyone join right now. If the decision has already been made (Ashland) then so be it. The winds of change are slowing blowing in my opinion. One or two moves here or there will open up some very intriguing and welcomed additions to the conference after this year. I think that with St Joe closing and a noticeable movement by the GLVC westward, I could see BU and UINDY looking to change and feel that they are in a wait and see mode right now. I do believe if one goes, they other may well follow. Neither one really wants to be that eastern island in my opinion. 2018-19 does seem more realistic for another major move.

Bellarmine would not be the eastern island. KWC is the eastern island along with Trevecca, and probably always will be. However, should the G-MAC go to a three pod system after the 18-19 season, both of those programs would benefit if two programs joined then.

KWC will always play Oakland City, but I have a feeling OCU is struggling. They will probably remain as an independent. Their association with the NCAA is for academic purposes.

KWC also schedules Kentucky State every season. They will not be leaving the SIAC, IMO.

UIndy can afford the travel. And, I think you are right about the "if one goes, the other will follow" theory. USI looks to be transitioning to D1. I think in two more years, they will move up.

A pod system of some sort has to be in the works. Before that happens, the GLVC and the GLIAC will need to figure out what they are going to do. Kentucky needs another D2 program and Lindsey Wilson would be my pick. We can forget about a D3 moving up. Transylvania and Centre will stay D3.

[UFSwimDad]

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

I believe Alumnifan hit is squarely on the head. No real need to have anyone join right now. If the decision has already been made (Ashland) then so be it. The winds of change are slowing blowing in my opinion. One or two moves here or there will open up some very intriguing and welcomed additions to the conference after this year. I think that with St Joe closing and a noticeable movement by the GLVC westward, I could see BU and UINDY looking to change and feel that they are in a wait and see mode right now. I do believe if one goes, they other may well follow. Neither one really wants to be that eastern island in my opinion. 2018-19 does seem more realistic for another major move.

[alumnifan]

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

Ashland might have been the strongest rival for KWC in the GLVC in the early 80's in basketball. Those games were phenomenal.

It's hard for me to believe that UIndy would ever leave the GLVC.

Now, Bellarmine is a different story. Going D1 for Bellarmine would be very expensive. The institution is very solid in D2. However, the G-MAC is still a very young conference. It would seem to me that no other program should be given a bid to join the G-MAC until after the 1918-19 season. At that point things will change.

[UFSwimDad]

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

I did here at one time that Indy has indeed been seriously considering a conference switch. They were supposed to have a meeting to lay out all of the positives and negatives of three scenarios (1: staying in the GLVC, 2: moving to the G-MAC, 3: moving to the GLIAC). Don't remember when that was supposed to happen or if it has already happened. Told that St. Joseph's closing kind of sparked some things on UIndy's campus. That was a while ago at a club volleyball tournament that I was reffing at. Have not heard anything sense.

That would certainly be a home run addition! I may be wrong in thinking this but I just don't see the closing of St Joe as all that backbreaking for UINDY that they would consider a move. Just a gut feeling. I think at most, 10% chance as things currently stand

[buckeyeblitz]

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

I did here at one time that Indy has indeed been seriously considering a conference switch. They were supposed to have a meeting to lay out all of the positives and negatives of three scenarios (1: staying in the GLVC, 2: moving to the G-MAC, 3: moving to the GLIAC). Don't remember when that was supposed to happen or if it has already happened. Told that St. Joseph's closing kind of sparked some things on UIndy's campus. That was a while ago at a club volleyball tournament that I was reffing at. Have not heard anything sense.

[BlueBlood]

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

At this point we have enough members to be a stable conference. So if we're going to add more, it needs to be done selectively, and with an eye towards becoming stronger overall in various sports.

Yep. It sounds like we need a swim team or two to help the swim schools out. And maybe an additional football school to get to 9 conference games. I would think that the G-MAC should be able to pick up Ashland as an affiliate for wrestling. Its fine-tuning at this point.

[kwcpantherfan]

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

At this point we have enough members to be a stable conference. So if we're going to add more, it needs to be done selectively, and with an eye towards becoming stronger overall in various sports. So from your list, if it were me, the only ones I would even consider at this point are Ashland, Bellarmine, and UIndy. Now, maybe some WV schools would help meet the goals, too, Wheeling Jesuit, West Liberty, etc, but I don't know that a "Midwest" conference should shift it's geographic balance any farther East than we already are.

So I guess my general view is, #1 we don't HAVE to add anymore schools. We should not add someone just for the sake of adding someone. #2 The top factor should be "what does this school add to the conference athletically?" followed closely by "are they a fit geographically?" with the deciding factor for that second part being essentially "are they close to (or west of) the conference's current geographic center?"

[UFSwimDad]

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

So correct me if I am wrong and or feel free to add on........

Ashland- Signs pointing to a move to GMAC and signs pointing to staying in the GLIAC. Would be a great get but not really a huge need for the league. 50/50 odds

UINDY- pure speculation so far. Have had at least one UINDY poster say that they have been told by the AD that they are always reviewing their plans. Other than that there has been no concrete link to any type of move from the GLVC. Unless there is newer information out there, they are staying put.

Bellarmine- again pure speculation. More of a want that would be a great fit for Kentucky Wesleyan and TVN coupled with the closing of St Joe's lends itself to the speculation. No football and D1 in Men's Lacrosse. Zero information at all about any type of move. 99% sure to stay in GLVC baring any other GLVC moves.

Taylor, IWU, and the three (?) Kentucky NAIA schools- All perceived as solid fits that would help with the southern movement toward TVN. I think I stated that many of the KY schools have joined a massive NAIA football league. Add to this the rejections by the NCAA in the past may make any move to D2 a long shot. BlueBlood stated IWU made it be known at their football presser that they have zero intentions of moving up. Have heard nothing on Taylor other that speculation. Without any info I say 0% chance.

NDC, Urbana- More informed posters know more about them than I do but they seem like total non move because of past issues.

WV schools- again, others know more about this than me so I will let this ride.

[UFSwimDad]

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

The last thing I heard regarding IWU and D2 was their AD emphatically denying any interest at all in D2 (at their football press conference a year or more ago). Have heard nothing at all regarding Taylor. Similar to UIndy, its just on a wish list.

Yeah exactly. Total wish list. I keep leaning toward nothing happening other than an Ashland move or non move. BUT, perhaps things are being kept close to the vest???

[BlueBlood]

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

The last thing I heard regarding IWU and D2 was their AD emphatically denying any interest at all in D2 (at their football press conference a year or more ago). Have heard nothing at all regarding Taylor. Similar to UIndy, its just on a wish list.

[UFSwimDad]

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

Taylor still intrigues me. Gets G-MAC into IN; Easy distance to Hillsdale, Findlay, Tiffin, Cedarville; Great academics; Some history playing the OH schools; Pretty tight cultural fit with Cedarville, TNU, Malone.

You mentioned that at the swim meets there was talk of a possible IN school. UINDY is the only current D2 that fits the criteria. And, most acknowledge that they are unlikely. You pointed out some warts re Marion earlier (that I wasn't aware of). Who does that leave (IWU and/or Taylor?)

I agree that Taylor and IWU look to be fits but has anyone heard anything or read anything that would lead us to a possible move? IWU is the only school that sponsors swimming so I am not sure what the other school would be. Perhaps he was just stating his desire?
I would think that if either school had any desire on moving to D2 there would at least be some sort of news about it?? That's my opinion anyway.
At this point, I am expecting no moves come this summer. I would think that for swimming, we could go with a conference meet with the women but the men would have to find another avenue. With most schools having one coach for both teams, I would think that there will have to be some sort of associate membership deal to be made in order to have both teams at one venue.

[Tyler Madsen]

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

Expansion thought.

I have actually put all this talk on the back burner for a few weeks now thinking we would start hearing stuff the end of this month or early June. With BlueBlood talking about St Joe it got me looking at the map again. I didn't realize that SW Baptist played football only in the GLVC with the rest of the sports in the MIAA I believe. I find that strange but perhaps it's because they are a newer football program? I have zero clue jsut thought hey, would they want to bolt to the MIAA or would that league even want them? This in turn got me thinking about UINDY. Would they stay in the GLVC is SWB moved? Would they go GMAC or GLIAC? What domino effect south this have on BU? Then I moved on toAshland. I think they stay in the GLIAC. If they can pick up out of conference games with UF, Tiffin, NDC, Malone and Walsh, it might make some of there travel issues not as bad for the secondary sports. If they stay, I wouldn't expect anything else to happen this year. Unless it's someone leaving the GMAC, not that I think that happens. Just some Monday off day ramblings

Southwest Baptist and Lincoln both play GLVC football as affiliate members but are full-time members of the MIAA. The agreement was created prior to the 2014 season, which allowed the MIAA to play a full conference-only schedule among 12 "remaining" football schools, while also allowing the GLVC to drop to just three open weeks during the regular season (eight conference games).

[BlueBlood]

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

Taylor still intrigues me. Gets G-MAC into IN; Easy distance to Hillsdale, Findlay, Tiffin, Cedarville; Great academics; Some history playing the OH schools; Pretty tight cultural fit with Cedarville, TNU, Malone.

You mentioned that at the swim meets there was talk of a possible IN school. UINDY is the only current D2 that fits the criteria. And, most acknowledge that they are unlikely. You pointed out some warts re Marion earlier (that I wasn't aware of). Who does that leave (IWU and/or Taylor?)