G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

[Uindy18]

The G-MAC schools (and most privates for that matter) want to offer as many sports as possible - wrestling, both men's and women's lacrosse, swimming/diving, equestrian, bowling, etc. Sports is a huge enrollment driver. A healthy athletic department can have 500 to 800 student athletes, or more.

Exactly right, schools like Lake Erie would not have the enrollment to survive on their own most likely without sports bringing in more students who paying partial or full tuition.

[BlueBlood]

Exactly right, schools like Lake Erie would not have the enrollment to survive on their own most likely without sports bringing in more students who paying partial or full tuition.

I think there is an extremely long list of small colleges that would close but-for sports. I've said before on here - if HS kids' desire to play college sports ever fades, a whole lot of small colleges are in big big trouble.

[Stea1th]

An extremely high percentage of NDCs full-time, non-commuter students play sports.

Last I checked, NDC had over 500 student athletes, 50+ in the marching band (I know that's a small band, there is certainly room for growth), and probably about 50 cheerleaders (when you count football and basketball plus dance team). That means that probably 650 or more students are directly or indirectly related to NDC sports offerings.

[Uindy18]

An extremely high percentage of NDCs full-time, non-commuter students play sports.

Last I checked, NDC had over 500 student athletes, 50+ in the marching band (I know that's a small band, there is certainly room for growth), and probably about 50 cheerleaders (when you count football and basketball plus dance team). That means that probably 650 or more students are directly or indirectly related to NDC sports offerings.

For a D2, that seems like a big band. Uindy always had to con a 10 or 20 kinds from the music department with some free food in the hospitality area in order to have a band at football or basketball games. I would be surprised you had a marching band at all.

[Stea1th]

They started Marching Band the same year they started Football (2009). Compared to some HSs, 50 looks very small. Did not realize that it was a good size D2 band.

[Uindy18]

They started Marching Band the same year they started Football (2009). Compared to some HSs, 50 looks very small. Did not realize that it was a good size D2 band.

Fain, I really am not sure how many D2s have traditional marching bands. The Uindy one is intermittent and doesn't really march, just plays in the stands.

[BlueBlood]

BTW - the conference has not updated the "Expansion Tracker" since the Northwood announcement. Makes me wonder if they are aware of another conference addition (or subtraction) and are waiting for that announcement before updating it.

[kdubnation]

Not a lot of smaller schools have marching bands, probably because they are almost entirely exhibition based for college, unlike high school which is more competitive in nature. So since it's just "for show" rather than out to compete and win awards, the cost isn't really justified.

[Uindy18]

Not a lot of smaller schools have marching bands, probably because they are almost entirely exhibition based for college, unlike high school which is more competitive in nature. So since it's just "for show" rather than out to compete and win awards, the cost isn't really justified.

Ya, I know some would think that it could drive enrollment, but I would imagine big D1 schools seem to have the budget and the resources to serve the vast majority of people who are into marching band. There is also a competitive network of bands that are independent of schools and include mostly college kids, so I imagine that also plays a role (I only know this cuz like the main national competition is held in Indianapolis every year).

[UFOILERFAN]

BTW - the conference has not updated the "Expansion Tracker" since the Northwood announcement. Makes me wonder if they are aware of another conference addition (or subtraction) and are waiting for that announcement before updating it.

Finally added Northwood to the Expansion Tracker today. I think we're good for now.

[Guest]

What is the expansion tracker I do not think I have seen it.

[UFOILERFAN]

What is the expansion tracker I do not think I have seen it.

It's on the GMAC website. Click on ABOUT and you'll see Expansion Tracker.

[BlueBlood]

BTW - I heard radio interviews (Nashville sports radio) the other day - both the TNU AD and SID spoke glowingly of the G-MAC. They had just returned from the G-MAC baseball tournament and, at least for the time being, appear to be the conferences biggest cheerleaders.

[Uindy18]

BTW - I heard radio interviews (Nashville sports radio) the other day - both the TNU AD and SID spoke glowingly of the G-MAC. They had just returned from the G-MAC baseball tournament and, at least for the time being, appear to be the conferences biggest cheerleaders.

Interesting, its always hard to tell what is genuine positivity for simply white-washed coach (or admin in this case) speak in order to not rock any boats.

[BlueBlood]

This link now works

Cedarville part of new athletic conference venture - Cedarville University Athletics

The below link does not work, but website will not let me remove it via delete/edit