G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

[BlueBlood]

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

Hey all. New to the board. Have a daughter that swims for Findlay and the topic of conference expansion has been a hot topic for us. For the athletic department as a whole, the move from GLIAC to the GMAC is a no brainer. There are schools in Michigan that have two to seven times as many students as Findlay! At one time our football team was an NAIA powerhouse but has found it a tough go in the GLIAC which is arguably the best D2 conference in the nation. Basketball wise we have been good although the last couple of years have been down compared to where they want to be. I am sure you all are well versed in this already so I will just throw out some of the comments and hearsay that I have run across this past week. From what I have been told by those in the know is that the GMAC is def looking to expand south as to keep KWU and TNU happy! Their AD alluded to that when it was announced last summer! I am heading that Tiffin is almost certain to jump aboard and if Ashlands finances are ok, I believe they had their rating knocked down when we were there visiting in the summer of 2016, they may come aboard as well. Being selfish here but I am really wanting more schools with swimming! Right now we have six for women and 4 for men. My understanding is the league would not sponsor anything under six teams but I may be wrong. We would ideally like at least 8! Like most expansion, it comes down football as they would like to have at least 10 football schools. Also heard that Indiana Wesleyan, Cumberland and Lindsey Wilson may be getting a look. Ready for some good discussion.

Dave

All 5 schools you mention have been discussed on here through the years. Here are a few items:

Tiffin - Definitely actively considering. In fact the school recently sent out a questionnaire regarding possible G-MAC move to former athletes.

Ashland - When the other schools switched, their AD said they would monitor the situation and if the G-MAC became "viable", they would need to consider a move. I've heard nothing since.

IWU - We've speculated about them for years. When they had their press conference to announce the addition of football, their AD took a direct question from the press regarding possibly going D2. The AD emphatically denied any interest. Things could have changed since. If they did, I guess the GLVC and GLIAC might also have interest.

Cumberland - Applied for D2 already (sponsored by the G-MAC) and were denied. I've heard nothing about them since.

Lindsey Wilson - I know the least about them. However, I always thought they would be a great addition - especially if paired with Campbellsville. Some of the KY guys on here have stated that LW likes being a "big dog" in the NAIA and feel that they benefit from some of the NAIA's looser recruiting/administration stipulations.

Oh - and welcome to the G-MAC!

[ABjo]

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

Wesleyan doesn't start football until the 2018 season I believe, not that that is a problem. How are the better basketball and football teams in GMAC?

Welcome to the board! My alma mater, AB, has swimming but I, honestly, don't follow it very closely. We're definitely no power, by any stretch.

I would take all three schools (Indiana Wesleyan, Cumberland and Lindsey Wilson) in a heartbeat.

Current G-MAC basketball:
KWC is real good. Perennial power with 8 national championships
AB is good. Won the G-MAC our first two years in the league. Went to several NCAA tournaments while in the WVIAC
rest are decent to poor.

Current G-MAC football:
Well, there are only three of us. AB, KWC and Malone
AB won the first ever league championship last year. We had a record season going 9-2. Not terrible for a program that's only in it's 4 year of existence. We won't be contending for the title the next year or two, in my opinion, but we are up and coming.
KWC has not been that great in the past, but they've shown some promise the last couple years. They gave AB a great battle for the Championship this past season. The loose a HUGE offensive weapon in Keenan Cole, so they'll need to figure out things without him.
Malone is not that good, as I'm sure you're aware. They lost both league games last year to AB and KWC. Maybe with the renovation at hall of fame stadium, they can attract some more talent in the future.

[UFSwimDad]

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

Wesleyan doesn't start football until the 2018 season I believe, not that that is a problem. How are the better basketball and football teams in GMAC?

[alumnifan]

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

Indiana Wesleyan and Lindsey Wilson makes the most sense.

[UFSwimDad]

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

Hey all. New to the board. Have a daughter that swims for Findlay and the topic of conference expansion has been a hot topic for us. For the athletic department as a whole, the move from GLIAC to the GMAC is a no brainer. There are schools in Michigan that have two to seven times as many students as Findlay! At one time our football team was an NAIA powerhouse but has found it a tough go in the GLIAC which is arguably the best D2 conference in the nation. Basketball wise we have been good although the last couple of years have been down compared to where they want to be. I am sure you all are well versed in this already so I will just throw out some of the comments and hearsay that I have run across this past week. From what I have been told by those in the know is that the GMAC is def looking to expand south as to keep KWU and TNU happy! Their AD alluded to that when it was announced last summer! I am heading that Tiffin is almost certain to jump aboard and if Ashlands finances are ok, I believe they had their rating knocked down when we were there visiting in the summer of 2016, they may come aboard as well. Being selfish here but I am really wanting more schools with swimming! Right now we have six for women and 4 for men. My understanding is the league would not sponsor anything under six teams but I may be wrong. We would ideally like at least 8! Like most expansion, it comes down football as they would like to have at least 10 football schools. Also heard that Indiana Wesleyan, Cumberland and Lindsey Wilson may be getting a look. Ready for some good discussion.

Dave

[BlueBlood]

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

Just saw on the conference website that baseball and softball games start this weekend. It's pretty crazy how varied the different schools' schedules can be. The Lady Jackets don't have a game until March (in FL).

[UFOILERFAN]

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

I thought the set up to the poll question was interesting. He said basically they listed the "original" G-MAC schools and said "do you want to join that or stay?" In his mind, he was thinking "why would we leave the GLIAC to join with schools in WV and KY?" There was no mention that the current GLIAC south schools were leaving and that the G-MAC would now be predominantly OH schools.

Proof that pollsters can definitely lead a group to a desired result.

Well, he could have said...Do you want Tiffin to remain in the GLIAC or do you hate America and everything it stands for? Please be honest. We know where you live. :D

[ctrabs74]

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

Tiffin is exploring G-MAC membership. A Tiffin alum buddy of mine recently got a notification from the school asking for his input. Interestingly, the communication did not mention that the other GLIAC private schools had already voted to leave. Not knowing that (he wasn't aware of the realignment), he said he already turned in his vote to stay in the GLIAC. Said if he had known, he would have voted differently. So....

A) Tiffin is definitely exploring
B) The person who put the poll together definitely wants to stay in the GLIAC

I'm surprised that Tiffin didn't jump when the rest of the former GLIAC schools did. I had them going to the G-MAC instead of Findlay a couple years ago.

[ABjo]

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

Definitely a "leading" poll. Tunes will probably change a year from now, when the alumni realize they aren't playing their old rivals anymore.

[BlueBlood]

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

I thought the set up to the poll question was interesting. He said basically they listed the "original" G-MAC schools and said "do you want to join that or stay?" In his mind, he was thinking "why would we leave the GLIAC to join with schools in WV and KY?" There was no mention that the current GLIAC south schools were leaving and that the G-MAC would now be predominantly OH schools.

Proof that pollsters can definitely lead a group to a desired result.

[UFOILERFAN]

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

Tiffin is exploring G-MAC membership. A Tiffin alum buddy of mine recently got a notification from the school asking for his input. Interestingly, the communication did not mention that the other GLIAC private schools had already voted to leave. Not knowing that (he wasn't aware of the realignment), he said he already turned in his vote to stay in the GLIAC. Said if he had known, he would have voted differently. So....

A) Tiffin is definitely exploring
B) The person who put the poll together definitely wants to stay in the GLIAC

If they go solely by an alum vote, they will stay in the GLIAC. Probably trying to gauge how many will be upset if they leave. They would fit better in the GMAC but most people resist change. As always, it will depend on the financial end of things.

[BlueBlood]

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

Tiffin is exploring G-MAC membership. A Tiffin alum buddy of mine recently got a notification from the school asking for his input. Interestingly, the communication did not mention that the other GLIAC private schools had already voted to leave. Not knowing that (he wasn't aware of the realignment), he said he already turned in his vote to stay in the GLIAC. Said if he had known, he would have voted differently. So....

A) Tiffin is definitely exploring
B) The person who put the poll together definitely wants to stay in the GLIAC

[BlueBlood]

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

TNU's Mark Elliott discusses Football, Lacrosse and Ice Hockey. He also briefly reminisces about the NAIA days when they had close rivals.

It doesn't sound like any of the sports mentioned are necessarily right around the corner, but he says they are "on the table". Interesting that he mentions football as an enrollment builder (specifically mentions that it would bring 100 new students). I say interesting, because TNU already has 2400 students. In my mind, moving from 2400 to 2500 doesn't sound quite as dramatic (or maybe as absolutely necessary) as schools that move from 600 to 700, or 700 to 800.

Anyway, I always like listening to him. He seems to share more inside business than most.

https://soundcloud.com/nashsportsrad...medium=twitter

[BlueBlood]

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

OVU has always been small. But 375 seems ridiculously small. No idea how the heck they maintain that.

The government stats are only for full-time undergrad. Maybe they have a lot of part-time students? (I doubt it, but throwing it out there) Maybe their affiliated denomination just pays the bills?

[ABjo]

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

OVU has always been small. But 375 seems ridiculously small. No idea how the heck they maintain that.