G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

[Bballfan]

According to Wikipedia, some of the smallest D2 schools are Davis and Elkins, Wheeling, and KWC. But they all have at least 600 or more students. So Rio has some boosting to do.

With KWC cutting some sports though (and sports not near as expensive as some others), they could soon be the smallest D2 school in the nation. They have been around since 1850, but who knows what the future holds for them.

[Uindy18]

According to Wikipedia, some of the smallest D2 schools are Davis and Elkins, Wheeling, and KWC. But they all have at least 600 or more students. So Rio has some boosting to do.

With KWC cutting some sports though (and sports not near as expensive as some others), they could soon be the smallest D2 school in the nation. They have been around since 1850, but who knows what the future holds for them.

Few more additional thoughts:

1. One outlying factor with Rio is that they do have the capabilites of a 1 big time donor, as it is the birthplace of Bob Evans. If someone in the money around there got a notion, they could be funding an expansion of athletics.
2. If I was KWC, I would have to be at least kicking the tires on a move back to the GLVC. The trips over to McKendree and Quincy may be preferrable to going to Walsh/Malone or Northwood/Hillsdale.
3. This is just conjecture on my part, but I don't think there is a consensus within Uindy to committ the resources to a D1 move. They were strongly rumored to be connected to the OVC in the last big round of moves, but there was some on the board of trustees who were not sold on devoting the additional resources then (based on rumors I heard from those on campus that I knew from my time there). My hope as an alumni is to adopt the North Dakota State approach and remain a big fish in a small pond. Ideally, that pond being the GMAC as well for the travel savings mostly.

[Bballfan]

My hope as an alumni is to adopt the North Dakota State approach and remain a big fish in a small pond. Ideally, that pond being the GMAC as well for the travel savings mostly.

Don't disagree. But there isn't a lot of D2 schools left in Indiana. Only 2, which is crazy when Ohio and Michigan have like around 10 each. For whatever reason, in Indiana you are D1, D3, or NAIA.

Hard to see Indianapolis supporting 3 D1 schools though, with IU south of town too. I think they might the right decision to stay D2.

Would gladly swap KWC for Indy. Indy would instantly become the strongest GMAC school, and it would be a great upgrade for the conference. Honestly KWC should probably drop down to NAIA, but that would be difficult for them to make that move given their hoops history. But for the college to survive, they might have to.

[Uindy18]

Very interesting move out of Cedarville. Any idea where he is headed?

https://yellowjackets.cedarville.edu...challenge.aspx

[BlueBlood]

No, but I love that the school is giving him his props on his way out.

[Bballfan]

No, but I love that the school is giving him his props on his way out.

After being there 24 years they should! He ran a nice program. Must be something good to give up all that after all this time there.

[Uindy18]

No knowledge of anything with this situation, but there has been a trend of late of successful DII HCs leaving to be lead assistants at D1s. Charleston's HC left for an AC job at Youngstown State for example. Could be what is happening here.

[Tech Boys]

Big news from Ursuline College.

Starting in 2025 they will have Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field Indoor, and Men's Track & Field Outdoor. All teams will compete in the GMAC.

I don't expect the Arrows to sponsor many men's sports but in the future start soccer and basketball to satisfy the team sport requirement and a spring sport (golf?) to have two sports in each season. Those are three of the smallest roster sports for men other than cross country.

Ursuline Adds its First Men’s Athletic Teams

[Bballfan]

A school with what...90% female enrollment having men's sports? Interesting.

[Bballfan]

Anybody heard of Davenport showing some interest in the GMAC? I am sure the GLIAC doesn't want to lose them for football, but they are a private school, and with Hillsdale and Northwood not that far for them, I could see it. D2 schools with football are a premium to attract.

[BlueBlood]

Davenport is an associate member of the G-MAC for Men's Lacrosse, Wrestling and Stunt.

I’ve mentioned before that the G-MAC likely does not want to (or at least should not want to) destabilize the GLIAC.

The GLIAC has several sponsored sports that are at low participation levels. Women’s lacrosse has only 3 schools (including DU). Men’s soccer has 6 (including DU). Baseball has 7 (including DU). Several sports (including football) are at 8.

[Bballfan]

I’ve mentioned before that the G-MAC likely does not want to (or at least should not want to) destabilize the GLIAC.

Yet Northwood came over. The only reason the GLIAC has eight football now is because of Roosevelt, which is hardly saying much. Still not sure Wayne State doesn't make the jump to D1. Grand Valley won't because they want to be a big fish in a small pond. I am sure both the GLIAC and GMAC would take Indy if they left the GLVC (and Indy didn't go D1 which is a possibility).

I just think the GMAC should be aggressive in getting a couple more schools as who knows if KWC, Lake Erie, and Ohio Dominican are going to be around for five years. Even Cedarville's enrollment is down this year. And if Cedarville is having a down year, imagine how bad it is at these schools.

[BlueBlood]

Even Cedarville's enrollment is down this year. And if Cedarville is having a down year, imagine how bad it is at these schools.

Cedarville states enrollment is at an all-time high.

[Bballfan]

That was not what I heard from a very reliable source but good for them! The FAFSA debacle has hurt a lot of small colleges (except for Hillsdale of course).

[BlueBlood]

BTW - Hillsdale always made sense to me - it's a private school near the OH border, has historical ties to Ashland, has geographic proximity to Findlay and Tiffin, etc.

Northwood surprised me. They were real close to the middle of the core GLIAC footprint.

Given Northwood, TNU moving on (creating better geography), being a private school in a mostly state school conference - would Davenport surprise me - No. That said, even if Davenport wants to come, I still think the G-MAC might/should have some hesitancy in further destabilizing the GLIAC.

I'd rather see the G-MAC add some of the IN NAIA schools (and UIndy if they ever make a decision that they are staying in D2 long-term).