If the only consideration was geography, KWC probably would (and probably should) move to the NAIA. But the geography is not the only consideration. That's why, while I would not be surprised to see us move to a different conference, I don't *think* we will, simply because there's really not a conference that provides a significantly better fit. The GLVC would be slightly better geographically, but other factors make it worse.
Also, with their brand new arena and the addition of more sports I would be absolutely amazed if USI is still in D2 come 5 years from now. All signs point to them joining the Bellarmine bandwagon and jumping to D1, probably in the OVC. And when that happens, the closest D2 school to KWC will be TNU anyway, so the USI 'connection' (if there is such a thing) isn't much of a draw, IMO. The next closest D2 after TNU is Kentucky State, which is in the traditionally HBCU SIAC conference.
Now don't get me wrong, purely from a basketball standpoint I would like to see us back in the GLVC. But we simply cannot compete in other sports - not even close - due to the massive difference in athletic budgets. In the G-MAC we have not been a powerhouse by any means in non-basketball sports, but we're also not a whipping boy across the entire spectrum (minus basketball) either. Baseball, volleyball, soccer (at times), softball have all benefited from G-MAC membership. In some of those cases it's been the difference between not winning a conference game in several years vs. winning only a couple, but that's still an improvement.
Also, with their brand new arena and the addition of more sports I would be absolutely amazed if USI is still in D2 come 5 years from now. All signs point to them joining the Bellarmine bandwagon and jumping to D1, probably in the OVC. And when that happens, the closest D2 school to KWC will be TNU anyway, so the USI 'connection' (if there is such a thing) isn't much of a draw, IMO. The next closest D2 after TNU is Kentucky State, which is in the traditionally HBCU SIAC conference.
Now don't get me wrong, purely from a basketball standpoint I would like to see us back in the GLVC. But we simply cannot compete in other sports - not even close - due to the massive difference in athletic budgets. In the G-MAC we have not been a powerhouse by any means in non-basketball sports, but we're also not a whipping boy across the entire spectrum (minus basketball) either. Baseball, volleyball, soccer (at times), softball have all benefited from G-MAC membership. In some of those cases it's been the difference between not winning a conference game in several years vs. winning only a couple, but that's still an improvement.
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