BTW - don't read my anti-expansion take above as being a slight against the PSAC privates in any way. I actually think they are a great fit institutionally and they don't stretch the geographic borders too bad either. The G-MAC is actually in a great spot right now. I don't think there is any reason to expand; but if there was - there are a whole lot of G-MAC-like institutions that might pick up the phone and listen.
G-MAC-like schools that are already inside or barely outside the G-MAC footprint:
- All three of the aforementioned PSAC privates,
- UIndy (if they are committed to D2),
- Marion, Indiana Wesleyan, Taylor (all from the IN NAIA conference)
- Campbellsville, Lindsey Wilson, Cumberlands (all from the KY NAIA conference Thomas More is coming from)
There are probably others. Truthfully - there are probably enough G-MAC-like schools out there to create a whole second conference (I'll leave that rabbit trail for another time)
Like I said in my earlier post, I think there is an argument that adding more schools right now may be more of a de-stabilizing force than a stabilizing one. However, I'm sure there will be a defection or two at some point.
Things that might cause a shake-up:
- TNU, KWC and Northwood are all on islands. Does island living get so tough that those schools make a change, or does the G-MAC add schools that make it easier for them? TMU is a nice step in this direction, but there is still a big gap.
- I kind of expect more D2 to D1 moves in the future. I think there is a bit of an "expand or die" mentality among smaller schools right now (and probably for good reason). I think there will be more Bellarmines, Queens and LeMoynes. Do any of the G-MAC schools feel the itch?
- Somewhat related - Do any current NAIA's feel like they need to go D2 because "someday" they might want to go D1? (IWU is probably the one that comes to mind first here)
G-MAC-like schools that are already inside or barely outside the G-MAC footprint:
- All three of the aforementioned PSAC privates,
- UIndy (if they are committed to D2),
- Marion, Indiana Wesleyan, Taylor (all from the IN NAIA conference)
- Campbellsville, Lindsey Wilson, Cumberlands (all from the KY NAIA conference Thomas More is coming from)
There are probably others. Truthfully - there are probably enough G-MAC-like schools out there to create a whole second conference (I'll leave that rabbit trail for another time)
Like I said in my earlier post, I think there is an argument that adding more schools right now may be more of a de-stabilizing force than a stabilizing one. However, I'm sure there will be a defection or two at some point.
Things that might cause a shake-up:
- TNU, KWC and Northwood are all on islands. Does island living get so tough that those schools make a change, or does the G-MAC add schools that make it easier for them? TMU is a nice step in this direction, but there is still a big gap.
- I kind of expect more D2 to D1 moves in the future. I think there is a bit of an "expand or die" mentality among smaller schools right now (and probably for good reason). I think there will be more Bellarmines, Queens and LeMoynes. Do any of the G-MAC schools feel the itch?
- Somewhat related - Do any current NAIA's feel like they need to go D2 because "someday" they might want to go D1? (IWU is probably the one that comes to mind first here)
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