G-MAC All-Sports and Conference Business Thread

[Bballfan]

Agreed. As Grand Valley wants to beat down on a lot of D2 schools, Indiana Wesleyan does the same in NAIA. Hence they will stay big fish in a small pond.

[unc4life]

Indiana Wesleyan would be a great add. Other than location, Rio Grande in Ohio would be another NAIA to D2 candidate.

I just don't know how interested Indiana Wesleyan is interested in changing. They are a big fish in a small pond. And there are only 2 D2 schools left in Indiana. You are either D1, D3, or NAIA in that state. Conversely Ohio doesn't have a lot of NAIA left.

Indiana Wesleyan reminds me of Grand Valley. They are a top end NAIA schools at a lot of sports. You go through the list and its crazy how many top 25 programs they have in the nation. Similar to Grand Valley at the D2 level. IWU could easily move to D2. They would instantly have a better athletic program than half of the GMAC. Better facilities, more money, better programs. I just don't know if they desire to be there yet.

[Bballfan]

Indiana Wesleyan would be a great add. Other than location, Rio Grande in Ohio would be another NAIA to D2 candidate.

I just don't know how interested Indiana Wesleyan is interested in changing. They are a big fish in a small pond. And there are only 2 D2 schools left in Indiana. You are either D1, D3, or NAIA in that state. Conversely Ohio doesn't have a lot of NAIA left.

[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).

[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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Bballfan]

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

[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

[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.

[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.

[BlueBlood]

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

[Uindy18]

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

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