July 1 - Moving Day 2024

[Tech Boys]

D2 conferences sponsoring National Collegiate Division sports. D1 Bryant (ECC Bowling) is the only non-D2 member of any conference.

* Carolinas - Volleyball (M), Bowling, Wrestling (W)
* Central Atlantic - Bowling
* Central Intercollegiate - Bowling
* East Coast - Volleyball (M), Bowling
* Great Lakes Valley - Volleyball (M), Bowling
* Great Midwest - Bowling
* South Atlantic - Beach Volleyball
* Southern Intercollegiate - Volleyball (M)
* Sunshine State - Beach Volleyball

The wording is what is important. These are not D1 sports.

[njmav1]

It happens more often than you think. There are a handful of D2 conferences that sponsor bowling and/or men's volleyball and whose membership for those sports consists entirely of D2 members, but since there's no D2 championship for those sports, they play them at the D1 level.

I believe (women's) bowling is just one division. Men's volleyball has a combined D1 and D2 national championship.

[Finchwidget]

I still have my doubts that a non D1 all sports conference would be allowed to sponsor a single D1 sport. If they could, the NE10 might have done that already.

It happens more often than you think. There are a handful of D2 conferences that sponsor bowling and/or men's volleyball and whose membership for those sports consists entirely of D2 members, but since there's no D2 championship for those sports, they play them at the D1 level.

[njmav1]

I am requesting that we ignore Bowling Green, but njmav is stating that the NSIC/CCHA schools would not want to lose a mythical seat at the D1 table we somehow/supposedly benefit from currently with the Falcons. They are a non factor in what I would like the NSIC to do.

Misspoke, the conference would be viewed as a bottom feeder not necessarily each school involved. SCSU, UMD and Mankato would carry some weight and playoff possibilities with Bemidji occasionally getting in on the playoff fun. Why would the NSIC sponsoring hockey be an issue logistically if we had 8 members? It's just as much as the CCHA has and we much tighter geographically than the CCHA and NCHC

Augustana as a better upside than Bemidji in my opinion.

I still have my doubts that a non D1 all sports conference would be allowed to sponsor a single D1 sport. If they could, the NE10 might have done that already.

But for the sake of argument, let's say this did happen. D1 hockey becomes the marquee sport for the conference, just as it is the sport for Duluth, St Cloud, Mankato, Bemidji, and Augustana (whether Augie realizes it or not). That means all the money and attention will have to be directed there. There's another thread wondering how the NSIC coaching salaries compare across the members. Those salaries would be nothing compared to the hockey coaching salaries. The hockey schools would demand all the attention because it's D1. Just compare the hockey video production of those 5 schools compared to their basketball and football broadcasts. I have no problem with the idea of the NSIC sponsoring D1 hockey- I just don't think it's practical.

I'd rather the conference explore sponsoring ACHA D1 hockey, where Minot is already a power and Mary is extremely competitive. And I think you're likely to get more NSIC schools to join.

[ctrabs74]

I wonder why they are going to use the UAC for a name instead of the WAC. I've followed them since 1967. Sad to see them go, like the old Yankee Conference.

The remaining (non-football) ASUN members will remain in that conference while the UAC will be the five ASUN football programs and the three WAC leftovers (keep in mind that UT Arlington doesn't sponsor football). Quite frankly, it's a stupid decision for Abilene Christian, Tarleton State and UT Arlington to "stay" in the UAC instead of going to the Southland, but whatever. They made their beds, so let them lie in it. At the very least, UT Arlington should be in the Southland, because what's the point of being in that league if you don't have a football program (and, yes, I get the "new" UAC will be an all sports conference, but this was a stupid way of going about it). But, I guess Tarleton and ACU would rather be in a league with North Alabama and West Georgia instead of a league with in-state rivals like Stephen F Austin, East Texas A&M and Incarnate Word, which would likely be a better level of competition than the UAC.

There will be seven schools in the ASUN when the dust settles, so they're going to have to find another member within the next couple of years in order to remain an automatic qualifier conference for basketball, etc.

[laker]

Too bad about the WAC, I've been following that conference (starting with the New Mexico Lobos on KKOB AM radio - we get it here in parts of SoCal at night) since the 1971-72 athletic season.

I wonder why they are going to use the UAC for a name instead of the WAC. I've followed them since 1967. Sad to see them go, like the old Yankee Conference.

[zimmy21]

I guess there's a lot I'm not understanding here - BGSU Hockey is barely hanging on by a thread financially from what I've heard, and have already bucked the Nacho once apparently. They're dead weight to any conference they belong too. What's the point of winning fewer games at a greater financial cost given those two factors? Of course they don't care about the D2 schools - they only care about themselves, just as Alabama and Minnesota West both do, and everyone in between. Are they really that worried with what Minnesota and LSU are up too?

Why would UMD become a bottom feeder? Would joining another conference force them to tear down AMSOIL, fire Sandy, and completely stop recruiting their own backyard? They didn't really become good until they left the WCHA, a conference with name-brand schools, to go play in a conference with a bunch of mid-majors, a DIII school, and eventually Arizona State. I guess calling them a bottom feeder is pretty wild in any context.

I submitted a proposal to start varsity hockey in the NSIC - but it was dead in the water logistically, and I knew it when I sent it. Even if it went through, I'm sure they'd want to work with the ACHA and I'm 100% against that idea as I don't want this to be associated with club hockey. I also thought about extending the olive branch to non-NSIC schools to insulate membership for when Minot and/or Mary go DI, but all I could come up with was SDSU - talk about dead weight, so I passed.

I am requesting that we ignore Bowling Green, but njmav is stating that the NSIC/CCHA schools would not want to lose a mythical seat at the D1 table we somehow/supposedly benefit from currently with the Falcons. They are a non factor in what I would like the NSIC to do.

Misspoke, the conference would be viewed as a bottom feeder not necessarily each school involved. SCSU, UMD and Mankato would carry some weight and playoff possibilities with Bemidji occasionally getting in on the playoff fun. Why would the NSIC sponsoring hockey be an issue logistically if we had 8 members? It's just as much as the CCHA has and we much tighter geographically than the CCHA and NCHC

[SW_Mustang]

Them being competitive or not doesn't make a lick of difference whether they care about the D2 schools they are entangled with. What I am proposing is if Jamestown, or Mary, or Minot (preferably all 3) raise their ACHA club teams to the NCAA varsity level the CCHA/NSIC schools should be in communication with the NSIC leadership about sponsoring D1 hockey, and forcing the hand of UMD and SCSU to join their fulltime conference.

Minot, Mary, Jamestown, Bemidji, UMD, SCSU, Augie and Mankato would be bottom feeders, I have no doubt about that. We could be nice and invite the GLIAC schools as affiliates.

Hell it may even kick in the extra effort in Moorhead to start the program they researched a few years back.

This all just a hypothetical and a fever dream at this point but I think it could be pretty special. It could gain notoriety for the NSIC in general.

I guess there's a lot I'm not understanding here - BGSU Hockey is barely hanging on by a thread financially from what I've heard, and have already bucked the Nacho once apparently. They're dead weight to any conference they belong too. What's the point of winning fewer games at a greater financial cost given those two factors? Of course they don't care about the D2 schools - they only care about themselves, just as Alabama and Minnesota West both do, and everyone in between. Are they really that worried with what Minnesota and LSU are up too?

Why would UMD become a bottom feeder? Would joining another conference force them to tear down AMSOIL, fire Sandy, and completely stop recruiting their own backyard? They didn't really become good until they left the WCHA, a conference with name-brand schools, to go play in a conference with a bunch of mid-majors, a DIII school, and eventually Arizona State. I guess calling them a bottom feeder is pretty wild in any context.

I submitted a proposal to start varsity hockey in the NSIC - but it was dead in the water logistically, and I knew it when I sent it. Even if it went through, I'm sure they'd want to work with the ACHA and I'm 100% against that idea as I don't want this to be associated with club hockey. I also thought about extending the olive branch to non-NSIC schools to insulate membership for when Minot and/or Mary go DI, but all I could come up with was SDSU - talk about dead weight, so I passed.

[njmav1]

It's going to be interesting. I'm really satisfied with the MSU coaching change, the Augustana addition, and the CHL talent pool - I know NMU and MTU are going through changes on their end too.

That being said, I would like to see MSU exit the CCHA at some point, I'm not a fan of how the conference is run and it's holding the Mavs back. I also think they can compete with the big boys on a consistent enough basis to where it makes sense. Obviously that's an oversimplification, but still.

Do you listen to the Chattin' Mavs podcast? The one with Luke Strand is great - especially when he talks about the Mason Kraft situation.

Not sure what you mean by "how the conference is run." I think every fan will say that about whatever conference their team is in frankly.

About that CHL talent pool- BG is adding a lot of guys from the CHL. Neutral Zone Scouting ranked their incoming class #1.

And yes, I listen to that podcast. While I don't expect Mason's mom to write him a note, I will be nervous for the next 12 months until he makes it on campus. This year's addition to watch is Tristan Lemyre. He's played in the national championship game in each of his 3 collegiate years, winning the last two. Hopefully he can make it 4 and 3.

[SW_Mustang]

If the rumor is correct, the NCHC extended an offer to BGSU around the time the Mavs applied for admission. BG turned down the NCHC and likely got the ball rolling on CCHA 2.0. So I think they are the most committed member of the conference.

I am actually bullish on the CCHA, especially with the coaching changes in the last two or three years.

It's going to be interesting. I'm really satisfied with the MSU coaching change, the Augustana addition, and the CHL talent pool - I know NMU and MTU are going through changes on their end too.

That being said, I would like to see MSU exit the CCHA at some point, I'm not a fan of how the conference is run and it's holding the Mavs back. I also think they can compete with the big boys on a consistent enough basis to where it makes sense. Obviously that's an oversimplification, but still.

Do you listen to the Chattin' Mavs podcast? The one with Luke Strand is great - especially when he talks about the Mason Kraft situation.

[zimmy21]

Decisions aren't always made based on bureaucratic reasoning - BGSU would get mauled in the NCHC (they're not even a good CCHA school). They'd also have a gnarly travel schedule - Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska with only one opponent in Michigan (and one in Ohio, but Miami isn't exactly a great incentive) vs. now with half of their conference in neighboring Michigan and only three opponents between Minnesota and South Dakota.

The Greenies are right where they should be competitively, unless they're willing to get shoehorned into some random east coast conference, or unless they're willing to make hockey a priority.

Them being competitive or not doesn't make a lick of difference whether they care about the D2 schools they are entangled with. What I am proposing is if Jamestown, or Mary, or Minot (preferably all 3) raise their ACHA club teams to the NCAA varsity level the CCHA/NSIC schools should be in communication with the NSIC leadership about sponsoring D1 hockey, and forcing the hand of UMD and SCSU to join their fulltime conference.

Minot, Mary, Jamestown, Bemidji, UMD, SCSU, Augie and Mankato would be bottom feeders, I have no doubt about that. We could be nice and invite the GLIAC schools as affiliates.

Hell it may even kick in the extra effort in Moorhead to start the program they researched a few years back.

This all just a hypothetical and a fever dream at this point but I think it could be pretty special. It could gain notoriety for the NSIC in general.

[SW_Mustang]

We already are essentially in an all D2 conference, save for Bowling Green which doesn't give a crap about the NSIC or Gliac schools. They got left behind and would gladly take the first boat out of the CCHA.

Decisions aren't always made based on bureaucratic reasoning - BGSU would get mauled in the NCHC (they're not even a good CCHA school). They'd also have a gnarly travel schedule - Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska with only one opponent in Michigan (and one in Ohio, but Miami isn't exactly a great incentive) vs. now with half of their conference in neighboring Michigan and only three opponents between Minnesota and South Dakota.

The Greenies are right where they should be competitively, unless they're willing to get shoehorned into some random east coast conference, or unless they're willing to make hockey a priority.

[zimmy21]

The PSAC officially added Lackawanna as its 18th member institution: https://psacsports.org/news/2025/6/2...stitution.aspx

PSAC board reaction is... less than enthusiastic.

Welcome to the NSIC conundrum. Less than a week away from adding Jamestown. A head scratching move by the NSIC that was not necessary with 15 members, 13 football playing.

We had time to be picky. Jamestown did not.

[EastStroud13]

The PSAC officially added Lackawanna as its 18th member institution: https://psacsports.org/news/2025/6/2...stitution.aspx

PSAC board reaction is... less than enthusiastic.

[njmav1]

We already are essentially in an all D2 conference, save for Bowling Green which doesn't give a crap about the NSIC or Gliac schools. They got left behind and would gladly take the first boat out of the CCHA.

If the rumor is correct, the NCHC extended an offer to BGSU around the time the Mavs applied for admission. BG turned down the NCHC and likely got the ball rolling on CCHA 2.0. So I think they are the most committed member of the conference.

I am actually bullish on the CCHA, especially with the coaching changes in the last two or three years.