G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

[michiganfb]

Some may have mentioned it but the idea was "like minded" schools. AKA private schools.

My U Indy contact tells me this is what attracts them. The idea of all private schools in the same "boat" as them.

[Brandon]

It would be complicated for them admittedly, but the motivating factor would seem to be cutting down travel costs. If can replace a GMAC schedule for most sports with a schedule that is a mix of GSC/Peach Belt/SIAC schools near them, they could save a bundle on travel. On the other hand, I do not know if they could do that year after year. The ends of seasons would be very hard to schedule around other teams conference schedules.

If they had football, there is a small chance it might work. With all the other sports, it would be incredibly difficult to fill a schedule.

[Uindy18]

Neither would willingly leave the conference unless they had better options available to them. At this point, it does not look like that is happening. What would really be better options for them?

KWC is probably a better geographic fit in the GLVC, especially when you consider sports outside of football. TNU is sort of stuck in no man's land.

[Uindy18]

This makes no sense at all. Why would they do that?

It would be complicated for them admittedly, but the motivating factor would seem to be cutting down travel costs. If can replace a GMAC schedule for most sports with a schedule that is a mix of GSC/Peach Belt/SIAC schools near them, they could save a bundle on travel. On the other hand, I do not know if they could do that year after year. The ends of seasons would be very hard to schedule around other teams conference schedules.

[Brandon]

Not sure where to put TNU to be honest.

Which is why they will not leave.

[Brandon]

Not hard to find posts concerning the posters desire to have NDC's join the GMAC. The senario often painted centers on travel distance and includes NDC joining and TNC and KW going "elsewhere." Basically telling TNC and KW, thank you for being there when we needed you, but we don't need you anymore.

Neither would willingly leave the conference unless they had better options available to them. At this point, it does not look like that is happening. What would really be better options for them?

[Brandon]

I wonder if it would make more sense for them to go independent and schedule whoever they need to from the various conferences they do not quite fit into.

This makes no sense at all. Why would they do that?

[Uindy18]

Not hard to find posts concerning the posters desire to have NDC's join the GMAC. The senario often painted centers on travel distance and includes NDC joining and TNC and KW going "elsewhere." Basically telling TNC and KW, thank you for being there when we needed you, but we don't need you anymore.

Well It seems like the more likely that KWC or TNU will see a move to add NDC/Uindy as the writing on the wall that the conference seems unlikely to expand with members near them, so they do their due diligence and find a conference with a better fit. Assumedly, that means KWC in the GLVC again, and maybe TNU to GSC/Peach Belt? Not sure where to put TNU to be honest.

[purduefan11]

THe difference between NDC and Ashland is that Ashland made numerous official statements over the years that showed they were actively looking and considering a conf move. Beyond this message board and the supposed "sources" they say they have, i don't recall seeing ANY official or even quasi official statement from NDC saying they were looking OR unhappy in any way with their membership in the MEC. Perhaps after 9 years, we should their lask of statement OR movement as a statement that they are happy being in the MEC and have no intention on leaving?

I wonder why the GMAC faithful that are all about forming it as an "Ohio Confrence" aren't actively lobbying for Central State to join?? Seems like if travel distance is the end all and be all that drives conferences, the GMAC can make a MUCH bigger case for Central joining the GMAC than NDC.

The problem with Central State is they burned all their bridges in the conference as they left it. Numerous NCAA violations and the subsequent years spent in a weird NAIA/D2 then the SIAC move have made them an island amongst the Ohio schools it seems. Most of the GMAC seem to avoid scheduling them too.

[BlueBlood]

I wonder why the GMAC faithful that are all about forming it as an "Ohio Confrence" aren't actively lobbying for Central State to join?? Seems like if travel distance is the end all and be all that drives conferences, the GMAC can make a MUCH bigger case for Central joining the GMAC than NDC.

Central State is an HBCU and was ecstatic to get an SIAC invite. They still seem very happy.

[boatcapt]

I will concede that NDC has had this issue in front of them for years, and still decided to not go. However, this was the argument that people used to keep Ashland in the GLIAC and then eventually made the move. I am not claiming NDC will leave tomorrow, but eventually the monetary savings usually supersede the bad blood/politics/etc. that has kept NDC out of the conference given enough time. Additionally, the more "Ohio-centric" the conference gets, the more substantial those monetary savings become. The template for DII conferences should be the GLIAC and the MIAA. A tight geographic set of core schools usually centered around one state or region. I see the future of the GMAC as Ohio and Indiana focused, and the future of the MEC as basically the old WVIAC..

And on the final comment, I would want my school to get in a conference that makes the most sense for the longevity of my school so that it does not run out of money over time and end up like Urbana and Saint Joseph's. That is why I am in favor of Uindy to the GMAC. It makes sense for my school to cut unneeded costs and for the GLVC to become more Missouri/Illinois focused.

THe difference between NDC and Ashland is that Ashland made numerous official statements over the years that showed they were actively looking and considering a conf move. Beyond this message board and the supposed "sources" they say they have, i don't recall seeing ANY official or even quasi official statement from NDC saying they were looking OR unhappy in any way with their membership in the MEC. Perhaps after 9 years, we should their lask of statement OR movement as a statement that they are happy being in the MEC and have no intention on leaving?

I wonder why the GMAC faithful that are all about forming it as an "Ohio Confrence" aren't actively lobbying for Central State to join?? Seems like if travel distance is the end all and be all that drives conferences, the GMAC can make a MUCH bigger case for Central joining the GMAC than NDC.

[boatcapt]

I never claimed that the GMAC was going to kick anyone out. I just think the best option for Uindy and NDC is to join the GMAC, and for TNU and KWC is leave it.

Not hard to find posts concerning the posters desire to have NDC's join the GMAC. The senario often painted centers on travel distance and includes NDC joining and TNC and KW going "elsewhere." Basically telling TNC and KW, thank you for being there when we needed you, but we don't need you anymore.

[Uindy18]

True, TNU has always been an oddity. No schools near it really, no true fit conference geography wise. I wonder if it would make more sense for them to go independent and schedule whoever they need to from the various conferences they do not quite fit into.

[Uindy18]

They have the opportunity to leave every year...and they never do. That includes NDC, UIndy and the GMAC schools that the GMAC apparently doesn't want.

I never claimed that the GMAC was going to kick anyone out. I just think the best option for Uindy and NDC is to join the GMAC, and for TNU and KWC is leave it.

[BlueBlood]

If that was true the GMAC could just form a new league and leave some schools out. I can't imagine them doing something so lowdown and dirty.