G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

[Insidesource]

Hearing some noise out of GMAC meetings a few weeks ago...several institutions looking in (nothing immediately confirmed) and one institution potentially on the way out (non-FB institution)...,more to come...

[BlueBlood]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

I am of the belief that the decision would be better (easier to sell to alumni, better financial decision, league to be exponentially more competitive) for both UIndy and Ashland if they joined the GMAC together.

I agree that a renewed association with the other would likely make a move easier to sell. The schools share Heartland, MIFC and GLIAC history, and are similar in structure and competitiveness.

[D2Ohio]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

Plus U Indy probably gets serious about joining the GMAC to build rivalries and up the competition with solid privates.

I am of the belief that the decision would be better (easier to sell to alumni, better financial decision, league to be exponentially more competitive) for both UIndy and Ashland if they joined the GMAC together.

[michiganfb]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

I agree Tony that Northwood isn't going anywhere. As an Ashland alum who follows their athletic program closely, I actually want AU to go to the GMAC. My main reason for this is based on the football program. The top of the GLIAC is loaded and I don't see that changing any time soon. So if you're Ashland you will always be battling FSU and GVSU for playoff berths. This isn't even taking into consideration Saggy or someone gets things going again and a 4th team gets into the mix. We all know rarely do 3 teams from the GLIAC make the playoffs. It's just simple math that it's going to be a struggle every year for AU to be in the top 2 in the GLIAC.

Second, Region 3 is loaded! Look at the pre season rankings and look at how many teams from Region 3 are in the top 25. Look how many are in the top 10 in some polls. For Ashland, not only are you fighting GVSU and FSU for a playoff spot, you've got other excellent conferences in Region 3 that are always tough. It's by far the best region in the country. So as long as the playoff format takes the same number of teams from each region, why would you want to stay in a region that annually could get 10 teams in based on merit but only 7 make the field?

Ashland goes to the GMAC they don't have to worry about GVSU and FSU. There are good but not great teams in the GMAC, plus Region 1 is a lot weaker. Making the move to GMAC and Region 1 probably increases the chances of Ashland making the playoffs annually from 20-30% to 80%.

Agreed. Hard to compete with public schools that care about football. Hard to compete with Grand Valley's facilities and what Ferris has going on. Plus U Indy probably gets serious about joining the GMAC to build rivalries and up the competition with solid privates.

[eagler927]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

Deleted the history lesson for the sake of space...but I enjoyed it.

I think your scenarios are about right. I also agree that they are all probably long-shots. Northwood isn't going anywhere unless something drastic happens. Also, the UP schools aren't going anywhere...the geography for them in the NSIC is actually WORSE than the what they have presently in the GLIAC, and I'd be curious as to what other entities might oppose something like that (ie, the Governor's Office).

I agree that a D1 move is possible. The only other thing that could change everything is if the NCAA implodes to an extent. If the Power 5 decide to break away and form their own gig (which I'm baffled why they haven't already), then the whole structure and alignment of the NCAA could change. Not a clue what that could mean. All things staying the same, I think Northwood stays. I like the idea of Ashland staying and I hope they do, but I still consider that to be 50/50...never say never.

I'm intrigued about inviting some schools to move up. Lawrence Tech is a gold mine geographically, and they are NUTS about their sports, marketing them, and most importantly...funding them. Plus, they have the two things that the GLIAC really needs in a new member: football and baseball. Agree that we leave Concordia where they are. Would love to see us make a run at Indiana Tech also...they are top-end of the WHAC most years in a lot of sports, and Fort Wayne is really not bad geographically. They probably have no desire to move up, so might be a long shot. Plus, their lack of football mitigates their appeal.

Whole lot of "who knows" with all of this. What actually ends up happening will probably be something few of us saw coming...seems like that's how things go anymore...

I agree Tony that Northwood isn't going anywhere. As an Ashland alum who follows their athletic program closely, I actually want AU to go to the GMAC. My main reason for this is based on the football program. The top of the GLIAC is loaded and I don't see that changing any time soon. So if you're Ashland you will always be battling FSU and GVSU for playoff berths. This isn't even taking into consideration Saggy or someone gets things going again and a 4th team gets into the mix. We all know rarely do 3 teams from the GLIAC make the playoffs. It's just simple math that it's going to be a struggle every year for AU to be in the top 2 in the GLIAC.

Second, Region 3 is loaded! Look at the pre season rankings and look at how many teams from Region 3 are in the top 25. Look how many are in the top 10 in some polls. For Ashland, not only are you fighting GVSU and FSU for a playoff spot, you've got other excellent conferences in Region 3 that are always tough. It's by far the best region in the country. So as long as the playoff format takes the same number of teams from each region, why would you want to stay in a region that annually could get 10 teams in based on merit but only 7 make the field?

Ashland goes to the GMAC they don't have to worry about GVSU and FSU. There are good but not great teams in the GMAC, plus Region 1 is a lot weaker. Making the move to GMAC and Region 1 probably increases the chances of Ashland making the playoffs annually from 20-30% to 80%.

[boatcapt]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

Leveling the playing field typically means "reduce your efforts to my school's level."

No conference, division, etc is ever perfectly "level."

Yup. There can be variation in the commitment across the sport spectrum, but overall commitment needs to be pretty uniform or you can run into problems between conference members that make a relatively large investment in athletics and those that are just along for the ride.

[Brandon]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

Leveling the playing field typically means "reduce your efforts to my school's level."

No conference, division, etc is ever perfectly "level."

[UFOILERFAN]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

I was looking at the 2019 GMAC Football schedules currently posted on each school's website. Every school will play 7 conference games and the OOC games are scattered throughout the season. Thought I would list the total number of games each school has scheduled and what league their OOC games are coming from.

Alderson Broaddus 10 games scheduled...1-MEC, 2-CIAA
Findlay 11 games scheduled...1-MEC, 3-GLIAC
Hillsdale 11 games scheduled...2-GLIAC, 1-MEC, 1-GLVC
Kentucky Wesleyan 11 games scheduled...1-MEC, 2-GLVC, 1-NAIA
Lake Erie 10 games scheduled...1-GLVC, 1-PSAC, 1-GLIAC
Ohio Dominican 9 games scheduled...1-PSAC, 1-GSC
Tiffin 10 games scheduled...2-GLIAC, 1 NE-10
Walsh 10 games scheduled...1-GLIAC, 1-MEC, 1-FCS

In 2020, I "assume", the four OOC games will all be at the beginning of the season. That is if all 8 schools continue playing football for the 2020 season. The PSAC only has week 1 open for OOC games and beginning in 2020 the MEC will be playing with themselves so no OOC games.

Food for thought, or not. That's all I got.

[WVIAC-F-EVER]

[D2Ohio]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

lololol

I do not agree or disagree with you. I simplified the stance of the leaving school.

[UFOILERFAN]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

Given the Bellarmine news, Mr. Daeger should be scheduling a lunch date with his alma mater.

Then, maybe he and the UIndy AD should take a quick road trip to Marian, IWU and Taylor.

D2 Conference Commissioner Association is meeting today through Thursday in San Diego. He probably won't contact anyone this week.

[BlueBlood]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

Given the Bellarmine news, Mr. Daeger should be scheduling a lunch date with his alma mater.

Then, maybe he and the UIndy AD should take a quick road trip to Marian, IWU and Taylor.

[KleShreen]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

What would those concerns be?

Everyone knows what the "concerns" were. Just not allowed to talk about them.

[BeachinLaker]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

Just a guess, but "public v. private" might have been the top concern on that list for Hillsdale.

Not sure what the large public schools can do about that...They can't make themselves private and shrink their enrollments.

[ctrabs74]

Re: G-MAC / GLIAC Updates

What would those concerns be?

Just a guess, but "public v. private" might have been the top concern on that list for Hillsdale.