GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

[purduefan11]

I am thinking that there could be some major shifts within these four conferences in the next few years. From what I am hearing, schools are looking to cut travel costs, so here is what I am thinking how it could break down.

GMAC - lose Kentucky Wesleyan, Trevecca Nazarene, Alderson Broaddus, Davis and Elkins (confirmed to be leaving), and Ohio Valley
add Notre Dame College, Ashland, Urbana, Uindy, and maybe an NAIA school like Marian or Indiana Wesleyan
GLVC - Lose Uindy and Lewis
add Oakland City and Kentucky Wesleyan (also try to go after Washburn and/or bring back Lincoln from the MIAA)
GLIAC - lose Ashland and
add Lewis (also look at adding some NAIA Michigan schools)
MEC - Lose Urbana and Notre Dame College
add AB, D&E, OVU, Salem, and Bluefield

Thoughts?

[ctrabs74]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

GMAC - lose Kentucky Wesleyan, Trevecca Nazarene, Alderson Broaddus, Davis and Elkins (confirmed to be leaving), and Ohio Valley
add Notre Dame College, Ashland, Urbana, Uindy, and maybe an NAIA school like Marian or Indiana Wesleyan

If the GSC wanted to extend their footprint further into Tennessee (specifically, Nashville), then TNU would seem to be a logical landing spot. Of the adds, Urbana seems to be the most logical of the group that would best fit the GMAC's philosophy. I can't help but feel that Ashland joining the GMAC would seem inevitable in the long-run, but they are more than holding their own in the GLIAC.

GLVC - Lose Uindy and Lewis
add Oakland City and Kentucky Wesleyan (also try to go after Washburn and/or bring back Lincoln from the MIAA)

Washburn is in Topeka, Kansas, which would make that a non-starter for a league that currently stretches from KC/Springfield in Missouri to Indianapolis and Louisville. Oakland City brings virtually nothing to the table as a viable D2 program, and since they don't seem to want to schedule a full D2 schedule, maybe they should just drop their NCAA membership.

GLIAC - lose Ashland and
add Lewis (also look at adding some NAIA Michigan schools)

I'm not so sure that replacing Ashland with non-football Lewis (though their basketball programs have been among the tops in the GLVC, especially on the women's side) would be an even trade, to put it in that perspective. Replacing Ashland with UIndy, though...

MEC - Lose Urbana and Notre Dame College
add AB, D&E, OVU, Salem, and Bluefield

So, basically, bring back the old WVIAC? And, I'm presuming you meant Bluefield College in Virginia and not Bluefield State in West Virginia. That said, Salem got booted out of the GMAC, and that's all the people need to know about that train-wreck of an athletic program. Also, bear in mind that the West Virginia schools currently in the GMAC were part of the reason the WVIAC broke up in the first place, if I'm not mistaken. That said, Urbana for AB doesn't seem like a bad tradeoff; that might be the only logical change out of that group.

[WVIAC-F-EVER]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

Bluefield State College President used to be president of West Liberty and spear headed the MEC conference..

[D2Ohio]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

Thoughts?

All (except that Urbana is still a college) of what you posted would make sense if it was a start from scratch with no politics or pride involved.

[Brandon]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

If the GSC wanted to extend their footprint further into Tennessee (specifically, Nashville), then TNU would seem to be a logical landing spot. Of the adds, Urbana seems to be the most logical of the group that would best fit the GMAC's philosophy. I can't help but feel that Ashland joining the GMAC would seem inevitable in the long-run, but they are more than holding their own in the GLIAC.

Washburn is in Topeka, Kansas, which would make that a non-starter for a league that currently stretches from KC/Springfield in Missouri to Indianapolis and Louisville. Oakland City brings virtually nothing to the table as a viable D2 program, and since they don't seem to want to schedule a full D2 schedule, maybe they should just drop their NCAA membership.

I'm not so sure that replacing Ashland with non-football Lewis (though their basketball programs have been among the tops in the GLVC, especially on the women's side) would be an even trade, to put it in that perspective. Replacing Ashland with UIndy, though...

So, basically, bring back the old WVIAC? And, I'm presuming you meant Bluefield College in Virginia and not Bluefield State in West Virginia. That said, Salem got booted out of the GMAC, and that's all the people need to know about that train-wreck of an athletic program. Also, bear in mind that the West Virginia schools currently in the GMAC were part of the reason the WVIAC broke up in the first place, if I'm not mistaken. That said, Urbana for AB doesn't seem like a bad tradeoff; that might be the only logical change out of that group.

Good post CR.

Washburn would greatly increase their travel in a plan that was suppose to decrease travel. What incentive would they have to leave the MIAA for the GLVC anyway?

[purduefan11]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

Good post CR.

Washburn would greatly increase their travel in a plan that was suppose to decrease travel. What incentive would they have to leave the MIAA for the GLVC anyway?

I think Washburn is a option to look at for competitiveness, they could end up being the last private school left in the MIAA so they ,ay be looking to bounce.

[purduefan11]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

1. I see Oakland City a a "buying low" kind of scenario. If you got in a new AD (of which they are hiring now), that wanted to really work to commit fully to D2, they could build a program to be competitive with the rest of the GLVC in a few years, similar to like the GLIAC adding Davenport for example. Suck for a few years, but now more competitive.
2. I see TNU leaving if and only if KWC goes. Being in Nashville is really hard for them already and without KWC, they would have to go probably.
3. Yes basically make the old WVIAC
4. I see Lewis and Uindy moving for geography. With Purdue Northwest and Wisconsin Parkside in the GLIAC, I think Lewis is a logical step if the GLIAC loses anyone, and losing Ashland seems like an when not an if.
5. Uindy left the GLIAC because they hated travelling to the northern Michigan schools and they now have the same issue with the GLVC, the GMAC just make sense and now is near same level competition wise in many sports.

[purduefan11]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

All (except that Urbana is still a college) of what you posted would make sense if it was a start from scratch with no politics or pride involved.

That is more or less the idea

[boatcapt]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

Love how these scenarios almost always start with the GMAC shedding their bottom feeders to other conferences and then cherry picking from the top of the other conferences!!

Here's one I came up with:

MEC picks up Ashland, Ohio Dominican, Findlay, Bowie, Fayetteville State and Edinboro and break into East/West divisions:

MEC West:
NDC
Urbana
WLU
WU
Ashland
Ohio Dominican
Findlay
Edinboro
Fairmont

MEC East:
Glenville
Concord
UC
WVS
WV Wesleyan
UNCP
Frostburg
Bowie
Fayetteville State

Mercyhurst and Seton Hill go to the GMAC
U Indy goes to the GLIAC
Lincoln PA goes to the PSAC
Wise goes to the CIAA

[Tech Boys]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

I think Washburn is a option to look at for competitiveness, they could end up being the last private school left in the MIAA so they ,ay be looking to bounce.

Washburn is public. Newman will be the only MIAA private as of July 1.

[Brandon]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

I think Washburn is a option to look at for competitiveness, they could end up being the last private school left in the MIAA so they ,ay be looking to bounce.

This is just not realistic. It's wishful thinking to see change for change's sake and could eliminate or harm Washburn's rivalry with Emporia State - 60 minutes away. Every move you propose is influenced by what's best for the GMAC.

[boatcapt]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

Call this the no-way-this-happens-cause-it-makes-too-much-sense realignment:

SR1 breaks into two conferences...The Great Mountain East Conference and the New England Keystone Conference, aligned thusly:

GMEC Midwest Division:
OD
Tiffin
Findlay
Ashland
Walsh
Lake Erie
NDC
Urbana
Mercyhurst
Seton Hill

GMEC Eastern Mountain Division:
WLU
WU
Fairmont
Frostburg
Cal
Concord
AB
WVS
UC
Glenville

NEKAC Keystone Division:
Shippensburg
Millersville
Lock Haven
ESU
SRU
IUP
Buro
Clarion
Gannon
Shepherd

NEKAC New England Division:
New Haven
Pace
Assumption
Bentley
So Con
Amer Int
St Anselm
West Chester
Kuztown
Bloomsburg

[EastStroud13]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

It's an interesting concept, but some of the splits confuse me. Cal may be the closest to WV, but it makes more sense for them to be in the "NEKAC" with the other PASSHE schools and put Gannon into the "GMEC". Then swap Gannon and Seton Hill's divisions.

And then if you're going to have a "New England" division, I'm pretty confused why you wouldn't put the most northeastern PA school, ESU, in there. Swap them out with Bloomsburg or West Chester.

[D2Ohio]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

Call this the no-way-this-happens-cause-it-makes-too-much-sense realignment:

SR1 breaks into two conferences...The Great Mountain East Conference and the New England Keystone Conference, aligned thusly:

GMEC Midwest Division:
OD
Tiffin
Findlay
Ashland
Walsh
Lake Erie
NDC
Urbana
Mercyhurst
Seton Hill

No way Hillsdale gets left out. No reason to include Urbana.
Are not Gannon and Mercyhurst dance partners

[UFOILERFAN]

Re: GMAC/GLVC/GLIAC/MEC Realignment

One thing, for sure, somebody has a whole lot of time on his hands. :smile-big: