Ashland moves to GMAC

[BlueBlood]

Yeah, time to come home.

[Stea1th]

[ctrabs74]

The AB for ND swap seems inevitable. Of course, that's if AB actually wants to leave the GMAC (or if the MEC wants them).

From the sounds of it on the MEC boards, it all seems to hinge on whether or not West Liberty ultimately wants AB in the fold. Not my opinion, but that's what I've been reading. The point was made that AB has, during their time in the G-MAC, faced every MEC team non-conference in men's hoops except for West Liberty.

Take that for what it's worth.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Nobody in the PSAC would really even notice Seton Hill was gone but there's really no reason for them to leave -- unless booted but that's highly unlikely. Keep in mind, too, Seton Hill doesn't really care about athletics. So, to add all that travel wouldn't be appealing to them at all. Their best 'fit' is in D3 with W&J, etc., in the PAC. Any D2 conference who actually wanted to add Seton Hill is just filling a spot. When the Griffins first arrived in the PSAC it appeared they had a lot of upside -- perhaps sleeping giant level. But, as time has shown, they've basically become Lock Haven in football and men's basketball.

UPJ isn't going anywhere. They wanted IN the PSAC for decades. They are just getting to the point of developing rivalries in men's basketball.

The AB for ND swap seems inevitable. Of course, that's if AB actually wants to leave the GMAC (or if the MEC wants them).

[UFOILERFAN]

I believe June 30th for this year.

[D2Ohio]

What is the deadline for notification for leaving?

[CALUPA69]

Unless a PASSHE school closes or UPJ/one of the private schools (Gannon, Mercyhurst, Seton Hill) decides to leave the PSAC, there simply isn't a spot for Frostburg in the PSAC at this time.

Correct....at this time.

[ctrabs74]

Hadn't thought of NDC in the PSAC but you are quite correct that they are much closer to all of the West schools than to the MEC. Ready to make the swap private for private whenever they're ready. The connection vs GU, MC and BORO would save them a lot versus UC, GSC and either FSU.

As stated upthread (or perhaps it was in one of the other Ashland to the G-MAC threads), NDC has at least six G-MAC schools which are within the same travel footprint of NDC as Gannon/Mercyhurst/Edinboro - at least four are within an hour or less in Painesville, Pepper Pike (the next town over from South Euclid) and two in Canton.

[ctrabs74]

If I had to guess:
NDC to the GMAC
AB to the MEC
Frostburg to the PSAC (at some point)

Unless a PASSHE school closes or UPJ/one of the private schools (Gannon, Mercyhurst, Seton Hill) decides to leave the PSAC, there simply isn't a spot for Frostburg in the PSAC at this time.

[CALUPA69]

Honestly, even the PSAC is a better option for NDC. You have Edinboro, Mercyhurst and Gannon right there, a shortish drive East on 90. Seton Hills joins the MEC and NDC leaves and takes their spot? That would kind of backfire wouldn't it lol.

Hadn't thought of NDC in the PSAC but you are quite correct that they are much closer to all of the West schools than to the MEC. Ready to make the swap private for private whenever they're ready. The connection vs GU, MC and BORO would save them a lot versus UC, GSC and either FSU.

[ctrabs74]

https://ledenews.com/mountain-east-w...ho-comes-next/

The article mentions Central State, Ohio's publicly funded HBCU, which is currently in the SIAC and formerly part of the GMAC. Part of the reason Central State left the GMAC was because they didn't sponsor the required number of core sports. From the article:



Central State would also encounter the same issues with the MEC as they did with the GMAC. From the G-MAC bylaws:

BYLAW 4: RECOGNIZED SPORTS

Section 1 Conference Championship Sports

1.1 Each institution must sponsor the following core sports:

1.1.1 Men -- Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball.
1.1.2 Women -- Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball and Softball.

From the MEC Constitution:

Section 3 Membership Requirements

Members of the conference agree to:
...

3.3 Satisfy the Conference core sports sponsorship requirements stipulated in the Conference Bylaws. Each member institution is required to compete in the following sports:



3.3.1 The Board of Directors may determine whether or not it may wish to grant an exception to the core sports requirement. An exception would require 2/3 vote.
3.3.3 (sic) New members may be required to sponsor a sport(s) as a condition of membership.

Central State currently sponsors the following sports:

MEN: Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Track (Indoor and Outdoor) and Volleyball
WOMEN: Basketball, Cross Country, Track (Indoor and Outdoor) and Volleyball

Unless Central State adds some combination of soccer, baseball and/or softball, the MEC will probably not consider them for membership.

[Stea1th]

If I had to guess:
NDC to the GMAC
AB to the MEC
Frostburg to the PSAC (at some point)

[DasHewz80]

I think most of the DIII teams in SWPA that would fit geographically are in the PAC. If they were interested in moving up, might work. Geographically, Central State would be better off in the G-MAC or even the MEC, but they aren't leaving their conference. Only other D2 school in Maryland is Bowie State ... they aren't jumping ship either. Would kind of help FSU, but even still, that's a near 3-hour drive. A-B's gym is going to be a problem no matter what conference they are in.

[ESU Warrior]

https://ledenews.com/mountain-east-w...ho-comes-next/

Good article. I don't know if Seton Hill would want to join the MEC because of geography. Can someone do a chart on travel?

If Bluefield adds football that would be phenomenal for the conference. I still don't know if AB wants to make the move. I can see it happening because of location, but once again, they were with the GMAC since its beginnings and hung on to the 3 member football conference years ago. It is much much better now.

I do think it is inevitable that NDC goes to the GMAC. I think that is more likely than AB going to MEC.

Are there any other D-3s in Maryland close by? I know FSU was on their own island. How about D-3's in southwestern PA?

Can the MEC make a run at Cumberland and Georgetown like the GMAC did years ago? I know they were denied D-2 membership years ago, but I am just throwing out names.

[DasHewz80]

Honestly, even the PSAC is a better option for NDC. You have Edinboro, Mercyhurst and Gannon right there, a shortish drive East on 90. Seton Hills joins the MEC and NDC leaves and takes their spot? That would kind of backfire wouldn't it lol.