Question

[Sportsnut]

But if the MEC gets to the point of bringing in Salem or Bluefield it would be worth paying the penalty and getting out.

[Ram040506]

But if the MEC gets to the point of bringing in Salem or Bluefield it would be worth paying the penalty and getting out.

As much as some talk about Frostburg State as a team to poach, I think West Lib is actually right there as a 1B option. Fairmont State too would be a great option. The 3 of those schools, just appeal more to me than the rest. Would fit well in either the PSAC or the GMAC if either league were looking for more members in the near future.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

As much as some talk about Frostburg State as a team to poach, I think West Lib is actually right there as a 1B option. Fairmont State too would be a great option. The 3 of those schools, just appeal more to me than the rest. Would fit well in either the PSAC or the GMAC if either league were looking for more members in the near future.

I'd agree Fairmont State or WL could easily join the PSAC West (travel-wise). Trips to Edinboro and Gannon are a little longer but Seton Hill, UPJ, Cal and IUP are all pretty short. Clarion and SRU aren't too bad, either (straight up 79).

My hunch is they will target Frostburg based solely on geography. Frostburg could fit in the West or East. The other two could only play in the West. Obviously the West has the immediate opening, but they also have to look at things long term.

I'd say with about 99.9% certainty they (PSAC) are taking somebody.

[Stea1th]

As much as some talk about Frostburg State as a team to poach, I think West Lib is actually right there as a 1B option. Fairmont State too would be a great option. The 3 of those schools, just appeal more to me than the rest. Would fit well in either the PSAC or the GMAC if either league were looking for more members in the near future.

The GMAC is all private schools. So, I don’t see any of those 3 being on the GMACs’s radar.

I’m firmly in the camp that thinks Frostburg is the obvious choice for the PSAC. WL seems like it could nicely fit too, but they are the heart and soul / ring leader of the MEC. I can’t imagine them abandoning ship. Well, on second thought, I guess they already did that once (WVIAC to MEC). So now that the MEC has essentially morphed back into WVIAC 2.0 - maybe they would consider a redo?

[Ram040506]

The GMAC is all private schools. So, I don’t see any of those 3 being on the GMACs’s radar.

I’m firmly in the camp that thinks Frostburg is the obvious choice for the PSAC. WL seems like it could nicely fit too, but they are the heart and soul / ring leader of the MEC. I can’t imagine them abandoning ship. Well, on second thought, I guess they already did that once (WVIAC to MEC). So now that the MEC has essentially morphed back into WVIAC 2.0 - maybe they would consider a redo?

Good point on the privates, didn't realize that. Maybe they can pawn WVW's corpse then lol.

[boatcapt]

But if the MEC gets to the point of bringing in Salem or Bluefield it would be worth paying the penalty and getting out.

There's the willingness to pay and then there is the ability to pay. While Frostburg would immediately become one of the most financially stable PSAC members if they jumped, that doesn't mean they are swimming in money. As with most schools, they are seeing enrollment declined that are stressing their financials. The six years of MEC dues required to leave is a pretty large financial hit for a school now days. It's not like they would be going to the Big 10 were new members reap an immediate financial windfall.

[boatcapt]

The GMAC is all private schools. So, I don’t see any of those 3 being on the GMACs’s radar.

I’m firmly in the camp that thinks Frostburg is the obvious choice for the PSAC. WL seems like it could nicely fit too, but they are the heart and soul / ring leader of the MEC. I can’t imagine them abandoning ship. Well, on second thought, I guess they already did that once (WVIAC to MEC). So now that the MEC has essentially morphed back into WVIAC 2.0 - maybe they would consider a redo?

Is that happenstance or is it in their conference charter/by-laws? In the past, the GMAC had public school members and I think they have public school associate members right now.

[Stea1th]

I highly doubt it's in their charter, but I don't think it's happenstance either. HBCU Central State was once a member, but all current members and affiliate members are private.

[Finchwidget]

I highly doubt it's in their charter, but I don't think it's happenstance either. HBCU Central State was once a member, but all current members and affiliate members are private.

Wise was also a provisional member in the GMACs inaugural season before they jumped ship to the MEC.

In any case though, those two schools were G-MAC charter members, and it seems pretty clear that it was a marriage of convenience for all parties. Central State was an all sports independent that needed a home, Wise needed a conference to sponsor their D-II membership application, and the G-MAC needed warm bodies to pad their new membership, no matter who it was. Those two were able to use their G-MAC membership to pivot to places that were a better fit for them (CSU landed in a conference that was better suited to their institutional profile, and Wise landed in a conference where they wouldn't need to travel quite as much), and I'm sure the G-MAC was fine with that, since it let them develop a more cohesive identity as a conference of private schools across the Midwest and Upper South.

[boatcapt]

I highly doubt it's in their charter, but I don't think it's happenstance either. HBCU Central State was once a member, but all current members and affiliate members are private.

Wise is a public and original GMAC member. The CIAA had a non HBCU for a while.

[Stea1th]

Yes, I forgot about Wise! They were sponsored for D2 membership by the GMAC, but never actually competed in the GMAC.

[BlueBlood]

Yes, I forgot about Wise! They were sponsored for D2 membership by the GMAC, but never actually competed in the GMAC.

They are the ultimate in forgettable - as they never actually stepped onto a field/court with a G-MAC patch on their uniform.

I echo earlier sentiment that, while it's likely not in the by-laws, the G-MAC is not shy about referring to itself as a conference consisting of private institutions.