Thoughts on RR SR1 after 5 weeks

[CALUPA69]

Off topic but of note:

On the Tort Show tonight Jack eluded that there's a bit of a rumor going around that St. Francis (Loretto) is possibly toying with the notion of dropping down and joining the PSAC.


Jack doesn't gossip without knowing something. That is very interesting.

The Red Flash may be an also run in the FCS NEC but a team that beat KENT ST (23-17) in Ohio and played a competitive (10-18) game at Dayton, may be a bit much to handle even at a fully funded D2 schollie level. Not to mention their BB team made it to the round of 32 in March Madness. We all like to think our D2 programs are quite capable but a well established private school athletic department, with a $50+M endowment feels like a bit of a stretch in our stingy PASSHE league

[TheBigCat2192]

Off topic but of note:

On the Tort Show tonight Jack eluded that there's a bit of a rumor going around that St. Francis (Loretto) is possibly toying with the notion of dropping down and joining the PSAC.


Jack doesn't gossip without knowing something. That is very interesting.

When’s the last time a whole athletic program dropped down from D1 to D2?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The Red Flash may be an also run in the FCS NEC but a team that beat KENT ST (23-17) in Ohio and played a competitive (10-18) game at Dayton, may be a bit much to handle even at a fully funded D2 schollie level. Not to mention their BB team made it to the round of 32 in March Madness. We all like to think our D2 programs are quite capable but a well established private school athletic department, with a $50+M endowment feels like a bit of a stretch in our stingy PASSHE league

It threw me off. Had somebody just randomly said their name on a message board, I wouldn't have thought anymore of it. However, being Jack was the person who mentioned it ... he's quite 'in the know' after 50-some years covering IUP (and knows everybody). He knows everything behind the scenes. In all of the discussions about which school would replace Mercyhurst, that was the first time St. Francis was ever mentioned.

Who knows. As you said, they occasionally have some good teams. That said, the drop would drastically cut their expenses. That level of 'D1' is nothing but a financial drain. IUP outdraws them in football by the thousands and also outdraws them in basketball by probably 1,000/game. Very little cash flowing in from sports there ... even smaller following. It wouldn't totally shock me the more I think about it.

For all these Mercyhurst types going up, some are going to come down. There's another one in Moon Twp. that should follow suit.

[iupgroundhog]

It threw me off. Had somebody just randomly said their name on a message board, I wouldn't have thought anymore of it. However, being Jack was the person who mentioned it ... he's quite 'in the know' after 50-some years covering IUP (and knows everybody). He knows everything behind the scenes. In all of the discussions about which school would replace Mercyhurst, that was the first time St. Francis was ever mentioned.

Who knows. As you said, they occasionally have some good teams. That said, the drop would drastically cut their expenses. That level of 'D1' is nothing but a financial drain. IUP outdraws them in football by the thousands and also outdraws them in basketball by probably 1,000/game. Very little cash flowing in from sports there ... even smaller following. It wouldn't totally shock me the more I think about it.

For all these Mercyhurst types going up, some are going to come down. There's another one in Moon Twp. that should follow suit.

I believe that school is hurting, overall. It would make some sense. Jack is a credible source so I wouldn't pass it off as idle talk.

[TDBoi8136]

When’s the last time a whole athletic program dropped down from D1 to D2?

Idaho moved from FBS to FCS. I know University of Hartford board voted to drop their D1 program all the way down to D3. That's set for next year.

*Correction: The move to d3 has already happened.

[ShoNuff]

Off topic but of note:

On the Tort Show tonight Jack eluded that there's a bit of a rumor going around that St. Francis (Loretto) is possibly toying with the notion of dropping down and joining the PSAC.


Jack doesn't gossip without knowing something. That is very interesting.

That is a HUGE "WOW" there.....

[Fightingscot82]

When’s the last time a whole athletic program dropped down from D1 to D2?

Winston Salem State and maybe Mississippi College?

[TheBigCat2192]

Winston Salem State and maybe Mississippi College?

Winston-Salem State probably deserves an asterisk given they only moved up to FCS for four years before dropping back down but that does fit the bill.

[Tdobson]

How would St. Francis do in the PSAC for football?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

How would St. Francis do in the PSAC for football?

Well, their top-end guys would all transfer out - likely to similar FCS programs.

What would get left behind, my guess, would eventually turn in to Gannon or Seton Hill.

Their facilities are on par or worse than most PSAC schools. The KCAC, for example, blows their gym out of the water. Their football stadium is basically the same as our league members' current digs.

They'd be a nice addition, location-wise, for much of the West.

Frostburg State obviously fits the mold better.

[EastStroud13]

The Red Flash may be an also run in the FCS NEC but a team that beat KENT ST (23-17) in Ohio and played a competitive (10-18) game at Dayton, may be a bit much to handle even at a fully funded D2 schollie level. Not to mention their BB team made it to the round of 32 in March Madness. We all like to think our D2 programs are quite capable but a well established private school athletic department, with a $50+M endowment feels like a bit of a stretch in our stingy PASSHE league

Dayton is a non-scholarship program and Kent State is terrible, I think St. Francis being competitive with those programs speaks more to those programs than any strength St. Francis has.

Their facilities are no great shakes, but they are a big step above Gannon and Seton Hill in that respect. I would anticipate them settling in as a more-consistent Gannon type, not necessarily the favorite in the West but certainly good enough to give the top teams some problems. Assuming both are options, I would take St. Francis over Frostburg State, the latter's financial issues and the recent demolition at the hands of Charleston have me spooked.

[Fightingscot82]

Dayton is a non-scholarship program and Kent State is terrible, I think St. Francis being competitive with those programs speaks more to those programs than any strength St. Francis has.

Their facilities are no great shakes, but they are a big step above Gannon and Seton Hill in that respect. I would anticipate them settling in as a more-consistent Gannon type, not necessarily the favorite in the West but certainly good enough to give the top teams some problems. Assuming both are options, I would take St. Francis over Frostburg State, the latter's financial issues and the recent demolition at the hands of Charleston have me spooked.

Dayton is probably the best of the non-scholarship. They've been a strong program for a long time and could compete middle of the pack in most FCS conferences and maybe win the bottom tier conferences. Its a good enough and attractive enough school that they get good players willing to be non-scholarship.

[EastStroud13]

Dayton is probably the best of the non-scholarship. They've been a strong program for a long time and could compete middle of the pack in most FCS conferences and maybe win the bottom tier conferences. Its a good enough and attractive enough school that they get good players willing to be non-scholarship.

Tallest of the midgets is still pretty darn short. You could count the number of FCS conferences in which they wouldn't be a bottom-feeder on one hand.

[Fightingscot82]

Tallest of the midgets is still pretty darn short. You could count the number of FCS conferences in which they wouldn't be a bottom-feeder on one hand.

We'll have to disagree with that.

[SRU 88]

Frostburg St. = Fraudburg St.

Lose for 2nd week in a row.

Looks like MEC will have only one team in playoffs.