18th PSAC Member: Lackawanna College?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I do not understand why the mothership in Oakland doesn’t let the branch campus have a foosball team.

What's ironic is there is a stadium basically on campus at UPJ (neighboring high school).

[iupgroundhog]

Seton Hill isn't that bad. They have top-notch programs in baseball and softball. Women's hoops is strong.

More (most) importantly for the West, they make for a real easy road trip.

They also have football, which fills a spot.

People yap because they play in a high school stadium. News flash ... that high school stadium is nicer than most PSAC stadiums. No track. Historic. Nice views of downtown Greensburg. In fairness parking is a total nightmare (even with their tiny crowds).

Granted, their basketball gym is a claustrophobic shoebox straight out of Hoosiers.

Do I like Seton Hill? No. It has an attitude of being superior to the PSAC schools. Do they fit in? Not really. But, it works.

I disagree. I think SHU does not fit in the PSAC. And just because it is private does not make it a good academic school. It is not. If it was they probably wouldn't have joined the PSAC. Having a good baseball team only goes so far.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I disagree. I think SHU does not fit in the PSAC. And just because it is private does not make it a good academic school. It is not. If it was they probably wouldn't have joined the PSAC. Having a good baseball team only goes so far.

I don't like them. I didn't pick them. They are here. We're stuck with them.

Our league has a lot of dead weight.

[Fightingscot82]

I do not understand why the mothership in Oakland doesn’t let the branch campus have a foosball team.

I don't think its a lack of permission.

[Fightingscot82]

Seton Hill isn't that bad. They have top-notch programs in baseball and softball. Women's hoops is strong.

More (most) importantly for the West, they make for a real easy road trip.

They also have football, which fills a spot.

People yap because they play in a high school stadium. News flash ... that high school stadium is nicer than most PSAC stadiums. No track. Historic. Nice views of downtown Greensburg. In fairness parking is a total nightmare (even with their tiny crowds).

Granted, their basketball gym is a claustrophobic shoebox straight out of Hoosiers.

Do I like Seton Hill? No. It has an attitude of being superior to the PSAC schools. Do they fit in? Not really. But, it works.

UPJ's lack of football is a killer. But, the geography isn't terrible (aside from some winter trips).

Most sports not named Wrestling at UPJ are average or below. Their men's hoops team is pretty good every year. Not great but competitive.

I don't think UPJ has developed any rivalries. Due to closeness I assume they think IUP is a rival.

UPJ is a different vibe than all the state schools.

Should be noted - Seton Hill is somewhat quietly raising money for an indoor turf facility.

[Tdobson]

Would the indoor facility be for all sports, or just football?

[IUPNation]

I don't think its a lack of permission.

They could use UPJ as the junior varsity team or farm team. But then I remember Pitt is Pitt.

[Fightingscot82]

Would the indoor facility be for all sports, or just football?

The very limited information I can find makes it appear similar to what Gannon has.

[boatcapt]

I don't like them. I didn't pick them. They are here. We're stuck with them.

Our league has a lot of dead weight.

It could be that Lackawanna was the best the PSAC could do. You can pull out the invitation chair, but you can't make a school sit in it. By accounts here, the Commish contacted and offered a lot of schools in Ohio, Maryland and WV (and obviously PA) but got no takers. Sooo...the choice came down to Lackawanna or no one. The school Presidents could have voted for no one but they clearly didn't.

[ESU Warrior]

Lackawanna is planning on making this official next week with a press conference. Should be at the end of the week. I still haven’t gotten anything official on their transition; in regards to a 2 year or 3 year process. Last I was told it was pushing for the 2 year waiver (similar to what Simon Fraser got back in 2009).

[Fightingscot82]

It could be that Lackawanna was the best the PSAC could do. You can pull out the invitation chair, but you can't make a school sit in it. By accounts here, the Commish contacted and offered a lot of schools in Ohio, Maryland and WV (and obviously PA) but got no takers. Sooo...the choice came down to Lackawanna or no one. The school Presidents could have voted for no one but they clearly didn't.

I think you may be right, but if I were someone with a vote on this and a much more desirable school said "not right now" I'd probably want to wait for them over Lackawanna. Thinking a few of the MEC schools mentioned, schools an established football program from the NJAC or SUNYAC, or a stronger athletic program moving up from DIII like Penn State Behrend (they'd have to start football).

[boatcapt]

I think you may be right, but if I were someone with a vote on this and a much more desirable school said "not right now" I'd probably want to wait for them over Lackawanna. Thinking a few of the MEC schools mentioned, schools an established football program from the NJAC or SUNYAC, or a stronger athletic program moving up from DIII like Penn State Behrend (they'd have to start football).

Well, you never know what the future holds. Does "no" mean no - not right now? Does "not right now" mean in 2 or 3 or 4 years the answer will be yes? These are unknowables. Only thing we know for certain is that the PSAC made offers to a number of schools and got one taker.

I would imagine the MEC has done the same (held the chair out for numerous schools) and got the same answer. Again, don't know what the future holds but as of right now, they haven't asked about any JUCOs moving up to NCAA DII.

[RocknTheSnackBar]

First you Lacka, then you Wanna. I'm not crazy about this but the stadium is a half mile from my house. LC made a lot of recruiting hay as a FBS feeder so that may change the type player they get. They will get more newspaper coverage than the rest of the league combined.

[jrshooter]

I mean, what was the B1G strategy as it expanded into unchartered waters? Hit as many metro markets as they could.

Well, this is Lackawanna coming to the PSAC (on a smaller scale, of course). Covers two markets, in fact -- Wilkes-Barre and Scranton.

I'm not anywhere close to saying I'm enthused about it. But I can see why they did it, if in fact they're doing it.

[ctrabs74]

Is there even a guarantee that Lackawanna College will even be admitted into the NCAA after moving up from the JUCO ranks?