UWG

[UNALions]

From D1.ticker:

West Georgia (DII) is seeking to reclassify to DI and the Atlantic Sun starting with the 2024-25 season, Extra Points publisher Matt Brown reports. Per Brown, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents is scheduled to meet tomorrow to “review a request from the University of West Georgia to enter into a new agreement regarding its athletic conference affiliation and the expansion of its athletics program offerings.” While UWG will not be immediately eligible for NCAA postseason events, ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon tells Brown the Wolves will be immediately eligible for ASUN tournaments, consistent with a league policy established under former Commissioner Ted Gumbart. UWG currently sponsors 14 sports and would need to expand its portfolio as part of the reclassification process, and Brown is told that even if the USG Board of Regents does not allow UWG to reclassify, the school still intends to bring back men’s indoor and outdoor track and may add additional women’s sports. Also from Brown: “Sources familiar with the ASUN’s thinking have told me that the conference does not have immediate plans to expand further, although industry sources outside of the ASUN have told me that the league has had, with varying degrees of formality and seriousness, conversations with multiple other DII programs, including football and non-football playing institutions.”

[Uindy18]

I know this doesn't help much on the football front, but a sleeper addition could be Trevecca Nazarene out of the GMAC. They already have a brutal travel schedule going to Michigan and Ohio from Nashville, so they would probably be fine with a GSC schedule in most sports. Would be decently competitive in most sports, especially baseball and both basketballs if memory serves.

[Wolf_13]

I don't want to usurp Matt's paywall too much but I'm a subscriber and will share that this would start next season and UWG will need to add sports. They plan to start with Track & Field, which are the easiest teams to add for both men and women.

Oddly, UNA discontinued T&F when they moved to D1 and instead added women's golf and beach volleyball.

I believe we would just need to add men's T&F to reach the D1 minimum of 6 men's and 8 women's sports.

[North Ala Screwdriver]

I see Valdosta State making the jump as soon as Herb retires as their AD.

[Will Call]

If true, this news for UWG will succeed or fail on how long those who made it happen stick around. Many of leaders have created great news and rode the wave out of town. This looks exciting.

[UISguy23]

GSC is a dumpster fire. The only path forward is up. Wouldn't be surprised to see UWF follow soon. I hear the conversation hasn't started at VD State.

Valdosta's higher up always wanted to stay loyal to the crumbling D2 and refused to go D1 but might have too

[Wolf King]

GSC is a dumpster fire. The only path forward is up. Wouldn't be surprised to see UWF follow soon. I hear the conversation hasn't started at VD State.

[Eagle74]

Give CC a little time, and I bet you'll be surprised how good they may become. Heck, it wouldn't surprise me a bit if Barton ends up competing for the SAC title this year

[canadarican]

Matt's article speculates that this could push larger enrollment schools like UWF and VSU to join UWG in making this move. That would only leave 3 football schools in the GSC in 2025. DSU, MC, and UWA. An affiliation in football would likely be needed for them in the GAC, LSC, or CC.

If the GA Board of Regents approves this, I think Valdosta will be announcing sooner than later. I hope that triggers UWF to do the same. Then, the ASUN would have 7 football schools and would possibly forgo the UAC deal or the UAC could have divisions.

Let's say those 3 jet...it would make a tremendous amount of sense to me for DSU, MC and UWA to go the GAC route or LSC than CC. Not to mention better leagues.

[UNALions]

UWG's move to D-1 should cause an immediate push for the other GSC to consider requesting a merger of the GSC and Conference Carolinas. With all of the recent conference realignments going on across the country, seems like the most logical move these days.

Matt's article speculates that this could push larger enrollment schools like UWF and VSU to join UWG in making this move. That would only leave 3 football schools in the GSC in 2025. DSU, MC, and UWA. An affiliation in football would likely be needed for them in the GAC, LSC, or CC.

If the GA Board of Regents approves this, I think Valdosta will be announcing sooner than later. I hope that triggers UWF to do the same. Then, the ASUN would have 7 football schools and would possibly forgo the UAC deal or the UAC could have divisions.

[CalifOKRA]

Noooo! RIP GSC football!

I hate to see these schools leave the GSC, but I 100% don't blame them. I think it's a smart move. UWF and VSU, I'm sure, will follow eventually.

I would love for DSU to move up, but I don't see it happening with our diminishing enrollment and lack of funds. Although it won't happen, I would also love to see DSU and Mississippi Valley State merge. I truly think a merger would benefit both schools.

[Eagle74]

UWG's move to D-1 should cause an immediate push for the other GSC to consider requesting a merger of the GSC and Conference Carolinas. With all of the recent conference realignments going on across the country, seems like the most logical move these days.

[UNALions]

I don't want to usurp Matt's paywall too much but I'm a subscriber and will share that this would start next season and UWG will need to add sports. They plan to start with Track & Field, which are the easiest teams to add for both men and women.

Oddly, UNA discontinued T&F when they moved to D1 and instead added women's golf and beach volleyball.

[UNALions]

From D1.ticker:

West Georgia (DII) is seeking to move to DI and join the ASUN and UAC, pending board approval on Friday, per Extra Points' Matt Brown, who adds the move would take place in 2024-25.

[UNALions]

Matt Brown is hearing that West Georgia might be headed to the ASUN!

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