SILO

[Bisonfan from FLA]

Allow me to offer a thought for adding teams to the GAC by offering Delta State and West Alabama to the current Arkansas teams to create the Eastern Division and to add Midwestern State University and West Texas A&M to the current Oklahoma teams to create the Western Division. This new layout would provide for the 8 teams withing the two divisions to play a regular season schedule of 7 games within the division, 2 crossover games with the other division on a rotating basis and provide room for 2 out of conference games within the region.

Immediately strength of schedule would be enhanced, teams would have the traditional rivalry games (at least for the current lineup of Oklahoma and Arkansas teams) and each team could have games each year against new opponents. But now I hear your thoughts; what about distance? Isn’t that the reason the GAC was formed and why they stick to a silo scheduling?

True, so hear me out as I lay out some travel thoughts below. Adding to the new GAC, West Alabama would be the farthest eastern team and West Texas A&M and Midwestern State University are about equal distance as the western most teams in this new lineup.


West Alabama
The current distance within the Gulf South Conference for West Alabama to Valdosta State is 370 miles.

Within the suggested new GAC East footprint, the farthest school is Arkansas Tech at 446 miles. This is a little over an hour further to travel than the current longest trip within the Gulf South Conference.

To play a crossover game with a GAC West footprint the distance to the farthest west schools would be
West Texas A&M at 900 miles,
Midwestern at 667 miles,
NW Oklahoma at 829 and
SW Oklahoma at 776 miles.


West Texas A&M
The current distance within the Lone Star Conference for West Texas A&M to Texas A&M Kingsville is 640 miles.
Within the suggested new GAC West footprint, the farthest school is Southeastern Oklahoma at 377 miles and Northwestern Oklahoma at 258 miles. This is a much less distance to travel than the current longest trip within the Lone Star Conference.

To play a crossover game within the GAC East footprint the distance to the farthest east schools would be Harding University at 629 miles.


Midwestern University
The current distance within the Lone Star Conference for Midwestern University to Texas A&M Kingsville is 534 miles.
Within the suggested new GAC West footprint, the farthest school is Southeastern Oklahoma at 143 miles and Northwestern Oklahoma at 240 miles. This is a much less distance to travel than the current longest trip within the Lone Star Conference.

To play a crossover game within the GAC East footprint the distance to the farthest east schools would be Harding University at 489 miles.

It would take a lot of work for the administrations of the GAC schools to consider such a change but maybe the two Gulf South Conference schools might begin to seek admission to the GAC and open the discussion. Then there would be a need to add to the western side of the conference, so something has to be offered. I just thought I would present a plan.

What do you folks say?

[BisonBones]

Allow me to offer a thought for adding teams to the GAC by offering Delta State and West Alabama to the current Arkansas teams to create the Eastern Division and to add Midwestern State University and West Texas A&M to the current Oklahoma teams to create the Western Division. This new layout would provide for the 8 teams withing the two divisions to play a regular season schedule of 7 games within the division, 2 crossover games with the other division on a rotating basis and provide room for 2 out of conference games within the region.

Immediately strength of schedule would be enhanced, teams would have the traditional rivalry games (at least for the current lineup of Oklahoma and Arkansas teams) and each team could have games each year against new opponents. But now I hear your thoughts; what about distance? Isn’t that the reason the GAC was formed and why they stick to a silo scheduling?

True, so hear me out as I lay out some travel thoughts below. Adding to the new GAC, West Alabama would be the farthest eastern team and West Texas A&M and Midwestern State University are about equal distance as the western most teams in this new lineup.


West Alabama
The current distance within the Gulf South Conference for West Alabama to Valdosta State is 370 miles.

Within the suggested new GAC East footprint, the farthest school is Arkansas Tech at 446 miles. This is a little over an hour further to travel than the current longest trip within the Gulf South Conference.

To play a crossover game with a GAC West footprint the distance to the farthest west schools would be
West Texas A&M at 900 miles,
Midwestern at 667 miles,
NW Oklahoma at 829 and
SW Oklahoma at 776 miles.


West Texas A&M
The current distance within the Lone Star Conference for West Texas A&M to Texas A&M Kingsville is 640 miles.
Within the suggested new GAC West footprint, the farthest school is Southeastern Oklahoma at 377 miles and Northwestern Oklahoma at 258 miles. This is a much less distance to travel than the current longest trip within the Lone Star Conference.

To play a crossover game within the GAC East footprint the distance to the farthest east schools would be Harding University at 629 miles.


Midwestern University
The current distance within the Lone Star Conference for Midwestern University to Texas A&M Kingsville is 534 miles.
Within the suggested new GAC West footprint, the farthest school is Southeastern Oklahoma at 143 miles and Northwestern Oklahoma at 240 miles. This is a much less distance to travel than the current longest trip within the Lone Star Conference.

To play a crossover game within the GAC East footprint the distance to the farthest east schools would be Harding University at 489 miles.

It would take a lot of work for the administrations of the GAC schools to consider such a change but maybe the two Gulf South Conference schools might begin to seek admission to the GAC and open the discussion. Then there would be a need to add to the western side of the conference, so something has to be offered. I just thought I would present a plan.

What do you folks say?

I think you're forgetting that the new teams in the East would also need to play the new teams in the West on the rotation.

I've got 907 miles between West Texas and West Alabama and 668 miles between Midwestern and West Alabama.

I think having a scaled down version of this with just two additions, Northeastern State and Delta State would be more likely and more travel budget friendly.

[Bisonfan from FLA]

I think you're forgetting that the new teams in the East would also need to play the new teams in the West on the rotation.

Reread the first paragraph where I state in an 11 game season teams would play 7 games in the division, 2 rotating crossover games with the other division and then 2 games OOC.

I've got 907 miles between West Texas and West Alabama and 668 miles between Midwestern and West Alabama.

A 7 mile difference in our numbers for West Texas and West Alabama and 1 mile round difference between Midwestern and West Alabama. Blame that on writing the post late at night and my eyes not being what they used to be!

I think having a scaled down version of this with just two additions, Northeastern State and Delta State would be more likely and more travel budget friendly.

Absolutely! I just wanted to post having two additional teams to the East and West Divisions. Also I recall posts from earlier this year that the Oklahoma state schools have issues with $$ from the state funds and this could hamper their abilities to sustain a stronger field of teams; thus I looked to add teams from the LSC.

Great post and comments you provided.

What thoughts do others on this forum think? What other combinations/suggestions could be offered?

[BisonBones]

Reread the first paragraph where I state in an 11 game season teams would play 7 games in the division, 2 rotating crossover games with the other division and then 2 games OOC.



A 7 mile difference in our numbers for West Texas and West Alabama and 1 mile round difference between Midwestern and West Alabama. Blame that on writing the post late at night and my eyes not being what they used to be!


Absolutely! I just wanted to post having two additional teams to the East and West Divisions. Also I recall posts from earlier this year that the Oklahoma state schools have issues with $$ from the state funds and this could hamper their abilities to sustain a stronger field of teams; thus I looked to add teams from the LSC.

Great post and comments you provided.

What thoughts do others on this forum think? What other combinations/suggestions could be offered?

doh! I didn’t mean to nitpick about your numbers, I just missed your paragraph about the mileage for West Alabama, apparently and didn’t think you had put the mileage between the “new” east and west schools, so I looked them up.

[Bisonfan from FLA]

Sorry BisonBones, I was not offended and should have been more clear in my comments. I meant it about my eyes not being what they used to be. I just had eye surgery and I am wavering between wearing reading glasses or not, so sometimes numbers get a little mixed for me. I honestly thought I had misread my numbers and was comparing the difference in the number was an issue from my perspective and my late night blurry eyes.

Total respect to you my HU pal and did not mean to offend nor did I take offense. I just want to get the idea floating around that administration at our GAC schools should/could find ways to work out an expansion to provide OOC games, add diffent teams to the schedule and create more of a wide spread identity. Someone has to get the thought processes started.

I saw my first HU Bison game in 1976 and have been VERY active in watching games over the years living in Searcy. Since moving to Florida I watch and/or listen to the games. I have traveled to GA, AL,MS, TN, MO, LA, IA, KS, OK and TX to see HU games over the years. I recall how fun it was in the AIC, LSC and GSC days to watch up to four OOC games each year and would love to see us (and the rest of the GAC) to play at least 2 games per year with OOC teams.

By the way, you always have the comment "Passing is a Sin" at the bottom of your posts. Did you also have that sign at the NC game in McKinney? As we were driving out of the parking area after the game in the vehicle (a dark colored truck I think) next to us there was a passenger holding that sign out the window and pointed at us and the sign. He had a BIG smile on his face. I gave a thumbs up to that person. Was that you?

[the Northeasterner]

The entire Athletic Program has to be considered, not just football. Makes zero since for Harding to move up.

Harding doesn't have the ticket and population center support to move up. Now if you said Harding was considering moving to the glvc conference I wouldn't even bat an eye. Because they would thrive there in all sports. And don't underestimate the new interstate pull to head them north to a bunch of private schools in Missouri and a whole new student base to get enrollment from

[the Northeasterner]

It wouldn't even be that complicated to add Delta State and Christian Brothers plus Northeastern with Rogers State or ok Christian. Keep 14 football teams in 16 basketball. That's division three crossovers and one non-con. And the basketball has eight per division which is a natural scheduling fit. Northeastern is independent in football and I guarantee would love to find a new home because the other sports aren't nearly as important to them. Heck you didn't even have to add the basketball schools you could just add the two of them for 14 football.

[BisonDivot]

The GAC was created to have all football schools as at the time, several GSC schools did not (West Florida). This, and the reduction of travel time and expenses across all sports sponsored by schools (home and home to West Florida from Harding was brutal for volleyball, basketball, soccer, etc.). With these foundation rules, I do not see the current GAC changing unless new school meet this criteria.

[Inkblot]

The GAC was created to have all football schools as at the time, several GSC schools did not (West Florida). This, and the reduction of travel time and expenses across all sports sponsored by schools (home and home to West Florida from Harding was brutal for volleyball, basketball, soccer, etc.). With these foundation rules, I do not see the current GAC changing unless new school meet this criteria.

The GAC is, in fact, the only D2 conference where all the members have football.

[bigmrg74]

The entire Athletic Program has to be considered, not just football. Makes zero since for Harding to move up.

People have been saying that GVSU should move up for over 20 years now. We have far more enrollment, and a better metro area footprint to draw from, and we're not really that close to making the leap. We don't really have a good FCS conference to jump to, that has travel equal to the GLIAC, Plus, the last time I really crunched the numbers on it it would be at least another 10 million a year to move your athletic department up to D1 at minimum. and that was pre-covid when I ran those numbers, so probably more if you really want to do it right.

[Finchwidget]

The GAC was created to have all football schools as at the time, several GSC schools did not (West Florida). This, and the reduction of travel time and expenses across all sports sponsored by schools (home and home to West Florida from Harding was brutal for volleyball, basketball, soccer, etc.). With these foundation rules, I do not see the current GAC changing unless new school meet this criteria.

Didn't someone on here mention that UA Fort Smith applied to the GAC last year before they went to the MIAA and were rejected for not having football? They're pretty much smack in the middle of the GAC footprint, so that's basically a case-in-point for the GAC not taking non-football schools

[crixus]

[SIZE=14px]Allow me to offer a thought for adding teams to the GAC by offering Delta State and West Alabama to the current Arkansas teams to create the Eastern Division and to add Midwestern State University and West Texas A&M to the current Oklahoma teams to create the Western Division. This new layout would provide for the 8 teams withing the two divisions to play a regular season schedule of 7 games within the division, 2 crossover games with the other division on a rotating basis and provide room for 2 out of conference games within the region.

Immediately strength of schedule would be enhanced, teams would have the traditional rivalry games (at least for the current lineup of Oklahoma and Arkansas teams) and each team could have games each year against new opponents. But now I hear your thoughts; what about distance? Isn’t that the reason the GAC was formed and why they stick to a silo scheduling?

True, so hear me out as I lay out some travel thoughts below. Adding to the new GAC, West Alabama would be the farthest eastern team and West Texas A&M and Midwestern State University are about equal distance as the western most teams in this new lineup.


West Alabama
The current distance within the Gulf South Conference for West Alabama to Valdosta State is 370 miles.

Within the suggested new GAC East footprint, the farthest school is Arkansas Tech at 446 miles. This is a little over an hour further to travel than the current longest trip within the Gulf South Conference.

To play a crossover game with a GAC West footprint the distance to the farthest west schools would be
West Texas A&M at 900 miles,
Midwestern at 667 miles,
NW Oklahoma at 829 and
SW Oklahoma at 776 miles.


West Texas A&M
The current distance within the Lone Star Conference for West Texas A&M to Texas A&M Kingsville is 640 miles.
Within the suggested new GAC West footprint, the farthest school is Southeastern Oklahoma at 377 miles and Northwestern Oklahoma at 258 miles. This is a much less distance to travel than the current longest trip within the Lone Star Conference.

To play a crossover game within the GAC East footprint the distance to the farthest east schools would be Harding University at 629 miles.


Midwestern University
The current distance within the Lone Star Conference for Midwestern University to Texas A&M Kingsville is 534 miles.
Within the suggested new GAC West footprint, the farthest school is Southeastern Oklahoma at 143 miles and Northwestern Oklahoma at 240 miles. This is a much less distance to travel than the current longest trip within the Lone Star Conference.

To play a crossover game within the GAC East footprint the distance to the farthest east schools would be Harding University at 489 miles.

It would take a lot of work for the administrations of the GAC schools to consider such a change but maybe the two Gulf South Conference schools might begin to seek admission to the GAC and open the discussion. Then there would be a need to add to the western side of the conference, so something has to be offered. I just thought I would present a plan.

What do you folks say? [/SIZE]

Those extra long crossover distances (up to 900+ miles) mentioned wouldn't be a big deal on a flight, but they are on a bus IMHO. Change isn't always a good thing.

[BisonBones]

Sorry BisonBones, I was not offended and should have been more clear in my comments. I meant it about my eyes not being what they used to be. I just had eye surgery and I am wavering between wearing reading glasses or not, so sometimes numbers get a little mixed for me. I honestly thought I had misread my numbers and was comparing the difference in the number was an issue from my perspective and my late night blurry eyes.

Total respect to you my HU pal and did not mean to offend nor did I take offense. I just want to get the idea floating around that administration at our GAC schools should/could find ways to work out an expansion to provide OOC games, add diffent teams to the schedule and create more of a wide spread identity. Someone has to get the thought processes started.

I saw my first HU Bison game in 1976 and have been VERY active in watching games over the years living in Searcy. Since moving to Florida I watch and/or listen to the games. I have traveled to GA, AL,MS, TN, MO, LA, IA, KS, OK and TX to see HU games over the years. I recall how fun it was in the AIC, LSC and GSC days to watch up to four OOC games each year and would love to see us (and the rest of the GAC) to play at least 2 games per year with OOC teams.

By the way, you always have the comment "Passing is a Sin" at the bottom of your posts. Did you also have that sign at the NC game in McKinney? As we were driving out of the parking area after the game in the vehicle (a dark colored truck I think) next to us there was a passenger holding that sign out the window and pointed at us and the sign. He had a BIG smile on his face. I gave a thumbs up to that person. Was that you?

I didn't have the sign, but I loved the sign at the NC game, so I put it on here. It's just too good and pokes a little fun at Harding for both our Christianity and the flexbone.

I played OLine for the Bisons when we were implementing the flexbone, so I'm pretty invested in it.