Proposed bill for all-Oklahoma D2 conference in Oklahoma State House

[OldBison]

Lot’s of possibilities. Like Luke said, it starts with the Oklahoma D2 schools being forced to leave the GAC. The likelihood of that happening is so remote I don’t see it happening in my lifetime. But then, I’m already 74.

[RollChos]

Conspicuously missing from the list of schools to be part of this commission: UCO.

Something else I don't believe anyone else is paying attention to; the President of UCO, Todd Lamb, is a former Lt. Governor and remains well connected at the State Capitol. He is also a huge supporter of UCO athletics so I'm sure he was paying close attention to all of this.

While on one hand I would love to see UCO just dominate the rest of Oklahoma D2 year in and year out and take an auto PO bid, perhaps this could be the final push that we need to make the FCS jump. Oklahoma needs an FCS school in my opinion and I've long advocated for UCO moving to the SLC. If/when we do there will undoubtedly be some growing pains.

[ctrabs74]

Something else I don't believe anyone else is paying attention to; the President of UCO, Todd Lamb, is a former Lt. Governor and remains well connected at the State Capitol. He is also a huge supporter of UCO athletics so I'm sure he was paying close attention to all of this.

While on one hand I would love to see UCO just dominate the rest of Oklahoma D2 year in and year out and take an auto PO bid, perhaps this could be the final push that we need to make the FCS jump. Oklahoma needs an FCS school in my opinion and I've long advocated for UCO moving to the SLC. If/when we do there will undoubtedly be some growing pains.

An FCS move would make sense if we were talking 4-5 years ago, however, given the new era of NIL in college sports, especially in FBS/FCS, I have to wonder if a move for UCO makes any sense at this point, especially when they're going to have a lot of competition not only from OU and Okie State, but also the Texas FBS and FCS schools. Would UCO have enough of a booster base to even compete at the FCS level when it comes to NIL?

[RollChos]

An FCS move would make sense if we were talking 4-5 years ago, however, given the new era of NIL in college sports, especially in FBS/FCS, I have to wonder if a move for UCO makes any sense at this point, especially when they're going to have a lot of competition not only from OU and Okie State, but also the Texas FBS and FCS schools. Would UCO have enough of a booster base to even compete at the FCS level when it comes to NIL?

Hard to say how the NIL mess shakes out. I think Okie State is even having a hard time keeping up.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

An FCS move would make sense if we were talking 4-5 years ago, however, given the new era of NIL in college sports, especially in FBS/FCS, I have to wonder if a move for UCO makes any sense at this point, especially when they're going to have a lot of competition not only from OU and Okie State, but also the Texas FBS and FCS schools. Would UCO have enough of a booster base to even compete at the FCS level when it comes to NIL?

This statement 100%. The Southland will likely look at accepting back the Texas WAC schools that left a few years ago and the Texas D2 schools that may be looking to move up.

[RollChos]

This statement 100%. The Southland will likely look at accepting back the Texas WAC schools that left a few years ago and the Texas D2 schools that may be looking to move up.

I actually work at UIW (SLC school) currently and I’ll tell you there isn’t as much NIL money at this level as you’d think. Some of these FCS schools are **** schools that just really wanted to be D1.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

I actually work at UIW (SLC school) currently and I’ll tell you there isn’t as much NIL money at this level as you’d think. Some of these FCS schools are **** schools that just really wanted to be D1.

Yeah I hear you. I graduated from TAMU-CC. If we get anyone half way decent for basketball or tennis, they are gone the next semester in the portal. I keep waiting for them to leave for the Summit with the rest of the non football schools or perhaps drop down themselves unless they merge with Kingsville which is unlikely.

[AlexTheHAMMER]

one of the worst kept secrets on here is my identity and the MIAA-centric blog that I run. Here's my writeup on HB1017:

https://alexhammeke.wordpress.com/20...tiful-hb-1017/

[BisonBones]

one of the worst kept secrets on here is my identity and the MIAA-centric blog that I run. Here's my writeup on HB1017:

https://alexhammeke.wordpress.com/20...tiful-hb-1017/

Thanks! I really appreciated the explainer and good to hear from the MIAA perspective about this law.

I honestly wouldn't be completely disappointed if this happens and the GAC drops the Oklahoma schools and then looks to get Delta State and maybe the new Texarkana D2 school. I wouldn't be a big difference in travel costs and would allow OOC scheduling, including with the former GAC schools in Oklahoma.

A bit of a tangent, but you mentioned Newman struggling in the MIAA as a private school. I would be interested in any thoughts no why Harding and OuBU do so well in the GAC as privates? Differences in schools/programs or a difference between the GAC and MIAA?

[AlexTheHAMMER]

Thanks! I really appreciated the explainer and good to hear from the MIAA perspective about this law.

I honestly wouldn't be completely disappointed if this happens and the GAC drops the Oklahoma schools and then looks to get Delta State and maybe the new Texarkana D2 school. I wouldn't be a big difference in travel costs and would allow OOC scheduling, including with the former GAC schools in Oklahoma.

A bit of a tangent, but you mentioned Newman struggling in the MIAA as a private school. I would be interested in any thoughts no why Harding and OuBU do so well in the GAC as privates? Differences in schools/programs or a difference between the GAC and MIAA?

I think its more on Newman than anything. I suspect that the Jets fund athletics nowhere close to where other MIAA schools fund their programs. In terms of scholarships, if a player has interest from Newman, Hays/Emporia/Pitt quickly come a-knockin with a better scholarship package and the student-athlete realizing that going to one of the public schools could save you lots more in the long run in any student loans. I also have doubts about alumni/donor giving. Wichita (where Newman is located) also has D1 Wichita State and NAIA Friends closeby, and they dont get a lot of media attention

Ouachita and Harding are willing to fully fund their athletics programs and use it as a point of pride. It's also the hot ticket in Searcy and Arkadelphia

[BisonBones]

I think its more on Newman than anything. I suspect that the Jets fund athletics nowhere close to where other MIAA schools fund their programs. In terms of scholarships, if a player has interest from Newman, Hays/Emporia/Pitt quickly come a-knockin with a better scholarship package and the student-athlete realizing that going to one of the public schools could save you lots more in the long run in any student loans. I also have doubts about alumni/donor giving. Wichita (where Newman is located) also has D1 Wichita State and NAIA Friends closeby, and they dont get a lot of media attention

Ouachita and Harding are willing to fully fund their athletics programs and use it as a point of pride. It's also the hot ticket in Searcy and Arkadelphia

Thanks for the response! I've been to Wichita once and know nothing about Newman.

I suspect the HSU fans on here might have to quibble with you on OBU being THE hot ticket in Arkadelphia.

[AlexTheHAMMER]

Thanks for the response! I've been to Wichita once and know nothing about Newman.

I suspect the HSU fans on here might have to quibble with you on OBU being THE hot ticket in Arkadelphia.

Henderson and Ouachita definitely split the hot ticket, and even with the heat being split down the middle, it's still a hotter ticket than Newman

[OBUGrad]

Ouachita and Harding are willing to fully fund their athletics programs and use it as a point of pride. It's also the hot ticket in Searcy and Arkadelphia

Harding might fully fund, I don’t know. Ouachita does not. It sure would be nice if they were able to do it though.

[OldBison]

I don’t know for sure but I’ve heard Harding is like Ouachita. Whereas, they fund all 36 football scholarships, full rides covering all expenses solely through athletic scholarships are unlikely. However, combining athletic, academic, and need-based aid can significantly reduce college for most, if not all, student- athletes in all NCAA sports.

[debergfan]

Would Harding struggle in the MIAA? I think Newman's struggles are more because of the poor leadership and poor coaching than anything. IMO