A&M Texarkana headed to the GAC?

[OldBison]

I was just about to say that, Inkblot. Of course, Rogers State doesn’t have football but I doubt that would be the other out-of-state school.

[Tech Boys]

I was just about to say that, Inkblot. Of course, Rogers State doesn’t have football but I doubt that would be the other out-of-state school.

Rogers State does not have volleyball either.

[Inkblot]

There are only 13 total D2 schools without women's volleyball:

District of Columbia (ECC)
Staten Island (ECC)
Lincoln MO (GLVC)
Delta State (GSC)
Northeastern State (MIAA)
Rogers State (MIAA)
Clayton State (PBC)
Columbus State (PBC)
Georgia Southwestern (PBC)
North Georgia (PBC)
USC Beaufort (PBC)
Mansfield (PSAC)
Morehouse (SIAC – male-only institution)

[Mavchamp]

According to the article.... they are looking to transition in 2027.

The original article included football (2028) but that was since edited. I'm guessing they still have some fundraising to do.

But they have lots of facility upgrades listed.

https://www.tamut.edu/news/2024/2/rr...s%20a%20whole.

The original article mentioned an on-campus football stadium, but that has since been deleted.

IF and/or WHEN A&M- Tex gets football up and running..... it will be interesting to see how ETBU responds to this.

Will ETBU want to build a D2 rivalry/travel partner with A&M into the GAC? Or would they rather not directly compete them in recruiting being only 75 miles apart?

ETBU may want to join them in the GAC. But they may prefer to take their place in the Sooner Conference.......

A&M- Tex has an enrollment of about 1700 and is in the NAIA

ETBU has an enrollment of about 1900 and is currently NCAA D3

[OldBison]

I think the GAC will keep an eye on Delta State, Northestern, AM- Texarkana and ETBU for expansion possibilities but don’t see it happening by 2027.

[BisonBones]

I think the GAC will keep an eye on Delta State, Northestern, AM- Texarkana and ETBU for expansion possibilities but don’t see it happening by 2027.

Agreed. As much as we talk about expansion and breaking the silo, the GAC is doing what the ADs and coaches want it to do: keep travel costs down and make scheduling easy. I don't see a big reason for the people who matter to push for change

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

Agreed. As much as we talk about expansion and breaking the silo, the GAC is doing what the ADs and coaches want it to do: keep travel costs down and make scheduling easy. I don't see a big reason for the people who matter to push for change

From a football perspective you need to run the table to be guaranteed home games in the playoffs. Last year each GAC playoff teams lost once and were on the road travelling. You need out of conference games and wins to boost SOS and have tiebreaker advantages over other teams in the region. That being said that "could" relax a little since the region realignment as a whole will be easier for GAC and MIAA schools to get 1 loss teams in the playoffs for home games and 2 loss teams overall.

[OldBison]

I’m sure we’ll have a lot to talk about in the next few months as the GAC and MIAA compete for our first year in Super Region 4. I think the MIAA will have a leg up having already a scheduling alliance with the LSC. Do they have one with the RMAC?

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

I’m sure we’ll have a lot to talk about in the next few months as the GAC and MIAA compete for our first year in Super Region 4. I think the MIAA will have a leg up having already a scheduling alliance with the LSC. Do they have one with the RMAC?

YEah there are a few games the MIAA and RMAC are playing. MIAA also has several games against the NSIC.

Pueblo is playing Hays and Central Missouri
Mines is playing Washburn
Kearney is playing Charon

[crixus]

If you let those Texans in...there goes the neighborhood. LOL

[Ranger Rick]

Interesting. If the Oklahoma schools all stay in the GAC, we could be looking at East and West football divisions down the road for GAC expansion. That would be great. Could make a stronger football conference, especially if we could add Delta State.

All the Oklahoma Schools should go NAIA. Since Northwestern Oklahoma joined D2 they have been awful. There is no way they will ever compete with Harding or Ouachita to name a couple. People here are more than tired of the poor teams that are fielded year after year. You can almost count on 1 hand the fans who show up at home games. MATNA, Make Our Team NAIA Again.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

All the Oklahoma Schools should go NAIA. Since Northwestern Oklahoma joined D2 they have been awful. There is no way they will ever compete with Harding or Ouachita to name a couple. People here are more than tired of the poor teams that are fielded year after year. You can almost count on 1 hand the fans who show up at home games. MATNA, Make Our Team NAIA Again.

Arkansas Tech and Arkansas-Monticello arent exactly contending for a playoff spots these days.

Southern Nazarene and Central Oklahoma would like a word with you on competing with the Ouachita Baptist JuggerNOT.

[FoothillBison]

Sad to see teams like NWOSU and SWOSU struggle so much lately. These teams aren't too far removed from days of being powerhouses. D2 has been rough on them.

[OldBison]

All the Oklahoma Schools should go NAIA. Since Northwestern Oklahoma joined D2 they have been awful. There is no way they will ever compete with Harding or Ouachita to name a couple. People here are more than tired of the poor teams that are fielded year after year. You can almost count on 1 hand the fans who show up at home games. MATNA, Make Our Team NAIA Again.

Rick,

Would you rather NWOSU, SWOSU, ECU and SEOSU join Langston and OPSU and go NAIA or wait for the recent efforts in the Oklahoma legislature to play out in hopes some of the Oklahoma schools can form their own D2 conference?

[Predatory Primates]

I’m sure we’ll have a lot to talk about in the next few months as the GAC and MIAA compete for our first year in Super Region 4. I think the MIAA will have a leg up having already a scheduling alliance with the LSC. Do they have one with the RMAC?

There isn't a scheduling alliance that I have heard of.

Pitt scheduled GV and Ferris. I assume the AD must have a head injury.