Will the GAC ever look at expanding?

[Mavchamp]

I'm curious to know if the GAC will possibly be looking to expand in the next 5-6 years.

Are they satisfied with the SILO as is?

Would they recruit from the Gulf South?

But I'm curious if they would ever consider Texas A&M Texarkana and ETBU. Travel-wise both schools would be kind to most of the GAC.... especially for the Arkansas schools.

Geographically.... the GAC makes more sense for A&M-Texarkana than the LSC does. Then adding ETBU into the mix allows them to stay at an even number.

I don't think it will be immediately....but possibly in the next few years.

ETBU had another record enrollment last fall (1,944). Pretty likely they will top the 2,000 mark this fall. In the next 5 years (if growth continues) could get to the 2100 to 2,2000 mark.

While the ASC is temporarily stable.... nothing is in stone long term. I think ETBU is not only seeking conference stability...but also making the move without breaking the bank. ETBU's athletic budget isn't too far off from the GAC as is..... not so much the case compared to the LSC.

Seems like a great fit......but it really comes down to how receptive the GAC would be to expansion.

What say you GAC fans?

[Bisonfan from FLA]

Just one fans perspective, but I think a majority of the fans in the Gulf South would be open to expanding a couple more teams in order to make a north/south or east/west kind of division. It could also open up more avenues for recruitment into Texas and NWLouisiana. Again, just one fans perspective. So to the rest of the GAC fans, what say you?

Personally I would love to see Delta State and another team, possibly West Alabama or a Tennessee team, join in on the expansion possibilities.

[BisonBones]

I'd love to see expansion. There was also that possibility of the Oklahoma schools all being forced into the same conference. I think I'd actually like that then the Arkansas schools could expand by a few teams and still not have a silo.

However, I'm just a fan. I think the incentives for the decision-makers mostly favors the status quo. The silo has hurt the seeding for the GAC teams in the football playoffs, but the administrations are more concerned about travel expenses.

[Tech Boys]

I'd support adding Texas A&M-Texarkana and Texas Wesleyan. Both have sports the GAC could use more of. Fort Worth is not a bad drive for any GAC member. Divisions are not necessary, just proper schedule rotations. Delta State might be ok but very iffy with West Alabama sticking way out by their self. And Delta State does not have the GAC required sport of Women's Volleyball.

[Divisiontwo]

The silo is on the brink of going away. The playoff selection criteria is going to force their hand. That makes expansion more likely than before but my gut is they don’t for a while unfortunately. Adding delta and NEO makes Too much sense.

[hawktime]

The silo is on the brink of going away. The playoff selection criteria is going to force their hand. That makes expansion more likely than before but my gut is they don’t for a while unfortunately. Adding delta and NEO makes Too much sense.

Adding Delta and NSU makes sense at minimum and doesn’t really affect the footprint of the conference that much. Hopefully with NSU adding track & field that can help that case to get them in

[Mulerider]

The silo is on the brink of going away. The playoff selection criteria is going to force their hand. That makes expansion more likely than before but my gut is they don’t for a while unfortunately. Adding delta and NEO makes Too much sense.

Thank goodness! Time to git rid of it!

[Mavchamp]

I don't think it would be immediate. I'm thinking 5-6 years down the road.

But as the end of the ASC pact comes to an end.....and unless there's a monumental shift in the stability of the conference between now and then.....I would expect ETBU to look to make the jump.

Their operating budget isn't too far behind the GAC average even as a D3 school. But they would definitely need to make some increases.

All of the facilities are D2 ready with the exception of the football stadium.....which would need some expansion and upgrades. But basketball, baseball, softball, and tennis are all already in place and D2 set.

I also think ETBU already has the needed number of core sports.

Men's sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field

Club sports for Lacrosse, Hockey (D2 varsity, D3 nonvatsiry ACHA), and Bass Fishing

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Women's sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, softball , tennis, track and field, volleyball

Club Sports: Gymnastics and tumbling, Beach Volleyball, Cheerleading, flag football, Pom

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When the day comes.... IF the day comes...... and the ASC is in peril again..... and ETBU has their ducks in a row...... I think ETBU fans are hoping the GAC would be happy to have us join the fold.

It just makes so much more sense than the LSC. Not just geographically...but financially as well. It could also make for some great regional rivalries.

[TheWonderBoy]

I don't think it would be immediate. I'm thinking 5-6 years down the road.

Their operating budget isn't too far behind the GAC average even as a D3 school. But they would definitely need to make some increases.

I agree 5-6 years is a good window. Still a heavy lift.

If I am not mistaken D3 is non-scholarship. That is going to require institutional buy in as well. Athletics operating budgets is one things, the scholarship money is another.

I think I'd prefer the old GSC schools and Northeastern rejoining before adding Texarkana and ETBU. We'll see. I think there are a lot of improvements the GAC can make to keep up with the likes of the MIAA in all sports.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

I'd love to see expansion. There was also that possibility of the Oklahoma schools all being forced into the same conference. I think I'd actually like that then the Arkansas schools could expand by a few teams and still not have a silo.

However, I'm just a fan. I think the incentives for the decision-makers mostly favors the status quo. The silo has hurt the seeding for the GAC teams in the football playoffs, but the administrations are more concerned about travel expenses.

I align more with this comment.

It makes sense for an all Oklahoma conference to form and the remaining 3 GSC football playing schools to play under different affiliations.

Delta State and West Alabama to the GAC and Valdosta State to CC/SAC.

Delta and West Alabama are closer to the GAC than most of the westernmost Oklahoma schools.

[the Northeasterner]

When I heard about A&m Texarkana adding football in my mind I thought there was a good shot that northeastern and tamut would go into the GAC. From an A&m standpoint though the lone stars are much more reputable institution cuz many of their A&m sister institutions are in that conference.

I honestly don't see the GAC expanding unless they're forced to because of a split between the Oklahoma and Arkansas schools. If they do you will see the Arkansas schools grab Delta West Alabama Christian Brothers real fast.

Texas A&m Texarkana would bring the Texarkana market to the GAC which is a no-brainer yes if you have any sense at all. But the GAC would never add Arkansas fort Smith so sometimes that's not always the determining Factor.

In my opinion ask for northeastern they position themselves to either go to the GAC or to do some deal with the glvc who they have worked with a lot in their in football Independence. From a travel standpoint it's neutral between the GAC and the glvc and honestly the MIAA they're all about the same. And still better than the lone Star was

[Mulerider]

When I heard about A&m Texarkana adding football in my mind I thought there was a good shot that northeastern and tamut would go into the GAC. From an A&m standpoint though the lone stars are much more reputable institution cuz many of their A&m sister institutions are in that conference.

I honestly don't see the GAC expanding unless they're forced to because of a split between the Oklahoma and Arkansas schools. If they do you will see the Arkansas schools grab Delta West Alabama Christian Brothers real fast.

Texas A&m Texarkana would bring the Texarkana market to the GAC which is a no-brainer yes if you have any sense at all. But the GAC would never add Arkansas fort Smith so sometimes that's not always the determining Factor.

In my opinion ask for northeastern they position themselves to either go to the GAC or to do some deal with the glvc who they have worked with a lot in their in football Independence. From a travel standpoint it's neutral between the GAC and the glvc and honestly the MIAA they're all about the same. And still better than the lone Star was

Arkansas Fort Smith tried joining back in the day and the GAC said no, that they would be the only school to not have Football. That would still apply today. With TAM-Texarkana having Football, I could see them joining the GAC if the GAC was wanting to expand. Ive got to think they will add an additional team at minimum unless they allow for one non conference game for Football.

I would say if they are trying to add Texarkana and another school, then that other school needs to be one of the following:

#1 choice overall-Northeastern State

Other solid options:

Missouri Southern and Delta

Would be nice, but they would say no:

Central OK

[Mulerider]

Also, at one time Oklahoma Pandhandle State was trying to join the conference, but one of the parties canceled that. The article was deleted many years ago.

[the Northeasterner]

[QUOTE=Mulerider;n941521]

Arkansas Fort Smith tried joining back in the day and the GAC said no, that they would be the only school to not have Football. That would still apply today. With TAM-Texarkana having Football, I could see them joining the GAC if the GAC was wanting to expand. Ive got to think they will add an additional team at minimum unless they allow for one non conference game for Football.

I would say if they are trying to add Texarkana and another school, then that other school needs to be one of the following:

#1 choice overall-Northeastern State

Other solid options:

Missouri Southern and Delta

Would be nice, but they would say no:

Central OK
[/QUOTE

From what I've been told for some people going to school there that president is on the make and I guarantee he wanted them in the LSC. Not from a common sense standpoint yeah the gac is a much better fit.

I still think the split between Oklahoma and Arkansas is the most likely change you'll see in the GAC membership. Fyi. About 10 years ago Missouri Southern did ask for some details under the table about GAC. It never got past that but it was definitely thought of at one point. But if they go anywhere else it would be more likely to the glvc. The GAC can have Delta anytime they wanted for at least football

[Mulerider]

[QUOTE=the Northeasterner;n941545]

Arkansas Fort Smith tried joining back in the day and the GAC said no, that they would be the only school to not have Football. That would still apply today. With TAM-Texarkana having Football, I could see them joining the GAC if the GAC was wanting to expand. Ive got to think they will add an additional team at minimum unless they allow for one non conference game for Football.

I would say if they are trying to add Texarkana and another school, then that other school needs to be one of the following:

#1 choice overall-Northeastern State

Other solid options:

Missouri Southern and Delta

Would be nice, but they would say no:

Central OK
[/QUOTE

From what I've been told for some people going to school there that president is on the make and I guarantee he wanted them in the LSC. Not from a common sense standpoint yeah the gac is a much better fit.

I still think the split between Oklahoma and Arkansas is the most likely change you'll see in the GAC membership. Fyi. About 10 years ago Missouri Southern did ask for some details under the table about GAC. It never got past that but it was definitely thought of at one point. But if they go anywhere else it would be more likely to the glvc. The GAC can have Delta anytime they wanted for at least football

Delta to my knowledge has been a solid D2 school as far as overall in sports. Especially in Football and Baseball, but I think Basketball has been solid as well.