Northwood Exit and Expansion Discussion

[Brandon]

Agreed. That's why I underlined them.

It's very interesting times - especially for those individuals with nothing better to do than track movement.

[BeachinLaker]

Who knows how it will shake out, but it's undoubtedly obvious that they don't belong at the same level as Michigan and Michigan State.

[Brandon]

GVSU is not going to do anything until some of the NCAA division things are settled I hope. If the GLIAC falls apart that is one thing but GVSU has some smart leaders that are going to keep them in a good spot. Dr Mantella becomes the lead next year in the GLIAC presidents council and I think she will have a lot of insight and do whatever is needed for GVSU. That could mean moving to FCS right away or maybe staying D2 and seeing what shakes out. I dont think anyone on this forum truly has a clue. Those that do are not going to spill the beans here. But it is off season as we need something to talk about. Declining enrollments at Ferris would make a tough call for them to do anything...same at SVSU..CMU, EMU and WMU have all seen huge enrollment drops as well...like 25% ish...maybe they should join the GLIAC?

Who knows how it will shake out, but it's undoubtedly obvious that they don't belong at the same level as Michigan and Michigan State.

[champgymusa]

GVSU is not going to do anything until some of the NCAA division things are settled I hope. If the GLIAC falls apart that is one thing but GVSU has some smart leaders that are going to keep them in a good spot. Dr Mantella becomes the lead next year in the GLIAC presidents council and I think she will have a lot of insight and do whatever is needed for GVSU. That could mean moving to FCS right away or maybe staying D2 and seeing what shakes out. I dont think anyone on this forum truly has a clue. Those that do are not going to spill the beans here. But it is off season as we need something to talk about. Declining enrollments at Ferris would make a tough call for them to do anything...same at SVSU..CMU, EMU and WMU have all seen huge enrollment drops as well...like 25% ish...maybe they should join the GLIAC?

[Mk63NuclearBomb]

I have not heard any rumblings of Ferris going D1. I think a couple of Ferris people speculated they may go D2 independent.

A fate worse than death

[tip79]

I have not heard any rumblings of Ferris going D1. I think a couple of Ferris people speculated they may go D2 independent.

[Tech Boys]

[Uindy18]

I have to think the Davenport Rumors are simply the grumbling of schools looking for any option available to them as the GLIAC ship sinks. If the GLIAC has a future, I think the GV and Ferris move to D1 has to happen. If it does, the GLIAC schools can then go to the Michigan GMACs and NAIA football schools with the pitch of "hey, we know why you left/won't come, so we are willing to restructure this conference from the ground up to make it more even between the private and public schools." Does that pitch work? I have no idea, and frankly it probably never happen. I will resubmit my ideal GLIAC alignment. Football schools are bolded


Michigan Tech
Northern Michigan
Lake Superior State
Saginaw Valley State
Wayne State
Purdue-Northwest
Wisconsin-Parkside
Hillsdale (Private from GMAC)
Northwood (Private from GMAC)
Davenport (Private)
Siena Heights (Private from NAIA)
Lawrence Tech (Private from NAIA)
Madonna (Private from NAIA)
Concordia-Ann Arbor (Private from NAIA)
Lewis (Private from GLVC)

This alignment is the best-case scenario for the GLIAC moving forward I think. 11 football schools would give the GLIAC a 10-game schedule every year, so every team only needs to find one more OOC game per year which should be fairly easy from the GMAC and GLVC schools. Does this have any outside chance of occurring? Nope, and it would take years to orchestrate if it did.

[UFOILERFAN]

Trine is not religiously affiliated which is different from all but one other (DIII) MIAA member, it is also the largest member, and has adopted the adult learning branch campus model, unlike other members, not to mention in Indiana not Michigan. They really aren't a good fit for that conference.

They would be a much better fit for the GLIAC with like minded Northwood and Davenport, and give Indiana Tech a reason to join.

What? Northwood won't be in the GLIAC starting July 1st.

[stealth]

If Trine would move up it would be join the GMAC. It would probably be that way for any NAIA looking to go D2. Heard rumor (just talk, no link to provide) about Davenport looking at GMAC. Real tough spot for 5 of the 6 remaining if that happens.

Trine is not religiously affiliated which is different from all but one other (DIII) MIAA member, it is also the largest member, and has adopted the adult learning branch campus model, unlike other members, not to mention in Indiana not Michigan. They really aren't a good fit for that conference.

They would be a much better fit for the GLIAC with like minded Northwood and Davenport, and give Indiana Tech a reason to join.

[UFOILERFAN]

The larger the GMAC gets, the less they need a scheduling alliance.

Exactly. In 2023 the GMAC will have 10 football playing schools, the GLVC and GLIAC will have 7. I doubt that the GMAC/GLVC scheduling alliance will go past this season. The GLVC and GLIAC could have a scheduling alliance in weeks 3 and 4 and possibly play some GMAC teams in weeks 1 and 2. This is, of course, if Davenport, GV and Indy stay where they are.

[Inkblot]

Short of the GLIAC football schools looking at a scheduling alliance with the GLVC - which probably isn't happening given the current GLVC/GMAC alliance - I don't see how the league survives in their current state.

The larger the GMAC gets, the less they need a scheduling alliance.

[ctrabs74]

I heard that rumor about Davenport too. If true, they are probably being proactive in dealing with the demise of the GLIAC.

Short of the GLIAC football schools looking at a scheduling alliance with the GLVC - which probably isn't happening given the current GLVC/GMAC alliance - I don't see how the league survives in their current state.

[ctrabs74]

I just don't think there is anywhere to expand, any NAIA private move up would rather go GMAC. GVSU need to decide if they want to be in a 6 team league and hope they find a scheduling agreement for weeks 2-5 somewhere or seek membership in the Horizon/FB OVC or MVFC. GVSU has options, the other three lower could try to tag along if GVSU goes OVC FB, but not MVFC, but it would be difficult even at OVC level, they seem more like Pioneer level. The UP pair are really stuck with nothing, can't see the Minn D2 being accommodating.

*edit- Could Chicago State be an option if they start football? They are a mess right now leaving WAC and not getting into the MEAC

Chicago State starting football is about as likely as Texas A&M Commerce beating Alabama. Chicago State's program is such a mess in their current state, I can't see them launching a football program.

[D2Ohio]

I heard that rumor about Davenport too. If true, they are probably being proactive in dealing with the demise of the GLIAC.

I just don't think there is anywhere to expand, any NAIA private move up would rather go GMAC. GVSU need to decide if they want to be in a 6 team league and hope they find a scheduling agreement for weeks 2-5 somewhere or seek membership in the Horizon/FB OVC or MVFC. GVSU has options, the other three lower could try to tag along if GVSU goes OVC FB, but not MVFC, but it would be difficult even at OVC level, they seem more like Pioneer level. The UP pair are really stuck with nothing, can't see the Minn D2 being accommodating.

*edit- Could Chicago State be an option if they start football? They are a mess right now leaving WAC and not getting into the MEAC