My hope would be that they keep Malone/Cedarville/Ursuline, and KWC/TNU pursue other conferences (TNU to GSC, Carolinas, or Peach Belt/KWC to GLVC). That would really solidify the conference around Ohio, and if Indianapolis moves over, I think they could make a very strong pitch to Indiana NAIA schools such as Taylor, Indiana Wesleyan, Marian, and Saint Francis. The latter two are NAIA powerhouses historically and would be a great addition. Indiana Wesleyan is a developing program with a great basketball background, and Taylor seems very stable/would keep the other Christian schools happy by adding another like them. Wouldn't a GMAC with the following schools be a great conference across the board?
I hope that the GLIAC solidifies around Michigan, luring the Michigan NAIAs in and then bringing back Northwood, retaining Davenport, and maybe even bring Hillsdale back. Ferris and GV end up as D1 in my scenario. They could also work on the Chicago area and add non-football Lewis. The GLIAC could look like this.
The GLVC could then continue their westward expansion with Upper Iowa from the NSIC, Saint Ambrose and Missouri Baptist from NAIA, and KWC returning from the GMAC. Thomas More could also find a home here as a travel partner with KWC.
Additionally, the Mountain East could make some changes with the following, as they would be looking to replace Notre Dame with WV Tech from NAIA, and Salem/Bluefield State from DII Independents.
All of these alignments are just my theories, but I feel that they would benefit every conference/school and would really solidify Division II across the Midwest/Great Lakes region.
Cedarville |
Findlay |
Taylor |
Lake Erie |
Malone |
Ohio Dominican |
Tiffin |
Ursuline |
Walsh |
Ashland |
Indianapolis |
Notre Dame College |
Indiana Wesleyan |
Marian |
Saint Francis |
Northwood |
Davenport |
Madonna |
Hillsdale |
Lake Superior State |
Michigan Tech |
Northern Michigan |
Purdue-Northwest |
Saginaw Valley State |
Wayne State |
Wisconsin-Parkside |
Lewis |
Lawrence Tech |
Concordia-Ann Arbor |
Siena Heights |
Kentucky Wesleyan |
Drury |
Illinois-Springfield |
St. Ambrose |
Maryville |
McKendree |
Missouri S&T |
Missouri-Saint Louis |
Quincy |
Rockhurst |
Southwest Baptist |
Thomas More |
William Jewell |
Missouri Baptist |
Upper Iowa |
Alderson Broaddus |
Charleston |
Concord |
Davis & Elkins |
Fairmont State |
Frostburg State |
Glenville State |
West Liberty |
West Virginia State |
West Virginia Wesleyan |
Wheeling |
Bluefield State |
Salem |
West Virginia Tech |
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