American Southwest Conference

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

Yes. This is one of the most ridiculous ventures in the D2.com era.

Savannah State has entered the chat.

[Brandon]

Savannah State has entered the chat.

I think this one is worse, but SSU wasn't a thought when I made the statement. It should have been. The thing I think they would at least have in their favor is that their landing spot was with other HBCU's.

But good example.

[Brandon]

My responses were more to the poster that said that MHB couldn't beat any LSC team.

Ah. On that I'm in total agreement. There is overlap between all divisions.

[MooseLodge]

Which years?

Looking at the last 5 years, UMHB average win has been 42-11. That's a staggering disparity over 57 games. This year they were down a bit, but I would be comfortable that they would be highly competitive against whoever the LSC champion was in 2019-2022. Similar for HSU.

I am not a cheerleader for either school, as I believe that their methods to get players are highly unethical. But it doesn't change the fact that both rosters are loaded with talent that is mostly higher D2 caliber, with some FCS sprinkled in.

On the facilities side, UMHB in particular spends a fortune on athletics. If they were in the LSC, their facilities would instantly be at the top of the conference. I personally would love to see them join the LSC, but I don't think it would fit their talent acquisition model.

[ESU Warrior]

Yes. This is one of the most ridiculous ventures in the D2.com era.

I concur

[Brandon]

Looking at the last 5 years, UMHB average win has been 42-11. That's a staggering disparity over 57 games. This year they were down a bit, but I would be comfortable that they would be highly competitive against whoever the LSC champion was in 2019-2022. Similar for HSU.

I am not a cheerleader for either school, as I believe that their methods to get players are highly unethical. But it doesn't change the fact that both rosters are loaded with talent that is mostly higher D2 caliber, with some FCS sprinkled in.

On the facilities side, UMHB in particular spends a fortune on athletics. If they were in the LSC, their facilities would instantly be at the top of the conference. I personally would love to see them join the LSC, but I don't think it would fit their talent acquisition model.

I don't doubt that they're great D3 programs. I don't have much of a problem with your assessment of those great, D3 rosters.

My disagreement is with your evaluation of the LSC rosters.

[QB11111]

If D3 was that far of a drop from D2, than none in the LSC should be shy away from scheduling UMHB & HSU. However I can’t even remember the last time any D2 team wanted to play UMHB or HSU.

[Brandon]

If D3 was that far of a drop from D2, than none in the LSC should be shy away from scheduling UMHB & HSU. However I can’t even remember the last time any D2 team wanted to play UMHB or HSU.

Why would LSC teams want to play them? The best teams would receive no benefit in terms of playoff participation or seeding and the bad teams would likely lose.

[QB11111]

Why would LSC teams want to play them? The best teams would receive no benefit in terms of playoff participation or seeding and the bad teams would likely lose.

Not saying D3 teams would be the first choice to play them, but if you just needed a game to make 10 games on the schedule, why avoid playing a D3 team, especially if they are “a easy win” for any LSC team?

[MooseLodge]

Most of D3 is a significant drop off; not with HSU and UMHB. Those schools are pulling athletes off the streets from everywhere in Texas, many of whom have no business being at university. There are basically no enrollment/admissions standards for ballers.

[Brandon]

Not saying D3 teams would be the first choice to play them, but if you just needed a game to make 10 games on the schedule, why avoid playing a D3 team, especially if they are “a easy win” for any LSC team?

For the reasons I said in the post you quoted.

[ctrabs74]

Yes. This is one of the most ridiculous ventures in the D2.com era.

Ridiculous would be an understatement. I get that Mercyhurst has D1 hockey, but get real.

[ctrabs74]

I think this one is worse, but SSU wasn't a thought when I made the statement. It should have been. The thing I think they would at least have in their favor is that their landing spot was with other HBCU's.

But good example.

You could say the same thing about Winston-Salem's brief flirtation with D1 about a decade or so ago, but at least they had a history with some of the MEAC schools once being part of the CIAA.

[Runnin' Cat]

On the facilities side, UMHB in particular spends a fortune on athletics. If they were in the LSC, their facilities would instantly be at the top of the conference. I personally would love to see them join the LSC, but I don't think it would fit their talent acquisition model.

UMHB had athletic expenditures of $6.38MM in 2023.

CWU had athletic expenditures of $7.35MM over the same period.

WTAMU had athletic expenditures of $11.26MM

WOU had athletic expenditures of $4.61MM

I guess it depends on perspective.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

UMHB had athletic expenditures of $6.38MM in 2023.

CWU had athletic expenditures of $7.35MM over the same period.

WTAMU had athletic expenditures of $11.26MM

WOU had athletic expenditures of $4.61MM

I guess it depends on perspective.

I think the perspective is that D3 schools do not offer any athletic scholarships but choose to invest in athletics in different ways for that dollar amount in the D3 world.