Insider information on UMHB conference shopping

[MooseLodge]

Talked to an inside source that says UMHB is considering joining the Great American Conference (D2). They will not be pursuing D1, nor pursuing the LSC. According to the source, they would not have the budget to be competitive in the LSC. Their enrollment has declined from 4,000 to 3,200 in the last 5 years, a 20 percent decrease.

[cwfenn]

Talked to an inside source that says UMHB is considering joining the Great American Conference (D2). They will not be pursuing D1, nor pursuing the LSC. According to the source, they would not have the budget to be competitive in the LSC. Their enrollment has declined from 4,000 to 3,200 in the last 5 years, a 20 percent decrease.

Sul Ross is similarly sized but they’re a state school.

[MooseLodge]

Looks like GAC budgets are generally 35-40 percent less than LSC budgets - I suspect fewer sports, far fewer scholarships, and low coach pay.

[Tech Boys]

I was ready to give a really fast no way for UMHB to the GAC but I did a feather-light tap on the break. They are far outside the footprint but only Harding is more than 500 miles and at 505 miles distance between the schools it would be only the second longest GAC trip. One thing that would help them is to partner with a school closer to Ark-oma for a travel pair.

[MooseLodge]

I was ready to give a really fast no way for UMHB to the GAC but I did a feather-light tap on the break. They are far outside the footprint but only Harding is more than 500 miles and at 505 miles distance between the schools it would be only the second longest GAC trip. One thing that would help them is to partner with a school closer to Ark-oma for a travel pair.

Yeah, UMHB is in a tough spot. The SCAC is apparently not inviting any Baptist schools to their liberal club. That will leave ETBU, UMHB, Hardin Simmons, and Howard Payne without a home. The other option for all, I suppose, is the NAIA Sooner Athletic Conference. That will be distasteful to the hated four, but may be their only viable option, unless they simply want to stick with four schools and play home-and-homes with each other each season, and add a couple of non-conference games. That would mean they would not have automatic NCAA bids, but I guess there are worse things.

[Goods]

unless they simply want to stick with four schools and play home-and-homes with each other each season, and add a couple of non-conference games. That would mean they would not have automatic NCAA bids, but I guess there are worse things.

Welcome to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for many years until the LSC welcomed us. What a terrible time for football. Not saying that plane travel 5x/year is great, but it least it's with a reputable conference.