WT Athletics

[MooseLodge]

I think that is a big part of it. Also I think here in Texas you can get "full rides" at D3 schools especially at the lower classification levels around the state so it generates a little more interest if you arent a D1 caliber recruit.

I didnt see anywhere about Commerce winning the natty in 2017 during and after outside of Commerce and the D2 social media sites.

I was talking to an old timer several months ago at one of the high school football games. We brought up our alma maters and he graduated from Sam Houston State when they were D2 in the 70s and early 80s. He told me there wasnt much interest in D2 football back then because of the proximity of the old SWC schools and it all basically died when SHSU, SFA, and SWTSU all moved up to D1-AA in the early 80s. He did tell me that the alums back then were excited to go D1-AA (now FCS) and even more excited now with all ages and fan bases since they moved up to FBS this year. Sam Houston State is only 30 miles from my house and my daughter is already started to show some interest in it.

The Houston area is a "I don't care" location to D2 schools since there are no D2 schools around within 3 hours of here.

WT would be in a more advantageous position to grow since the only influence around is Tech almost 2 hours away.

All of JUCO, NAIA, D2, and most (though not all) of FCS,and low D1, are mainly local interest - a radius of maybe 100 miles if you're lucky. James Madison has no more national following than does Tarleton than does UMHB. From a national interest perspective, all the same sandwich. Flagship state schools such as the Montanas and Dakotas would have at least a modest national following. But I'm glad your daughter is showing some interest in SHSU - good school.

[ASUPops]

What no post about WT coming in 3rd in the O'Learyfeldman Producers Cup, or whatever it's called. ❓️

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

Could that be because UMHB had been on the national stage and won national titles? Outside of my area of PA where there are a ton of D3's, I've only really heard about the ones that win big, and in football that's what, 3 or 4 schools?

MooseLodge does make a valid point about D2's though...If I didn't go to a D2 school and didn't live in the middle of the PSAC, I know I'm not hearing about them.

I think that is a big part of it. Also I think here in Texas you can get "full rides" at D3 schools especially at the lower classification levels around the state so it generates a little more interest if you arent a D1 caliber recruit.

I didnt see anywhere about Commerce winning the natty in 2017 during and after outside of Commerce and the D2 social media sites.

I was talking to an old timer several months ago at one of the high school football games. We brought up our alma maters and he graduated from Sam Houston State when they were D2 in the 70s and early 80s. He told me there wasnt much interest in D2 football back then because of the proximity of the old SWC schools and it all basically died when SHSU, SFA, and SWTSU all moved up to D1-AA in the early 80s. He did tell me that the alums back then were excited to go D1-AA (now FCS) and even more excited now with all ages and fan bases since they moved up to FBS this year. Sam Houston State is only 30 miles from my house and my daughter is already started to show some interest in it.

The Houston area is a "I don't care" location to D2 schools since there are no D2 schools around within 3 hours of here.

WT would be in a more advantageous position to grow since the only influence around is Tech almost 2 hours away.

[cwfenn]

You bring up a great point. It seems like we hear more about Mary Hardin Baylor in football more than we would hear about Angelo State for non D1 schools when I live in the Austin and Houston areas.

Could that be because UMHB had been on the national stage and won national titles? Outside of my area of PA where there are a ton of D3's, I've only really heard about the ones that win big, and in football that's what, 3 or 4 schools?

MooseLodge does make a valid point about D2's though...If I didn't go to a D2 school and didn't live in the middle of the PSAC, I know I'm not hearing about them.

[MooseLodge]

Local fans and alumni would turn out just as well for a solid FB D3 as they have lately for D2. Sad to say.

That is correct. And part of that is that the quality D2s moved up. You're not going to put 8500 in the stadium to watch Western New Mexico, Highlands, or Texas College. There are some exceptions out there outside of our region, but Texas D2 has been gutted in terms of quality. You can't lose programs like ACU and Tarleton and it not negatively affect you. No one's fault.

With WT doubling down on staying D2, that will be for the better, or for the worse.

That being said, the community and alleged supporters don't give any reason for WT to do anything else. Put up or shut up. If you want D1, do your part and sell the stadium and arena out, at the very least. Let's get real, that isn't much of an ask.

[BuffaloChip]

Yeah, an 8500 seat stadium is just as good in D3 as D2. Makes no diff.

ESPN doesn't cover either D3 or D2 much, but certainly D3 more. D2 is a bit of a bastard child.

Local fans and alumni would turn out just as well for a solid FB D3 as they have lately for D2. Sad to say.

[MooseLodge]

You bring up a great point. It seems like we hear more about Mary Hardin Baylor in football more than we would hear about Angelo State for non D1 schools when I live in the Austin and Houston areas.

I dont see how WT would entertain moving to D3 after building a brand new on campus football stadium.

Yeah, an 8500 seat stadium is just as good in D3 as D2. Makes no diff.

ESPN doesn't cover either D3 or D2 much, but certainly D3 more. D2 is a bit of a bastard child.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

D2 is an enigma. It's neither fish nor foul. It combines much of the expense of D1 with the obscurity of D3. In fact, I could make the case that D3 is known more nationally than D2.

Quite a weird phenomenon to me, and always has been. If I was a school president, I would either be D1 or D3. A good case could be made for either. D2 is a tougher case to sell.

Might do D3 football but D1 for the rest of the sports. A lot of schools have the support for D1 in the non-football sports. If I was the Lone Star Conference, this would be my direction.

You bring up a great point. It seems like we hear more about Mary Hardin Baylor in football more than we would hear about Angelo State for non D1 schools when I live in the Austin and Houston areas.

I dont see how WT would entertain moving to D3 after building a brand new on campus football stadium.

[MooseLodge]

D2 had an identity crisis. It seems to a model that works for Midwest schools but struggles to find value elsewhere.

D2 is an enigma. It's neither fish nor foul. It combines much of the expense of D1 with the obscurity of D3. In fact, I could make the case that D3 is known more nationally than D2.

Quite a weird phenomenon to me, and always has been. If I was a school president, I would either be D1 or D3. A good case could be made for either. D2 is a tougher case to sell.

Might do D3 football but D1 for the rest of the sports. A lot of schools have the support for D1 in the non-football sports. If I was the Lone Star Conference, this would be my direction.

[Rockofwesties]

D2 had an identity crisis. It seems to a model that works for Midwest schools but struggles to find value elsewhere.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

IMO, it’s not been the quality of the players. It’s the quality of the coaching. Prock has had good talent but that’s as far as it goes. He just trying to save his job now.

I think a lot of these things in multiple sports have been "covered up" because only the RMAC and LSC make the regionals in the "secondary" sports (Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, Basketball).

Both WT basketball teams backed their way into regionals due to this so it was easier to justify keeping Prock.

If the MIAA and GAC join the region party next year then it goes down to 2 teams at most from the LSC and currently WT isnt top 2 in mens/womens basketball and baseball.

[GoBuffs]

IMO, it’s not been the quality of the players. It’s the quality of the coaching. Prock has had good talent but that’s as far as it goes. He just trying to save his job now.

[MooseLodge]

Yes, women’s basketball was decent under Gerlich. Then it was good under Kellog for 2 years but went south badly under Mattio and has gotten even worse under Prock. The players are frustrated and embarrassed especially after going 0-4 versus LCU this year.

Gerlich did very well while Emily Brister was there, and pretty mid after that. I wouldn't be too bearish. Some pretty strong transfers coming in. If things were so bad, they wouldn't be coming.

[GoBuffs]

Yes, women’s basketball was decent under Gerlich. Then it was good under Kellog for 2 years but went south badly under Mattio and has gotten even worse under Prock. The players are frustrated and embarrassed especially after going 0-4 versus LCU this year.

[MooseLodge]

Personal I believe WT athletics is on a projected path to be behind ASU, LCU and UTPB in success and championships. Something needs to change or we’ll be watching D2 championship tournaments and playoffs with Western New Mexico fans talking about Volleyball.

Meh. WT generally still dominates the LSC. Maybe not this year, but I don't see any sort of trend. WT volleyball won the Colorado Premier and the LSC, both golf teams won the LSC easily if I recall correct. Men's golf going to the national championship tournament, softball is strong, track is strong. Men's basketball had a down year after what, 6 straight LSC titles? Baseball wasn't bad. The real shocker is the apparent decline in women's basketball. Haven't kept up with soccer.

Women's basketball was pretty middling after Schneider until Mark Kellogg came along. He got it back going. Kristen was actually decent, then followed by Josh. Everyone got used to Mark Kellogg results. He in P5 now and doing well. Tom Brown is a first ballot WT Hall of Champions coach even if he quit today.