UST

[Millsy]

It was my understanding that there are other members of the Summit that are on shaky grounds or looking for other conferences. I would think the Summit league would be happy to have Augustana and will be part of the league soon. Does UST have some hurdles unknown to go from D3 to D1.

The NCAA requires a stop at the D-II level if you are a D-III going D-I. I can't remember for sure, but for some reason 5 or 6 years is stuck in my mind. But, they are petitioning the NCAA to waive that rule since they were "involuntarily removed" from the MIAC.

[vikingfaithful]

Well here is my thinking... With the addition of UST they will have 10 teams, a solid even number. Unless Western is serious about dropping to D2 for financial reasons it makes no sense for the Summit League to add an 11th member and once again have an unbalanced league right away. And like I said, I think it tables the Augie talks for a few years. I wasn't implying that it doesn't happen just that the addition of UST delays any addition of Augie for the a few years (I think 5+ personally).

It was my understanding that there are other members of the Summit that are on shaky grounds or looking for other conferences. I would think the Summit league would be happy to have Augustana and will be part of the league soon. Does UST have some hurdles unknown to go from D3 to D1.

[MaroonJackRabbits]

1.) What sort of authority does the University of Minnesota have over a private university and the NCAA?
2.) Highly unlikely a school like St Thomas makes this announcement without knowing how it ends. That would be PR suicide.
3.) Is there a membership limit for the Summit League?

1) You'd be surprised how much power and pull big universities have in a state, especially when they are the only large university in the state. There is a reason why Cincinnati is in the AAC and not the Big Ten.
2) It's actually very likely that any school that needs the PR would announce this move before an NCAA decision had been reached. By doing so they get, got, national exposure, and showed that they do indeed have an invite in hand and are ready to make the move ASAP. By not announcing first they would have been in an even bigger pickle.
3) Not that I am aware of, but 10 is a much easier number to work with when it comes to schedules and other conference related things than an uneven number.

[MaroonJackRabbits]

I'd be curious to know why you think the Summit League wouldn't be interested in taking two teams. Just because one has received an invite doesn't mean the other automatically won't. It's not like there is a one-team invite limit that I'm aware of.

Well here is my thinking... With the addition of UST they will have 10 teams, a solid even number. Unless Western is serious about dropping to D2 for financial reasons it makes no sense for the Summit League to add an 11th member and once again have an unbalanced league right away. And like I said, I think it tables the Augie talks for a few years. I wasn't implying that it doesn't happen just that the addition of UST delays any addition of Augie for the a few years (I think 5+ personally).

[SW_Mustang]

UNO dropped football and wrestling at the same, so there was no D1 football. Basketball attendance around 2000 on average. Hockey around 6000 average.

Exactly. Their football attendance took a huge drop, because there is no football program to watch.

[laker]

Illinois? Interesting. I heard that St Thomas is joining the SEC, so anything is possible, I guess :)

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...iou-story.html

http://www.startribune.com/illinois-...ram/511520342/

[StateU]

I think that there was some kind of deal. UNO drop football and have hockey instead. But that beautiful new building that UNL has can be used for hockey- the BIG would love to have another hockey team.

Sounds like Illinois will be starting up a team.

Illinois? Interesting. I heard that St Thomas is joining the SEC, so anything is possible, I guess :)

[laker]

UNO could've built a successful FCS program IMHO. Unfortunately football loses a lot of money. Has UNL ever looked into starting a hockey program?

I think that there was some kind of deal. UNO drop football and have hockey instead. But that beautiful new building that UNL has can be used for hockey- the BIG would love to have another hockey team.

Sounds like Illinois will be starting up a team.

[StateU]

UNO dropped football and wrestling at the same, so there was no D1 football. Basketball attendance around 2000 on average. Hockey around 6000 average.

UNO could've built a successful FCS program IMHO. Unfortunately football loses a lot of money. Has UNL ever looked into starting a hockey program?

[vikingfaithful]

Their football attendance? I heard that took the biggest drop after the move.

I can agree with you on basketball though, if that's what you were referencing. That's going to go up by a noticeable amount thanks to their opponents.

UNO dropped football and wrestling at the same, so there was no D1 football. Basketball attendance around 2000 on average. Hockey around 6000 average.

[ddwitte]

Still think UST would use Summit as a stepping stone to bigger conference.

Could be an eventual fit for the Big East and stay in the Pioneer for football.

[SW_Mustang]

I can't remember what school it was but there was a D1 commuter school in a big metro area that drew 100 or so fans a game. I'll find it after work.

[Purple Mav Man]

Ask UNO if they see an attendance grow or shrink now that they are D1. I guarantee attendance goes up

[SW_Mustang]

I wonder if they still show their back to back national championship wrestling trophies in the case, or if they threw them out when they changed the locks on the locker room door?

I'm sure they show them off. That's kinda sad, really...

[laker]

Their football attendance? I heard that took the biggest drop after the move.

I can agree with you on basketball though, if that's what you were referencing. That's going to go up by a noticeable amount thanks to their opponents.

I wonder if they still show their back to back national championship wrestling trophies in the case, or if they threw them out when they changed the locks on the locker room door?