UST

[laker]

Re: UST

The Augie situation is strange. It's like they told the conference they are breaking up, but not until they find someone new.

Sounds like Prom! :laugh:

[Grizzled LU]

Re: UST

I'm sure that the NSIC doesn't simply want to be a parking place for a future D1 program, but if St. Thomas wants to make the full move they should begin playing chess at this point. Don't know if Tom Douple is playing the long game, but he should be. Frankly the WAC, dumpster fire that it is, is much more proactive in bringing D2 programs in than the Summit has been. The NSIC should be looking at St. Thomas as a pass through member while they work on nabbing somebody else. UNK is a long bus ride for the MIAA and might be a slightly better match for the NSIC--although it's a miserable drive either way. Maybe Morningside is another option, too successful to stay NAIA.

[zimmy21]

Re: UST

I know some people feel strongly about the no conference games, but, had the closest D2 conferences had smaller league sizes with nonconference games, St. Thomas might've been able to get away with being a D2 Independent. But I don't know if they'd find enough games between the RMAC, GLIAC and GLVC to fill their schedule....

Maybe this will be the tipping point in the upper Midwest that spoits conferences...unless UST makes it very clear they are on their way to D1 asap, then the NSIC may hold on

[Stanger86]

Re: UST

I know some people feel strongly about the no conference games, but, had the closest D2 conferences had smaller league sizes with nonconference games, St. Thomas might've been able to get away with being a D2 Independent. But I don't know if they'd find enough games between the RMAC, GLIAC and GLVC to fill their schedule....

[njmav1]

Okay so let's just play devil's advocate here for a minute. UST gets booted...they don't get offered by any other D3 conferences. They get offered by NSIC and jump up, but Augie has not officially left yet and does not seem to have an offer from a D1 conference as of yet that is public knowledge.
Does the NSIC work with 17 teams for a few seasons? Possibly a long while. I don't see it working football wise. I see the beginning of a rift to the NSIC beginning quickly. I could also see the NSIC holding on for dear life trying to adjust to allow for 17 teams in the conference until UST and Augie move to D1 together in 8 years.
Just playing devil's advocate

The Augie situation is strange. It's like they told the conference they are breaking up, but not until they find someone new.


Sent from my SM-T830 using Tapatalk

[zimmy21]

Re: UST

It would also be an interesting experiment.

To see how a 17 team conference works?

[Brandon]

Re: UST

It would also be an interesting experiment.

[zimmy21]

Re: UST

The NSIC is under no obligation to take UST so I wouldn't worry. It'll be sweet sixteen for awhile. I think that the NSIC powers that be have contingency plans- they've already talked about how they would run football with 15 teams.

I think UST would be offered immediately, and I think they should be as it actually brings in a market that CSP should be tapping for us but does not. NSIC would actually get publicity for a while

[laker]

Re: UST

My thoughts exactly, though my main concern is that Augie doesn't get moved up but the NSIC adds UST anyway. That's 17 teams in an already bloated conference

The NSIC is under no obligation to take UST so I wouldn't worry. It'll be sweet sixteen for awhile. I think that the NSIC powers that be have contingency plans- they've already talked about how they would run football with 15 teams.

[zimmy21]

Re: UST

I can't think of a D3 conference that would take UST. They don't fit the footprint of the WIAC as a private school.

Augie will be in the NSIC for at least next year- and UST will be MIAC at least that long.

If you hear that Purdue-Ft Wayne is leaving the Summit for the Horizon a la IUPUI, then look for Augie to announce. But not until then.

My thoughts exactly, though my main concern is that Augie doesn't get moved up but the NSIC adds UST anyway. That's 17 teams in an already bloated conference

[laker]

Re: UST

UST gets booted...they don't get offered by any other D3 conferences. They get offered by NSIC and jump up, but Augie has not officially left yet and does not seem to have an offer from a D1 conference as of yet that is public knowledge.

I can't think of a D3 conference that would take UST. They don't fit the footprint of the WIAC as a private school.

Augie will be in the NSIC for at least next year- and UST will be MIAC at least that long.

If you hear that Purdue-Ft Wayne is leaving the Summit for the Horizon a la IUPUI, then look for Augie to announce. But not until then.

[zimmy21]

Re: UST

Okay so let's just play devil's advocate here for a minute. UST gets booted...they don't get offered by any other D3 conferences. They get offered by NSIC and jump up, but Augie has not officially left yet and does not seem to have an offer from a D1 conference as of yet that is public knowledge.
Does the NSIC work with 17 teams for a few seasons? Possibly a long while. I don't see it working football wise. I see the beginning of a rift to the NSIC beginning quickly. I could also see the NSIC holding on for dear life trying to adjust to allow for 17 teams in the conference until UST and Augie move to D1 together in 8 years.
Just playing devil's advocate

[MStateMaverick]

Re: UST

You are correct. Travel will always be the BIGGEST problem at any level below D-I. Trips like Minot to UIU, or vice versa :smile-big:, is a prime NSIC example. I attended a BHSU @ Dixie State a season or two ago. That's a prime example in the RMAC, imo. Very tough on the players.

Definitely. Expenses are high and getting higher; extensive travel exacerbates the situation. And the time away from home for the student-athletes in all sports.

[laker]

Re: UST

Someone on the D3 board suggested the ARC (formerly IIAC).

Naw. UST doesn't fit with those schools at all. Same with the UMAC, who would never invite them. UST would dominate those conferences much more than they do the MIAC.

[zimmy21]

Re: UST

St. Thomas would destroy that conference