Should Jamestown be accepted into the NSIC?

[Mandan]

Jimmies are 18-0 in volleyball.

Whatever that's worth.

They won the NAIA national championship in 2022, so they are in a multi-year streak of being near the top of the division.

[Stanger86]

They won the NAIA national championship in 2022, so they are in a multi-year streak of being near the top of the division.

If it's not football, it doesn't matter.

[Purple Mav Man]

If it's not football, it doesn't matter.

Still dying on that hill? On a football forum of all places.

[Stanger86]

Still dying on that hill? On a football forum of all places.

To be fair, this used to be known as D2messageboard.com, and wasn't necessarily sport-specific.

I'd guess that 90% of posters here are fans of an entire athletic department, not just one sport. This isn't Division I, where you might hav someone be a fan of UCLA basketball and Stanford football at the same time. So yes, I do think a full look at a university's athletic programs is smart, if not essential, at this level.

[Purple Mav Man]

To be fair, this used to be known as D2messageboard.com, and wasn't necessarily sport-specific.

I'd guess that 90% of posters here are fans of an entire athletic department, not just one sport. This isn't Division I, where you might hav someone be a fan of UCLA basketball and Stanford football at the same time. So yes, I do think a full look at a university's athletic programs is smart, if not essential, at this level.

I don’t disagree with you. But the needle was barely moved, if at all, with the softball NCs by Augustana and MSU. As well as all the Volleyball titles from CSP. It’s basketball and football, for better or worse, just like D1. No matter how much I like the other sports…I still get it. Hell, I played baseball, but understand it’s not a spectator/revenue sport.

[SW_Mustang]

They won the NAIA national championship in 2022, so they are in a multi-year streak of being near the top of the division.

I should clarify - I think it's a great achievement. I just don't follow NAIA volleyball and I don't know how that will translate to the NSIC.

Though being a middle of the road NSIC team puts one in the top half nationally, so...

[SW_Mustang]

I don’t disagree with you. But the needle was barely moved, if at all, with the softball NCs by Augustana and MSU. As well as all the Volleyball titles from CSP. It’s basketball and football, for better or worse, just like D1. No matter how much I like the other sports…I still get it. Hell, I played baseball, but understand it’s not a spectator/revenue sport.

It's probably just semantics but I wouldn't lump NSIC volleyball in with baseball/softball/etc. They do draw crowds and have legitimate interest, just not the same as football/basketball. It just doesn't seem to get a ton of discussion on this board.

It's a minor point and I totally get what you're saying, but just for the sake of context.

[Stanger86]

It's probably just semantics but I wouldn't lump NSIC volleyball in with baseball/softball/etc. They do draw crowds and have legitimate interest, just not the same as football/basketball. It just doesn't seem to get a ton of discussion on this board.

It's a minor point and I totally get what you're saying, but just for the sake of context.

I was debating whether or not to go there, but I think you are absolutely correct.

Half of the 14 NSIC baseball programs averaged under 100 fans per game in 2024. Bemidji State led the conference with an average attendance of 222 fans per game.

NSIC volleyball has 6 of the top 20 in attendance leaders (and 12 of the top 44) in Division II.

[Purple Mav Man]

I was debating whether or not to go there, but I think you are absolutely correct.

Half of the 14 NSIC baseball programs averaged under 100 fans per game in 2024. Bemidji State led the conference with an average attendance of 222 fans per game.

NSIC volleyball has 6 of the top 20 in attendance leaders (and 12 of the top 44) in Division II.

So the whole, “it’s about more than football” basically just means volleyball? Haha

I know that’s not your point and also understand this move is much more than football focused, but it’s also convenient to change from actual attendance numbers to “6 of the top 20”. While true, that also represents around 550-650 fans per game outside of Northern, who can draw a crowd to anything. And some random SW games. I love volleyball, it’s a lot of fun to watch, but it’s not moving the needle and bringing in donations like M/W Basketball and Football (at schools not named Southwest apparently).

This is 2021, I’m sure there’s newer info: https://www.ncaa.com/_flysystem/publ...cords-2021.pdf

2024 NSIC info (scroll to Results / By Team): https://northernsun.org/stats.aspx?p...all&year=2024&

[Purple Mav Man]

It's probably just semantics but I wouldn't lump NSIC volleyball in with baseball/softball/etc. They do draw crowds and have legitimate interest, just not the same as football/basketball. It just doesn't seem to get a ton of discussion on this board.

It's a minor point and I totally get what you're saying, but just for the sake of context.

Meh. I get that volleyball is really a big deal at some schools and the NSIC is a strong conference, but I don’t think it’s off base to lump them together. Based on the numbers I saw, the NSIC averages under 500 per game. While more than probably any sport outside of basketball and football, that’s still very little. And understand, I’m not dismissing volleyball.

[SW_Mustang]

Meh. I get that volleyball is really a big deal at some schools and the NSIC is a strong conference, but I don’t think it’s off base to lump them together. Based on the numbers I saw, the NSIC averages under 500 per game. While more than probably any sport outside of basketball and football, that’s still very little. And understand, I’m not dismissing volleyball.

Like I said - it's probably just semantics (and it's not a huge deal tbh).

One thing to consider though is that football plays once a week and volleyball usually plays twice - so 500/game is more like 1000/week. It's probably some kind of false equivalency to compare the two like that, but worth mentioning. I do agree though, I don't put VB in the same category as football/basketball.

(Also didn't think you were taking a shot at volleyball - just stating the reported attendance)

[SW_Mustang]

I was debating whether or not to go there, but I think you are absolutely correct.

Half of the 14 NSIC baseball programs averaged under 100 fans per game in 2024. Bemidji State led the conference with an average attendance of 222 fans per game.

NSIC volleyball has 6 of the top 20 in attendance leaders (and 12 of the top 44) in Division II.

The bummer thing for baseball and softball is they have to exist during basically winter. It's a logistical nightmare some years.

I wish I could get out to see more - but the odds of a game happening when I can go, and it happening as scheduled, during a time when the weather isn't awful, is very low.

Granted - I don't know if that is what is actually causing attendance issues or not. I don't know what programs are drawing down south. That's the way it works in DI though, I know that. It's what makes the Gopher's decade of dominance so mind boggling.

[SW_Mustang]

According to the Grand Forks Herald - University of Minnesota-Crookston will be competing for a National Championship(!)

They just have to get through clay target shooting behemoths Lake Superior College, Bethany Lutheran College, and the rest of the field down in Illinois.

Too soon for the "We Want 'Bama!" chants up there?

[Stanger86]

The bummer thing for baseball and softball is they have to exist during basically winter. It's a logistical nightmare some years.

Absolutely!

Actually, I just thought of something....are Arizona/Florida games counted toward "home" attendance for anyone?

[MrMustang]

I think the measuring sticks are first fottball, then men's hoops for a D2 school and program.

Then it is volleyball and women's hoops. basically the same as D1 on a smaller scale.

the other sports are great but they are "non revenue". Most all area t D2 even football but you get my point.

and If you have a good football team it sets the tone for everything on campus. That is a fact. there is some buzz. If you have a bad team it is a downer. also a fact