Should Jamestown be accepted into the NSIC?

[Thunder]

The fact stands that the NSIC saved them, and brought them in for nothing more than to be a body when other established athletic universities could have been approached. Maybe they did and we don't know about it, but we were not in a situation that we needed them in the slightest. Now we are stuck with them and are no better for it.

I've been a little over this thread for some time, but this did catch my eye. Which other universities do you think the NSIC could have added? This decision was a no-brainer for Jamestown and likely saved their athletic programs from wandering in the wilderness. I believe the NSIC had a real desire to get to an even number of teams to make football scheduling palatable. As Witt has mentioned elsewhere the conference is a bit of a D2 outpost so mid to late season nonconference scheduling is a no go. Here is what I posted in December 2022 and I think it was pretty accurate in regards to the options for the conferece.

In reading the conference scheduling threads (even the GLVC board has shown some life), it is becoming increasing clear that in my opinion the NSIC will need to add another institution. With that in mind what is the wish list for the NSIC ADs and fans. I don't know how realistic any of these are but here are my thoughts. I know this is a topic that has been brought up before, but in the cold miserable winter I wanted something else to talk about. None of these options are perfect, but they are the best options available. There is one other option too that I will address last.

1. Morningside (NAIA) - The best possible option is obvious. They are a former NCC member and would be competitive immediately in most every sport. However, as has been mentioned they seem quite happy in the NAIA world and likely aren't interested. Can the NSIC convince them to make a jump?

2. Northwestern (NAIA) - Basically the same. Not quite as good of a fit as Morningside, but I think they would remain competitive in the NSIC.

3. NE Kearney (D2) - I don't think Kearney would have any interest in leaving the MIAA, but I think it is a phone call you have to make if the first 2 decline.

4. Any Wisconsin D3 - Send the bat signal up to Wisconsin and see if anyone responds. Again, probably not going to happen but it doesn't hurt to ask right?

5. Jamestown (NAIA) - Maybe the most likely option. The Jimmies fit well within the NSIC footprint and have decent facilities. I think they would struggle to be competitive for the most part and would probably be on the same level as Mary and Minot.

6. St. John's (D3) - This one has been mentioned before and would require St. Benedict to join for women's sports. Again, probably not realistic but we are getting desperate at this point. Football-wise this would be a good fit, I'm not so sure with everything else.

7. Dordt (NAIA) - They are mostly competitive in the GPAC and like I said we are getting desperate.

8. Grand View (NAIA) - I believe Witt has mentioned this one before, and they seem to have built a pretty decent football program. I think they would struggle overall, and this is quite a haul for the northwestern front of the NSIC.

9. Dakota St (NAIA) - They are building facilities that would fit right in with most of the NSIC. I still think the Trojans would struggle to be competitive but we need someone.

10. Literally any other GPAC school (NAIA) - Dakota Weslyan is probably the next choice but at this point the NSIC probably takes anyone.

[laker]

I've been a little over this thread for some time, but this did catch my eye. Which other universities do you think the NSIC could have added? This decision was a no-brainer for Jamestown and likely saved their athletic programs from wandering in the wilderness. I believe the NSIC had a real desire to get to an even number of teams to make football scheduling palatable. As Witt has mentioned elsewhere the conference is a bit of a D2 outpost so mid to late season nonconference scheduling is a no go. Here is what I posted in December 2022 and I think it was pretty accurate in regards to the options for the conferece.

Personally talked to Morningside football coaches at a practice a few years ago. They had NO interest in moving back to D2. Northwestern and Dordt are happy where they are.

Dakota State WANTS to move to D2.

St John's like being the big fish in the small pond and is mostly glad that St Thomas is gone. They won't be moving.

[SW_Mustang]

Personally talked to Morningside football coaches at a practice a few years ago. They had NO interest in moving back to D2. Northwestern and Dordt are happy where they are.

Dakota State WANTS to move to D2.

St John's like being the big fish in the small pond and is mostly glad that St Thomas is gone. They won't be moving.

I wish we could have taken DSU over UJ. The Trojans have a much higher ceiling and are in a better location geographically. Alas.

Actually really enjoyed my visit down there last year. That was fun.

[Millsy]

Well, with the NCAA Settlement now allowing former pro athletes with college eligibility left into the mix, maybe the Jimmies can get a few of those?

For those that haven't heard, Tennessee basketball got a player who played pro ball in the top league in Israel through the clearinghouse. After seeing this, Bemidji State hockey threw a couple of Hail Marys and got two players who were playing U-Sports (college) hockey in Canada through the clearinghouse that have played in the ECHL and AHL.

[Purple Mav Man]

No, that's what I said.

I don't want to turn on the TV and see A teams play MLB teams, UFL teams play NFL teams, or SPHL teams playing NHL teams. It waters the product down. Apparently I'm weird for thinking that way, I guess.

Likely not what you said indeed. He was quoting Stanger 🙂

[CheapSkate]

Personally talked to Morningside football coaches at a practice a few years ago. They had NO interest in moving back to D2. Northwestern and Dordt are happy where they are.

Dakota State WANTS to move to D2.

St John's like being the big fish in the small pond and is mostly glad that St Thomas is gone. They won't be moving.

I feel like Dakota State is just lying in wait to strike on the next NSIC opening. Looking at the facilities they're building and adding women's soccer ... they have the look of the next NSIC team.

Now if we can just get Crookston to do the right thing and join the UMAC so DSU can move in, that would be a net positive for the conference.

[SW_Mustang]

Likely not what you said indeed. He was quoting Stanger 🙂

Maybe I missed something here - but I don't recall Stanger ever being harsh on the Summit League. At least not to the level I have - not even close. I know it's not Summit League but he did just post a hypothetical about Indiana State that was pretty on-par with his opinions on Jamestown, so it was an odd response from Zim in that context.

I figured Zim got us mixed up because we're both SMSU people. I might disagree with Stanger on a lot of things, but it doesn't mean he needs to take heat for my opinions.

[Purple Mav Man]

I feel like Dakota State is just lying in wait to strike on the next NSIC opening. Looking at the facilities they're building and adding women's soccer ... they have the look of the next NSIC team.

Now if we can just get Crookston to do the right thing and join the UMAC so DSU can move in, that would be a net positive for the conference.

Always from the top rope. Your posts have a hit rate of 100% 👏

[Purple Mav Man]

Maybe I missed something here - but I don't recall Stanger ever being harsh on the Summit League. At least not to the level I have - not even close. I know it's not Summit League but he did just post a hypothetical about Indiana State that was pretty on-par with his opinions on Jamestown, so it was odd response from Zim in that context.

I figured Zim got us mixed up because we're both SMSU people. I might disagree with Stanger on a lot of things, but it doesn't mean he needs to take heat for my opinions.

I’m not gonna speak for anyone’s intentions or anything like that, just stating that he was quoting Stanger is all. I’m sure it can get worked out in the next 3-4 pages…

[SW_Mustang]

I’m not gonna speak for anyone’s intentions or anything like that, just stating that he was quoting Stanger is all. I’m sure it can get worked out in the next 3-4 pages…

Gotcha. I knew he was quoting Stanger, I just thought his comments about the Summit League towards Stanger were in error. That was my only point in responding.

[SW_Mustang]

I feel like Dakota State is just lying in wait to strike on the next NSIC opening. Looking at the facilities they're building and adding women's soccer ... they have the look of the next NSIC team.

Now if we can just get Crookston to do the right thing and join the UMAC so DSU can move in, that would be a net positive for the conference.

That would be a dream. I think they have the tallest ceiling out of any realistic option for the NSIC (including Jamestown) currently, even if it would take them a while to be competitive.

My observation is that the insanely rapid growth in Sioux Falls has prompted an arms race between USD and SDSU to get as many facilities up as they can, and I feel like DSU wanted to flex their cybersecurity muscles too - hence everything they've been doing in Madison and Sioux Falls. It's a pretty cool school.

[Stanger86]

Is that not how you were talking about the Summit Schools? They can't compete with the Big Ten or SEC so they shouldn't even be D1?

Certainly was not me.

[Stanger86]

The league obviously saw value in bringing them in to bolster the head count in a D2 world where things can change quickly and all the sudden the league you thought you had has quick defections and then you have near nothing = see the GNAC, GSC, and the scheduling challenges of the GLIAC.

This is 100% why the NSIC voted to approve Jamestown.

It's a very real concern, especially at a time when there are so many unknowns at the Division I/FCS level. I do think there's a very real possibility that the Summit/MVFC will come calling in the next 5-10 years for schools like Minnesota State. And all it takes is one or two defections for a conference to fracture. When that happens, there needs to be backfill.

[Stanger86]

Jamestown should be thanking Upper Iowa, maybe even sending them flowers because if UIU didn't leave, Jamestown wouldn’t be in the NSIC.

Well obviously. That's how conference realignment works. When someone defects, the league looks for a replacement. Jamestown saw an opportunity and went for it.

[Stanger86]

I feel like Dakota State is just lying in wait to strike on the next NSIC opening. Looking at the facilities they're building and adding women's soccer ... they have the look of the next NSIC team.

I would agree with this. It reminds me a lot of what Jamestown had been building for a decade before making the move.