Should Jamestown be accepted into the NSIC?

[njmav1]

If I had to guess, it would be because Jamestown's NAIA conference has already voted to kick them out, basically leaving them without a home. I would have to look, but when the MIAC booted St. Thomas and they moved to D-I, I think the NCAA waived the transition period there as well?

I think the NCAA allowed UST to jump directly to D1. Otherwise they would have had to spend some time in D2. I assume they're not eligible for D1 post season for another couple of years.

[SW_Mustang]

If I had to guess, it would be because Jamestown's NAIA conference has already voted to kick them out, basically leaving them without a home. I would have to look, but when the MIAC booted St. Thomas and they moved to D-I, I think the NCAA waived the transition period there as well?

Yes. The rules state that a DIII looking to go DI would have to stop at DII first. Given the unprecedented situation, the NCAA waived the requirement and UST was allowed to compete at D1 immediately.

Interestingly, the Summit League actually invited them before the NCAA ruled - which may have helped their cause.

As far as playoffs go, I'm not sure how that ended up working for them.

[Matt Witwicki]

The main thing going against it is that it has a track. Otherwise, it is very nice.

Kinda reminds me of maybe Moorhead but without the popping colors. The visitors side leaves something to be desired for sure..the track feels massive on the end zone areas extended..with the scoreboard way way back. Home side looks better than worse, agreed. I wouldn't call this very nice..but middle of the pack at best. Off the top of my head I would take the following ahead of it..without giving it a lot of thought....Augie, Northern, USF, SMSU, UMD, Winona, Minot..so I would have it in with Moorhead around the middle..and I would have it slightly ahead of MSUM.

[FB Player Coach & Fan]

Kinda reminds me of maybe Moorhead but without the popping colors. The visitors side leaves something to be desired for sure..the track feels massive on the end zone areas extended..with the scoreboard way way back. Home side looks better than worse, agreed. I wouldn't call this very nice..but middle of the pack at best. Off the top of my head I would take the following ahead of it..without giving it a lot of thought....Augie, Northern, USF, SMSU, UMD, Winona, Minot..so I would have it in with Moorhead around the middle..and I would have it slightly ahead of MSUM.

If you are fan you look only at the stadium; if you are a player, recruit or coach, you look at the locker room, the weight room, gymnasium and the bubble they purchased from NDSU. I don’t know if the bubble will be a separate year round bubble (which was my understanding) or maybe they cover the stadium turf. Those are the facilities that matter in the recruiting process—which is how you are going to build that program or that is going to be a major selling point.

The bubble alone puts them in unique company—with only Minot having a bubble. Mankato has a solid indoor facility, Bemidji has a multiuse facility. Who else did I miss? Want to improve your QB—get him throwing on a full field year round-throwing mechanics, timing, half field reads, full field reads.

[4THEPAW]

WSC is installing an indoor facility right now where the old grass practice fields used to be.

https://journalstar.com/news/local/e...ml?mode=nowapp

[Stanger86]

Kinda reminds me of maybe Moorhead but without the popping colors. The visitors side leaves something to be desired for sure..the track feels massive on the end zone areas extended..with the scoreboard way way back. Home side looks better than worse, agreed. I wouldn't call this very nice..but middle of the pack at best. Off the top of my head I would take the following ahead of it..without giving it a lot of thought....Augie, Northern, USF, SMSU, UMD, Winona, Minot..so I would have it in with Moorhead around the middle..and I would have it slightly ahead of MSUM.

I think there always needs to be context. Many of us liked Harms-Eischeid Stadium because, while it's not a 5,000 capacity stadium, it is very suitable for the needs of the university while still visually holding its appeal compared to other stadiums. Upper Iowa doesn't have a track around the field, but otherwise it feels similar to me from a distance.

It's funny you mention the visitor side as a complaint, because that seems to be the setup most people long for at SMSU in order for Mattke to move into a new tier.

[FB Player Coach & Fan]

WSC is installing an indoor facility right now where the old grass practice fields used to be.

https://journalstar.com/news/local/e...ml?mode=nowapp

That will be nice—a year round bubble will benefit football, but also most other outdoor sports programs. Facilities are the “arms race” of college football-if you don’t have them it tough to compete- if you do they give an advantage.

Look forward to seeing the finished product in 25.

[Stanger86]

Apologies in advance for the following rant. I told myself I was staying out of this, but alas here I am.

As someone who lives in the center of the Venn diagram of realignment and conference additions (Big 12, WAC, LSC), it appears that even though the ADs and Presidents have more information than everyone else, they do not always make the most logical decisions. It seems that in many instances the decisions are more political than anything. While I always assumed it was a purely financial decision, I have been disabused of that naive notion recently.

I believe that the addition of one team or the jettison of another based on any reason other than what the addition (or subtraction) does for the whole of the conference, not only immediately but in the future, is damaging. But again, I now understand there is more at stake than finances, logic, and reason. At this point, I would completely understand Mankato leaving due to an institutional thought that the NSIC was being watered down. I don't necessarily agree but would understand them thinking that. I also would completely understand Wayne leaving due to a perceived "grass is greener" in the MIAA thought. Again, understanding and agreeing are two different things, I don't agree but do understand.

The Big 12 learned the hard way that when you expand, you have to expand to improve or you are by definition weaker. It appears the addition of Jamestown is another addition that brings no improvement, but merely convenience. Regardless of what happens with Jamestown, it may be time for schools, alumni, and supporters to pressure the leadership to make moves that make the NSIC better academically and athletically, not just more convenient.

But what the hell do I know, I live 1000 miles away.

I wanted to go back to this discussion from four days and eight pages.

There have been people who have asked how an addition of Jamestown could impact decisions made by other schools...such as Wayne, Mankato, etc. While the timing of announcements could lead one to believe that adding Jamestown could directly result in other defections, I think people have their blinders on if they think these discussions haven't already been taking place at those institutions behind closed doors. You might think Jamestown is "the final straw" but if these discussions have happened, the league office surely knows about it. The league knew that Upper Iowa was talking with the GLVC. The league knows that Wayne has been approached by the MIAA. The league knows that Augustana has discussed Division I, and surely there are others that likely have as well.

The commissioner talked about how the league doesn't want to eventually become a smaller league (NOTE: this is also key for anyone who desires a split along state lines). If defections have been discussed before Jamestown even became an option, it is the league's duty to do whatever it takes to stay stable at a good conference size.

[Stanger86]

Random thought....

The general consensus is that Morningside is happy in the GPAC and NAIA. And I certainly don't disagree.

Part of me wondered today though....is part of their hesitancy being back in the same league as large public universities UMD, SCSU and MSU? If these schools were to defect to FCS as the NCAA landscape shifts, would a small private school like Morningside (or Northwestern) take a more serious look at Division II and the NSIC?

[4THEPAW]

Random thought....

The general consensus is that Morningside is happy in the GPAC and NAIA. And I certainly don't disagree.

Part of me wondered today though....is part of their hesitancy being back in the same league as large public universities UMD, SCSU and MSU? If these schools were to defect to FCS as the NCAA landscape shifts, would a small private school like Morningside (or Northwestern) take a more serious look at Division II and the NSIC?

I feel like if those schools were to defect and the landscape of the NSIC shifted to schools with enrollment of primarily 1,500-7,000 students then yes they would probably give it a harder look as they are perfect fits in the footprint of the league and both have good success across multiple sports with facilities that are comparable with the rest of the league.

[laker]

I think the NCAA allowed UST to jump directly to D1. Otherwise they would have had to spend some time in D2. I assume they're not eligible for D1 post season for another couple of years.

Yes, they only lost one game last year. They were 8-0 in the Pioneer but not allowed in the playoffs. 2022 Football Schedule - The University of St. Thomas (tommiesports.com)

[vikingfaithful]

Yes, they only lost one game last year. They were 8-0 in the Pioneer but not allowed in the playoffs. 2022 Football Schedule - The University of St. Thomas (tommiesports.com)

The only the Tommies get is a pat on the back. Pioneer league is pointless.

[NSU4LIFE]

Last day to hunt for Red October

Random thought....

The general consensus is that Morningside is happy in the GPAC and NAIA. And I certainly don't disagree.

Part of me wondered today though....is part of their hesitancy being back in the same league as large public universities UMD, SCSU and MSU? If these schools were to defect to FCS as the NCAA landscape shifts, would a small private school like Morningside (or Northwestern) take a more serious look at Division II and the NSIC?

[laker]

Just saw that Viterbo (nonfootball school) who was in the North Star joined the Chicagoland Athletic Conference. Another dagger for the North Star. Will this push more of their schools into D2 or D3?

Viterbo Athletics Joins Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference - Viterbo University (prestosports.com)

[Purple Mav Man]

Perhaps the success of their NAIA programs is due to athletic exemptions, and they are aware of this.

It will be interesting to see how transparent the Jamestown Jimmies are about their men's soccer and men's volleyball programs. I'm looking forward to seeing what leaks come out.

What will be the recruiting pitch next year, when there are no NAIA or NCAA playoffs? Jamestown always has the USCAA or NCCAA as backup options. What is Jamestown telling high school seniors?

Basically, it seems UJ will need to cut sports or at the very least, drop them to club level and remove scholarships for them. As well as the JV participants (who are highly unlikely to be receiving any athletic scholarships). However that cuts enrollment, likely under 1,000. I am very aware not all D2 schools are big or medium sized, but under 1,000 is damn small, not just small. Sustainability of the program becomes questionable.

Other schools have transitioned previously and we’re able to get recruits, so that’s not as big of a deal. But we have also seen already what the football coaches are telling recruits.