Should Jamestown be accepted into the NSIC?

[zimmy21]

One of these things is not like the other in the NSIC and it’s not Jamestown that is the outlier, it’s Mankato. It’s easy to talk about how the NSIC schools need to be more like Mankato when Mankato has an enrollment of over 15,000 and claims to be on its way to 30,000 by 2030. I’m old (which means I played in the NCC) and Mankato was clearly the outlier in terms of its size and NOT making the move to D1 when the others did. Augie’s enrollment and profile put it right in the mix of D2. Mankato just seems to have made the decision to be a big fish in a small pond and the Mankato boosters on this board seem to be suggesting that everyone else needs to be “more like them.” Two choices to create that situation: 1) create a conference of 2 with Grandview; or 2) convince SDSU, USD, NDSU, UND, and Northern Colorado to come back to D2 to rejoin them. Saw that one first hand in the 80’s and I’m pretty sure they don’t want to do that again.

Welcome to the board, appreciate the feedback. You won't get resistance from me the Mankato should have gone and still should go today but I am outvoiced by a good number here.

[zimmy21]

In the time frame you played in, MSU wasn't the largest D2 school in Minnesota that crown belonged to SCSU. Now, times have changed I realize, but the Huskies were more successful in athletic endeavors as well. Maybe if they had gone D1 at that time, the steep enrollment decline would not have happened.

Had St. Cloud gone, you know Mankato was goin too. Agree though SCSU was the State School in Minnesota for decades, athletically they were superior as well (That hurt to say)

[vikingfaithful]

One of these things is not like the other in the NSIC and it’s not Jamestown that is the outlier, it’s Mankato. It’s easy to talk about how the NSIC schools need to be more like Mankato when Mankato has an enrollment of over 15,000 and claims to be on its way to 30,000 by 2030. I’m old (which means I played in the NCC) and Mankato was clearly the outlier in terms of its size and NOT making the move to D1 when the others did. Augie’s enrollment and profile put it right in the mix of D2. Mankato just seems to have made the decision to be a big fish in a small pond and the Mankato boosters on this board seem to be suggesting that everyone else needs to be “more like them.” Two choices to create that situation: 1) create a conference of 2 with Grandview; or 2) convince SDSU, USD, NDSU, UND, and Northern Colorado to come back to D2 to rejoin them. Saw that one first hand in the 80’s and I’m pretty sure they don’t want to do that again.

In the time frame you played in, MSU wasn't the largest D2 school in Minnesota that crown belonged to SCSU. Now, times have changed I realize, but the Huskies were more successful in athletic endeavors as well. Maybe if they had gone D1 at that time, the steep enrollment decline would not have happened.

[CollegeFBGuy]

I mean, look at the transition for the Tommies - their football is awful and none of their other teams register on anyone's radar, save for hockey - which just got absolutely blasted by UND at the X last weekend.

Be careful sharing things like this, Tommies fans' feelings will be hurt (but it's also true)

[CollegeFBGuy]

One of these things is not like the other in the NSIC and it’s not Jamestown that is the outlier, it’s Mankato. It’s easy to talk about how the NSIC schools need to be more like Mankato when Mankato has an enrollment of over 15,000 and claims to be on its way to 30,000 by 2030. I’m old (which means I played in the NCC) and Mankato was clearly the outlier in terms of its size and NOT making the move to D1 when the others did. Augie’s enrollment and profile put it right in the mix of D2. Mankato just seems to have made the decision to be a big fish in a small pond and the Mankato boosters on this board seem to be suggesting that everyone else needs to be “more like them.” Two choices to create that situation: 1) create a conference of 2 with Grandview; or 2) convince SDSU, USD, NDSU, UND, and Northern Colorado to come back to D2 to rejoin them. Saw that one first hand in the 80’s and I’m pretty sure they don’t want to do that again.

Definitely a different, but interesting look at the situation

[SW_Mustang]

I was curious so I looked up enrollment in other divisions/associations
.
MSU would also rank #16 in DIII enrollment, and #7/8/9 (depending on how it's defined) in NAIA enrollment - yet nobody is clamoring for NYU's 50,000+ student body and $19 billion dollar endowment to "move up" because it would be a silly venture on their part.

MSU is also larger than some notable FBS schools - like Notre Dame too.

[SW_Mustang]

I'll shout it from the rooftops - but enrollment is not an indicator of athletic success. If it was, Wayne State (MI) wouldn't be dropping road games to DIIIs and we'd be asking Post University to go DI for the mercy of their lessers, and Augustana would be Jamestown.

Mankato is in a financial pinch ("Future State" is almost exclusively privately funded) with facilities that aren't exactly leading the nation (or conference for that matter) currently - save for Bresnan Arena. I think their athletic success is largely due to hiring the right people at the right time with a little help from the amenities of the surrounding community.

This is easily my least popular take - but the former NCC schools that everyone likes gushing over haven't been that successful at DI. I take a top-down approach to college athletics, and none of the former NCCs have accomplished anything of note, save for SDSU WBB, Oral Roberts baseball about every four years, and the handful of times NDSU has beat a ranked opponent. My guess is Mankato is looking at that and wants no part of it when they have a chance to actually win something valuable in their current role.

I mean, look at the transition for the Tommies - their football is awful and none of their other teams register on anyone's radar, save for hockey - which just got absolutely blasted by UND at the X last weekend.

[Millsy]

Jimmie Hockey stays at #6 in the latest ACHA D-I poll. Minot stays at #3 and Mary stays at #14 as well.

[Stanger86]

One of these things is not like the other in the NSIC and it’s not Jamestown that is the outlier, it’s Mankato. It’s easy to talk about how the NSIC schools need to be more like Mankato when Mankato has an enrollment of over 15,000 and claims to be on its way to 30,000 by 2030. I’m old (which means I played in the NCC) and Mankato was clearly the outlier in terms of its size and NOT making the move to D1 when the others did. Augie’s enrollment and profile put it right in the mix of D2. Mankato just seems to have made the decision to be a big fish in a small pond and the Mankato boosters on this board seem to be suggesting that everyone else needs to be “more like them.” Two choices to create that situation: 1) create a conference of 2 with Grandview; or 2) convince SDSU, USD, NDSU, UND, and Northern Colorado to come back to D2 to rejoin them. Saw that one first hand in the 80’s and I’m pretty sure they don’t want to do that again.

Hey, I like this guy!

[Tommy Kramer fan]

One of these things is not like the other in the NSIC and it’s not Jamestown that is the outlier, it’s Mankato. It’s easy to talk about how the NSIC schools need to be more like Mankato when Mankato has an enrollment of over 15,000 and claims to be on its way to 30,000 by 2030. I’m old (which means I played in the NCC) and Mankato was clearly the outlier in terms of its size and NOT making the move to D1 when the others did. Augie’s enrollment and profile put it right in the mix of D2. Mankato just seems to have made the decision to be a big fish in a small pond and the Mankato boosters on this board seem to be suggesting that everyone else needs to be “more like them.” Two choices to create that situation: 1) create a conference of 2 with Grandview; or 2) convince SDSU, USD, NDSU, UND, and Northern Colorado to come back to D2 to rejoin them. Saw that one first hand in the 80’s and I’m pretty sure they don’t want to do that again.

[SW_Mustang]

Great recap on the differences/nuances, SW Mustang. Basically at the club level, it seems like the regulations and oversight tend to be a little lax. Schools have a lot of latitude on what they can do.

Probably a bad example, but kind of like the difference between NAIA and NCAA classification for other sports.

This is kind of random - but I just had this conversation yesterday at work.

I didn't realize how legitimately confusing the club/varsity thing is. The person I talked too is a hockey-fan-in-training and wanted to know the difference.

[zimmy21]

Both MSU-Mankato and Augustana had 8-27 records in conference play from 2003 to 2007. Should they have been relegated to Division III due to their incompetences as football programs?

Here's the problem with that...we made the NSIC better. Jamestown will not.

[Purple Mav Man]

Mankato & Augie the original bottom feeders that got left behind by the big boys and only got better after stepping into a lesser conference

Gah. So close. We were looking for:

Mankato & Augie the original football bottom feeders that got left behind by the big boys and only got better after stepping into a lesser conference and scooping the top D2 talent the big boys used to - becoming the big boys

[oldyellaHer69]

Both MSU-Mankato and Augustana had 8-27 records in conference play from 2003 to 2007. Should they have been relegated to Division III due to their incompetences as football programs?

Mankato & Augie the original bottom feeders that got left behind by the big boys and only got better after stepping into a lesser conference

[vikingfaithful]

Both MSU-Mankato and Augustana had 8-27 records in conference play from 2003 to 2007. Should they have been relegated to Division III due to their incompetences as football programs?

Now, that' doing some research. I'm not opposed to the Jimmies, I hope they become a competent D2 program.