NDSU to the MW.....

[Lewdabaker]

With NDSU heading to the FBS and Mountain West Conference, what trickle down effects do you think we will see in the NSIC? Anyone (AU or Mankato) willing to jump and fill the spot in the FCS and the Missouri Valley?

[Tundra_Man]

When Augie was pursuing joining the Summit League, at that time it sounded like to make the switch financially feasible they would have to sacrifice football to the Pioneer League. That being said, I don't see Augie suddenly able to spend the money it would take to join the MVC in football.

Not that I'm an expert at all this.

[mavsfan98]

Mankato has by far the wealthiest NSIC alum (and wealthiest resident in the entire state of MN). Money shouldn't be an issue if they wanted to move up, although I say that figuratively - not literally.

[tman28]

Mankato has by far the wealthiest NSIC alum (and wealthiest resident in the entire state of MN). Money shouldn't be an issue if they wanted to move up, although I say that figuratively - not literally.

They have the recruiting area to move up to FCS and be competitive, imo. At the same time they get FCS level talent right now with UM being the big dog. What happens when guys have to chose between Mankato and UM? The talent you get now/how you build translates over to d2 very well. You are elite D2 sports program.... The same be said at FCS?

[SW_Mustang]

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves here - NDSU moving one sport up doesn't open "a spot" for an NSIC school to move all of theirs.

Instead - look to see what SDSU does. I'm not connected to their inner workings but word around the water cooler is that FBS is their "target." It won't happen overnight though.

Just spitballing - but I think the best pathway to DI is if ORU (or technically UST - but that's a stretch) leaves the Summit and the Dakota schools let MSU in - and MSU has the money. Such an act of benevolence from the Dakota schools would be unprecedented though.

Let's be real here - and I mean absolutely no disrespect, but the Summit clearly wants nothing to do with Augustana. Augie has also been wildly successful with hockey and it's clearly their #1 priority.

Also - I'm legitimately super happy for NDSU. They won't miss the FCS at all. And now they'll start hosting the Lobos which is great.

[Iowacoo]

Why are they so against Augie joining the Summit? Assuming USD and SDSU are certainly not in favor .

[SW_Mustang]

Why are they so against Augie joining the Summit? Assuming USD and SDSU are certainly not in favor .

I think that's the bulk of it if I remember correctly.

I'm not going to pretend to understand the relationship between those three but I don't think the bigger brothers like the smaller one too much.

[njmav1]

Just spitballing - but I think the best pathway to DI is if ORU (or technically UST - but that's a stretch) leaves the Summit and the Dakota schools let MSU in - and MSU has the money. Such an act of benevolence from the Dakota schools would be unprecedented though.

I don't know if Mankato has the money to move up. Sure they are well on their way to a new stadium but that took years and a couple of false starts. A few years ago the OVC checked in and the administration's conclusion was it didn't work out financially.

With the new stadium it's clear that the administration has committed to the football program. And that's going to be a huge factor whenever D1 discussions pop up. A nationally competitive program at the FCS level will be very expensive.

[Millsy]

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves here - NDSU moving one sport up doesn't open "a spot" for an NSIC school to move all of theirs.

Instead - look to see what SDSU does. I'm not connected to their inner workings but word around the water cooler is that FBS is their "target." It won't happen overnight though.

Just spitballing - but I think the best pathway to DI is if ORU (or technically UST - but that's a stretch) leaves the Summit and the Dakota schools let MSU in - and MSU has the money. Such an act of benevolence from the Dakota schools would be unprecedented though.

Let's be real here - and I mean absolutely no disrespect, but the Summit clearly wants nothing to do with Augustana. Augie has also been wildly successful with hockey and it's clearly their #1 priority.

Also - I'm legitimately super happy for NDSU. They won't miss the FCS at all. And now they'll start hosting the Lobos which is great.

I read yesterday that Sacramento State was exploring making a "full program" move to the Mountain West. This could throw a wrench into the NDSU plans, but the Mountain West has said NDSU would have the "right of first refusal" to go all in to the Mountain West.

[SW_Mustang]

I don't know if Mankato has the money to move up. Sure they are well on their way to a new stadium but that took years and a couple of false starts. A few years ago the OVC checked in and the administration's conclusion was it didn't work out financially.

With the new stadium it's clear that the administration has committed to the football program. And that's going to be a huge factor whenever D1 discussions pop up. A nationally competitive program at the FCS level will be very expensive.

Agreed - MSU would have the second smallest endowment in the Summit if they moved up. I also have to wonder if the Dakota schools and St. Thomas would even want them there to begin with, but that's beyond my knowledge.

I also think it's apparent that the Future State project is a commitment to D2.

Personally I think they should fully commit to D2 and get a couple of football championships under their belt first, then explore D1 down the road when it's a more organic fit. But that's just my opinion.

[SW_Mustang]

I read yesterday that Sacramento State was exploring making a "full program" move to the Mountain West. This could throw a wrench into the NDSU plans, but the Mountain West has said NDSU would have the "right of first refusal" to go all in to the Mountain West.

Yeah - Sac State's President has certainly done a lot of talking over the last couple years. Not sure how serious any of that is, but I haven't followed it too closely beyond the uproar every time he refers to FCS as "junior varsity."

[Millsy]

Yeah - Sac State's President has certainly done a lot of talking over the last couple years. Not sure how serious any of that is, but I haven't followed it too closely beyond the uproar every time he refers to FCS as "junior varsity."

What I read yesterday seemed a lot more serious than their usual bluster. I think with NDSU's announcement, they pushed Sac State to either "sh*t or get off the pot" in the Mountain West's eyes.

[njmav1]

Agreed - MSU would have the second smallest endowment in the Summit if they moved up. I also have to wonder if the Dakota schools and St. Thomas would even want them there to begin with, but that's beyond my knowledge.

I also think it's apparent that the Future State project is a commitment to D2.

Personally I think they should fully commit to D2 and get a couple of football championships under their belt first, then explore D1 down the road when it's a more organic fit. But that's just my opinion.

I don't necessarily think the Future State project is a commitment to D2 as much as it is how capital projects are done with the current political and financial environment.

When the time comes (if ever), having championships should not be a consideration.

[laker]

I don't know if Mankato has the money to move up. Sure they are well on their way to a new stadium but that took years and a couple of false starts. A few years ago the OVC checked in and the administration's conclusion was it didn't work out financially.

With the new stadium it's clear that the administration has committed to the football program. And that's going to be a huge factor whenever D1 discussions pop up. A nationally competitive program at the FCS level will be very expensive.

Yes. There are people who don't give a dime to MSU who think that the move to D1 should have already happened. And they are willing to drop football if that is what it takes. Hopefully that talk dies with a new stadium. If the move is made, it will be WITH football rather than without it. Or that will be the last dime that I give to the school.

Buisman has been described by someone much more knowledgeable than I am as the best AD in D2. I'll trust the path that he and President Inch (who is doing a tremendous job) take.

[Thunder]

I read yesterday that Sacramento State was exploring making a "full program" move to the Mountain West. This could throw a wrench into the NDSU plans, but the Mountain West has said NDSU would have the "right of first refusal" to go all in to the Mountain West.

I think Sac State has been trying for a while to make the move, even throwing huge sums of cash at conferences to let them in (much more than NDSU is paying). But no FBS conference has wanted them so far.