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Post by true2theroos on Aug 17, 2023 15:23:14 GMT -6
Most of us have probably followed the saga that is conference realignment over the past several weeks. At this point, it’s looking like the four remaining Pac-12 schools (Cal, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington State) could take four teams each from the American and Mountain West conferences to replenish the PAC. This presents an interesting domino effect for us and the Summit League.
The four rumored schools to be leaving the MWC are Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and UNLV. Now, they could respond by looking at FBS options (e.g., multiple AAC or C-USA schools), but there’s also the chance that they look to call schools up from FCS. This is where North Dakota State and South Dakota State become possibilities, along with the Montana schools or even Idaho (again). The only football-only member who’s part of the MWC is Hawaii and they’re a unique situation. This opens up the possibility of the Summit League losing two of its strongest athletic programs.
If that happens, what’s next for the Summit? Do we remain at eight members for the short-term, or perhaps we look to invite someone like Northern Colorado? I’d hope for us to be aggressive because without those two, I fear there’s a possibility that the Big Sky could look to poach UND and USD from us, especially if they also lose members to the Mountain West. Suddenly, we’d be facing our own existential crisis.
It seems like we here at UMKC are always having to be on-edge when it comes to realignment, and this chapter might be no different.
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Post by perry c on Aug 18, 2023 11:10:44 GMT -6
If Stanford & Cal can't flip some "no" votes and get into the ACC, the Pac-12 may indeed try to grab schools from other conferences. The Pac-12 has hired Oliver Luck, father of former Stanford QB Andrew Luck, to scout the possibilities.
Long term, I'd love to see Washington State and Oregon State reunite with ancient PCC rivals Idaho and Montana. Boise State, Montana State, and the xDSUs could be part of that. New Mexico and Hawaii probably would not.
No doubt that maintaining stability in the Summit will be challenging with a mix of football and non-football schools.
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Post by true2theroos on Aug 18, 2023 12:37:29 GMT -6
If Stanford & Cal can't flip some "no" votes and get into the ACC, the Pac-12 may indeed try to grab schools from other conferences. The Pac-12 has hired Oliver Luck, father of former Stanford QB Andrew Luck, to scout the possibilities. Long term, I'd love to see Washington State and Oregon State reunite with ancient PCC rivals Idaho and Montana. Boise State, Montana State, and the xDSUs could be part of that. New Mexico and Hawaii probably would not. No doubt that maintaining stability in the Summit will be challenging with a mix of football and non-football schools. That’s what I worry about. If the Summit and/or Big Sky lose members out of this and the Big Sky uses that as an opportunity to invite Summit League members, would the xDSUs or even the xDUs find the Big Sky more of an institutional fit due to them sponsoring football? Something to keep an eye on. Again, that’s why I’m hoping we’re proactive in all of this, especially after we “lost” WIU to the OVC (not the worst thing to happen). |
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Post by perry c on Aug 18, 2023 14:10:07 GMT -6
that’s why I’m hoping we’re proactive in all of this If that means taking D-II move ups, it would be better to act now. Give new members a chance to gain full D-I status before the league loses members. Ensure automatic NCAA bids are protected in every sport. |
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Post by rooinblue on Aug 18, 2023 14:21:25 GMT -6
I don’t know how eager the XDSUs are to leave the Summit. They lead/control it. It would have to be a very tempting offer to leave.
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Post by true2theroos on Aug 18, 2023 15:04:18 GMT -6
I don’t know how eager the XDSUs are to leave the Summit. They lead/control it. It would have to be a very tempting offer to leave. Agreed, although I think they’d leave if given the chance to join the Mountain West (and FBS). In that scenario, does UND/USD take a look at the Big Sky? I’m not sure. |
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Post by perry c on Aug 22, 2023 21:19:13 GMT -6
Still lurking out there is Missouri State's potential move to a FBS conference. Their current president, who is nearing retirement, says it's a matter of when (not if). The Bears move will create an opening in the Missouri Valley conference. They will first need to complete raising $23 million for football stadium improvements. Prediction: Missouri State to Conference USA sometime after their AD's contract expires in 2026. At that point, UMKC will again be a candidate for Missouri Valley membership. |
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Post by true2theroos on Aug 23, 2023 10:52:55 GMT -6
Still lurking out there is Missouri State's potential move to a FBS conference. Their current president, who is nearing retirement, says it's a matter of when (not if). The Bears move will create an opening in the Missouri Valley conference. They will first need to complete raising $23 million for football stadium improvements. Prediction: Missouri State to Conference USA sometime after their AD's contract expires in 2026. At that point, UMKC will again be a candidate for Missouri Valley membership. I think with the investments we’re making both in the university and the athletic department, including a new arena, we become a very attractive candidate for the MVC. I’m sure they would love to have a real presence in Kansas City as well. |
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Post by perry c on Aug 23, 2023 11:15:53 GMT -6
I’m sure they would love to have a real presence in Kansas City as well. ...especially if they lose their only member from Missouri. |
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Post by chucka on Nov 9, 2023 16:08:27 GMT -6
Still lurking out there is Missouri State's potential move to a FBS conference. Their current president, who is nearing retirement, says it's a matter of when (not if). The Bears move will create an opening in the Missouri Valley conference. They will first need to complete raising $23 million for football stadium improvements. Prediction: Missouri State to Conference USA sometime after their AD's contract expires in 2026. At that point, UMKC will again be a candidate for Missouri Valley membership. I think with the investments we’re making both in the university and the athletic department, including a new arena, we become a very attractive candidate for the MVC. I’m sure they would love to have a real presence in Kansas City as well. true2theroos, saw your post on the MVC Message board. Hope you were satisfied with the responses so far. I personally think the Presidents (who make the decisions) will greatly consider Kansas City in the next Valley move. With your pending new arena and growing regular student recruiting ground, Kansas City has improved its stock greatly. Now it’s just about basketball winning. And for what it’s worth, I personally don’t think Missouri state is going anywhere. |
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Post by true2theroos on Nov 9, 2023 18:02:10 GMT -6
I think with the investments we’re making both in the university and the athletic department, including a new arena, we become a very attractive candidate for the MVC. I’m sure they would love to have a real presence in Kansas City as well. true2theroos, saw your post on the MVC Message board. Hope you were satisfied with the responses so far. I personally think the Presidents (who make the decisions) will greatly consider Kansas City in the next Valley move. With your pending new arena and growing regular student recruiting ground, Kansas City has improved its stock greatly. Now it’s just about basketball winning. And for what it’s worth, I personally don’t think Missouri state is going anywhere. Hi Chucka, thanks for stopping by. I was definitely satisfied by what I read, and it’s more-or-less what I expected. I respect the histories and fanbases that MVC programs have behind them. Like what was mentioned your site, I hope that our leadership took the (likely) criticism when presenting their bid and used it to solidify ourselves the next go-around. I’d love to play nearby programs such as Drake, MO State, and UNI… which means we need to be focused on beating the opponents we’re bunkered up with first. |
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Post by perry c on Dec 12, 2023 21:50:05 GMT -6
Sioux Falls (Pentagon) is the host for several neutral site D-I games this season:
Auburn-Baylor
Nebraska-Oregon State
Syracuse-Oregon
Does Sioux Falls' discovery by the basketball world help or hinder Augustana's chances of getting into the Summit League?
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Post by true2theroos on Dec 12, 2023 22:31:00 GMT -6
Sioux Falls (Pentagon) is the host for several neutral site D-I games this season: Auburn-Baylor Nebraska-Oregon State Syracuse-Oregon Does Sioux Falls' discovery by the basketball world help or hinder Augustana's chances of getting into the Summit League? It certainly can’t hurt, but I’m personally not too keen on Augustana. No disrespect to them, but I’d like UMKC to align itself with more peer institutions (public research universities in large metro areas) and the Vikings don’t really fit that mold. Then again, depending on how the Summit League is affected by conference realignment, beggars can’t be choosers… |
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