National Conference Realignments

[milanmiracle]

Maybe Denver can join the MVC in Creighton's place (sounds like an old soap opera) and then switch conferences with UMKC. UMKC to the MVC and Denver back to the WAC where they actually geographically fit. Wouldn't that be amazing to have geographical fits in college sports conferences?

Yep, sure would! Sadly those days are long gone. Follow the $$$. I expect more and more conference movement over time. I don't think things will be settled...well, ever.

[crusaderjoe]

Butler will join Big East:

http://collegespun.com/homepage/conference-realignment-update-butler-officially-joining-big-east

Good for them.  They've been working toward such a move for the last 25 years if you really think about it. 

They need to erect a statue for Barry Collier in front of Hinkle.

[oklahomamick]

Its official, Creighton going to the big east.  Does MVC stay at 9 or add another university?  A10 will eventually lose Dayton and SLU. 

[zvillehaze]

http://www.indystar.com/article/20130319/SPORTS0605/303190067/Butler-s-move-new-Big-East-no-brainer-

Mentioned earlier and not a surprise.  Interesting to see LeCrone quoted ... "In the current college landscape," LeCrone said, "status quo is probably not the best decision"

I know he was talking about Butler (can I say that in this section of the board??), but am curious how that relates to others.  Creighton leaving creates a spot in the MVC.  In another thread, wh said he'd rather have Valpo stay where they are.  Hard to know the right answer.

Here's some detail on the business decisions that were made by Butler.  http://www.ibj.com/article/print?articleId=40197  This may or may not apply to Valpo.  They may not want to take that path.  I'm just sharing information.

[VULB#62]

That second article was a great read.  There's the model right there.  Valpo could run with the whole enchilada or just a portion and still realize great benefits.  Lots of smart marketing.  It is important to see the correlation between athletic success and applications, enrollment and giving.  And basketball is the ideal vehicle.  The scholarship burden is minimal (13 compared to, say, football at 65-85) as is the facility investment - Butler didn't even renovate Hinkle in the process; that's only happening now.

[vu72]

Interesting that even now 44% of their students are from Indiana and it was at 56%.  They were a very regional school.  Valpo has historically been more national with 30% of students coming from Indiana today.  I like the approach as adding applications obviously allow for being more picky and higher quality students means more success going forward.

[VULB#62]

DONE DEAL __ OFFICIALLY.  posted on ESPN March 20, 2013, 12:16 PM ET
ESPN.com news services

X, Butler and Creighton to New Big East


http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9074722/new-big-east-adds-butler-bulldogs-creighton-bluejays-xavier-musketeers

[KL31NY]

With Creighton leaving the MVC, people on message boards are posting their favorites for replacements. Here are some of my favorites from the UNI board "Panther Nation" about Valpo and the MVC. Realistically, it's probably Belmont or Denver, but it's fun to be in the discussion.

http://www.panthernation.com/showpost.php?p=350558&postcount=1
http://www.panthernation.com/showpost.php?p=350595&postcount=13
http://www.panthernation.com/showpost.php?p=350677&postcount=39

[oklahomamick]

Really surprised they want Milwaukee over Valpo. Doesn't make sense....But again its northern Iowa...

I want to see the summit league blow up. What would Western Illinois, IUPUI and IPFW do??? I know its mean but I'm going to be the villain here. Rather you think it's realistic or not, let's say, the Dakotas go to MVC. That's it for the SL and then what do Western Illinois, IUPUI and IPFW do???

[a3uge]

No Valpo due to terrible facilities then mention Milwaukee. They obviously haven't been to that dump.

[valpopal]

George Mason to announce move to the A-10:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/21940151/george-mason-heading-to-the-a-10

[LaPorteAveApostle]

wait...a conference move that ... that actually makes sense?

[valpotx]

Good to see that the A-10 is looking to replace those that left with teams that are actually in their territory.  Maybe the HL will stay together!

[vu72]

No Valpo due to terrible facilities then mention Milwaukee. They obviously haven't been to that dump.

Perhaps you should take a look at other A-10 facilities.  At 5500, Valpo's seating capacity would add to the average!  Fordham:  seating capacity of 3200, built in 1925. St. Joseph: seating capacity of 4200, built in 1985. Duquense: seating capacity of 4406.  St. Bonaventure: seating capacity of 5480.  Should I go on?

3200 is leass than the seating capacity of Hilltop!  I think there may have been other considerations.

[a3uge]

No Valpo due to terrible facilities then mention Milwaukee. They obviously haven't been to that dump.

Perhaps you should take a look at other A-10 facilities.  At 5500, Valpo's seating capacity would add to the average!  Fordham:  seating capacity of 3200, built in 1925. St. Joseph: seating capacity of 4200, built in 1985. Duquense: seating capacity of 4406.  St. Bonaventure: seating capacity of 5480.  Should I go on?

3200 is leass than the seating capacity of Hilltop!  I think there may have been other considerations.

I was not completely clear - I was responding to the UNI forum post that mentioned Milwaukee as a suitable replacement (for the MVC), but not Valpo due to poor facilities. Anyone that has been to Klotsche Center knows how bad it is. I basically use overhead projectors for their video board.

With the A-10 adding George Mason, and SLU leaving soon (probably), I don't really see the A-10 inviting Valpo any time soon.

[valpotx]

Official GMU announcement from ESPN:

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/9096516/george-mason-patriots-pay-1-million-exit-colonial-athletic-association-atlantic-10

[zvillehaze]

The CAA announces GMU's seven spring sports are ineligible for conference championships.  I understand the monetary punishments for leaving, but doing that to student-athletes seems a bit over the top, IMO.

http://www.caasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=206916860&DB_OEM_ID=8500

[VULB#62]

Agree. GMU leaves at the conclusion of this academic year, right? Seems very petty.

[valpotx]

Appalachian State and Georgia Southern to the Sun Belt for FBS play.  I do like it when teams move up to FBS play, as it gives me more options to play in NCAA Football PS3 games lol:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9097544/appalachian-state-mountaineers-georgia-southern-eagles-join-sun-belt-according-sources

[a3uge]

Appalachian State and Georgia Southern to the Sun Belt for FBS play.  I do like it when teams move up to FBS play, as it gives me more options to play in NCAA Football PS3 games lol:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9097544/appalachian-state-mountaineers-georgia-southern-eagles-join-sun-belt-according-sources

I do like it when teams move to Division 1 for basketball, it gives me more options to play in a PS3 NCAA basketball game #saidNoOneEver

[valporun]

I saw a text from ESPN updates this morning that Idaho and New Mexico State are moving to the Sun Belt Conference in 2014. I don't exactly understand that move at all. Talk about only looking at the RPI upgrade for two programs that don't enhance a conference's chances, or an athlete's classroom exposure.

[valpotx]

I believe that it will just be for football, as they used to be members of the Sun Belt before the WAC.

Edit:

Football only confirmed: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9099719/idaho-vandals-new-mexico-state-aggies-headed-sun-belt-conference-2014-sources-say

[valpotx]

Looks like Tulsa and East Carolina will be full members in the old Big East.  It is basically CUSA again!

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/9100852/tulsa-golden-hurricane-join-big-east-according-sources

[valpopal]

ORU in Preliminary Talks with Missouri Valley

"Switching to the MVC would allow ORU to transition to a league which typically gets more than just its tournament champion into the NCAA Tournament. The MVC's RPI this season ranked ninth out of 32 NCAA Division I conferences. The Summit League was 19th. The Southland was 25th. ORU, Belmont, Valparaiso and Denver have been speculated among possible replacements for Creighton in media reports."

Not sure how much substance here yet or what other schools are talking with the MVC:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=234&articleid=20130326_234_0_TheMis322605&allcom=1

[valpotx]

OMG, just about every Midwestern team has had 'preliminary' talks with the MVC.  That story means absolutely nothing at this point lol