(04-04-2018 03:44 PM)Pounder Wrote:  It should be noted that Rob Spear will probably be "indisposed" from this discussion shortly. Reason:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/ap...yesterday/

Yet... I wish to argue that a slightly different form of a merger or realignment will probably be considered.

Simple plan: the northern and southern schools split... but football remains under one conference. Much like Missouri Valley Football Conference has members from 2-3 different conferences, Big Sky football will probably continue to exist as is.

Football travel costs can be large, but revenues can be large. Travel for all other sports... that's a problem. So if you want to consider the outcome the "Alaska Air Conference" (because the northern schools are primarily served by Alaska/Horizon) and the southern schools the Southwest Air Conference, not only is there the possibility of cost savings, but perhaps also a sponsorship opportunity or two.

The thought is inspired by rumors of C-USA and Sun Belt calling a truce and try to be more geographically responsible. The thought is to get over the old pecking order... and I know, I know, that's far easier said than done.

Would it be best that the Southern football schools play in the WAC while the northern football schools play in the Big Sky? We have some schools that are looked as possible D1 candidates from D2. They are in the GNAC and in the RMAC.
WAC:
Azusa Pacific/Humboldt State/Sacramento State/UC-Davis/Cal. Poly
Southern Utah/Dixie State
Northern Arizona/Colorado State Pueblo
West Texas A&M/Tarleton State/UTPB
Big Sky:
Western Oregon/Portland State
Simon Fraser/Central Washington/Eastern Washington
Idaho/Idaho State
Colorado Mesa/Northern Colorado/Weber State
Montana/Montana State