(02-14-2013 10:36 AM)NoDak Wrote:  Earlier in this thread, the idea of NDSU and/or SDSU to the MVC as a Creighton replacement was viewed as possible by some posters. Here's what the NDSU beatwriter has to say about that:

Quote:Jeff Kolpack on February 12, 2013 at 9:34 am said:
My sources are telling me NDSU is not even remotely on the Missouri Valley Conference radar right now.

http://bisonmedia.areavoices.com/2013/02.../#comments

South Dakota State has more of a case for the MVC because of location and the level that their basketball team is playing at right now.

Its all going to come down to final numbers....

(02-14-2013 04:10 PM)Louis Kitton Wrote:  

(02-14-2013 10:36 AM)NoDak Wrote:  Earlier in this thread, the idea of NDSU and/or SDSU to the MVC as a Creighton replacement was viewed as possible by some posters. Here's what the NDSU beatwriter has to say about that:

Quote:Jeff Kolpack on February 12, 2013 at 9:34 am said:
My sources are telling me NDSU is not even remotely on the Missouri Valley Conference radar right now.

http://bisonmedia.areavoices.com/2013/02.../#comments

South Dakota State has more of a case for the MVC because of location and the level that their basketball team is playing at right now.

Its all going to come down to final numbers....

When SDSU's star Wolters graduates this year, SDSU's RPI will drop at least 100 points. They haven't really done anything without Wolters. Their arena isn't really MVC quality (although near the top of the Summit) and SDSU has a limited local population base. Draws well during weekends when people are more free to travel an hour or more, but weekday games like the MVC plays would struggle in attendance.

Any chance that the Summit and Horizon's members get together in one league? If the MVC replaces Creighton with Valparaiso, and the A-10 takes 3 Horizon schools (say Detroit Mercy, Loyola-IL, and Cleveland State), there isn't much left for two conferences:

North Dakota State
South Dakota State
South Dakota
Nebraska-Omaha
Denver
UWGB
UWM
Western Illinois
Illinois-Chicago
IPFW
IUPUI
Youngstown State
Wright State
Oakland

(02-14-2013 10:00 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  Any chance that the Summit and Horizon's members get together in one league? If the MVC replaces Creighton with Valparaiso, and the A-10 takes 3 Horizon schools (say Detroit Mercy, Loyola-IL, and Cleveland State), there isn't much left for two conferences:

North Dakota State
South Dakota State
South Dakota
Nebraska-Omaha
Denver
UWGB
UWM
Western Illinois
Illinois-Chicago
IPFW
IUPUI
Youngstown State
Wright State
Oakland

There's just no incentive for the Horizon to merge. Why share Butler's credits with 14 schools when 9 or 10 schools would be just fine. All of Oakland, IUPUI, and IPFW would instantly jump if given the option. IUPUI and IPFW are Horizon insurance policies that would be available. However, the Horizon does need another baseball team very soon (down to five teams and in their grace period).

Here's my Summit survival plan:

Horizon needs to actually take Oakland (which has been blocked by Detroit)
Summit needs to commit to sponsoring football.
Summit needs to take Wayne St from DII (which has been blocked by Oakland, but also needs a football spot).
Summit can then add Grand Valley St from DII. In the past, GVSU couldn't move up because there is no place for football. With an assurance of football spot, and an existing Michigan rival (Wayne St), it suddenly becomes feasible for GVSU to move to DI.
If football sponsored and eastern teams in Michigan that can't jump to the Horizon, E Illinois needs to be lured back to resume its rivalry with W Ill. Both EIll and WIll are now assured a spot in football and a real rival.
Lure in Youngstown St for football only, effectively removing the autobid from the MVFC (not required though), forcing the MVC football schools into the Summit for that sport.
With this lineup, losing IPFW and IUPUI doesn't matter (depending on the timing of their exits)

New Summit
Wayne St - fb
Grand Valley St - fb
IUPUI
IPFW
E Ill - fb
W Ill -fb
UNO -
USD - fb
SDSU - fb
NDSU -fb
Denver
(Youngstown St, UNI, Ill St, S Ill, Mo St, and Ind St possibly in a Summit football league.)

Eastern Illinois has to be coaxed into moving from the OVC to provide a core commitment of 7 full DI members. IUPUI and IPFW both leaving have to be 2015 or later. IUPUI could even consider the OVC if offered. W Illinois has always opposed pulling out of the MVFC for a possible Summit Football league, but possibly in return for E Ill joining they would do it. The critical period for the Summit is until the 2016 season, when UNO becomes a full DI member.

Given how the Big Ten is ending FCS games, it might make it tougher to sustain football for the Summit if it ever comes to fruition. Sounds like a solid plan though, if it works out like that.

Given the relative lack of schools sponsoring baseball in the Midwest, some of these mid-major conferences would be better off requiring men's volleyball. Volleyball is capped at 4.5 scholarships for men, and there really wouldn't be a need for any new facilities. There are also a number of schools in the area that already sponsor the sport, including IPFW and Ohio State. The three team sport requirement for each gender could prove fatal to some conferences otherwise.

I don't follow Eastern Illinois but I doubt they would leave the stability of the OVC. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised it Western Illinois winds up in the OVC someday.

Getting the topic back to UMKC. Here is a link to the press conference.
http://www.umkckangaroos.com/mediaPortal...M_ID=18300

Exposure and hosting the conference basketball tournament were very big for the move. Soccer can recruit better with the teams in the WAC along affiliates UNLV, Air Force and San Jose St. The University Chancellor also mentioned travel time for student athletics to be a bit less with miniumal increase in travel. In addition, being able to play and recruit in metro areas of Seattle, Phoenix, Chicago, SLC were big pluses.

Doesn't sound like the Summit is in jepoardy...in the meantime to make such a 'pre-emptive' move. More about changing course of the university and what they see is there future as a major metropolitan university.