ISU! ISU! ISU!
If the MAC needs to add a school, I for one would heartily welcome the Redbirds as MAC-mates.
Others seemingly disagree out of some strange fear of NIU vs ISU dickk-measuring on athletics and academics, and a bizarre illusion that NIU and MAC are
just. this. close. to big time college Athletics if we continue to go east.
Save yourself, I know the arguments. I think they are incorrect.
Future state MAC is still a bus league, so let's invite really the only school in the current MAC footprint that makes bus sense, is in the Midwest, and would commit long term to MAC success. People saying ISU and NIU are not rivals are right, we're not rivals not as long as ISU is in the Mississippi Canyon Conference or wherever they play sprots now, but the day they are admitted to the MAC, NIU gets that all-sports rival we so desperately need.
And FYI, ISU Athletics as a whole would probably be instantly competitive in the MAC. I wouldn't be surprised in the least that the first year of ISU in the MAC has them solidly in the middle of Reese and Jacoby standing.
ISU is MAC level academic and athletic school and would viable member of the MAC.
ISU! ISU! ISU!