(08-30-2017 12:44 PM)Rube Dali Wrote:  Lone Star Conference steals 8 Heartland Conference members for next season:

http://www.lonestarconference.org/news/2...83017.aspx

Note: Newman University has no home for next season.

So this is more or less a merger of the two conferences. It does consolidate the footprint though.

Note that Heartland does not play football so this seems to make more sense to cut the overlap and play the Olympic sports as a big conference which doesn't matter as much with conference tourney determining the champion anyway.

http://newsok.com/article/5562108

Sounds like the Heartland was becoming unstable. UTPB left for the LSC (makes sense), 2 other schools reclassified (1 to D3, 1 to NAIA).

Put more stability for any other moves by schools and also the number of sports sponsorship. Each school maybe able to reflect the sports that relate to them better with this large of a conference.

Seems travel was an issue also, especially with the 9 schools remaining in the Heartland, they were pretty spread out.

This "merger" does not happen until 2019. I will guess Newman ends up in the GLVC and will cause other moves. I'm not sure I like what the LSC is doing, we'll have to wait and see how things play out.

This looks to me like a move worth trying. It's definitely an out-of-the-box move. With the critical mass of schools, there will be a little bit of something for everyone. 9 football schools, 10 non-football schools (counting Texas Woman's-women's sports only). 5 private schools, 14 public schools. If this works, more power to them. It'll cut down on travel in a lot of sports, but it's still a long way to Western New Mexico and Texas A&M International. If rumors of desires of some of these and other schools are true, there may not be 19 schools in the LSC for very long. That will depend on moves made further up the food chain.

This also bodes interestingly for the GAC and a rumored revival of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference:
1) With the dissolution of the Heartland Conference, a spot opens up for a new Division II conference. A new OIC could slide into this spot.
2) But, a new Oklahoma-based DII conference would only have six members, unless they added Cameron, Oklahoma Christian, and Rogers State (all non-football members). Perhaps there was not enough support among the OK schools to form their own conference? If there was, OC and RSU would have held off on accepting an invite to the LSC and instead maneuvered to an OIC 2.0. It looks to me like the Oklahoma schools aren't going to blow up the GAC.

Based on this move, from this vantage point, the GAC is here to stay. 12 football-playing schools, 6 in AR, 6 in OK, 8 public, 4 private. I have no problem with that.

The Lone Star conference seems to be preparing for departures to the Southland, which in turn may lose Sam Houston St, Lamar and SF Austin to FBS. This move doesn't solve the fb problem, not enough numbers, the Lone Star has.

I wonder if Newman would go the MIAA - Wichita, Kansas is near the center of the conference's footprint.

Division II football will always be a tenuous existence, but I don't see any departures to the Southland other than the possibility of the Kingsville/Corpus Christi merger in the A&M system, and that will certainly not be the priority it once was given the events of the past week. If the Southland loses anyone, they'll probably just sit tight as long as they're above nine members; the conference over expanded last time, and has paid the price for it ever since. The Southland also has UTRGV in their backyard, who of course is already Division I. There's also that off possibility that Little Rock or Texas-Arlington could head their way should something happen in the Sun Belt.

If the Lonestar needed a football member, New Mexico Highlands actually is in the footprint. RMAC has 10 for football and 16 overall members starting in 2018, so no need for them to replace New Mexico Highlands.

That's really odd- a whole conference "blowing up". They leave a fairly reasonable footprint- by Texas standards- (I've driven from Austin to Wichita many times, not a terrible drive). But now the new conference stretches 1000 miles east to west (15 hours by car) and 700 miles north to south (11 hours). I suppose they will do a lot of divisional play.

I saw on the Heartland Conference webpage that on MONDAY they released their new logo that they have spent 18 months working on with the help of design company that has worked with Ohio State, Iowa, Texas, and Texas A&M. I'm guessing a lot of work and and a lot of money went into that. And 2 days later the conference implodes. So much for the beautiful new logo.

Strange. They must not have seen that coming. There must be a story in there somewhere.

(08-30-2017 09:42 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  I wonder if Newman would go the MIAA - Wichita, Kansas is near the center of the conference's footprint.

Division II football will always be a tenuous existence, but I don't see any departures to the Southland other than the possibility of the Kingsville/Corpus Christi merger in the A&M system, and that will certainly not be the priority it once was given the events of the past week. If the Southland loses anyone, they'll probably just sit tight as long as they're above nine members; the conference over expanded last time, and has paid the price for it ever since. The Southland also has UTRGV in their backyard, who of course is already Division I. There's also that off possibility that Little Rock or Texas-Arlington could head their way should something happen in the Sun Belt.

If the Lonestar needed a football member, New Mexico Highlands actually is in the footprint. RMAC has 10 for football and 16 overall members starting in 2018, so no need for them to replace New Mexico Highlands.

Although the official stance of the MIAA is that no fb school would be accepted, the MIAA has made exceptions. The GLVC could be a fallback option.

Rumor is on the d2 board is that several Heartland schools will start fb. No idea who they are, but Cameron has in the past had interest. UT-Tyler is interested in starting fb if they get enough financial support, but they are in neither conference now.

SHSU and Lamar have made noise about FBS in the past. The WAC would nearly instantly accept them and SF Austin as they will need a home. Texas schools need fb especially FBS to be on the map and SHSU and Lamar seem to be driving that way, but it won't be easy. If those three are gone and the LA schools consolidate, it could be messy for the Southland.

Tarleton St, A&M Commerce, Angelo St and W Texas A&M have had DI studies or talk in the past.

(08-30-2017 11:32 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(08-30-2017 09:42 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  I wonder if Newman would go the MIAA - Wichita, Kansas is near the center of the conference's footprint.

Division II football will always be a tenuous existence, but I don't see any departures to the Southland other than the possibility of the Kingsville/Corpus Christi merger in the A&M system, and that will certainly not be the priority it once was given the events of the past week. If the Southland loses anyone, they'll probably just sit tight as long as they're above nine members; the conference over expanded last time, and has paid the price for it ever since. The Southland also has UTRGV in their backyard, who of course is already Division I. There's also that off possibility that Little Rock or Texas-Arlington could head their way should something happen in the Sun Belt.

If the Lonestar needed a football member, New Mexico Highlands actually is in the footprint. RMAC has 10 for football and 16 overall members starting in 2018, so no need for them to replace New Mexico Highlands.

Although the official stance of the MIAA is that no fb school would be accepted, the MIAA has made exceptions. The GLVC could be a fallback option.

Rumor is on the d2 board is that several Heartland schools will start fb. No idea who they are, but Cameron has in the past had interest. UT-Tyler is interested in starting fb if they get enough financial support, but they are in neither conference now.

SHSU and Lamar have made noise about FBS in the past. The WAC would nearly instantly accept them and SF Austin as they will need a home. Texas schools need fb especially FBS to be on the map and SHSU and Lamar seem to be driving that way, but it won't be easy. If those three are gone and the LA schools consolidate, it could be messy for the Southland.

Tarleton St, A&M Commerce, Angelo St and W Texas A&M have had DI studies or talk in the past.

A&M Kingsville talked about D1.
UTPB does have a D1 size stadium, and they are brand new.
Rogers State couple of years ago made mentioned that they are interested in adding football when they talked to the local newspaper from Tulsa.
The all Oklahoma route could be a GAC conference, but I do not think they would add non-football schools. Rogers State, Oklahoma Christian, UAFS and Cameron have to add the sport to get in. That leave NE Oklahoma State and Central Oklahoma. Central Oklahoma could be heading to D1. But, if they do want an all Oklahoma conference? They will have to tell Oklahoma Panhandle State to halt going back to NAIA, invite Langston, Bacone and grab Oklahoma Wesleyan and OKCU to make a conference.

UTRGV, Sam Houston State, SFA and Lamar all mentioned to go FBS. McNeese State could be able to.

Humboldt State football is in jeopardy:

http://www.times-standard.com/article/NJ.../170909863

Cutting football is the wrong move. Yeah, it is expensive, but the money do go to programs that bleed money that do not generate money for the other programs, mainly women sports. HSU needs competition that are close to them in the same conference. UC.-Davis, Cal. Poly and Sacramento State in the same conference for football with Azusa Pacific. A former AD of East Bay State put up a blueprint plan to bring back football. Long Beach State, Fullerton State and Northridge State were looking at it, and from what I read Cal.-Irvine President seems to be opened about adding the sport in the future because of student interests. We could have a solid southwest football conference in the future with Humboldt State and Azusa Pacific along with Northern Arizona might be an interested conference. We could see Northern Arizona and Azusa Pacific winning the conference title for awhile.

(09-11-2017 03:04 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Humboldt State football is in jeopardy:

http://www.times-standard.com/article/NJ.../170909863

That would put the GNAC at four football members. Which would be further pressure for APU (and Central Washington?) to go D1. Western Oregon back to the NAIA? Don't know what to think about Simon Fraser.

(09-11-2017 11:15 PM)teamvsn Wrote:  

(09-11-2017 03:04 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Humboldt State football is in jeopardy:

http://www.times-standard.com/article/NJ.../170909863

That would put the GNAC at four football members. Which would be further pressure for APU (and Central Washington?) to go D1. Western Oregon back to the NAIA? Don't know what to think about Simon Fraser.

There is no pressure to go to D1....as you need an invite to a D1 conference. APU would just go Indy in Football or possibly be an affiliate at the #12 football in the RMAC.

Simon Frazier would go Indy in football and possibly Western Oregon but have to wonder if they would drop football all together unless they return to the NAIA. SF worked hard to get into the NCAA hoping that D1 is possible for a Canadian school so they will hold out. I do see the Big Sky taking SF if they are ever eligible for D1 classification.

(09-12-2017 07:40 AM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(09-11-2017 11:15 PM)teamvsn Wrote:  

(09-11-2017 03:04 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Humboldt State football is in jeopardy:

http://www.times-standard.com/article/NJ.../170909863

That would put the GNAC at four football members. Which would be further pressure for APU (and Central Washington?) to go D1. Western Oregon back to the NAIA? Don't know what to think about Simon Fraser.

There is no pressure to go to D1....as you need an invite to a D1 conference. APU would just go Indy in Football or possibly be an affiliate at the #12 football in the RMAC.

Simon Frazier would go Indy in football and possibly Western Oregon but have to wonder if they would drop football all together unless they return to the NAIA. SF worked hard to get into the NCAA hoping that D1 is possible for a Canadian school so they will hold out. I do see the Big Sky taking SF if they are ever eligible for D1 classification.

"Motivation" might be a better word than "pressure". They claimed that scheduling opportunities were one of the main reasons to go D2 in the first place, and as the GNAC shrinks they are getting back to the scheduling difficulties they had in the NAIA. Certainly the RMAC is an option. So is working something out with the Big Sky to get an invitation, and going D1 would help them keep pace with CBU in Southern California. D1 is making more and more sense for APU.

And the NAIA is natural for Western Oregon. They would have natural rivalries with Southern Oregon and Eastern Oregon, and Oregon Tech outside of football.

(09-12-2017 09:21 AM)teamvsn Wrote:  

(09-12-2017 07:40 AM)MWC Tex Wrote:  

(09-11-2017 11:15 PM)teamvsn Wrote:  

(09-11-2017 03:04 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Humboldt State football is in jeopardy:

http://www.times-standard.com/article/NJ.../170909863

That would put the GNAC at four football members. Which would be further pressure for APU (and Central Washington?) to go D1. Western Oregon back to the NAIA? Don't know what to think about Simon Fraser.

There is no pressure to go to D1....as you need an invite to a D1 conference. APU would just go Indy in Football or possibly be an affiliate at the #12 football in the RMAC.

Simon Frazier would go Indy in football and possibly Western Oregon but have to wonder if they would drop football all together unless they return to the NAIA. SF worked hard to get into the NCAA hoping that D1 is possible for a Canadian school so they will hold out. I do see the Big Sky taking SF if they are ever eligible for D1 classification.

"Motivation" might be a better word than "pressure". They claimed that scheduling opportunities were one of the main reasons to go D2 in the first place, and as the GNAC shrinks they are getting back to the scheduling difficulties they had in the NAIA. Certainly the RMAC is an option. So is working something out with the Big Sky to get an invitation, and going D2 would help them keep pace with CBU in Southern California. D1 is making more and more sense for APU.

And the NAIA is natural for Western Oregon. They would have natural rivalries with Southern Oregon and Eastern Oregon, and Oregon Tech outside of football.

That is a better word. APU is pretty football crazy so I wouldn't doubt they would find a way to keep football even if they got an invite to the WAC and play Indy football at the FCS level. Unfortunately, they will have to wait for Cal Baptist for finish transitioning before they would get an invite unless the WAC would have enough schools to allow 2 transitioning teams at the same time to not cause scheduling issues.

I can also see if APU does get a D1 invite, that a football only conference could be created with UCD, Sac St, APU, Cal Poly, S. Ut and NAU.

I think Western should return to the NAIA. They haven't separated themselves from their previous NAIA members.

(09-11-2017 11:15 PM)teamvsn Wrote:  

(09-11-2017 03:04 PM)johnintx Wrote:  Humboldt State football is in jeopardy:

http://www.times-standard.com/article/NJ.../170909863

That would put the GNAC at four football members. Which would be further pressure for APU (and Central Washington?) to go D1. Western Oregon back to the NAIA? Don't know what to think about Simon Fraser.

This is very serious. I've been to that area before(near Humboldt State), and there isn't that much to do besides football & basketball there. Your choices would be as follows: hiking, fishing, and hunting. That's it. Things have got to be really bad for them to really be pondering that possibility.

Could NCAA D1 give a waiver to create a new western D1 with the help from the WAC and Big Sky?

WAC football with a new west coast D1 conference.

Humboldt State
UC-Davis
Cal. Poly
Sacramento State
Northern Arizona
Azusa Pacific
New Mexico State if they drop to FCS.
Southern Utah
Western New Mexico
Dixie State
Colorado State-Pueblo
Mexico University that wants to join D2

Big Sky football
Portland State
Central Washington
Eastern Washington
Simon Fraser
Western Oregon
Idaho
Idaho State
Montana
Montana State
Northern Colorado
Colorado Mesa
Weber State

New West Coast
Simon Fraser
Western Washington
Central Washington
Western Oregon
CETYS Universidad (football as well)
Alaska
Alaska-Anchorage
Humboldt State
East Bay State
Azusa Pacific
UC-San Diego
Dixie State
Western New Mexico
Colorado State-Pueblo
Colorado Mesa

The new conference will not have instant access t st season play for several years unless they get invited into another conference.

Without West Texas A&M and Arizona Christian, this idea goes nowhere.

I guess Azusa Pacific could go straight to the Big Sky now that North Dakota is out of the way, but I don't know if the Big Sky really wants to take a school from Division II, and a private school on top of that.

What if Azusa Pacific and Simon Frazier approached the WAC? Both become FCS independents.

What kind of language is there from the NCAA about D2 schools with football accepting invitations from nonfootball D1 leagues?

Maybe the Big Sky likes the idea of a second FCS autobid for a western team and let's the California teams play in a WAC FCS league with those two and San Diego?