Chicago– Chicago State University (CSU) announced today it will leave the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in June 2022. CSU joined the WAC in 2013 as a part of a six-university expansion, which included the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). The WAC's original expansion plan was to develop a Midwest division with Chicago State and UMKC as the anchors. UMKC left the conference in July 2020. Over time, the WAC has added members located in south and western regions of the country.
Consistent with these plans, the WAC announced today five new members located in Texas and Utah (Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston State, Austin State and Southern Utah).
Chicago State Director of Athletics Elliott Charles said, "Chicago State University is thankful for our partnership with the WAC and its member institutions. Our programs and department have grown and expanded during this time. Looking ahead, Chicago State Athletics will continue its student first approach in our Division I program as we plan for our future."
Chicago State
They're making it seem like it was voluntary, but I would wager CSU was pushed out
(01-14-2021 01:09 PM)TDenverFan Wrote: [ -> ]They're making it seem like it was voluntary, but I would wager CSU was pushed out
They also framed it as the expansion was much different than the original "midwestern" slant that the WAC had undertaken prior.
Everyone has to spin things the way they need to - right?
Chicago State is going to hope they can get an invite to the Horizon League or Ohio Valley Conference, if they don't get that invite then they need to drop to Division II or the NAIA.
“NAIA Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference has welcomed Chicago State as its newest member.” - (probably) sometime soon
(01-14-2021 01:13 PM)Realignment Wrote: [ -> ]Chicago State is going to hope they can get an invite to the Horizon League or Ohio Valley Conference, if they don't get that invite then they need to drop to Division II or the NAIA.
Why would those 2 conferences add them? They have no reason to.
(01-14-2021 01:24 PM)DoubleRSU Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2021 01:13 PM)Realignment Wrote: [ -> ]Chicago State is going to hope they can get an invite to the Horizon League or Ohio Valley Conference, if they don't get that invite then they need to drop to Division II or the NAIA.
Why would those 2 conferences add them? They have no reason to.
I said hope. Didn't say it will happen.
(01-14-2021 02:57 PM)schmolik Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2021 01:13 PM)Realignment Wrote: [ -> ]Chicago State is going to hope they can get an invite to the Horizon League or Ohio Valley Conference, if they don't get that invite then they need to drop to Division II or the NAIA.
How about the Summit?
With St. Thomas coming aboard the Summit is in good shape at 10 members. If the conference wants to add an 11th it has Augustana in the heart of its footprint clamoring for an invitation.
(01-14-2021 02:57 PM)schmolik Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2021 01:13 PM)Realignment Wrote: [ -> ]Chicago State is going to hope they can get an invite to the Horizon League or Ohio Valley Conference, if they don't get that invite then they need to drop to Division II or the NAIA.
How about the Summit?
Zero chance. It’s independent or non-D1 for them.
What exactly is Chicago State's plan? Do they even have a plan? Did the WAC kick Chicago State out? They have 13 teams so numerically it doesn't really hurt them to keep them. Geographically it does. If Chicago State voluntarily left, shouldn't they have at least talked to another conference or conferences that they have a chance to get in?
Seems like it may have been a condition of the incoming Southland schools. That's an indication of who really has the power in this exchange. Although it's not like Chicago State is a prize.
Chicago State in the WAC was always a weird fit to me
(01-14-2021 03:13 PM)nickp Wrote: [ -> ]Chicago State in the WAC was always a weird fit to me
a) They needed them for survival as the league was on the verge of collapse multiple times (which was mentioned in today's presser)
b) They actually had Kansas City in the league for awhile as the original release mentions so there was discussion of a midwest(ern) division or side for awhile before they now blew that up and have a true Southwest Division with the Texas schools
(01-14-2021 03:10 PM)Nerdlinger Wrote: [ -> ]Seems like it may have been a condition of the incoming Southland schools. That's an indication of who really has the power in this exchange. Although it's not like Chicago State is a prize.
It was only a matter of time before they got left out in the cold.
(01-14-2021 03:09 PM)schmolik Wrote: [ -> ]What exactly is Chicago State's plan? Do they even have a plan? Did the WAC kick Chicago State out? They have 13 teams so numerically it doesn't really hurt them to keep them. Geographically it does. If Chicago State voluntarily left, shouldn't they have at least talked to another conference or conferences that they have a chance to get in?
If you heard the Chicago St board meeting in early 2020 (or perhaps mid-to-late 2019), you got a taste of how unprepared and uninformed the school leadership really is. It is sad and I wish Chicago St the best but the cards aren't in their favor.
I'd be glad for them if they found a seat in the Summit but that's not happening. If leaving was their sole decision, it would have happened with another home already in place. Because it seems they will be playing as an independent for the foreseeable future, this was not their decision.
One possible lifeline I could see is if the Southland got desperate. As it stands they have 9 members after the 4 Texas schools officially leave. If Central Arkansas leaves for the Atlantic Sun, that drops the conference down to 8. The NCAA minimum is 7. Chicago St could be added as a 9th member buffer just in case any other Southland members decide to leave.
If the Atlantic Sun rumors are true and Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville St leave, the OVC will be down to 10 members from 12. They could stand pat or add two Louisiana schools from the Southland, like Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese St. That brings them back to 12, drops the Southland to 6 and suddenly Chicago St looks like an easy add.
All the Southland schools are in the central time zone with Chicago St so that would at least be somewhat of a positive.
(01-14-2021 04:05 PM)BePcr07 Wrote: [ -> ]One possible lifeline I could see is if the Southland got desperate. As it stands they have 9 members after the 4 Texas schools officially leave. If Central Arkansas leaves for the Atlantic Sun, that drops the conference down to 8. The NCAA minimum is 7. Chicago St could be added as a 9th member buffer just in case any other Southland members decide to leave.
IMO, the Southland Conference will be fine with 8 schools. Adding a school all the way up in Chicago would be crazy.
Heck, I have no idea why the schools leaving for the WAC are leaving.
(01-14-2021 04:08 PM)quo vadis Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2021 04:05 PM)BePcr07 Wrote: [ -> ]One possible lifeline I could see is if the Southland got desperate. As it stands they have 9 members after the 4 Texas schools officially leave. If Central Arkansas leaves for the Atlantic Sun, that drops the conference down to 8. The NCAA minimum is 7. Chicago St could be added as a 9th member buffer just in case any other Southland members decide to leave.
IMO, the Southland Conference will be fine with 8 schools. Adding a school all the way up in Chicago would be crazy.
Heck, I have no idea why the schools leaving for the WAC are leaving.
I think they're fine at 8 as well. My concern for the Southland is if the OVC, Summit, or someone else gets antsy. The Southland is 1 school away from danger and 2 schools away from ceasing to exist.
(01-14-2021 04:08 PM)quo vadis Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2021 04:05 PM)BePcr07 Wrote: [ -> ]One possible lifeline I could see is if the Southland got desperate. As it stands they have 9 members after the 4 Texas schools officially leave. If Central Arkansas leaves for the Atlantic Sun, that drops the conference down to 8. The NCAA minimum is 7. Chicago St could be added as a 9th member buffer just in case any other Southland members decide to leave.
IMO, the Southland Conference will be fine with 8 schools. Adding a school all the way up in Chicago would be crazy.
Heck, I have no idea why the schools leaving for the WAC are leaving.
I too was pessimistic about them leaving the SLC for the WAC. However, the “Texas 4” were able to leave behind schools they didn’t think were on their level for a “new” conference that has up and coming schools. The WAC should be a very good mid-major league now. Now that CSU is leaving, I am more understanding of the SLC teams leaving. To me, it made no sense to leave the SLC to join up with Chicago State.
(01-14-2021 01:10 PM)TexasTerror Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2021 01:09 PM)TDenverFan Wrote: [ -> ]They're making it seem like it was voluntary, but I would wager CSU was pushed out
They also framed it as the expansion was much different than the original "midwestern" slant that the WAC had undertaken prior.
Everyone has to spin things the way they need to - right?
Desperado slant by the WAC to add Chicago St just to keep numbers to stay D1.