(04-23-2016 06:08 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 04:23 PM)BelmontBruins12 Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 12:00 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 11:08 AM)Cyniclone Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 09:42 AM)bluesox Wrote:  I like Belmont joining the southern conference and getting a football team. Belmont is what it is a small private southern school, why not align itself with others like that and start a football program.

In Nashville alone there's an FBS program (Vanderbilt) and an FCS program (Tennessee State) with another FBS program (Middle Tennessee) in the metro region. Plus the Titans. Not sure there's much demand for more football there. Plus if Belmont really wanted the SoCon, the conference has had non-football members before (UNC Greensboro now, Charleston until a few years ago).

And Davidson...

Belmont has had this pie in the sky hope of joining the Horizon League for the better part of a decade. The urban areas of the Great Lakes/upper Ohio Valley are quite the recruiting area for Belmont's student base.

The last few recruiting classes for Belmont men's basketball have been from the Horizon League footprint (especially Indiana). I'm not convinced Belmont will start football. It is true, Belmont sees ex-SoCon Elon as a peer institution (Elon has football) but I don't see much coming of it.

One thing is for certain, Belmont is shrewd in their conference moves/Athletic Department decisions. The reaction/decision will be methodological... BUT the kicker to all of this discussion for Belmont -- a new Athletic Director will be hired soon. We will see if this new Athletic Director will be more aggressive or not.

Also could see interest in Belmont and Murray St from the MVC. Belmont is being eyed by a number of possible two bid conferences.

I don't see Belmont in the MVC as they have already shown no interest in joining them. Although the OVC is a better fit for them geography-wise, the Horizon League is better in terms of exposure, recruiting, better conference competition and possibility of having 2 or mor bids.

(04-24-2016 02:23 AM)Chuck_A Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 06:08 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 04:23 PM)BelmontBruins12 Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 12:00 PM)THUNDERGround Wrote:  

(04-23-2016 11:08 AM)Cyniclone Wrote:  In Nashville alone there's an FBS program (Vanderbilt) and an FCS program (Tennessee State) with another FBS program (Middle Tennessee) in the metro region. Plus the Titans. Not sure there's much demand for more football there. Plus if Belmont really wanted the SoCon, the conference has had non-football members before (UNC Greensboro now, Charleston until a few years ago).

And Davidson...

Belmont has had this pie in the sky hope of joining the Horizon League for the better part of a decade. The urban areas of the Great Lakes/upper Ohio Valley are quite the recruiting area for Belmont's student base.

The last few recruiting classes for Belmont men's basketball have been from the Horizon League footprint (especially Indiana). I'm not convinced Belmont will start football. It is true, Belmont sees ex-SoCon Elon as a peer institution (Elon has football) but I don't see much coming of it.

One thing is for certain, Belmont is shrewd in their conference moves/Athletic Department decisions. The reaction/decision will be methodological... BUT the kicker to all of this discussion for Belmont -- a new Athletic Director will be hired soon. We will see if this new Athletic Director will be more aggressive or not.

Also could see interest in Belmont and Murray St from the MVC. Belmont is being eyed by a number of possible two bid conferences.

I don't see Belmont in the MVC as they have already shown no interest in joining them. Although the OVC is a better fit for them geography-wise, the Horizon League is better in terms of exposure, recruiting, better conference competition and possibility of having 2 or mor bids.

Belmont was approached by the MVC when we were replacing Creighton. They declined. Not sure if there's no interest or if they simply felt they weren't ready as they had just moved up to the OVC from wherever it was they were before. If the MVC wants to take more risk on tiny private schools, Belmont makes sense. Although there is concern of what will happen with Belmont once Coach Byrd retires.

Though I believe a public school is most likely to leave the MVC next so it will most likely be replaced by a public school.

I like UALR for the MVC. As for belmont football, it would be for the students, alumni and friends not your side walk fans so i mean 10,000 seat stadium tops works. I think belmont would be better off as a school joining the southern conference and not chase a modest notch up in athletic conferences that are geographically crazy for them.

(04-24-2016 10:44 AM)bluesox Wrote:  I like UALR for the MVC. As for belmont football, it would be for the students, alumni and friends not your side walk fans so i mean 10,000 seat stadium tops works. I think belmont would be better off as a school joining the southern conference and not chase a modest notch up in athletic conferences that are geographically crazy for them.

You have to have football to join the Southern Conference.

(04-24-2016 11:06 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(04-24-2016 10:44 AM)bluesox Wrote:  I like UALR for the MVC. As for belmont football, it would be for the students, alumni and friends not your side walk fans so i mean 10,000 seat stadium tops works. I think belmont would be better off as a school joining the southern conference and not chase a modest notch up in athletic conferences that are geographically crazy for them.

You have to have football to join the Southern Conference.

When did they change that?

Not sure when, but all the recent invites have been football playing members.

The real question is who would join the Horizon League alongside Belmont?

Murray State has the best basketball pedigree, but doesn't fit the urban institution model. They also would need to find a new home for their football program - the Big South may be the only place to maintain scholarship FCS football.

Eastern Kentucky has had some modest success in the Ohio Valley Conference in basketball, but is obviously no Murray State or Belmont. They too would need to find a home for football, but at least are 290 miles closer to the Big South than Murray State.

Lipscomb would be an interesting addition - across town from Belmont, and has no football program that would be in need of a new home. They simply have not had the success that the other candidates have had.

Robert Morris would be a new market for the Horizon League (Pittsburgh). The school may be able to leave its football program in the Northeast Conference given that the NEC already has one affiliate, but it may be off to the Big South for them as well.

(04-22-2016 09:41 AM)bullet Wrote:  

(04-22-2016 09:37 AM)msm96wolf Wrote:  

(04-22-2016 09:29 AM)bullet Wrote:  

(04-22-2016 09:23 AM)msm96wolf Wrote:  http://thebiglead.com/2016/04/20/eastern...-football/

http://detroitsportsnation.com/college-s...own/68768/

Can see NDSU, Liberty and Northern Kentucky already lining up outside the MAC office.

They REALLY need to drop football and try to get into the MVC. If not there go for the A-10 with the Horizon as 3rd option.

MAC should not add any FCS teams. They should do replacement from CUSA or Sun Belt or simply add NMSU as a football affiliate if they can't get anyone from those conferences.

Curious, who makes sense from either conference other than Marshall? Would Marshall go back? NDSU probably best Geo Fit. Also, should have said EKU not NKU. Kentucy would not be a stretch for GEO fit and Liberty has the money that would make the MAC happy and no further than Marshall was. I don't get why some people are so anti-FCS. App St and Ga Southern has done well. I can see NDSU and Liberty doing far better in the MAC than Idaho or NMSU.

They shouldn't bring up more competition for recruits, coverage and fan support. Its also a bit of a drag on their image.

WKU would be a perfect fit as well as Marshall. ODU, MTSU, UNCC or Appalachian St. could work.

Who cares about the MAC's image besides the people on this message board and the people who work in the conference HQ?

Your average fan could not even tell you what teams are in the MAC and they have probably been together longer than most conferences if not all of them.

I think that Eastern Michigan would drop down to D2 before even thinking of dropping football, so there's no chance of EMU becoming the next UAB, but rather the next Centenary, the last school to drop down. But the reality is, they may have to drop to D2, as they sure aren't cutting the mustard at the D1 level anymore.

(04-24-2016 12:07 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  The real question is who would join the Horizon League alongside Belmont?

Murray State has the best basketball pedigree, but doesn't fit the urban institution model. They also would need to find a new home for their football program - the Big South may be the only place to maintain scholarship FCS football.

Eastern Kentucky has had some modest success in the Ohio Valley Conference in basketball, but is obviously no Murray State or Belmont. They too would need to find a home for football, but at least are 290 miles closer to the Big South than Murray State.

Lipscomb would be an interesting addition - across town from Belmont, and has no football program that would be in need of a new home. They simply have not had the success that the other candidates have had.

Robert Morris would be a new market for the Horizon League (Pittsburgh). The school may be able to leave its football program in the Northeast Conference given that the NEC already has one affiliate, but it may be off to the Big South for them as well.

Anybody in the Summit who the Horizon would accept. Summit and WAC are at the bottom of the pecking order in the Midwest and west.

(04-24-2016 12:07 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  The real question is who would join the Horizon League alongside Belmont?

Murray State has the best basketball pedigree, but doesn't fit the urban institution model. They also would need to find a new home for their football program - the Big South may be the only place to maintain scholarship FCS football.

Eastern Kentucky has had some modest success in the Ohio Valley Conference in basketball, but is obviously no Murray State or Belmont. They too would need to find a home for football, but at least are 290 miles closer to the Big South than Murray State.

Lipscomb would be an interesting addition - across town from Belmont, and has no football program that would be in need of a new home. They simply have not had the success that the other candidates have had.

Robert Morris would be a new market for the Horizon League (Pittsburgh). The school may be able to leave its football program in the Northeast Conference given that the NEC already has one affiliate, but it may be off to the Big South for them as well.

Eastern Kentucky is not an option.

Although Robert Morris would be a new market, that addition would move the HL eastward and the plan (if they indeed expand) is to move southward. Robert Morris also dropped baseball, which is a core sport and desired of any expansion candidate by the HL. Belmont and Lipscomb both have baseball.

In light of Murray State in all likelihood not coming to the Horizon in the event of expansion, Lipscomb would be the natural candidate to join Belmont. Although they have nothing to offer the HL at this point, they would be an extremely convenient travel partner for Belmont. Visiting teams could save a boatload of money by just flying in one time and playing both teams without moving or changing hotels. The two more years left on the Belmont soccer affiliation contract gives the HL time to research, touch bases and present a stable and strong conference to potential invitees. It would also give Lipscomb time to invest more money into their basketball program and expand their recruiting in hopes of moving up.

Also, both Belmont and Lipscomb are private, which would please Detroit and Valparaiso as the league is 8-2 public to private.

The other candidate HL fans were talking about was Evansville. Since their fortunes have seemed to turn around a bit, they may feel that they can finally compete in the Valley.

One last thing: I think the Horizon League is done with poaching teams from the Summit League. The remaining teams are out of our footprint and do not add anything to the HL but cost (SDSU, NDSU, ND, Omaha, etc.) IPFW and IUPUI are not options.

(04-24-2016 09:39 PM)Chuck_A Wrote:  

(04-24-2016 12:07 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  The real question is who would join the Horizon League alongside Belmont?

Murray State has the best basketball pedigree, but doesn't fit the urban institution model. They also would need to find a new home for their football program - the Big South may be the only place to maintain scholarship FCS football.

Eastern Kentucky has had some modest success in the Ohio Valley Conference in basketball, but is obviously no Murray State or Belmont. They too would need to find a home for football, but at least are 290 miles closer to the Big South than Murray State.

Lipscomb would be an interesting addition - across town from Belmont, and has no football program that would be in need of a new home. They simply have not had the success that the other candidates have had.

Robert Morris would be a new market for the Horizon League (Pittsburgh). The school may be able to leave its football program in the Northeast Conference given that the NEC already has one affiliate, but it may be off to the Big South for them as well.

Eastern Kentucky is not an option.

Although Robert Morris would be a new market, that addition would move the HL eastward and the plan (if they indeed expand) is to move southward. Robert Morris also dropped baseball, which is a core sport and desired of any expansion candidate by the HL. Belmont and Lipscomb both have baseball.

In light of Murray State in all likelihood not coming to the Horizon in the event of expansion, Lipscomb would be the natural candidate to join Belmont. Although they have nothing to offer the HL at this point, they would be an extremely convenient travel partner for Belmont. Visiting teams could save a boatload of money by just flying in one time and playing both teams without moving or changing hotels. The two more years left on the Belmont soccer affiliation contract gives the HL time to research, touch bases and present a stable and strong conference to potential invitees. It would also give Lipscomb time to invest more money into their basketball program and expand their recruiting in hopes of moving up.

Also, both Belmont and Lipscomb are private, which would please Detroit and Valparaiso as the league is 8-2 public to private.

The other candidate HL fans were talking about was Evansville. Since their fortunes have seemed to turn around a bit, they may feel that they can finally compete in the Valley.

One last thing: I think the Horizon League is done with poaching teams from the Summit League. The remaining teams are out of our footprint and do not add anything to the HL but cost (SDSU, NDSU, ND, Omaha, etc.) IPFW and IUPUI are not options.

Bellarmine University could be one to look at. They are located in Louisville.

Men's Sports:
Baseballl
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
LAX D1
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field

For a total of 9. They also bought property and submitted plans to build a stadium, practice field, and sports facilities to the Louisville city council. The could ease the use of their old field to play.
They are also looking to add football which could go into the Big South as an affiliate.

Women's Sports:
Basketball
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

That is a total of 10 sports for women.

They also looking to add D1 Women's LAX.

Horizon League could lose Milwaukee if they do decide to add football, and the MAC may pick them up for all sports.

Horizon League sports:
Mens:
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Swimming and diving
Tennis
Track and Field

Womens:
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

As you can see, Bellarmine does have all the sports needed for the conference. Bellarmine could put the Women's LAX in the same affiliate conference where the Men play in. They just need to find a home for the women's field hockey. Plus, Bellarmine have mentioned that they might go to D1.

(04-24-2016 09:39 PM)Chuck_A Wrote:  

(04-24-2016 12:07 PM)chargeradio Wrote:  The real question is who would join the Horizon League alongside Belmont?

Murray State has the best basketball pedigree, but doesn't fit the urban institution model. They also would need to find a new home for their football program - the Big South may be the only place to maintain scholarship FCS football.

Eastern Kentucky has had some modest success in the Ohio Valley Conference in basketball, but is obviously no Murray State or Belmont. They too would need to find a home for football, but at least are 290 miles closer to the Big South than Murray State.

Lipscomb would be an interesting addition - across town from Belmont, and has no football program that would be in need of a new home. They simply have not had the success that the other candidates have had.

Robert Morris would be a new market for the Horizon League (Pittsburgh). The school may be able to leave its football program in the Northeast Conference given that the NEC already has one affiliate, but it may be off to the Big South for them as well.

Eastern Kentucky is not an option.

Although Robert Morris would be a new market, that addition would move the HL eastward and the plan (if they indeed expand) is to move southward. Robert Morris also dropped baseball, which is a core sport and desired of any expansion candidate by the HL. Belmont and Lipscomb both have baseball.

In light of Murray State in all likelihood not coming to the Horizon in the event of expansion, Lipscomb would be the natural candidate to join Belmont. Although they have nothing to offer the HL at this point, they would be an extremely convenient travel partner for Belmont. Visiting teams could save a boatload of money by just flying in one time and playing both teams without moving or changing hotels. The two more years left on the Belmont soccer affiliation contract gives the HL time to research, touch bases and present a stable and strong conference to potential invitees. It would also give Lipscomb time to invest more money into their basketball program and expand their recruiting in hopes of moving up.

Also, both Belmont and Lipscomb are private, which would please Detroit and Valparaiso as the league is 8-2 public to private.

The other candidate HL fans were talking about was Evansville. Since their fortunes have seemed to turn around a bit, they may feel that they can finally compete in the Valley.

One last thing: I think the Horizon League is done with poaching teams from the Summit League. The remaining teams are out of our footprint and do not add anything to the HL but cost (SDSU, NDSU, ND, Omaha, etc.) IPFW and IUPUI are not options.

I'll help Evansville pack if they want to go to the Horizon. Their best team in two decades just finished 4 games out of first and no post season. They will return to the bottom of the conference next year where they pretty much belong.

If Eastern Michigan moved to FCS, the obvious solution would be the Missouri Valley in football and the Horizon in basketball. In this thread, I saw at least one person question whether the Horizon would take Eastern Michigan given the fact that the conference already has two members in southeast Michigan.

Eastern Michigan would be such a good fit for the Horizon though, both in terms of its institutional profile and its athletic facilities, that I can't imagine the Horizon wouldn't eagerly extend an invitation.

(04-25-2016 02:49 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  Bellarmine University could be one to look at. They are located in Louisville.

Men's Sports:
Baseballl
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
LAX D1
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field

For a total of 9. They also bought property and submitted plans to build a stadium, practice field, and sports facilities to the Louisville city council. The could ease the use of their old field to play.
They are also looking to add football which could go into the Big South as an affiliate.

Women's Sports:
Basketball
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

That is a total of 10 sports for women.

They also looking to add D1 Women's LAX.

Horizon League could lose Milwaukee if they do decide to add football, and the MAC may pick them up for all sports.

Horizon League sports:
Mens:
Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Swimming and diving
Tennis
Track and Field

Womens:
Basketball
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball

As you can see, Bellarmine does have all the sports needed for the conference. Bellarmine could put the Women's LAX in the same affiliate conference where the Men play in. They just need to find a home for the women's field hockey. Plus, Bellarmine have mentioned that they might go to D1.

I suppose it could work. Bellarmine is not that much of a stretch as it would lead the HL southward to Nashville, which is about 2 hrs 40 mins. The HL already has FCS Youngstown State football (which devotes an inordinate amount of time and funds to football as opposed to basketball) which plays in the MVFC and FCS Valpo football, which plays in the Pioneer Football League.

I've heard in the past that Bellarmine was thinking about moving up to Division 1, but I can't seem to find any articles to that effect. I thought the NCAA put a moratorium on Division 1 transitionals, but I could be wrong about that. They could be a decent partner for Belmont...not as good as Lipscomb, but decent.

As for Milwaukee, they aren't going anywhere. Their athletics department is a mess. Their AD is in over her head and the Chancellor pretty much just became aware that he has to play a part. They don't even have a decent place to play baseball, don't have women's softball or women's volleyball (you have to consider Title IX when adding a sport), so Football is out of the question!

(04-25-2016 10:20 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  If Eastern Michigan moved to FCS, the obvious solution would be the Missouri Valley in football and the Horizon in basketball. In this thread, I saw at least one person question whether the Horizon would take Eastern Michigan given the fact that the conference already has two members in southeast Michigan.

Eastern Michigan would be such a good fit for the Horizon though, both in terms of its institutional profile and its athletic facilities, that I can't imagine the Horizon wouldn't eagerly extend an invitation.

The MVFC has been resistant to add more teams. It's a big reason that Murray State is on the outside looking in when it comes to MVC membership as from what I've heard the MVFC doesn't want to add anyone.

The only school that makes sense for the MVFC is UND and that isn't happening without someone leaving first. Passing up Murray State and adding Loyola instead was a classic Valley move. Can't wait to get out of the MVC.

EMU cannot drop FBS football, they are an easy win for Army!

Update: http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/mi.../83493156/

(04-25-2016 12:02 PM)Shox Wrote:  The only school that makes sense for the MVFC is UND and that isn't happening without someone leaving first. Passing up Murray State and adding Loyola instead was a classic Valley move. Can't wait to get out of the MVC.

Have you ever been to Murray, KY? MVC didn't pass up anything worthwhile.