(09-09-2020 12:08 AM)chrisattsu Wrote: Just came across this post, do you feel like CSU would be in a better place in a regional conference?
How do you feel about the Horizon and OVC? Do you have a preference?
I think it would benefit their athletic department to be in a more regionally aligned conference. Being in either league would greatly save them on travel costs.
Just from an ability to go and watch games, I'd probably prefer the OVC. The conference championship is in Evansville, IN, which is just a couple hours south of me. I think they'd be a bit more competitive in the OVC as well.
Either conference would provide more exposure since both have ESPN+ contracts. They could be a travel partner with EIU in the OVC or UIC in the Horizon. Also, the two conferences have a much smaller membership fee that the WAC which is an additional cost savings.
(09-09-2020 08:34 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote: It was clear the BOT's weren't very knowledgeable in CSU's athletic history (ie. why CSU is in the WAC to begin with). Discussions with the OVC and Horizon are a good sign. Surprised nothing about the MEAC was mentioned - they are desperate with 8 members and VSU/WSSU supposedly not interested.
I agree. They seemed pretty oblivious to the conference landscape back then, and the fact the Cougars went from an independent to Great West Conference and then the WAC as a means of survival for both the WAC and CSU. It wasn't like conferences were knocking at their door.. especially ones with auto-bids.
I was thinking the same thing on the MEAC. While CSU would be another outlier in the MEAC, the conference is desperate for membership and the Cougars would actually be competitive within it. I know Collegiate Consulting was doing a study for the MEAC, and they had completed a study to assist in CSU's sport sponsorship decision. So I'd have to think they'd be on the MEAC's radar.
(09-09-2020 09:28 AM)PojoaquePosse Wrote: Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing. I hope that Chicago State can improve things. It's funny that people clamor for the WAC to drop Chicago State. But that would leave the WAC at 8 schools and on the verge of collapsing. We need Chicago State and I hope things get better for all involved.
No problem, Pojoaque. I am absolutely with you on the WAC/Chicago State relationship. It's a necessary one for both, and has been since the Cougars joined. CSU hasn't really garnered any interest from other conferences for obvious reasons. On the other end, if the WAC can get to a healthy number then CSU is disposable. But they need one another until then.