(09-11-2020 08:52 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  I can think of a handful of schools the OVC would take before Chicago St:

Kennesaw St (fb, Atlanta market)
WIU (fb)
UNA (fb)
Lipscomb (another Nashville market school)
Bellarmine (L’ville market)

+ USI with their brand new arena. Evansville hosts the OVC Tournament too.

I think CSU is barking up the wrong tree and should get on the phone with the MEAC.

(09-10-2020 10:30 PM)Todor Wrote:  I guess the NAIA independent route could work for them and they could try and schedule games where they can get them, but the CCAC doesn’t want or need them and is already too big. The Crossroads isn’t right for them either, and there aren’t many other good options for league affiliation in the NAIA.

Is there any evidence the CCAC believes "too big" is a thing?

(09-10-2020 08:39 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(09-09-2020 04:06 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  Geography is not the issue for taking Chicago State, both school and D-I viability are at issue. Chicago State has zero resources and a budget below average for D-II schools. They simply cannot compete.

BOT is right to look around for options, but they should be looking a level down in D-II.

I am a big believer in the idea universities should select affiliation they want but given their circumstances, if I were asked to advise them I’d say get on the phone and start calling regional Division II conferences and NAIA conferences to find a home. Given enrollment and budget, NAIA might be the best path.


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The chances of Chicago State joining a D2 conference is microscopic.

Northern Sun - 16 members, only LSC and PSAC are bigger. Closest member is Upper Iowa.

Mid-America - 14 members, already has 2 non-football members. Closest member is Lincoln (MO).

Great Midwest - all members are small private schools, mostly OH conference. Closest member is Hillsdale College.

Great Lakes - might see a flicker of light here but any future expansion will likely be only football-playing schools.

Great Lakes Valley - everyone's favorite option with Lewis in the Chicago suburbs and 3 other IL members but CSU does not sponsor 2 of the 7 GLVC required sports, Softball and Baseball. The other required sports are W Volleyball, M-W Soccer, and M-W Basketball.

Chicago State would have better options in D3 or NAIA.

NAIA Chicagoland is the best fit

(09-08-2020 09:37 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 08:32 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 08:30 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 08:13 PM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 07:43 PM)SactoHornetAlum Wrote:  Either way, sounds like it their WAC days are officially done.

If so then good for the WAC. They'll still have eight full members and will finally have a semi-reasonable geographic footprint. That may actually help the conference recruit new schools.

I think you’ll see West Texas A&M announce a move to the WAC within 24 months.

What about Upper Iowa?

DavidSt’s the go-to expert on them. I’m still not convinced that’s a real school. How can there be an Upper Iowa when Iowa is flat?

Upper Iowa is a legit school. They play in the NSIC or whatever. Same conference as Augustana

(09-13-2020 09:01 PM)KingSean Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 09:37 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 08:32 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 08:30 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(09-08-2020 08:13 PM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  If so then good for the WAC. They'll still have eight full members and will finally have a semi-reasonable geographic footprint. That may actually help the conference recruit new schools.

I think you’ll see West Texas A&M announce a move to the WAC within 24 months.

What about Upper Iowa?

DavidSt’s the go-to expert on them. I’m still not convinced that’s a real school. How can there be an Upper Iowa when Iowa is flat?

Upper Iowa is a legit school. They play in the NSIC or whatever. Same conference as Augustana

Plus, Iowa is NOT flat! Those glaciers left lots of rolling plains.