(05-15-2019 01:32 PM)MidWestMidMajor Wrote:  

(05-15-2019 12:43 PM)AZcats Wrote:  The Northern Sun is the only D2 conference that would take St. Thomas, the others are too far away... The NSIC is happy with 16 members and will only consider new members only if or when a current member leaves.

UST would be a "gift from the gods" for the NSIC. Strong academics, strong athletics, strong endowment ($430 million in 2016 before picking up a $50 million gift in 2017). I think the fan bases would get juiced to cheer against the rich kids from St. Paul. So if the NSIC has to choose between UST & Upper Iowa University...goodbye Upper Iowa. How are they feeling about the Univ of Mary these days? Wasn't there some talk about UM Crookston facing reality and moving down? Maybe it is an excuse to get out of long bus trips to Minot ND. (In the Air Force, getting sent to Minot was like getting sent to Siberia.)

Quote:Has St. Thomas ever hinted at a desire to leave D3?

Someone suggested that they might be at home with the Wisconsin conference (WIAC) and their larger enrollment public d3s, like Whitewater, Stevens Point, Eau Claire, etc. I don't think the Iowa d3 conference would relish the thought of the Tommies moving in.

The idea of St. Thomas to the NSIC is interesting but it's doubtful the conference will kick someone out just to make room for a new school. Augustana is the only NSIC member who has talked about leaving. UST joining the American Rivers Conference (formerly Iowa) would be the same situation as now in the MIAC. Joining the WIAC is not too much of a stretch but it is a MN private school joining with all WI system public schools.