(05-12-2023 02:40 PM)nodak651 Wrote:  4 things that everyone needs to understand:

The Dakota schools don't want to touch Augi with a ten ft pole, and nobody else wants another trip to the Dakotas. The school itself isn't impressive. Can we please give the Augi talk a rest? They add nothing to the league with SDSU and USD already having such a large presence in Sioux Falls.

Pretty sure Denver views Northern Colorado similar to how the Dakota Schools view Augastana. As such, and although they would probably be a decent fit, I think UNC to the Summit is unlikely. Also, Denver isn't going to join the WAC or Big Sky or any other conference besides the WCC, Mountain West, or MVC, and I don't think anyone has reported that any of those conferences are seriously considering them right now.

The NCHC is NOT going to be absorbed by the Summit League. It was recently reported that only 2 of the 8 NCHC programs were in favor of such a move.


WIU leaving doesn't destabilize the league whatsoever - the move was really what was best for both WIU and the Summit League. WIU was the leagues least attractive school. They had the smallest fan base, smallest budget, were in the smallest city, had the worst facilities, least potential, and they were the school that was by far the most difficult to travel to as they have no nearby airport or even an interstate highway.

SDSU and NDSU are going to leave for FBS eventually. Augie has money, wants to move up and are located in the exact city the Summit League headquarters are based in. At some point the move will be made. What they add is another good sports program. The Summit don't want to stay at 9 schools in the long term because of scheduling.