Article Portions:

Matt Brown--"[earlier]...reported that there were two other institutions, along with West Florida, that obtained permission to reclassify to D-I despite the current moratorium: Nova Southeastern and Lincoln Memorial. However, this memo [see story link] from the NCAA, dated January 28, states that actually, FOUR schools... permission."

"... pretty sure I know the 4th school... haven’t gotten it confirmed by enough people with firsthand knowledge... won’t share it yet...... institution I’ve heard mentioned sits in the current ASUN geographic footprint..."

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WHO is that fourth school?

BTW--Schools reclassifying from D2 to D1 must apply to the NCAA No Later than June 1, 2026 deadline.

So--if LMU Nova SE, and the mystery school are going to move up--they don't have much time.

https://www.extrapointsmb.com/p/inside-w...sify-to-d1

I’m very curious who the fourth school is. Yet, I think the numbers are good where they currently stand. The whole point of not just inviting the remaining WAC members to form a larger ASUN was to have a smaller amount of schools in two different conferences to compete for two autobids for every sport. I hope 10 is the ceiling for both but, even if none of these other D2 schools join, I think both conferences are good for the next couple of years. By then, the moratorium will likely be lifted.

Brought this up before...

Would current ASUN members be interested in adding MOREHEAD State?? Already D1 of course and would provide a "two for one" trip with Bellarmine. The schools are just under TWO Hours apart. Lexington airport 1H 10m from Morehead.

Also cross conference games with EKU, AP.

Travel to Lincoln Memorial would be more difficult--in addition to the D2 transition period.

IMHO Queens is a possible Mover to the Big South.

We’ve already known Valdosta State has been invited to join but they have finally said it officially.

https://www.wctv.tv/2026/07/22/valdosta-...alliances/

(07-26-2026 04:57 PM)unalions Wrote:  We’ve already known Valdosta State has been invited to join but they have finally said it officially.

https://www.wctv.tv/2026/07/22/valdosta-...alliances/

There budget is close to 5M. They would have to double there budget and buy the current stadium from the school system. Plus the USG would have to be on there side regarding approval. 5M is not going to cut it at the D1 level.

(07-26-2026 08:10 PM)jones682 Wrote:  

(07-26-2026 04:57 PM)unalions Wrote:  We’ve already known Valdosta State has been invited to join but they have finally said it officially.

https://www.wctv.tv/2026/07/22/valdosta-...alliances/

There budget is close to 5M. They would have to double there budget and buy the current stadium from the school system. Plus the USG would have to be on there side regarding approval. 5M is not going to cut it at the D1 level.

At this point, the ASUN/UAC may be the cheaper option for them travel wise. That’s what the article says. Also, there’s no reason to buy that stadium.

(07-26-2026 11:22 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(07-26-2026 08:10 PM)jones682 Wrote:  

(07-26-2026 04:57 PM)unalions Wrote:  We’ve already known Valdosta State has been invited to join but they have finally said it officially.

https://www.wctv.tv/2026/07/22/valdosta-...alliances/

There budget is close to 5M. They would have to double there budget and buy the current stadium from the school system. Plus the USG would have to be on there side regarding approval. 5M is not going to cut it at the D1 level.

At this point, the ASUN/UAC may be the cheaper option for them travel wise. That’s what the article says. Also, there’s no reason to buy that stadium.

Still the price of being a D1 program is higher then its ever been. VSU would have to add sports, pay players, and improve facilities and nutrition. The reduced travel cost would not offset the overall cost increase. Remember UWG budget is double VSU and they are struggling across the board.

Regarding the stadium, you think playing in a High School Stadium as a D1 program is a good look for them? I heard they tried to buy the stadium from the school system years ago and the school system would not sell it to them.

(07-27-2026 07:30 AM)jones682 Wrote:  

(07-26-2026 11:22 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(07-26-2026 08:10 PM)jones682 Wrote:  

(07-26-2026 04:57 PM)unalions Wrote:  We’ve already known Valdosta State has been invited to join but they have finally said it officially.

https://www.wctv.tv/2026/07/22/valdosta-...alliances/

There budget is close to 5M. They would have to double there budget and buy the current stadium from the school system. Plus the USG would have to be on there side regarding approval. 5M is not going to cut it at the D1 level.

At this point, the ASUN/UAC may be the cheaper option for them travel wise. That’s what the article says. Also, there’s no reason to buy that stadium.

Still the price of being a D1 program is higher then its ever been. VSU would have to add sports, pay players, and improve facilities and nutrition. The reduced travel cost would not offset the overall cost increase. Remember UWG budget is double VSU and they are struggling across the board.

Regarding the stadium, you think playing in a High School Stadium as a D1 program is a good look for them? I heard they tried to buy the stadium from the school system years ago and the school system would not sell it to them.

If they decide to do a UWF they need to do a UNA and build an on campus stadium.

How are you doing, Jones?

(07-27-2026 07:30 AM)jones682 Wrote:  Still the price of being a D1 program is higher then its ever been. VSU would have to add sports, pay players, and improve facilities and nutrition. The reduced travel cost would not offset the overall cost increase. Remember UWG budget is double VSU and they are struggling across the board.

Struggling in what way, exactly?

Quote:From year one to two, UWG Mens B-Ball more than doubled its total wins, increasing from six to 15 (150 percent increase). Posting a 13-17 record against DI competition this season marked the seventh-best win percentage (.433) for reclassifying schools in the second year of their transition.

Quote:Finishing the year with a 16-13 record against DI competition, Womens B-ball also boast that they recorded the sixth-highest win percentage (.533) of any reclassifying team in their second year of the DI transition since 2000.

Quote:Initially planned as a four-year reclassification period, UWG notified the NCAA last summer of its intent to pursue full member status on an abridged three-year track, provided they meet the updated academic, financial, and operational benchmarks. During year two of the transition (2025-26), the NCAA conducted a comprehensive compliance audit on campus and found that the university met the requirements to move to the final year of the reclassification period.

(07-28-2026 08:49 AM)EKUSteve Wrote:  

(07-27-2026 07:30 AM)jones682 Wrote:  

(07-26-2026 11:22 PM)unalions Wrote:  

(07-26-2026 08:10 PM)jones682 Wrote:  

(07-26-2026 04:57 PM)unalions Wrote:  We’ve already known Valdosta State has been invited to join but they have finally said it officially.

https://www.wctv.tv/2026/07/22/valdosta-...alliances/

There budget is close to 5M. They would have to double there budget and buy the current stadium from the school system. Plus the USG would have to be on there side regarding approval. 5M is not going to cut it at the D1 level.

At this point, the ASUN/UAC may be the cheaper option for them travel wise. That’s what the article says. Also, there’s no reason to buy that stadium.

Still the price of being a D1 program is higher then its ever been. VSU would have to add sports, pay players, and improve facilities and nutrition. The reduced travel cost would not offset the overall cost increase. Remember UWG budget is double VSU and they are struggling across the board.

Regarding the stadium, you think playing in a High School Stadium as a D1 program is a good look for them? I heard they tried to buy the stadium from the school system years ago and the school system would not sell it to them.

If they decide to do a UWF they need to do a UNA and build an on campus stadium.

How are you doing, Jones?

I am ok and I hope to see you in CUSA one day.

(07-29-2026 01:27 PM)Braves86 Wrote:  

(07-27-2026 07:30 AM)jones682 Wrote:  Still the price of being a D1 program is higher then its ever been. VSU would have to add sports, pay players, and improve facilities and nutrition. The reduced travel cost would not offset the overall cost increase. Remember UWG budget is double VSU and they are struggling across the board.

Struggling in what way, exactly?

Quote:From year one to two, UWG Mens B-Ball more than doubled its total wins, increasing from six to 15 (150 percent increase). Posting a 13-17 record against DI competition this season marked the seventh-best win percentage (.433) for reclassifying schools in the second year of their transition.

Quote:Finishing the year with a 16-13 record against DI competition, Womens B-ball also boast that they recorded the sixth-highest win percentage (.533) of any reclassifying team in their second year of the DI transition since 2000.

Quote:Initially planned as a four-year reclassification period, UWG notified the NCAA last summer of its intent to pursue full member status on an abridged three-year track, provided they meet the updated academic, financial, and operational benchmarks. During year two of the transition (2025-26), the NCAA conducted a comprehensive compliance audit on campus and found that the university met the requirements to move to the final year of the reclassification period.

First and foremost this was not a shot at UWG, you are new to D1 and you are going through the reclassification period and it is normal to struggle during this period. 20+ years ago KSU struggled during the reclassification period. "Most schools do" I was using you as an example because you are the most recent school in Georgia to move to the D1 level and you are still going through the process. The point is that UWG budget is over double VSU and they are going through growing pains.

BTW: Posting a 13-17 record against DI competition in mens basketball is not "good" at the D1 level/you did not even brake .500; same as finishing the year with a 16-13 record against DI competition in women's basketball. The record(s) shows that you are going through reclassification growing pains, which is fine. We all was there. At the D1 level, the goal is to have an above winning recored. We got rid of our coach because she was below .500 every year.

My suggestions for the ASUN are Morehead St., Nova Southeastern, and Lincoln Memorial.

(08-18-2026 05:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  My suggestions for the ASUN are Morehead St., Nova Southeastern, and Lincoln Memorial.

Agree.

(08-18-2026 05:49 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  My suggestions for the ASUN are Morehead St., Nova Southeastern, and Lincoln Memorial.

Has there been any more news on this? I was hoping they'd announce last year but that clearly didn't happen. Get Nova out of D2 lol

https://x.com/MattBrownEP/status/2113650124547088451

The ASUN better get busy^ D1 application fee getting ready to go up significantly.

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/committ...Report.pdf

Deadline: 1-20-27. After that--the D1 application fee jumps way up.

This also applies to FCS OVC.

They have been considering some D2's. Time is running out.

OVC only has eight FB members--and two of those are associate members from the Big South.