Econoknight Wrote:I started thinking about this whole expansion thing and the following popped into my tired brain.

I think the MAC should do something ridiculous like send a letter to Illinois that they've been accepted as an all-sports member. Put it in all of the papers, use them in commercials, schedule them for games and when they don't show up call the games forfeits and record them as losses in the MAC standings.

Just when the lawsuits all start piling up and media outcry reaches a fervor, call a press conference and announce that you've dropped Illinios because they weren't meeting D-1A attendance requirements.

That would certainly get the MAC a LOT of publicity.

I like it! But, let's start with that university on the Olentangy.

DrTorch Wrote:

Econoknight Wrote:I started thinking about this whole expansion thing and the following popped into my tired brain.

I think the MAC should do something ridiculous like send a letter to Illinois that they've been accepted as an all-sports member.  Put it in all of the papers, use them in commercials, schedule them for games and when they don't show up call the games forfeits and record them as losses in the MAC standings.

Just when the lawsuits all start piling up and media outcry reaches a fervor, call a press conference and announce that you've dropped Illinios because they weren't meeting D-1A attendance requirements.

That would certainly get the MAC a LOT of publicity.     

I like it! But, let's start with that university on the Olentangy.

Yeah, good idea. They can probably compete a little
better in FB. At least in the MAC East.

"WKU would love to go MVC for BB. They have some I-A FB fans ,but no real plan nor money /attendance to be serious."

I just love it when people spout off as if they know something. I have frequent dialogs with WKU's AD's department when I come down to games from Louisville. Over the years, I've asked the AD directly about 1A in WKU's future, including the President. Here are the general comments I've gotten:

"Money's not a problem.
WKU will play 1A in the future.
Attendance won't be a problem.
It's in WKU's best future interest to compete in 1A.
Funding the additional scholarships, not an issue.", etc...

This MAC deal has got to have been in the works for at least four years. I first heard of a rumor, from credible sources, that long ago. Even from WKU's former basketball coach, Dennis Felton. While I was in his office, I asked him about what his thoughts were of being in a 1A conference. He said it would be great and suggested the MAC would be a good fit.

About three years ago, when WKU had spent $33 million upgrading and rehabing EA Diddle arena they gave "pre-opening tours". When the new basketball flooring was put down, an official from the AD's office, out of the blue, asked the small group, "Won't a MAC logo look good on the floor?"

Now WKU is planning on spending another $35 million upgrading, rehabing and expanding the football stadium. When ask if this meant WKU was going 1A, the AD responded, "you don't think we'd spend all this money to play 1AA, do you?"

Ditto everything Primerate has said.

WKU has been working on this for quite a while.

Correction to an earlier post about Temple and Franklin Field: While Temple did play some home games at Franklin Field in the past, that stadium is not their stadium and is not on their campus. It is the home stadium of Ivy League member University of Pennsylvania of I-AA. Temple just paid to play some games there. Franklin Field is the oldest two-tiered sports stadium in the US, has a seating capacity of 52,000 and was once home to the Philadelphia Eagles. It is a great, historic place to see a game if you ever get a chance to go there. Just wanted to clarify the info since I'm somewhat into sports history. The only dump that Temple played in recently was the now demolished Veterans Stadium. Old and new pics of Franklin Field:

MTSU is not interested in MAC
SIU is not interested in I-A

No one else has reported they have been contacted. Not to say that no one else has.

I agree. If we add 2 teams they should fit with the rest of the MAC. Temple is just one school. Temple and Navy would be nice combo for football only. Adding Navy would get a national audience. Adding Army and Navy? The Navy-Army game could be put before the MAC champ game and give the mac a game on CBS. That might lead to a CBS new years day MAC bowl game.

WKU Topper Jeff Wrote:MTSU is not interested in MAC
SIU is not interested in I-A

No one else has reported they have been contacted. Not to say that no one else has.

Are there sources for this?

You may be right, but I'd like to see something in print either way.

I've never read anything that SIU or MTSU was not interested or was interested in the MAC.

I understand only thru the rumor mill about MTSU, I've never asked the WKU AD about it. But what I heard last year that MTSU and WKU was coming to the MAC as a package deal. But then MTSU bugged out and changed directions hoping the CUSA would call them. Whether this is true or not, it was only the "talk" among some circles that had some contact with the University.

On SIU, I think they're perfectly happy with the MVC. The MVC consistently ranks high in RPI. But there seems to be very little interest in football there. Don't get me wrong, they've had some strong teams...even last year, they were ranked number 1 in 1AA most of the season. But surprisingly, they apparently didn't even bid or pay to have the first round of the playoffs at SIU. Which is probably why they lost in the first round. Yes, in 1AA, you gotta pay to get home field in the playoffs. A crock, no? SIU has made no secret that football season is just something you do until basketball starts.

WKU Topper Jeff Wrote:MTSU is not interested in MAC
SIU is not interested in I-A

No one else has reported they have been contacted. Not to say that no one else has.

SIU is VERY interested in D-IA football. Jerry Kill would love to see his team playing in the MAC, I've heard him say it specifically in interviews. The only obstacleis the funding, which is a work in progress.

On the other hand, I'm glad to see WKU is doing well in its progress towards D-IA football and joining the MAC. It sounds like you have a good plan. I also think your hoops program would add value to the MAC and help you out at the same time.

WKU Topper Jeff Wrote:MTSU is not interested in MAC
SIU is not interested in I-A

No one else has reported they have been contacted. Not to say that no one else has.

Here's the thing. Until the MAC actually authorized expansion and contacted WKU, the AD or President (can't remember which) said that going to the MAC was not an option.

Don't tell me that if the MAC officially contacted MTSU they would flat out say we are not interested without considering things.

rocketfootball Wrote:

WKU Topper Jeff Wrote:MTSU is not interested in MAC
SIU is not interested in I-A

No one else has reported they have been contacted.  Not to say that no one else has.

Here's the thing. Until the MAC actually authorized expansion and contacted WKU, the AD or President (can't remember which) said that going to the MAC was not an option.

Don't tell me that if the MAC officially contacted MTSU they would flat out say we are not interested without considering things.

rf:

Good point. Such decisions are made pragmatically after thorough analysis.

HorseGlue Wrote:SIU is VERY interested in D-IA football. Jerry Kill would love to see his team playing in the MAC, I've heard him say it specifically in interviews.

With Jerry Kill's unprecedented success at SIU, he may be coaching in Div IA long before SIU ever ventures there.

saluki_in_ohio Wrote:I don't see the Salukis joining the MAC.

Despite our recent success on the gridiron, at SIU, basketball is king, and most of our fans feel that leaving the MVC and joining the MAC would be a step down for the basketball program.

As for me, I would support us joining the MAC for football only. and I feel that the MVC is the best fit for our program in basketball at the present time.

=>Would you still feel that way if WKU and Temple were on board in basketball? Miami, Ohio, BSU, Temple, and BSU would all be top 105 (BSU being the only school outside top 10) programs of all time per Street and Smiths. Such a league, even without SIU's involvement, would be rank ahead of the MVC at that point.

In addition, I doubt the MAC would have any interest in SIU as a football member only. That would just be adding teams for the sake of adding teams.

mollautt Wrote:

saluki_in_ohio Wrote:I don't see the Salukis joining the MAC.

Despite our recent success on the gridiron, at SIU, basketball is king, and most of our fans feel that leaving the MVC and joining the MAC would be a step down for the basketball program. 

As for me, I would support us joining the MAC for football only. and I feel that the MVC is the best fit for our program in basketball at the present time.

=>Would you still feel that way if WKU and Temple were on board in basketball? Miami, Ohio, BSU, Temple, and BSU would all be top 105 (BSU being the only school outside top 10) programs of all time per Street and Smiths. Such a league, even without SIU's involvement, would be rank ahead of the MVC at that point.

In addition, I doubt the MAC would have any interest in SIU as a football member only. That would just be adding teams for the sake of adding teams.

Looking at the past several years, based on recent success, one can argue that MAC basketball isn't at the level of play that the MVC is. We have had over the past several years either 2 or 3 teams getting in the NCAA tournament. The MAC has had only one bid the past several years.

The MVC is getting stronger every year, and we are getting quality basketball recruits and national recognition. Creighton and Wichita State have had quality programs for years. Bradley has a great deal of basketball tradition, as does Illinois State. Northern Iowa is becoming a Valley powerhouse. The basketball tradition and rivalries that we have developed over the past several years with our MVC brethren we would lose by joining the MAC.

I suppose that if we joined the MAC, we would develop a rivalry with NIU over time, but I just don't see Saluki fans getting all excited about playing the directional Michigan schools or the Ohio MAC members.

I like football. I want to see SIU move up to D1A. Perhaps in a few years, and if we are able to keep Jerry Kill as our coach. The MAC just isn't the right fit now because of basketball.

I would like to see WKU join the MVC. They have the basketball tradition that fits well with the Valley.

Our AD at WKU contacted the MVC, CUSA and A-10 They all said
Hit the bricks... no interest

WKU's biggest problem on the basketball side is that they keep losing good coaches every few years to the bigger conferences. They all use WKU as a stepping stone to bigger things. However, the program keeps bopping right along - check out the NCAA historical stats.

SIU w/a good hoops coach could be in the same predicament soon - he'll get a good rep and some larger school will snap him up. Happens to us all the time, trust me.

Like I said....Done Deal....been four years in the making.....go Tops. :rofl:

i agree. i know we are on the outside looking in and the Ball is in the MAC's Court or field. it is just what the heads of each school thinks that Temple and whoever the other school is, bring to the table.

Pleas admit us, the President and his Lackey are bad and will be gone in about two years i hope.

Temple will se a surge in athletics next year in all three major sports. :)