SMUstang
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
If the 3 ASUN teams go away, the WAC may need another D1 to insure an auto bid. The way I see it that means either UIW or Houston Baptist. In other words, the ASUN may hold the key as to who the WAC adds. West Texas A&M may only be invited if the ASUN teams extend their stay until Dixie State or Tarleton State are full members. The ASUN announced that it would launch a scholarship FCS football league, but did not specify when football competition will begin.
(This post was last modified: 04-22-2021 09:22 AM by SMUstang.)
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04-22-2021 07:53 AM |
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solohawks
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-22-2021 07:53 AM)SMUstang Wrote: If the 3 ASUN teams go away, the WAC may need another D1 to insure an auto bid. The way I see it that means either UIW or Houston Baptist. In other words, the ASUN may hold the key as to who the WAC adds. West Texas A&M may only be invited if the ASUN teams extend their stay.
The ASUN still needs a #6 as well.
It may be beneficial for both of these conferences to take their time and continue to work together in the mean time in order to claim that all important FCS autobid.
Once the Tarleton and Dixie fully upgrade to full D1 status, the WAC will be able to qualify.
If I were the WAC I wouldnt add somone just to add someone, they are finally past that
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04-22-2021 09:11 AM |
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TexasTerror
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-22-2021 07:53 AM)SMUstang Wrote: If I were the WAC I wouldnt add somone just to add someone, they are finally past that
Agreed. This is the appropriate play on both the WAC and ASUN's part.
They should come out and lock in '22 right now. Buys both league's some more time and makes sure they do not jump to taking an institution in that does not benefit their respective leagues.
The Southland is probably the one in true desperation mode of the three leagues (SLC, WAC & ASUN) due to being on the cusp of or losing their AQ status in several sports (notably M tennis & M/W golf are under the threshhold).
The Southland's decisions (especially if they implode the LSC or are able to convince any GSC schools to make the move) will help with some of the other dominoes around the region for the ASUN & WAC.
(This post was last modified: 05-02-2021 07:17 AM by TexasTerror.)
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04-22-2021 10:06 AM |
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SMUstang
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-22-2021 09:11 AM)solohawks Wrote: (04-22-2021 07:53 AM)SMUstang Wrote: If the 3 ASUN teams go away, the WAC may need another D1 to insure an auto bid. The way I see it that means either UIW or Houston Baptist. In other words, the ASUN may hold the key as to who the WAC adds. West Texas A&M may only be invited if the ASUN teams extend their stay.
The ASUN still needs a #6 as well.
It may be beneficial for both of these conferences to take their time and continue to work together in the mean time in order to claim that all important FCS autobid.
Once the Tarleton and Dixie fully upgrade to full D1 status, the WAC will be able to qualify.
If I were the WAC I wouldnt add somone just to add someone, they are finally past that
True - this would give both conferences more flexibility and be beneficial for both. But the Southland Conference is still in play here and could have an affect.
(This post was last modified: 04-22-2021 10:21 AM by SMUstang.)
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04-22-2021 10:13 AM |
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TexasTerror
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-22-2021 10:13 AM)SMUstang Wrote: True - this would give both conferences more flexibility and be beneficial for both. But the Southland Conference is still in play here and could have an affect.
In my thought, the Southland just forces things to happen that would probably have happened anyway.
The Southland options are D2 upgrades and certainly a school like West Florida (if interested in D1) would reach out to the ASUN to ascertain their options before agreeing to the Southland. Got to think a UWF-type of institution has already made that reach out if D1 is in their plans.
In much the same way a WTAMU would do the same thing with the WAC if the Southland made inroads if there was an interest in Division I.
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04-22-2021 11:37 AM |
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SMUstang
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
I wonder how much financial incentive there is to go from D2 to D1? I know costs go up dramatically. But if viewship does not go up significantly, then where is the gain? Can someone help me out here?
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04-22-2021 01:27 PM |
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DawgNBama
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-22-2021 01:27 PM)SMUstang Wrote: I wonder how much financial incentive there is to go from D2 to D1? I know costs go up dramatically. But if viewship does not go up significantly, then where is the gain? Can someone help me out here?
NCAA Tournament and the NIT Tournament, NCAA World Series.
(This post was last modified: 04-22-2021 01:51 PM by DawgNBama.)
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04-22-2021 01:49 PM |
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IWokeUpLikeThis
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-22-2021 01:49 PM)DawgNBama Wrote: (04-22-2021 01:27 PM)SMUstang Wrote: I wonder how much financial incentive there is to go from D2 to D1? I know costs go up dramatically. But if viewship does not go up significantly, then where is the gain? Can someone help me out here?
NCAA Tournament and the NIT Tournament, NCAA World Series.
NIT and NCAA World Series for a non-revenue sport would be down the list for a school pursuing full D1 membership. Elevating perception by being with aspirational peers, creating awareness for student recruitment, and connecting/engaging alumni for donations would be the top reasons alongside NCAA Tournament money and exposure.
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04-22-2021 02:01 PM |
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SMUstang
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-22-2021 01:49 PM)DawgNBama Wrote: (04-22-2021 01:27 PM)SMUstang Wrote: I wonder how much financial incentive there is to go from D2 to D1? I know costs go up dramatically. But if viewship does not go up significantly, then where is the gain? Can someone help me out here?
NCAA Tournament and the NIT Tournament, NCAA World Series.
But will those tournaments cover the cost of D1 if you don't qualify for any of them? Am I missing something? I know additional scholarships, additional staff, and travel are all additional costs. Are they covered somehow?
(This post was last modified: 04-25-2021 05:43 PM by SMUstang.)
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04-22-2021 02:03 PM |
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MattBrownEP
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-22-2021 01:27 PM)SMUstang Wrote: I wonder how much financial incentive there is to go from D2 to D1? I know costs go up dramatically. But if viewship does not go up significantly, then where is the gain? Can someone help me out here?
It depends entirely on your administrative goals. Depending on what kind of school you are, where (and how) you're trying to recruit, and what your athletic costs might be, you could potentially benefit financially even if you never actually win anything. It's basically a marketing expense.
Now, is that a GOOD marketing investment? That depends a LOT.
If a school NEEDS to win a lot of men's basketball games in order for a jump to D-I to be worth it...it won't be worth it.
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04-22-2021 09:16 PM |
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johnintx
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-22-2021 09:16 PM)MattBrownEP Wrote: (04-22-2021 01:27 PM)SMUstang Wrote: I wonder how much financial incentive there is to go from D2 to D1? I know costs go up dramatically. But if viewship does not go up significantly, then where is the gain? Can someone help me out here?
It depends entirely on your administrative goals. Depending on what kind of school you are, where (and how) you're trying to recruit, and what your athletic costs might be, you could potentially benefit financially even if you never actually win anything. It's basically a marketing expense.
Now, is that a GOOD marketing investment? That depends a LOT.
If a school NEEDS to win a lot of men's basketball games in order for a jump to D-I to be worth it...it won't be worth it.
A few years ago, I was on the Strip in Las Vegas for a work trip. On a big board outside a casino were odds for every game imaginable. There were odds for a game involving two recent move-ups to Division I. I would have had no reason to have heard of either school, except that I keep up with college athletics. A lot of casual people wouldn't have heard of either school. But, they're on the ESPN ticker, and they're on the boards at the sports books in Vegas. Some degenerate gambler is putting money on their games 2,000 miles away.
Their name is out there. It's a marketing expense. But is it a GOOD marketing investment? That is in the eyes of the beholder.
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04-22-2021 10:22 PM |
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Fighting Muskie
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
I wonder if UALR would have any interest in the Southland as a money saving move. There’d be a lot more bus trips than flights if they switched.
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04-23-2021 07:37 AM |
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solohawks
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-23-2021 07:37 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote: I wonder if UALR would have any interest in the Southland as a money saving move. There’d be a lot more bus trips than flights if they switched.
That wouldn't help with the football situation though.
If they wanted a 9/12 alignment UALR would make for a solid #3 non football school to go with some D2 upgrades for football
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04-23-2021 08:02 AM |
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SMUstang
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-23-2021 07:37 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote: I wonder if UALR would have any interest in the Southland as a money saving move. There’d be a lot more bus trips than flights if they switched.
The Southland is mainly a football conference. Little Rock does not play football. Therefore I doubt if either party would be interested.
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04-23-2021 08:07 AM |
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IWokeUpLikeThis
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
UALR is a school who is not going to voluntarily move down. They want to be associated with Arkansas St - not a league so unstable even Central Arkansas thought they were above it.
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04-23-2021 08:28 AM |
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Fighting Muskie
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-23-2021 08:02 AM)solohawks Wrote: (04-23-2021 07:37 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote: I wonder if UALR would have any interest in the Southland as a money saving move. There’d be a lot more bus trips than flights if they switched.
That wouldn't help with the football situation though.
If they wanted a 9/12 alignment UALR would make for a solid #3 non football school to go with some D2 upgrades for football
The Trojans don’t help with football but if the S’land is desperate and can’t get the football schools they want they might have to resort to any warm bodies.
Ideally, they’d find 2 football schools and go to an 8/10 format.
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04-23-2021 09:08 AM |
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solohawks
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-23-2021 09:08 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote: (04-23-2021 08:02 AM)solohawks Wrote: (04-23-2021 07:37 AM)Fighting Muskie Wrote: I wonder if UALR would have any interest in the Southland as a money saving move. There’d be a lot more bus trips than flights if they switched.
That wouldn't help with the football situation though.
If they wanted a 9/12 alignment UALR would make for a solid #3 non football school to go with some D2 upgrades for football
The Trojans don’t help with football but if the S’land is desperate and can’t get the football schools they want they might have to resort to any warm bodies.
Ideally, they’d find 2 football schools and go to an 8/10 format.
UALR doesn't play soccer so they don't help in getting the Southland another team sport. They do play golf so the Southland will still be at 7 with them instead of the bare minimum of 6. They don't play tennis so the Southland would still be at 4 there. They do sponsor wrestling in the PAC so if they wanted to move and reallocate scholarships and programs to something like soccer they could.
I just don't see UALR being of interest to the Southland because they don't really help and UALR has it pretty good in the Sumbelt with Ark State
(This post was last modified: 04-23-2021 09:31 AM by solohawks.)
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04-23-2021 09:29 AM |
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TexasTerror
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-23-2021 09:29 AM)solohawks Wrote: They do play golf so the Southland will still be at 7 with them instead of the bare minimum of 6.
Reminder -
Following the upcoming realignment... HBU, Corpus, UIW are only three women's golf programs. Men's side is UNO, Nicholls, HBU, UIW & Southeastern
McNeese has announced they are suspending the sports next year per this release
Men's tennis will only have Corpus, UNO, UIW & Nicholls.
Women's tennis will actually be over the threshold with eight in UNO, Corpus, ACU, NWST, SLU, McNeese, Nicholls & UIW
So right now - you have three sports that will lose their AQ - M Golf, W Golf, M Tennis. A fourth sport only has six member institutions (FB) and beach volleyball (non-AQ sport) will drop from six schools to four.
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04-23-2021 09:43 AM |
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solohawks
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-23-2021 09:43 AM)TexasTerror Wrote: (04-23-2021 09:29 AM)solohawks Wrote: They do play golf so the Southland will still be at 7 with them instead of the bare minimum of 6.
Reminder -
Following the upcoming realignment... HBU, Corpus, UIW are only three women's golf programs. Men's side is UNO, Nicholls, HBU, UIW & Southeastern
McNeese has announced they are suspending the sports next year per this release
Thank for info on McNeese! So I stand corrected UALR would help keep M Golf at 6 and help W Golf rebuild.
They would not help with football or the M Tennis & Beach Volleyball you mentioned as also falling below the 6 threshold.
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04-23-2021 09:54 AM |
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DavidSt
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RE: What is the future of the Southland Conference?
(04-23-2021 09:43 AM)TexasTerror Wrote: (04-23-2021 09:29 AM)solohawks Wrote: They do play golf so the Southland will still be at 7 with them instead of the bare minimum of 6.
Reminder -
Following the upcoming realignment... HBU, Corpus, UIW are only three women's golf programs. Men's side is UNO, Nicholls, HBU, UIW & Southeastern
McNeese has announced they are suspending the sports next year per this release
Men's tennis will only have Corpus, UNO, UIW & Nicholls.
Women's tennis will actually be over the threshold with eight in UNO, Corpus, ACU, NWST, SLU, McNeese, Nicholls & UIW
So right now - you have three sports that will lose their AQ - M Golf, W Golf, M Tennis. A fourth sport only has six member institutions (FB) and beach volleyball (non-AQ sport) will drop from six schools to four.
Southland can invite D2 Independent affiliates in beach volleyball. There is not a championship at all three levels yet.
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04-24-2021 04:52 AM |
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