Sun Belt Rumblings - WKU to Join I-A Conference

[TexasTerror]

Not too much else outside of the below blurb, but folks in the Sun Belt are optimistic that they can bring a ninth team into the fold for football, namely one Western Kentucky...

Conference to add ninth team?
Wednesday, July 26, 2006

NEW ORLEANS -- Troy University head coach Larry Blakeney mentioned at the Sun Belt Conference football media days gathering this week that he hoped the league would bring another team into the conference, giving it nine Division I-A-playing teams, which would give each team eight league games per year.

Commissioner Wright Waters admitted nine would be "the perfect number for scheduling," allowing four home and four road games each season.

Some within the conference believe the reality of a nine-team Sun Belt football roster may happen soon -- and the search won't have to take place outside the conference. Western Kentucky, already a Sun Belt member but playing a I-AA schedule, is believed to be considering a move up to I-A membership.

http://www.al.com/sports/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/sports/1153905625247120.xml&coll=3

[bluehenbillk]

They've been talking about 1-A for a while, before the talk was WKU to the MAC.

[MplsBison]

I could see WKU in the Sun Belt for football with their stadium upgrades.

[Maroons]

I'll believe it when I see it.

My :twocents: say that WKU is considering going I-A as a way to get their basketball program into a better conference as they have been convinced for a long time that it is the cure for all ills. If that's true, a move into the Sun Belt doesn't really change anything because they already play basketball there. But who knows... maybe the MAC isn't interested after all and the Sun Belt is their only choice and they're hoping to move up and move out quickly.

[Mr. C]

The problems with WKU football are still the same. Despite having one of the top programs in I-AA, year-in and year-out, the Hilltoppers seldom draw decent crowds. I don't see how playing Sun Belt teams is going to change that. Football is also treated like an ugly stepchild in Bowling Green, Ky. If any school in I-AA is a BASKETBALL school, it is WKU. Even when the Hilltoppers made it to the national championship game, few of their fans made the very reasonable trip to Chattanooga. McNeese State fans from hours further away were there in droves. Why would these WKU folks want to spend all of that extra money on a program they do not care about? There is a word for teams that do this. It is called Idaho.

[Killtoppers90]

The problems with WKU football are still the same. Despite having one of the top programs in I-AA, year-in and year-out, the Hilltoppers seldom draw decent crowds. I don't see how playing Sun Belt teams is going to change that. Football is also treated like an ugly stepchild in Bowling Green, Ky. If any school in I-AA is a BASKETBALL school, it is WKU. Even when the Hilltoppers made it to the national championship game, few of their fans made the very reasonable trip to Chattanooga. McNeese State fans from hours further away were there in droves. Why would these WKU folks want to spend all of that extra money on a program they do not care about? There is a word for teams that do this. It is called Idaho.

It has ALWAYS been the problem at WKU. We have a decent fanbase, but they do not show up to games like they should. I buy season tickets every year even though I can rarely get up to BG, from Atlanta, for more than 1 game a year due to other responsibilites. So I am part of the problem as well. But I know MANY fols in BG that don't go to the games and it just saddens me to know that we could sellout that staduim every game if the townsfolk would care enough to come. As far as 1-A, that horse is still dead, until someone OFFICIAL comes out and says we are going. But I think the SunBelt is the most logical place for us to go if/when we go.

[Mr. C]

It has ALWAYS been the problem at WKU. We have a decent fanbase, but they do not show up to games like they should. I buy season tickets every year even though I can rarely get up to BG, from Atlanta, for more than 1 game a year due to other responsibilites. So I am part of the problem as well. But I know MANY fols in BG that don't go to the games and it just saddens me to know that we could sellout that staduim every game if the townsfolk would care enough to come. As far as 1-A, that horse is still dead, until someone OFFICIAL comes out and says we are going. But I think the SunBelt is the most logical place for us to go if/when we go.
I'd have a hard time blaming you for being part of the problem. At least you are supporting your school the best you can. The problem is the folks near Bowling Green do not come to the games. I know that this comment probably won't settle well with WKU fans, but your program has been much better than EKU's in recent years, but EKU has a lot more fan support and community in my opinion. And the EKU folks need to pick it up too. As far as buying WKU tickets is concerned, maybe you could trade your unused one to some poor UTC fan stuck near Bowling Green. He could go root for WKU on Saturdays and you could go root for Chattanooga. Just a thought.

[douglasdmb]

If any school in I-AA is a BASKETBALL school, it is WKU.

Georgetown?

[89Hen]

Georgetown?
Villanova, LaSalle, URI, Dayton, Butler, Davidson...

[EKU05]

That same article comes out at least once a month for roughly the last 2-3years. It's not news. WKU is obviously giving the matter some thought, and it might happen eventually. That's as significant as it gets right now.

[Go Bison]

If WKU leaves the Gateway, which schools would be the front runners to be put into the Gateway?

[89Hen]

If WKU leaves the Gateway, which schools would be the front runners to be put into the Gateway?
You and the Rabbits.

[I-AA Fan]

I can say that IA is still a possibility. I thought that WKU was going to stay in the GFC in football, and enter the Horizon League for all other sports. I was under the impression that the league even made an offer, to WKU, last year. Now the Horizon extended an offer to Valpo & they have accepted. There will not be another entry into the Horizon.

[Shockerman]

IF WKU was asked to join the Valley in all Sports do you think that would curb some of their desire for DI? Perhaps that is what they are waiting for. This has been hashed over on Valleytalk.net a million times. The only two schools that we would ever want are WKU and Saint Loius. SLU has repeatedly said they are to good for the Valley and prefer the A-10. xidiotx But the one school that would make a strong fit is WKU. The problem is that The Valley wants to stay at 10 members. So until we find a way to give Evansville the boot, WKU is screwed. It almost happened a couple years ago as Evansville's President announced they were considering DIII. They didn't go but it is painfully obvious to me that Evansville belongs in the Horizon.

[Cap'n Cat]

If WKU leaves the Gateway, which schools would be the front runners to be put into the Gateway?

Don't know if they'd fill it, necessarily..................

[EKU05]

That's true, WKU wasn't replacing immediately anyone when they joined. They were just an addition...though the Gateway had lost EIU to the OVC a few years before that.

[SO ILLmatic]

I could also see Wisconsin-Milwaukee or Butler being asked to join for basketball purposes


In regards to the Gateway, Brookings and Fargo may be too far of a distance for Youngstown... both locations are 1024 and 1043 miles from Y-town (courtesy of Mapquest)

[douglasdmb]

We're quickly straying away from football, but I think Oral Roberts would be a perfect fit in the Valley. Solid basketball, great baseball, and a dedicated fan base. That's all I could ask for. Not to mention that they would also add to the already steady flow of innuendos we have with the Shockers:twocents:

[Go Bison]

Don't know if they'd fill it, necessarily..................

Is it because of distance? Or some other reason?

[I-AA Fan]

I could also see Wisconsin-Milwaukee or Butler being asked to join for basketball purposes


In regards to the Gateway, Brookings and Fargo may be too far of a distance for Youngstown... both locations are 1024 and 1043 miles from Y-town (courtesy of Mapquest)


Never happen. I realize this is a board for football ... The Horizon has far more historical post-season success than the MVC ...don't let last year's selection mistakes go to your head ...UWM & Butler would never leave for the MVC. Also, Butler was a former Valley member, then left for the MCC (Horizon). There are multiple sweet-16 members and a national champ in the horizon. The MVC traditionally fares quite poorly in the NCAA's.

As to the previous person's attack on Evansville. Why would would you want to lose the class of your conference? Academics, history, athletic success & acheivement, great sports medicine program, & your conference's only men's national basketball championships ... DII (although ISU was in one). Do you know how many MLB players come from Evansville each year?

As far as YSU & travel ...they are closer to several A-10 schools than any GFC school. That is their bigest problem ...equally distant from everyone and equally close to no-one.

[Cap'n Cat]

Never happen. I realize this is a board for football ... The Horizon has far more historical post-season success than the MVC ...don't let last year's selection mistakes go to your head ...UWM & Butler would never leave for the MVC. Also, Butler was a former Valley member, then left for the MCC (Horizon). There are multiple sweet-16 members and a national champ in the horizon. The MVC traditionally fares quite poorly in the NCAA's.

As to the previous person's attack on Evansville. Why would would you want to lose the class of your conference? Academics, history, athletic success & acheivement, great sports medicine program, & your conference's only men's national basketball championships ... DII (although ISU was in one). Do you know how many MLB players come from Evansville each year?

As far as YSU & travel ...they are closer to several A-10 schools than any GFC school. That is their bigest problem ...equally distant from everyone and equally close to no-one.


The MVC would not take in UWM or Butler because they are too smalltime. They actually did that to UNI when it applied for admission -- they hesitated. And, regardless, the Valley is big enough as it is.

[SO ILLmatic]

Never happen. I realize this is a board for football ... The Horizon has far more historical post-season success than the MVC ...don't let last year's selection mistakes go to your head ...UWM & Butler would never leave for the MVC. Also, Butler was a former Valley member, then left for the MCC (Horizon). There are multiple sweet-16 members and a national champ in the horizon. The MVC traditionally fares quite poorly in the NCAA's.

It hasnt been just last year, the Valley has a history of being strong. The Valley is the second oldest conference in the country. The league has featured players like Oscar Robertson, Walt Frazier, and Larry Bird (that lead the Sycamores to the D-1, not d2, national championship game). The current teams are continuing the traditions from the players of the past. The Valley, from the top team to the bottom team, continues to get better. The Horizon wishes it could get the publicity and respect that the Valley has earned.

But back to football, if the 'Toppers decide they are going to leave the Gateway within the next couple of years, I dont see a real good fit to replace them. The brass in St.Louis may decide to play with 7 teams for a couple of seasons to see how programs progress (NDSU, SDSU, etc...). Another possibility is the chance of Wichita bringing football back.

However, the conference could wait to see some regional d2 teams coming up like Grand Valley St., Pittsburgh St., St. Cloud St., or Nebraska-Omaha (kind of a stretch geographically). But if they made the transition, could they immediately offer the full i-aa scholarships, how would their facilities be a factor, and how would they compete against the current members?

Good luck to WKU in whatever choice they make, and hopefully the Gateway can continue to keep its strength and its members. :twocents:

[BearsCountry]

Never happen. I realize this is a board for football ... The Horizon has far more historical post-season success than the MVC ...don't let last year's selection mistakes go to your head ...UWM & Butler would never leave for the MVC. Also, Butler was a former Valley member, then left for the MCC (Horizon). There are multiple sweet-16 members and a national champ in the horizon. The MVC traditionally fares quite poorly in the NCAA's.

As to the previous person's attack on Evansville. Why would would you want to lose the class of your conference? Academics, history, athletic success & acheivement, great sports medicine program, & your conference's only men's national basketball championships ... DII (although ISU was in one). Do you know how many MLB players come from Evansville each year?

As far as YSU & travel ...they are closer to several A-10 schools than any GFC school. That is their bigest problem ...equally distant from everyone and equally close to no-one.

Wow, where do I start. First MVC over its history has been the better conference - go look at the actually history of the conference. Its way better than the Horizon.

Next, Evansville isn't the only national champion. Missouri State won national championships in D2 as well.

Butler left the Valley in the 50's, the MCC didnt get formed until the late 70's.

[Shockerman]

Never happen. I realize this is a board for football ... The Horizon has far more historical post-season success than the MVC ...don't let last year's selection mistakes go to your head ...UWM & Butler would never leave for the MVC. Also, Butler was a former Valley member, then left for the MCC (Horizon). There are multiple sweet-16 members and a national champ in the horizon. The MVC traditionally fares quite poorly in the NCAA's.

As to the previous person's attack on Evansville. Why would would you want to lose the class of your conference? Academics, history, athletic success & acheivement, great sports medicine program, & your conference's only men's national basketball championships ... DII (although ISU was in one). Do you know how many MLB players come from Evansville each year?

As far as YSU & travel ...they are closer to several A-10 schools than any GFC school. That is their bigest problem ...equally distant from everyone and equally close to no-one.

Your ingnorance is not bliss but unbeivable. Butler left the Valley after ten years in 1942. Evansville has won a total of 1 regular season championship and that was this year in Baseball and has been to 1 NCAA Basketball toutnament via the auto-bid conference torney title in 1999 since joining the Valley.

In regards to your comments on the Horizon being a better baketball conference than the Valley ponder these numbers, these are for the current member of these conferences only.

Horizon
Appearances: 26
Wins: 23
Sweet Sixteens: 9
Final Fours: 1

MVC
Appearances: 67
Wins: 50
Sweet Sixteens: 15
Final Fours: 5

Lastly, lets look at WKU's numbers.

WKU
Appearances: 19
Wins: 15
Sweet Sixteens: 6
Final Fours: 1

Awful close to all of the current Horizon's members numbers together. I realize that this a DIAA Football board and I post here as a Football fan first and Shocker fan second as I believe the day is near when we will field a team again. So until then Go Shox, Go Gateway, Go MVC.

And oh yeah, don't get me started on Baseball, that comment is ridiculous.

[RabidRabbit]

It hasnt been just last year, the Valley has a history of being strong. The Valley is the second oldest conference in the country. The league has featured players like Oscar Robertson, Walt Frazier, and Larry Bird (that lead the Sycamores to the D-1, not d2, national championship game). The current teams are continuing the traditions from the players of the past. The Valley, from the top team to the bottom team, continues to get better. The Horizon wishes it could get the publicity and respect that the Valley has earned.

But back to football, if the 'Toppers decide they are going to leave the Gateway within the next couple of years, I dont see a real good fit to replace them. The brass in St.Louis may decide to play with 7 teams for a couple of seasons to see how programs progress (NDSU, SDSU, etc...). Another possibility is the chance of Wichita bringing football back.

However, the conference could wait to see some regional d2 teams coming up like Grand Valley St., Pittsburgh St., St. Cloud St., or Nebraska-Omaha (kind of a stretch geographically). But if they made the transition, could they immediately offer the full i-aa scholarships, how would their facilities be a factor, and how would they compete against the current members?

Good luck to WKU in whatever choice they make, and hopefully the Gateway can continue to keep its strength and its members. :twocents:

The Bunnies and Bison are VERY HAPPY to be (soon, IMHO) in the mid-con. However, the MoValley/Gateway is our nearest mid-major/I-AA conference(s). We would fit well there, in about 4-5 years. Want the opportunity to get schollies in ALL sports up to snuff.

[douglasdmb]

As far as baseball goes, and I know this will probably get Shockerman goin too, Evansville is NOT the class of the league. They were just this past season, but now that their coach just left for Notre Dame, they'll probably return to mediocrity.

And your comment regarding how many major leaguers have been produced by UE...

Current UE alumni in MLB: 2
Jamey Carroll, Colorado Rockies
Sal Fasano, Philadelphia Phillies

Current Missouri St. alumni in MLB:
Ryan Howard ('05 NL Rookie of the Year, '06 Home Run Derby Champ) Philadelphia Phillies
Bill Mueller ('03 AL Batting Champ), LA Dodgers
Shaun Marcum, Toronto Blue Jays
John Rheinecker, Texas Rangers
Matt Cepicky, Florida Marlins

I'm pretty sure WSU has more. Long story short, UE could leave the Valley and no one would notice, including those involved with MVC baseball.

[MplsBison]

The Bunnies and Bison are VERY HAPPY to be (soon, IMHO) in the mid-con. However, the MoValley/Gateway is our nearest mid-major/I-AA conference(s). We would fit well there, in about 4-5 years. Want the opportunity to get schollies in ALL sports up to snuff.

I think that NDSU/SDSU can and should commit themselves long term to making the Great West/Mid Con our own powerful conference.

Let's show the world what we can do out here in the northern plains.

[I-AA Fan]

Your ingnorance is not bliss but unbeivable. Butler left the Valley after ten years in 1942. Evansville has won a total of 1 regular season championship and that was this year in Baseball and has been to 1 NCAA Basketball toutnament via the auto-bid conference torney title in 1999 since joining the Valley.

In regards to your comments on the Horizon being a better baketball conference than the Valley ponder these numbers, these are for the current member of these conferences only.

Horizon
Appearances: 26
Wins: 23
Sweet Sixteens: 9
Final Fours: 1

MVC
Appearances: 67
Wins: 50
Sweet Sixteens: 15
Final Fours: 5

Lastly, lets look at WKU's numbers.

WKU
Appearances: 19
Wins: 15
Sweet Sixteens: 6
Final Fours: 1

Awful close to all of the current Horizon's members numbers together. I realize that this a DIAA Football board and I post here as a Football fan first and Shocker fan second as I believe the day is near when we will field a team again. So until then Go Shox, Go Gateway, Go MVC.

And oh yeah, don't get me started on Baseball, that comment is ridiculous.


Give me a break, those post-season numbers are over only a 26 year period of time that the conference qualified for the NCAA; as you said vs. "the second oldest conference in the country". How could you make such a comparison? I never said the Horizon was "better", it was a response to your comments on the MVC's superiority. A horizon league club has advanced in the NCAA's in 18 of 26 years. How many other MM conferences advance as regularly?

In that period the conference members that have seen the post-season even includes Evansville, as that was where they were prior to joining the MVC. You will recall they won 45 straight games and were a major force for the conference. Other teams that have seen the NCAA's out of the Horizon include ...Butler, Milwaukee, Loyola, LaSalle, Xavier, Detroit, Cincinati, Dayton, Marquette, Green Bay, UIC. I do not mean to disrespect the MVC in any way, I was just responding to the attacks on the Horizon and Evansville.

[therealbigredrules]

[QUOTE=I-AA Fan]
Why would would you want to lose the class of your conference?
QUOTE]

:lmao:

[therealbigredrules]

Never happen. I realize this is a board for football ... The Horizon has far more historical post-season success than the MVC ...don't let last year's selection mistakes go to your head ...UWM & Butler would never leave for the MVC. Also, Butler was a former Valley member, then left for the MCC (Horizon). There are multiple sweet-16 members and a national champ in the horizon. The MVC traditionally fares quite poorly in the NCAA's.

As to the previous person's attack on Evansville. Why would would you want to lose the class of your conference? Academics, history, athletic success & acheivement, great sports medicine program, & your conference's only men's national basketball championships ... DII (although ISU was in one). Do you know how many MLB players come from Evansville each year?

As far as YSU & travel ...they are closer to several A-10 schools than any GFC school. That is their bigest problem ...equally distant from everyone and equally close to no-one.

Paying $30K a year for a business degree from a school that is not accredited? nm

[ue-bball#1]

Your ingnorance is not bliss but unbeivable. Butler left the Valley after ten years in 1942. Evansville has won a total of 1 regular season championship and that was this year in Baseball and has been to 1 NCAA Basketball toutnament via the auto-bid conference torney title in 1999 since joining the Valley..


UE won the regular season in 1999 and got an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, meaning they have won as many MVC titles since they joined the league as Wichita has in the same time period.

[ue-bball#1]

Paying $30K a year for a business degree from a school that is not accredited? nm

Evansville just completed the 5 year accreditation process and has a fully accredited business school and is building an $11 million business school, as well as receiving a $15 million grant from Lily to expand the business school and make it more global.

[89rabbit]

However, the conference could wait to see some regional d2 teams coming up like Grand Valley St., Pittsburgh St., St. Cloud St., or Nebraska-Omaha (kind of a stretch geographically).

I don't think you have to worry about UNO moving up any time soon.


http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=2212863

Regents want answers on UNO athletics

BY MATTHEW HANSEN

University of Nebraska regents knew little about the fiscal problems facing the University of Nebraska at Omaha's athletic department and will demand answers at their meeting this week.

In interviews with The World-Herald, five regents said UNO Chancellor Nancy Belck never told them that she had shifted $1 million in each of the last two years from reserve funds to keep the UNO athletic department out of the red.

They said Belck and NU President J.B. Milliken never informed them that Maverick sports had lost about $3.5 million over five years. And Milliken said Belck told him only last month. . . .

Responding, Belck said she doesn't believe that she withheld any information that should have been shared with the NU president or the regents.

The budgetary moves weren't large enough to take to the board, she said Tuesday.

Her focus was on handling the athletic department crisis in-house, not making that crisis public, Belck said. . . .

Several regents said they would have objected to the extra $2 million that Belck sent to the athletic department, had they known about it. . . .

Hassebrook and Wilson said any additional money for the athletic department should be questioned, especially since a budget crisis forced UNO to cut nearly $12 million - including 170 academic positions - several years ago. . . . (read more)

[Shockerman]

UE won the regular season in 1999 and got an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, meaning they have won as many MVC titles since they joined the league as Wichita has in the same time period.

I stand corrected ue-bball. IMHO the Valley made a reach when they last expanded with UNI and Evansville. UNI has worked out, E-ville has not.

Out of curiousity, when did Evansville drop football. Did they have much tradition at all, fan support. Any support at all to bring it back, or is it mens soccer or bust?

[ue-bball#1]

I stand corrected ue-bball. IMHO the Valley made a reach when they last expanded with UNI and Evansville. UNI has worked out, E-ville has not.

Out of curiousity, when did Evansville drop football. Did they have much tradition at all, fan support. Any support at all to bring it back, or is it mens soccer or bust?

I'm not sure of the exact time UE dropped football. It was in the early 90s. We played non scholarship ball, and were in the Pioneer League (I think Drake might still be in there). There wasn't much support and it was a big waste of money, as the league had teams like San Diego in it. The amount of travel money that takes adds up quick.

The MVC isn't a football conference and the Gateway won't become the driving force of the MVC any time soon. Its easy to say UE hasn't worked out as you look at it right now, however we were competitive in the conference prior to 2000, meaning for half of our time in the conference. A coaching change and problems with basketball recruits have left us down since then, and this season will determine whether another coaching change in basketball will be made.

As for football, it won't be brought back in any capacity soon for Evansville. Much like Creighton, Bradley, other private schools in the MVC, it just isn't feasible to operate a football program. Evansville instead has choosen to push baseball as our #2 sport, and I think that is what is best for the school.

The problem with the MVC adding Western Kentucky or another school remains basketball driven. Teams won't be keen to give up the home and home schedule that the conference has now. When looking at larger basketball leagues, they only go over 10 teams for football reasons. The MVC isn't going to go to 12 teams for 1-AA football, so unless someone drops it won't be an issue.

There have been rumors that Evansville has looked into dropping from the MVC to the Horizon or OVC. I'm 100% sure that these aren't true though, and have been created by people outside of the program who don't understand that athletic success goes in cycles. I don't see the MVC booting UE any time soon.