Next member of the Gateway????

[Neckfansince71]

Okay, WKU wants out to play in the extremely competitive D1 look alike SunBelt. Who will then fill their shoes???? Who could it be? My guess is, North Dakota State!!!!

What do you all think?xcoffeex

jc

[TexasTerror]

Central Arkansas perhaps...

A few years away, but it would not surprise me...

[skinny_uncle]

NDSU is the most common guess I have seen. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

[FargoBison]

Central Arkansas perhaps...

A few years away, but it would not surprise me...

Aren't they joining the Southland?

[FargoBison]

Here is a link to an interesting Blog entry about NDSU and the Gateway done by a Fargo TV Sports Anchor.

http://www.areavoices.com/bisonmedia/?blog=3686

[Dallas Demon]

Central Arkansas perhaps...

A few years away, but it would not surprise me...

What would they gain by switching to the Gateway? They're as close or closer to the Southland schools plus they're in it for all sports. I don't see your logic.

[*****]

Here is a link to an interesting Blog entry about NDSU and the Gateway done by a Fargo TV Sports Anchor..."I believe reading between the lines ...
listening to the tone and little comments ...
the impression I got ...
I think she believes ...
My take is ..."

At least he said: "It's hard for me to know what might happen here..."

[Tim James]

Its should be Eastern Illinois of course.

[BearsCountry]

It will be NDSU and SDSU.

[89Hen]

It will be NDSU and SDSU.
:nod: It's a package deal IMO.

[siugrad99]

Would love to see UCA join us also, but that's just me and I know they are committed elsewhere

[BisonBacker]

I really think NDSU is the most logical choice and I also think SDSU will be right there with us. :nod:

[Chi Panther]

I would really like to see NDSU and SDSU in the Gateway.....but the most logical would be for EIU to be back in the Gateway.......

I also like to the see the Koch's get I-AA football at WSU going.....

[Cap'n Cat]

:nod: It's a package deal IMO.



Agreed.


And what's this Central Arkansas shat? There ain't even a flippin' airport 300 miles around 'em!

[UCABEARS75]

Agreed.


And what's this Central Arkansas shat? There ain't even a flippin' airport 300 miles around 'em!

Well that is hardly the truth, Little Rock is about 30 miles away and probably has a bigger airport than most towns in the Gateway.

[Cap'n Cat]

Well that is hardly the truth, Little Rock is about 30 miles away and probably has a bigger airport than most towns in the Gateway.


Well, it IS the truth that Cap'n Cat was exaggerating.............


:nod:

[UCABEARS75]

Well, it IS the truth that Cap'n Cat was exaggerating.............


:nod:

LOL

[crunifan]

Well, I say, since San Diego is officially a top 25 team. We invite them into our humble conference. I mean...it's time Indiana State gets a win.

[BearsCountry]

Well, I say, since San Diego is officially a top 25 team. We invite them into our humble conference. I mean...it's time Indiana State gets a win.

Hey MSU might get one as well. :)

[Cap'n Cat]

Hey MSU might get one as well. :)


You guys will be just fine. Hang on a while.


:nod: :nod: :nod: :nod:

[Thumper250]

Now correct me if I'm wrong. If a school competes in a conference in all sports, and that conference sponsors football, don't they HAVE to compete in said conference for football?

For instance, if Eastern Illinois is in the OVC for everything, they'd have to play OVC football. I don't think the Gateway sponsors non-football sports, correct? So unless EIU leaves the OVC and goes, say, Horizon League or Mid-Con in other sports, they'd have to play OVC football.

Geographically though, EIU would make sense the most. Add NDSU and SDSU and the league's footprint is akin to Paul Bunyan.

[RabidRabbit]

Well, I say, since San Diego is officially a top 25 team. We invite them into our humble conference. I mean...it's time Indiana State gets a win.

xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx
:hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

[igo4uni]

Geographically though, EIU would make sense the most.

EIU was in the Gateway and left. Personally, I don't want them back.:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[BearsCountry]

You guys will be just fine. Hang on a while.


:nod: :nod: :nod: :nod:

You know we are waiting for the upset this week to say told you so. :smiley_wi

[BearsCountry]

EIU was in the Gateway and left. Personally, I don't want them back.:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I agree we don't need EIU, besides NDSU and SDSU bring more to the table.

[DFW HOYA]

Drake.

[MplsBison]

If you could guarantee EIU a spot in the MVC, I think they'd switch back to the Gateway in a second.

Not going to happen.


NDSU and SDSU would love to go to the Gateway. Would the Mid Con brass allow such a move when the Mid Con is trying to nurture the Great West into an AQ conference of its own?

Other than that, not many options.


You could try and get some of the MVC schools that don't play football or play non scholarship football to move up (Drake would be ideal). Wichita would also be nice.


One other thing to consider would be regional DII move ups. Specifically, something like Grand Valley State and Saginaw State.

[igo4uni]

Drake.

I don't see Drake moving up to scholarship football. They dropped it a while back and it would be a surprising move if they brought it back. :twocents:

[OSRacer]

Wichita State....

I know, I know, but could be a good fit....

[igo4uni]

Wichita State....

I know, I know, but could be a good fit....

I know, I know, it could hapen.

[BearsCountry]

The Shockers adding football and Drake moving up to scholly ball would be awesome but I doubt will happen anytime soon. So the Dakotas would be excellent additions.

[pantherclaw]

One other thing to consider would be regional DII move ups. Specifically, something like Grand Valley State and Saginaw State.

I agree with the D-II's but aren't GVSU and SSU in Michigan? To me if the Gateway were to re-align, kick out YSU, and have say Northwest Missouri State move up. Though they're pretty happy we're they're at since they're a much smaller school(6,000) However after looking over enrollment, GVSU is 23,000 students, so they would be the second biggest school in the Gateway.(MVC) I also wouldn't mind UND b/c they'd be coming into D-IAA about the time WKU is leaving. I think that the Mid-Con wouldn't be to happy to acquire the Great West only to lose two of those members. Just some thoughts after doing a little research.

EDIT: SIUE dosen't play football, thanks dbackjon.

[dbackjon]

I agree with the D-II's but aren't GVSU and SSU in Michigan? To me if the Gateway were to re-align, kick out YSU, and have say Northwest Missouri State move up. Though they're pretty happy we're they're at since they're a much smaller school(6,000) However after looking over enrollment, GVSU is 23,000 students, so they would be the second biggest school in the Gateway(MVC) also, theres another more central school that i think would make a good addition. SIU Edwardsville they're right at 13,000 and are a more central location. SIU Carbondale fans, would that school be allowed to compete in the same division as SIUC or would SIUC fans oppose such a measure? Just dome thoughts after doing a little research.

SIU-E doesn't play football.

[pantherclaw]

Ah, wow, missed that obvious factor. Thanks dbackjon, my apologies for the error

[dbackjon]

Ah, wow, missed that obvious factor. Thanks dbackjon, my apologies for the error
;)

[arkstfan]

For all ya'll know SIU-E may have already been admitted to the GFC. In fact I think they play as many GFC games as non-GFC. :smiley_wi

[BisonBacker]

In the last week it appears things are starting to slowly move and if they continue I think NDSU and SDSU will be a lock for the Gateway in either 08 or 09. :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

[BisonBacker]

If the gateway is looking for a winning program and one that will add to the quality of play for its members I don't see how they could pass on NDSU? I know I'm biased but what we are doing on the football field speaks for itself.

[PantherRob82]

agreed. :twocents:

[AZGrizFan]

In the last week it appears things are starting to slowly move and if they continue I think NDSU and SDSU will be a lock for the Gateway in either 08 or 09. :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

Big Sky Conference leadership are idiots. xidiotx :bang: xidiotx xidiotx :bang: :bang: xidiotx xidiotx :bang: :bang:

[PantherRob82]

Big Sky Conference leadership are idiots. xidiotx :bang: xidiotx xidiotx :bang: :bang: xidiotx xidiotx :bang: :bang:

yeah, UNC doesn't seem to have a bright future like NSDU.