Newest FCS member: Dixie State

[Grizalltheway]

Not officially official yet, but oh well.

https://www.ksl.com/article/46464699/sources-dixie-state-to-go-division-i-will-join-the-western-athletic-conference

[FUBeAR]

Not officially official yet, but oh well.

https://www.ksl.com/article/46464699/sources-dixie-state-to-go-division-i-will-join-the-western-athletic-conference
Don’t know anything about Dixie State, but the prospects of them, and, potentially, a whole FCS WAC Conference (per the article) has to be welcome news to the Teams in the Big Sky Conference. Yes? What are some of the implications - positive and/or negative that BSC Fans see with this possible development.

Also...With Dixie State, potentially, taking a higher NCAA Profile, will we see pressure for them to change the name of their school due to its origins...

“The largest community in the region, St. George, was founded in 1861, when Brigham Young selected 300 families to take over the area and grow cotton, grapes, and other crops. The region was nicknamed Dixie by 1860. Andrew Larson's text on the history of the name "Dixie" in Utah states that in 1857, the first President of the Washington Stake was Robert Dockery Covington, a slave overseer and slave owner from North Carolina and Mississippi. Larson states:

Already the settled area of the Virgin Valley was being called Utah's "Dixie." The fact that cotton would grow there, as well as tobacco and other semi-tropical plants such as the South produced made it easy for the name to stick. The fact that the settlers at Washington were bona fide Southerners who were steeped in the lore of cotton culture—many of them, at least—clinched the title. Dixie it became, and Dixie it remained. ... The name "Dixie" is one of those distinctive things about this part of Utah ... It is a proud title

— Andrew Larson, I Was Called to "Dixie" (p. 185)”

NOTE TO ADMIN’s : If this question is, possibly, too “political” to be discussed on the FCS Board, just let me know & I’ll delete it. Was just, honestly, curious about it, looked it up, and see it as a potential issue along the lines of Colonel Reb @ Ole Miss, the former mascot at NDak, and the waving of the Stars & Bars / playing of “Dixie” at football games at The Citadel.

NOTE2 - just saw the other Dixie State thread - lots of interesting possibilities with this development. Ain’t FCS FUN!

[kdinva]

Also...With Dixie State, potentially, taking a higher NCAA Profile, will we see pressure for them to change the name of their school due to its origins...


CitDog to the rescue......

[cx500d]

Don’t know anything about Dixie State, but the prospects of them, and, potentially, a whole FCS WAC Conference (per the article) has to be welcome news to the Teams in the Big Sky Conference. Yes? What are some of the implications - positive and/or negative that BSC Fans see with this possible development.

Also...With Dixie State, potentially, taking a higher NCAA Profile, will we see pressure for them to change the name of their school due to its origins...

“The largest community in the region, St. George, was founded in 1861, when Brigham Young selected 300 families to take over the area and grow cotton, grapes, and other crops. The region was nicknamed Dixie by 1860. Andrew Larson's text on the history of the name "Dixie" in Utah states that in 1857, the first President of the Washington Stake was Robert Dockery Covington, a slave overseer and slave owner from North Carolina and Mississippi. Larson states:

Already the settled area of the Virgin Valley was being called Utah's "Dixie." The fact that cotton would grow there, as well as tobacco and other semi-tropical plants such as the South produced made it easy for the name to stick. The fact that the settlers at Washington were bona fide Southerners who were steeped in the lore of cotton culture—many of them, at least—clinched the title. Dixie it became, and Dixie it remained. ... The name "Dixie" is one of those distinctive things about this part of Utah ... It is a proud title

— Andrew Larson, I Was Called to "Dixie" (p. 185)”

NOTE TO ADMIN’s : If this question is, possibly, too “political” to be discussed on the FCS Board, just let me know & I’ll delete it. Was just, honestly, curious about it, looked it up, and see it as a potential issue along the lines of Colonel Reb @ Ole Miss, the former mascot at NDak, and the waving of the Stars & Bars / playing of “Dixie” at football games at The Citadel.

NOTE2 - just saw the other Dixie State thread - lots of interesting possibilities with this development. Ain’t FCS FUN!
Who cares what their name is? That name has been historically used there for over a century. The Dixie National Forest is in the vicinity, and that is a federal national Forest. Quit trying to make this into something it isn’t.

[FUBeAR]

Who cares what their name is? That name has been historically used there for over a century. The Dixie National Forest is in the vicinity, and that is a federal national Forest. Quit trying to make this into something it isn’t.
Just curious about the name when I found out that Dixie State was in Utah & upon finding out the reason, curious about how that may resonate in today’s environment of an apparent appetite for erasing/expunging most everything associated with that era of US History. I can certainly empathize in some measure, with, or at least understand, the sentiments of those that want to erase/expunge this past, but I also cherish the romanticized version of the Confederacy with which I was raised in NC in the 1960’s. My son’s middle name is “Lee,” named after one of my boyhood heroes, Gen. Rob’t E. So, yeah, it’s a bit of a personal issue/dilemma for me and I always wonder how current things associated with this past, in any way, will be handled & if/when the whole issue might ever be resolved. Absolutely NOT trying to “make” it into anything; just wondering if it will become something. Wish it weren’t/wouldn’t, but imagine that it might.

You’re right though...probably best not to try to discuss here.

[cx500d]

Just curious about the name when I found out that Dixie State was in Utah & upon finding out the reason, curious about how that may resonate in today’s environment of an apparent appetite for erasing/expunging most everything associated with that era of US History. I can certainly empathize in some measure, with, or at least understand, the sentiments of those that want to erase/expunge this past, but I also cherish the romanticized version of the Confederacy with which I was raised in NC in the 1960’s. My son’s middle name is “Lee,” named after one of my boyhood heroes, Gen. Rob’t E. So, yeah, it’s a bit of a personal issue/dilemma for me and I always wonder how current things associated with this past, in any way, will be handled & if/when the whole issue might ever be resolved. Absolutely NOT trying to “make” it into anything; just wondering if it will become something. Wish it weren’t/wouldn’t, but imagine that it might.

You’re right though...probably best not to try to discuss here.
****, do they still sell Dixie cups? Should we change that to yankee cups?

[Bisonoline]

****, do they still sell Dixie cups? Should we change that to yankee cups?

Little leaguers use dixie cups.

[Cocky]

Dixie was a form of money.

[Laker]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Rebel_Yell.jpg/220px-Rebel_Yell.jpg

[Sader87]

The FCS is such trash now....Dixie St? It's like we came to the "FCS party" around 10pm and stayed way too long.....

[DFW HOYA]

The FCS is such trash now....Dixie St? It's like we came to the "FCS party" around 10pm and stayed way too long.....

Well, you can thank Fr. Brooks for that.

[WeAreThePride]

Dixie was a form of money.
Ten dollar bill, with DIX on the back, printed in New Orleans. French, right?

[jsualumnus]

Just don’t ever join the Southland... :)

[FUBeAR]

****, do they still sell Dixie cups? Should we change that to yankee cups?Dixie Cups’ name is, most likely, exempt from such controversy, as that moniker was directly derived by its Boston-based (so, I guess “Yankee” would be apt) inventor with reference to the money issued by the Banque de Citoyens (Citizens Bank) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-unnatural-history-of-the-dixie-cup-119828457/ of bilingual Louisiana and not as reference or in tribute to the Confederacy or the region of the US most popularly identified with having a history of slavery. https://www.alphadictionary.com/blog/?p=308

[Nor Eastern]

The WAC might get in a invitation spree to regain football. I imagine they could invite a number of D2 schools up. Colorado Mesa, Tarleton State, and Azusa Pacific. If Augustana needed a place to land football, this might help. Metro State could be invited for Bball.

[MR. CHICKEN]

Dixie was a form of money.

........AN' UH ZZ-TOP.......NICE GIRL...............AWK!

[ysubigred]

I love it!! Maybe they'll kick the **** out of the Bizon :D

[wapiti]

If the WAC does add football back? Would they add it as FCS or FBS? I suspect they would add as FCS.

Who from the Big Sky would join?
WAC: Dixie SUU NAU CP UC Davis Sac
BSC: MSU UM EWU ISU UI Weber PSU
Where would Northern Colorado land??

Would any of the Div 2 schools in Colorado or Central Washington make the jump to FCS?
Would Seattle U add football?

[Nor Eastern]

If the WAC could spin off a football conference, they could attract several D2 move ups and possible other FCS schools on islands in their current conference.


D2 Move ups for WACF

Dixie State
Tarleton State
Colorado Mesa
Augustana
Texas A&M Commerce
West Texas A&M


San Diego (could add scholarships and cut back on travel by joining)
Northern Colorado
Southern Utah

UTRGV (could start FB)

[Grizalltheway]

The FCS is such trash now....Dixie St? It's like we came to the "FCS party" around 10pm and stayed way too long.....
I know, and we still keep literal who schools like Holy Cross around.

[RootinFerDukes]

Can Dixie State beat North Dakota State? If not, just stay in D2.

Do I sound like an AGS regular now?

[dbackjon]

If the WAC does add football back? Would they add it as FCS or FBS? I suspect they would add as FCS.

Who from the Big Sky would join?
WAC: Dixie SUU NAU CP UC Davis Sac
BSC: MSU UM EWU ISU UI Weber PSU
Where would Northern Colorado land??

Would any of the Div 2 schools in Colorado or Central Washington make the jump to FCS?
Would Seattle U add football?

No Big Sky team is going to leave for the unstable collection of JUCO's known as the WAC

[dbackjon]

Dixie State University has accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference effective July 1, 2020, DSU and WAC officials announced today at a joint news conference. The invitation is contingent upon DSU completing the reclassification process from NCAA Division II to Division I. The Trailblazers will begin WAC regular season competition during the 2020-21 school year.

"Several factors make Dixie State University a great fit for the WAC," Commissioner Jeff Hurd said. "Commitment to quality
academics and athletics programs, along with the long-term vision that President Williams has for the University's growth, are at the top of the list. I have no doubt that Dixie State will make a smooth transition to Division I and to the WAC."

The Trailblazers, which have won one Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championship in just one season of membership, won 20 PacWest team championships in 11 seasons. They were also four-time PacWest Community Engagement award winners.

"Dixie State University is located in the fastest growing city in America and in a state that is supporting higher education at unprecedented levels," said Brian Mueller, President of Grand Canyon University and Chairman of the WAC's Board of Directors. "The university has a growing student body and is investing in excellence in their academic and athletic programs. They have some outstanding athletic facilities, including a Division I level basketball arena. Like Grand Canyon and California Baptist, Dixie State will be competitive immediately and will be a strong contributor to the continued growth of the Western Athletic Conference."

[Outsider1]

Dixie State already has scheduled some games with Southern Utah.

[Laker]

A view of the stadium and area:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DwqeVT_W0AENLGF.jpg

[Laker]

It didn't take long for them to add the 1. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dwq3pdbVsAAad6c.jpg

[wapiti]

Might any of the other teams in the WAC add football?????


Western Athletic


Team

https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/ncaab/20181226/70x70/bakersfield_wbg.png (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/csu-bakersfield/)
Bakersfield Roadrunners (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/csu-bakersfield/)



https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/ncaab/20181228/70x70/umkc_wbg.png (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/mo-kansas-city/)
UMKC Kangaroos (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/mo-kansas-city/)


https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/ncaab/20181221/70x70/grand-canyon_wbgs.png (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/grand-canyon/)
Grand Canyon Antelopes (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/grand-canyon/)



https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/ncaab/20181220/70x70/utrgv_wbg.png (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/ut-rio-grande-valley/)
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/ut-rio-grande-valley/)



https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/ncaab/20190107/70x70/new_mexico_state_wbg.png (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/n-mex-st/)
New Mexico State Aggies (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/n-mex-st/)



https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/ncaab/20181221/70x70/california_baptist_wbgs.png (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/california-baptist/)
California Baptist Lancers (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/california-baptist/)



https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/ncaab/20181218/70x70/utah_valley_wbg.png (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/utah-valley/)
Utah Valley Wolverines (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/utah-valley/)



https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/ncaab/20181219/70x70/seattle_wbg.png (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/seattle/)
Seattle Redhawks (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/seattle/)



https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/default/ncaab/20190108/70x70/chicago_state_wbg.png (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/chicago-st/)
Chicago State Cougars (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/chicago-st/)





NMSU already has football.

[wapiti]

The teams I see that might at least consider adding football


Bakersfield Roadrunners (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/csu-bakersfield/)

UMKC Kangaroos (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/mo-kansas-city/)

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/ut-rio-grande-valley/)

New Mexico State Aggies (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/n-mex-st/) Would drop down

California Baptist Lancers (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/california-baptist/)

Utah Valley Wolverines (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/utah-valley/)

Seattle Redhawks (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/seattle/)

[Laker]

The teams I see that might at least consider adding football

UMKC Kangaroos (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/mo-kansas-city/)

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/ut-rio-grande-valley/)

New Mexico State Aggies (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/n-mex-st/) Would drop down

California Baptist Lancers (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/california-baptist/)

Utah Valley Wolverines (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/utah-valley/)

Seattle Redhawks (https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams/seattle/)


As you said, NM State is in FBS. Would they change to FCS?

Chicago State can barely keep their doors open- no chance.

Bakersfield- California public school. No chance.

UMKC- may have to move down to D2. No chance.

Seattle- highly unlikely.

Cal Baptist- unlikely.

Utah Valley- maybe, if it isn't blocked by BYU, Utah, Utah State and Weber State.

UT-RGV- by far the most likely of all those schools listed.

[Nor Eastern]

Grand Canyon and UT RGV both could afford and support FCS level football. I don't see NMST going FCS for another 6-7 years. They have an at-large agreement with the Arizona Bowl and haven't had a real problem scheduling 12 teams, even though they had to schedule Liberty twice this year, it was just their first year as Indy.

If GCU and UTRGV adds and Tarleton and Colorado Mesa join the WAC could be:


GCU
UTRGV
Univ. of San Diego
Dixie St
Tarleton St
Colorado Mesa
CSU Pueblo

[Model Citizen]

Bakersfield is leaving the WAC, and would have no interest in football regardless. GCU considered football, and decided to pass.

The only WAC school with football plays in a higher classification than a new WAC fb league could realistically be.

[Rjones61]

If the WAC does add football back? Would they add it as FCS or FBS? I suspect they would add as FCS.

Who from the Big Sky would join?
WAC: Dixie SUU NAU CP UC Davis Sac
BSC: MSU UM EWU ISU UI Weber PSU
Where would Northern Colorado land??

Would any of the Div 2 schools in Colorado or Central Washington make the jump to FCS?
Would Seattle U add football?

Central Washington is prepping their stadium to enter D1 football. I bet they'll make an announcement within a couple years.

[ursus arctos horribilis]

Don’t know anything about Dixie State, but the prospects of them, and, potentially, a whole FCS WAC Conference (per the article) has to be welcome news to the Teams in the Big Sky Conference. Yes? What are some of the implications - positive and/or negative that BSC Fans see with this possible development.

Also...With Dixie State, potentially, taking a higher NCAA Profile, will we see pressure for them to change the name of their school due to its origins...

“The largest community in the region, St. George, was founded in 1861, when Brigham Young selected 300 families to take over the area and grow cotton, grapes, and other crops. The region was nicknamed Dixie by 1860. Andrew Larson's text on the history of the name "Dixie" in Utah states that in 1857, the first President of the Washington Stake was Robert Dockery Covington, a slave overseer and slave owner from North Carolina and Mississippi. Larson states:

Already the settled area of the Virgin Valley was being called Utah's "Dixie." The fact that cotton would grow there, as well as tobacco and other semi-tropical plants such as the South produced made it easy for the name to stick. The fact that the settlers at Washington were bona fide Southerners who were steeped in the lore of cotton culture—many of them, at least—clinched the title. Dixie it became, and Dixie it remained. ... The name "Dixie" is one of those distinctive things about this part of Utah ... It is a proud title

— Andrew Larson, I Was Called to "Dixie" (p. 185)”

NOTE TO ADMIN’s : If this question is, possibly, too “political” to be discussed on the FCS Board, just let me know & I’ll delete it. Was just, honestly, curious about it, looked it up, and see it as a potential issue along the lines of Colonel Reb @ Ole Miss, the former mascot at NDak, and the waving of the Stars & Bars / playing of “Dixie” at football games at The Citadel.

NOTE2 - just saw the other Dixie State thread - lots of interesting possibilities with this development. Ain’t FCS FUN!

Just so we all know it is a very good rule to just not bring it up if it has any political bend to it on this board. If you have that question then it is always good to bring it up via a new and separate thread on the poli board.

I want zero of it here. That goes for everyone, asking the questions, responding to them...just don't do it. Please.

[cx500d]

Central Washington is prepping their stadium to enter D1 football. I bet they'll make an announcement within a couple years.

They have to...One of the last few west coast div2 teams.

[Laker]

They have to...One of the last few west coast div2 teams.

Humboldt State dropped football after the season. So Azusa Pacific, Simon Fraser (Canada) and Western Oregon are the only teams left in the GNAC.

[Laker]

At one time Dixie State considered changing their name to Utah- St. George. If they did, they should change their name to the Dragons.

[Model Citizen]

LOL

[dgtw]

How long could they last as an independent? There were three last year, but they were all in the middle of a transition so they were just indy in name only.

Will making a schedule be difficult? With no auto bid to play for, how tough would it be to make the playoffs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[OhioHen]

Will making a schedule be difficult? With no auto bid to play for, how tough would it be to make the playoffs?


There are a bunch of Big Sky teams who would welcome an FCS OOC opponent that doesn't require added travel. SLC likely to welcome opportunities for a different look.

And an independent who manages to put together an 8 win season against decent competition will always be considered. Just depends on the level of (perceived) quality of a particular season's schedule.

[cx500d]

How long could they last as an independent? There were three last year, but they were all in the middle of a transition so they were just indy in name only.

Will making a schedule be difficult? With no auto bid to play for, how tough would it be to make the playoffs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It’ll be real tough for 4 years or so

[Rjones61]

It’ll be real tough for 4 years or so


Especially with recruiting. How do you bring quality guys in with the premise of playing a patchwork schedule?

[Bisonoline]

Especially with recruiting. How do you bring quality guys in with the premise of playing a patchwork schedule?

NDSU did it. Plus they got some great players that knew that no matter what happened they couldnt go to the playoffs. How they did it I dont know but those classes had commitment.

[cx500d]

NDSU did it. Plus they got some great players that knew that no matter what happened they couldnt go to the playoffs. How they did it I dont know but those classes had commitment.

If it wasn't for that wascly wabbit there would have been an 11-0 season in that post season ban period.

[Bisonoline]

If it wasn't for that wascly wabbit there would have been an 11-0 season in that post season ban period.

Yep.

[dgtw]

Can they find games later in the season? Does the Big Sky have weeks where they aren’t playing conference games after the first few weeks?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[walliver]

Most startup and transitional programs play patchwork schedules for several years. Transitional schools Wofford, Elon, Gardner-Webb, and Charleston Southern* were football independents for several years (Wofford was independent in everything). FIU and FAU started programs as independents.. Even now, the Big South is so small that most schools still have patchwork schedules. Obviously times have changes and there are now very few independents, but with a little work and willingness to travel, a decent schedule can be created.

Recruiting is not always an issue. There are a lot of factors that can make schools attractive to recruits that don't involve playoff eligibility and automatic bids. Even when playoffs are considered, things are much easier now for independents.

*Charleston Southern was always I-AA, but in name only, and initially played an almost exclusively D2 schedule, and even then struggled to win.

[AggieFinn]

even closer to Vegas...nice. Good news for FCS teams out West. The more the better.

[kdinva]

Dixie State announces FB games, starting in 2020, with Weber St., NAU, Southern Utah....

https://fbschedules.com/ncaa/dixie-state/

[AmsterBison]

DIX is 509 in Roman numerals. 509 is a Washington state area code that includes EWU. Dixie State is in Washington County, UT.

It all fits.

The University of North Dakota should definitely join them in the WAC.

[Preferred Walk-On]

Can Dixie State beat North Dakota State? If not, just stay in D2.

Do I sound like an AGS regular now?

Spot-on!

[NDB]

At one time Dixie State considered changing their name to Utah- St. George. If they did, they should change their name to the Dragons.

Knights?

[TheKingpin28]

Knights?Is this their entrance video?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0e2kaQqxmQ0


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