The size disparity between the two institutions seems to beg the question of how long Bluffton will remain a separate but equal partner. As a Bluffton grad I hope for a long time but the demographic headwinds are very strong.

https://www.findlayblufftonfuture.com/  Bluffton University NCAA DIII (HCAC)and The University of Findlay NCAA DII (GMAC) have entered into a merger agreement that hopes to maintain current sports affiliation after the merger is complete. Merger FAQ states a name change for Bluffton could happen in the future.

Looks like Otterbein is close to reaching their fundraising goal for artificial turf and Oberlin has surpassed their athletic facilities goals within their capital campaign (artificial turf is one of the priorities) leaving Bluffton as the only college team in Ohio who will be playing on natural grass in 2014 (I think). After their win yesterday maybe the Beavers will choose to stay with grass, although I bet the pressure to put in turf will continue to increase.

Bluffton 24 Franklin 17 Final    Beavers with huge upset. Wow! Franklin 4 turnovers Bluffton 0.

Former Wash U standout Aaron Thompson now a part of Mark Edwards' staff for the Bears.

http://bearsports.wustl.edu/Sports/BasketballMen/Pages/coachingstaff.aspx

http://www.onusports.com/sports/fball/2013-14/releases/201307265ob4ax

The ONU press release states that ONU will be the ninth OAC school to have new artificial turf.  Otterbein does not have turf yet so Wilmington should have turf. The photo galleries look like turf and a pic series from '08 mentions new turf.

Ohio Northern will have new artificial turf ready early in the season. Otterbein is currently fundraising for a new turf field.  The natural grass fields are quickly going by the wayside. Who will be the last to jump on the new turf bandwagon?

UT-Arlington arena 2 miles from Cowboy Stadium. 7,000 seating capacity sounds like a good option for DIII, DII championships in 2014. I know Salem is set to host but it seemed like a good thing this year to have all three together.

Bluffton loses a squeaker 56-54 to MSJ in their HCAC opener. Neither team shot the ball very well (37.8% & 37.5%). 

My family and I offer our prayers and condolences to the Earlham community.  We hope and pray that the family of the deceased, the injured students and their families all feel God's healing presence during this tragic time and always.

10/10/12

Mt.St. Joe @ Thomas More (last chance for an OOC win for the HCAC)   
Earlham @ Rose-Hulman
Hanover @ Franklin      
Defiance @ Bluffton (good clean game please!)   
Manchester @ Anderson

Quote from: SaintsFAN on November 01, 2012, 12:06:40 PM
Guys --- a two loss Franklin team from the HCAC is just not going to be ranked highly on the Regional Rankings.  Period.  Doesn't matter who their losses were against.  What is holding Franklin back regionally more than those two losses is the fact the Heartland is not competitive outside of Franklin.  OK, so you played two GREAT teams in the non conference -- I give you that.   What is holding you back is the view that you are playing 8 teams in your conference that just aren't very good.   

The HCAC is 4-14 in playoff games since 1999.  Franklin has 3 of those wins.  Franklin has raised their level of play and made some fans regionally, but the HCAC thing is holding them back as far as the "respect factor". 

How have they done outside of the conference? 

Since 2005, the current teams in the HCAC are 76-117 when they step out of conference (and half of MSJ's 16 wins shouldn't count because they are against Wilmington).  I didn't count playoff games.  Each school's records OOC are as follows:

Mount St Joseph 16-5
Franklin 14-8
RHIT 14-8
Manchester 8-14
Defiance 6-16
Earlham 6-16
Bluffton 5-15
Anderson 5-17
Hanover 2-19

Frankly, I think Franklin would be better off in the NCAC or anywhere else, if you're looking for more respect in the regional polls with 2 OOC losses.

To my knowledge Franklin is not a member of Phi Beta Kappa, so it is unlikely that the NCAC (of which all of its members are PBK) would ever invite Franklin into their membership.

I hope if BW finds they have some extra aid money, that should go to non-athletes, they will consider throwing a few extra bucks into my daughter's aid package. 

Quote from: BUBeaverFan on October 30, 2012, 12:23:52 PM

Quote from: GrizFan on October 30, 2012, 12:12:28 PM
Go GRIZ - finish out the season strong!

Glad to see that Defiance is putting in FieldTurf, their field is usually in pretty bad shape.

So it looks like Manchester and Bluffton are the last grass holdouts in the HCAC.

http://www.otterbein360.com/article/2012/10/turf-on-directors-to-do-list

Looks like Otterbein of the OAC wants turf sooner rather than later so Bluffton, Oberlin and Ohio Northern locked in a triple cage death match to see which Ohio college/university will be the last to play on natural grass.

http://www.onusports.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/201209190avd1p (ONU at least has turf and lights on their long term radar)

Quote from: GrizFan on October 30, 2012, 12:12:28 PM
Go GRIZ - finish out the season strong!

Glad to see that Defiance is putting in FieldTurf, their field is usually in pretty bad shape.

So it looks like Manchester and Bluffton are the last grass holdouts in the HCAC.