Couldn't agree more with the motivational factor for sure.
Rivalries are definitely a good thing to build excitement and with the more rivalries I think the credibility of the conference goes up as well.
I think all the good/great coaches in any sport could give a rip what other programs do. They may steal an idea or two here and there but tweak everything for their specific program. Coaches that struggle are ones that try to emulate others to a t and have no idea how to make it work for their program. I believe this leads to programs spinning their wheels and having no identity of their own all.

You'll have to forgive my math on the 7 versus 9 years, those private college math skills catching up to me again

Let's pose this question, what are everyone's feelings on schools 'caring' about what other schools are doing? Is this the schools fan base, coaches or both?
Personally I would like to think that the coaches worry about their programs and running it their way and going out on the field and seeing what happens. Versus caring about what other programs are doing and getting wrapped up in all of that.

Yeah I guess I just find it more funny of a statement than anything.
Totally agree that it takes time for rivalries to get going but I think those being chased always have a little bit of an edge.

Being a Loras fan/alum this is hard to stand up for wheaton but I find it funny the line of hard getting Wheaton fans to care. That might be one of the coolest settings for a d3 soccer match. And I argue that they don't really care about north park that much because they have only been pseudo relevant for 7 years.
Respect is gained on the field not a t-shirt, if Born really did say that, that's just dumb.

If loras/Wheaton do meet up it doesn't solve that debate on academy versus non academy anyway. That's a discussion for a youth soccer forum.
I am interested though in the connection of NP and Sweden, be interesting to see if that pipeline stays open and they can continue to improve in years to come.

Kickin, i Believe he's talking about the ussf academy kids that Wheaton has versus some non academy kids that Loras has.