not knowing much about Northland College, I checked out their basketball programs performance this past season.  Combined 0 - 47. That is a lot of futility. 

Quote from: Pat Coleman on March 11, 2024, 12:52:00 PMFontbonne today announced it is closing at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. No mention of what happens to athletics in 2024-25 but Cabrini's experience suggests it will be difficult to field all of their teams next year, if it is their intent to try.

https://www.fontbonne.edu/fontbonne-announcement-2025/

Any word if Fontbonne will be playing a full conference schedule?

^^^ According to this https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/g/n/8rhz5mtpvtjary/IMG_6646.jpg from the Fontbonne athletics website, they will be offering sports in 2024-25, but it gives permission for their student athletes to be contacted.

I suspect, like Cabrini, they'll try to play all sports, but we should presume not every team will be able to take the field/court/etc.

Northland College extending fundraising deadline by two weeks as it still considers ways to remain open.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2024/04/04/northland-college-declares-financial-exigency-delaying-closure-decision/73154974007/

https://collegegym.org/news/2024/4/4/cga-postseason-preview-2024

Just for fun.  In the 2022-3 season, GU launched mens (and womens) gymnastics.  There are only 15 NCAA mens gym programs in the country.  GU has attracted some amazing athletes to this program.  They have only recruited freshman (no transfers), so the team is entirely freshman and sophomores.  Currently, GU is ranked #11 in the country (a few d1 below them) and had two individuals just named all-american.  One kid, a freshman named Logan Watterson is ranked #3 in the country in the vault.  (he is worth googling)  Could GU have its first olympian?

the article linked above has a post regular season write up which talks about the GU program and has the all-american list. 

Also, here is a fun instagram post with some highlights.

https://www.instagram.com/gupanthersmgym/reel/C5FE2BZuy0U/

my apologies to the basketball board
   

I know that no one really cares, but as a SUPER proud alum, i wanted to let the board know that GU had a super successful conference men's gymnastics meet.  GU placed 2nd of 6. 

1)Navy
2)GU
3)Springfield
4)Army
5)William & Mary
6)Simpson

Springfield and GU (the top d3s) both qualified the entire team for NCAA all-division national championships.  They take the top 12 teams in the country.     

https://www.amazon.com/Pipeline-Pros-Ben-Kaplan/dp/1637274335

I have been anxiously waiting Pipeline to the Pros release day.  From Pop to Presti to Van Gundy to Hammond to Shaka... the d3 influence on big time hoops is really a fun story to dig into. 

I really do hope we get a John Hammond chapter, but if not maybe there is a sequel in the works. 

In case the name doesn't ring a bell, John Hammond (GU '76), was NBA executive of the year in 2010 and then really made his name by drafting 18 yo Giannis in 2013. 

^^^ My copy arrived yesterday. I'm several chapters in and the John Hammond story is already there. Overall, the book is much better than I expected. For those who don't want to spend the money on a personal copy, encourage your local library to add it to their catalog. I made a "suggest a purchase" to the Saint Louis County library system and they are obtaining four copies.

Quote from: y_jack_lok on April 17, 2024, 08:49:01 AM^^^ My copy arrived yesterday. I'm several chapters in and the John Hammond story is already there. Overall, the book is much better than I expected. For those who don't want to spend the money on a personal copy, encourage your local library to add it to their catalog. I made a "suggest a purchase" to the Saint Louis County library system and they are obtaining four copies.

Great idea. My preorder was waiting for me last night when I got home.  Tonight I dig in.

Quote from: y_jack_lok on April 04, 2024, 05:57:35 PMNorthland College extending fundraising deadline by two weeks as it still considers ways to remain open.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2024/04/04/northland-college-declares-financial-exigency-delaying-closure-decision/73154974007/

Just to close the circle. Northland will remain open. https://www.northland.edu/fund-a-new-northland-appeal/northland-college-to-remain-open-under-refocused-model/

A first of a kind event is about to occur.  GU is going to win the all sport trophy for the SLIAC.  While it should not be a first of its kind, I am glad it is finally happening.  The old scoring rules were bizarre to say the least.

In a remarkable season GU finished with an average place for the 13 sports (of 17, no golf or wrestling) of a conference finish of second place. 

1st place:
Men's CC
Women's CC
Volleyball
Men's Indoor Track
Womens's Indoor Track
Men's Outdoor Track
Women's Outdoor Track

2nd place:
Men's Basketball *cough cough
Softball

3rd:
Women's Soccer
Women's Basketball

4th:
Men's Soccer

5th:
Baseball

GU also fared very well in UMac football, Ecac gymnastics (one of 12 teams in the nation to make NCAAs as a team.  Highest finish ever for a d3 team), and in recent SLIAC discard sport tennis, Gu advanced in the conf tourney but were beaten by powerhouse Prin.

Yeah, that men's basketball hurts. Maybe with Fontbonne out of the way, the Pioneers can win one.

Quote from: Greek Tragedy on May 09, 2024, 04:59:25 AMYeah, that men's basketball hurts. Maybe with Fontbonne out of the way, the Pioneers can win one.

Who are the Pioneers?

LOL. Panthers. Got my System teams mixed up! My apologies.