Quote from: Bmo on March 18, 2025, 12:01:45 PMSo the most likely outcome at this point, barring something completely unforeseen.  Hendrix pulls back and rejoins the SAA.  TLU, Austin, and Centenary are forced to join the ASC as football affiliates.  Who knows what happens to Lyon.  SCAC is again non-football.  Everything resets back to 2022 in the ASC, and the SAA resets back to the old SCAC in core alignment.

It seems to me the balance of power has shifted and how confident are we that the ASC would be interested in taking this group as affiliate only at this point?

It is awfully silly if the endgame in all this shuffling is one football conference (ASC) and one non-football conference (SCAC) considering how it all started yet it almost seems like the only arrangement that would bring some semblance of stability. Otherwise the carousel will just keep turning.

Quote from: ziggy on March 18, 2025, 12:39:05 PM

Quote from: Bmo on March 18, 2025, 12:01:45 PMSo the most likely outcome at this point, barring something completely unforeseen.  Hendrix pulls back and rejoins the SAA.  TLU, Austin, and Centenary are forced to join the ASC as football affiliates.  Who knows what happens to Lyon.  SCAC is again non-football.  Everything resets back to 2022 in the ASC, and the SAA resets back to the old SCAC in core alignment.

It seems to me the balance of power has shifted and how confident are we that the ASC would be interested in taking this group as affiliate only at this point?

It is awfully silly if the endgame in all this shuffling is one football conference (ASC) and one non-football conference (SCAC) considering how it all started yet it almost seems like the only arrangement that would bring some semblance of stability. Otherwise the carousel will just keep turning.

ASC teams still have trouble with scheduling, so the more conference games they can get, the fewer non-conference opponents they need to find. I'm sure they would welcome any D3 program that helped solve the scheduling dilemma.

Quote from: ziggy on March 18, 2025, 12:39:05 PM

Quote from: Bmo on March 18, 2025, 12:01:45 PMSo the most likely outcome at this point, barring something completely unforeseen.  Hendrix pulls back and rejoins the SAA.  TLU, Austin, and Centenary are forced to join the ASC as football affiliates.  Who knows what happens to Lyon.  SCAC is again non-football.  Everything resets back to 2022 in the ASC, and the SAA resets back to the old SCAC in core alignment.

It seems to me the balance of power has shifted and how confident are we that the ASC would be interested in taking this group as affiliate only at this point?

It is awfully silly if the endgame in all this shuffling is one football conference (ASC) and one non-football conference (SCAC) considering how it all started yet it almost seems like the only arrangement that would bring some semblance of stability. Otherwise the carousel will just keep turning.

If neither Trinity or Southwestern agree to remain in the SCAC.... I don't see any other outcome really.

I'm venturing to guess that Hendrix will return to the SAA if the SCAC can't find the schools for the AQ.

Lyon will either have to join the ASC as an affiliate in football, return to NAIA, or look at USA South...which would be a travel nightmare.

Austin College could return to the SAA.... but your travel is more and your still the underdog to Trinity and Berry most seasons just like you are HSU and UMBH annually. 

Texas Lutheran really has nowhere to go but the ASC for football.  They are in the exact position the ASC schools were in before.

Centenary has to be somewhat interested in being close to ETBU and possibly Lyon or Hendrix as travel partners and rivals.

One has to wonder if Belhaven is tired of going to North Carolina and Virginia for football.  With Sul Ross gone.... maybe they would be interested in coming.  They are probably pretty happy with the CCS for all other sports. 

I'll say it again... 6 members is still too few for decent football scheduling. The final count probably won't be 6.

Quote from: TheChucker on March 18, 2025, 01:26:25 PMI'll say it again... 6 members is still too few for decent football scheduling. The final count probably won't be 6.

I agree.

I predict Centenary will be the next to join.

I wonder if the SBC and/or major donors were adamant that the 4 Baptist schools stick together. For example, splitting them out could have placed HPU in a real bind.

Quote from: TheChucker on March 18, 2025, 01:32:29 PMI wonder if the SBC and/or major donors were adamant that the 4 Baptist schools stick together. For example, splitting them out could have placed HPU in a real bind.

I think HPU would have likely landed in the Sooner Conference in the NAIA.  It wouldn't be a terrible place to be in.  Athletics would likely be cheaper.... and they would have had some good geographical rivalries with Wayland Baptist, Texas Wesleyan and Nelson (SAGU).

ETBU probably would have landed in the Sooner Conference too.....at least for football.  Maybe the Red River Conference for all other sports.  Moving up to D2 and the GAC was a slight possibility....but unlikely for a couple of years.

They would have been OK.

But this is (overall) a better situation if only temporary. 

If you are Lyon, isn't the smart move to start asking their primary conference mates Westminster and Greenville if they would like to play in more southern locations than the frozen north. It would shift the problem to the UMAC not having enough members but would solve SCAC's problem.

Quote from: hickory_cornhusker on March 18, 2025, 05:24:49 PMIf you are Lyon, isn't the smart move to start asking their primary conference mates Westminster and Greenville if they would like to play in more southern locations than the frozen north. It would shift the problem to the UMAC not having enough members but would solve SCAC's problem.

As a UMHB fan I am obviously happy that the ASC is in a much better position then they were 48 hours ago but I do hate that it seems like to improve your situation it requires someone else to suffer.

Any truth that Harmon has departed UMHB over a payment disagreement?

It's floating around on Facebook.  But the article sounded fishy.

Quote from: Mavchamp on March 18, 2025, 05:58:24 PMAny truth that Harmon has departed UMHB over a payment disagreement?

It's floating around on Facebook.  But the article sounded fishy.

Who knows in todays world but I don't think so.

The very next article on the site is about Jake Wright being suspended for PEDs with a quote from AD Mickey Kerry who hasn't been our AD since 2023.

https://ratesoccernews.com/breaking-mary-hardin-baylor-crusaders-head-coach-larry-harmon-announces-departure-and-commitment-to-new-football-team-over-under-payment-disagre/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1jC8lGImZrUGyWDPffAh1z7m-atceE2TZm75Xey_IQTTLKxHeqwkvb8K8_aem_H9rDG6GWvqVWrelEZZ8YPQ

Fake news. Looks like the April Fools posts are dropping early. Article on Jake Wright is fake too.

Not to mention why the hell would a site supposedly devoted to Premier and Championship League soccer have freaking D3 football stories.

Not making annual treks to northern Arkansas (maybe multiple) and Colorado for several sports might have been a factor.