Possible Pool B Conference

Mr. Ypsi · October 27, 2011, 04:44:47 PM

Ralph, the travel factor would still be true (though they don't seem to object in other sports), but the scheduling would apply to rejoining the UAA now, not so much if it became a Pool A conference.

K-Mack · October 27, 2011, 09:55:52 PM

Wesley is a competitive fit for the NJAC, but can't do the 100-man roster limit. They bring in 180 students, that's too much bottom line to let go of to join a conference.

If the E8 and Wesley were interested in each other, they'd have done it the last time around with Salisbury and Frostburg, former ACFC mates.

The only thing that makes any sense from a conference standpoint for Wesley is the MAC.

I wonder what took so long for the ODAc and Shenandoah, but it is great insurance.

smedindy · October 27, 2011, 10:11:05 PM

Any thought that the NJAC would waive the 100-man roster limit?

Gray Fox · October 27, 2011, 10:52:09 PM

Quote from: K-Mack on October 27, 2011, 09:55:52 PM
Wesley is a competitive fit for the NJAC, but can't do the 100-man roster limit. They bring in 180 students, that's too much bottom line to let go of to join a conference.

Are you saying that they are some kind of a D3 football factory?

Pat Coleman · October 27, 2011, 10:57:59 PM

Like a lot of schools, they use football to help drive enrollment. Heck, even the average D-III roster is a hair more than 100.

Gray Fox · October 27, 2011, 11:23:55 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on October 27, 2011, 10:57:59 PM
Like a lot of schools, they use football to help drive enrollment. Heck, even the average D-III roster is a hair more than 100.

I guess I was confused over the phrase "they bring in 180 students" That sounds like freshmen to me.

Ralph Turner · October 28, 2011, 12:49:58 AM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on October 27, 2011, 04:44:47 PM
Ralph, the travel factor would still be true (though they don't seem to object in other sports), but the scheduling would apply to rejoining the UAA now, not so much if it became a Pool A conference.

Rochester NY to Sherman TX (DFW plus a one hour bus ride) and Rochester NY to San Antonio is a long trip.

I am wondering when Centenary adds football. A UAA agreement for the SCAC might be enough to prompt that. The SAA exodus caused me to wonder if Centenary would put a hold on Football until prospects for the sport improved.

HSCTiger74 · October 28, 2011, 01:19:35 AM

Quote from: K-Mack on October 27, 2011, 09:55:52 PM
Wesley is a competitive fit for the NJAC, but can't do the 100-man roster limit. They bring in 180 students, that's too much bottom line to let go of to join a conference.

If the E8 and Wesley were interested in each other, they'd have done it the last time around with Salisbury and Frostburg, former ACFC mates.

The only thing that makes any sense from a conference standpoint for Wesley is the MAC.

I wonder what took so long for the ODAc and Shenandoah, but it is great insurance.

Hazarding a guess from what I have read here and elsewhere ...
To remain a member of the league, Shenandoah was required by the USASC to be a participant in all the sports in which the college fielded teams. Associate membership in the ODAC for football wasn't an option; it had to be all or nothing. The ODAC already has 13 fully participating members and didn't really have a need to expand for sports other than football. I think it just took the ODAC a while to decide that it would be beneficial to admit Shenandoah for all sports just to ensure there were enough for football going forward.

Pat Coleman · October 28, 2011, 01:20:25 AM

Quote from: Gray Fox on October 27, 2011, 11:23:55 PM
Quote from: Pat Coleman on October 27, 2011, 10:57:59 PM
Like a lot of schools, they use football to help drive enrollment. Heck, even the average D-III roster is a hair more than 100.
I guess I was confused over the phrase "they bring in 180 students" That sounds like freshmen to me.

No, that's a total roster, like UMHB, Linfield, Mount Union ...

Gray Fox · October 28, 2011, 03:11:31 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on October 28, 2011, 01:20:25 AM
Quote from: Gray Fox on October 27, 2011, 11:23:55 PM
Quote from: Pat Coleman on October 27, 2011, 10:57:59 PM
Like a lot of schools, they use football to help drive enrollment. Heck, even the average D-III roster is a hair more than 100.
I guess I was confused over the phrase "they bring in 180 students" That sounds like freshmen to me.

No, that's a total roster, like UMHB, Linfield, Mount Union ...

Thanks! That all makes sense. Roster size is one of the key factors to success on the field.

smedindy · October 28, 2011, 08:10:45 PM

I think you need the success before you get the huge rosters, though, or have a prime area ripe for the picking with quality students and athletes. A true D-3 team in Florida could fill a huge roster quickly, but for many schools, a big roster in a place like Ohio or Minnesota is predicated on a good program because there are so many choices.

HSC85 · November 01, 2011, 12:11:25 PM

I agree with '74 that the holdup for Shenandoah was the other sports and the academic profile. The ODAC has a variety of schools that offer limited sports. There are single sex schools and other schools that do not play football. So the ODAC rarely makes a football first decision except with the Associate membership of Catholic for football. I think that Shenandoah was pursuing ODAC membership for about 15 years. Glad it is happening.

K-Mack · November 04, 2011, 01:44:41 AM

Quote from: HSC85 on November 01, 2011, 12:11:25 PM
I agree with '74 that the holdup for Shenandoah was the other sports and the academic profile. The ODAC has a variety of schools that offer limited sports. There are single sex schools and other schools that do not play football. So the ODAC rarely makes a football first decision except with the Associate membership of Catholic for football. I think that Shenandoah was pursuing ODAC membership for about 15 years. Glad it is happening.

Yeah, IIRC, it gives them a weird number like 17 for women's basketball or something, but the more all-sports core members the better when you have your Hollinses and your Sweet Briars and your Randolphs.