FB: North Coast Athletic Conference

[Little Giant 89]

Nineteen days 'til kick off at Little Giant Stadium.

[sigma one]

Except for Hiram, OWU, and Wittenberg, the NCAC schools have posted their 2024 rosters.  An earlier account I read from the Springfield newspaper had WIT announcing it would bring in 108 freshmen. 
     Oberlin's roster lists a total of 48 players, with only 7 (yes, that's what the roster shows) freshmen  Could this be true? If so, what does this bode for the future of OBI football?

[Crawford]

Two week warning !!!

[Crawford]

NFL preseason games.  Can't wait for REAL football (D3).  Sept 7 1pm !

[WLG Old Historian]

From the "What It's Worth" Dept. An article in the first Wabash Bachelor newspaper of this term, had quotes from the NCAC "heads" that they are actively looking for a new member to bring the conference back to 10 members. Whoever it is must fit the NCAC philosophy dealing with academics and athletics. In my opinion, the NCAC may have to search outside the Ohio borders to find a school that not only wants to join but also follows the high standards of education.

[Pat Coleman]

I'd think Rose-Hulman still fits the bill.

[WAF-WDE]

I agree that Rose-Hulman is still a good fit.

[WAF-WDE]

What about members of the Great Lakes College Association?  Those are pretty prestigious liberal-arts colleges.  Members of the GLCA that do not belong to the NCAC include Albion, Allegheny, Antioch, Earlham, Hope, and Kalamazoo. Allegheny and Antioch are non-starters, for obvious reasons.  But what about the others?

And what about merging the NCAC with another small conference?  Might have to organize some of the sports teams (e.g., football) into divisions for the purpose of scheduling.  But would a conference championship game in those sports be exciting?

[wally_wabash]

I think 10 is the sweet spot.  More than 10 gets weird with unbalanced schedules.  Would you want to forgo a Week 11 Bell Game so that the NCAC can host a championship game and a a bunch of other crossover replays from earlier in the season? I think it's kind of untidy and if you don't have to do it this way, you generally shouldn't. 

[CollegeGolf18]

It appears that Blake White, a senior, will be starting at QB for the LG's this year.

Here's his HS film from his senior year since he doesn't have much college action in his pocket.

[sigma one]

The most important question for me is whether the NCAC schools will want to send all their teams to an RHIT.  We're talking not just football here, but both men's and women's teams travelling even farther than they now go to Wabash and DPU.
     I was not in favor of the John Carroll decision, although I know why the NCAC went to them--or them to the NCAC.  It's one more long trip for the Indiana schools in a time when budgets continue to be a concern and missed class time and teams getting back to campus in the middle of the night are factors.
     I don't see any of the Michigan schools wanting to leave a conference they have been part of for many years.  The pickings are slim.  How to add the 10th team:  quite a challenge to find a school that fits the profile the NCAC wants/needs.  RHIT, maybe.  But that would be a surprise.

[WAF-WDE]

Sigma One, I agree that travel has to be a consideration during conference realignment.  However, it is not as big a deal as I once thought it was.  For example, Wabash's Swimming and Diving team has only one dual meet against an NCAC opponent.  I am guessing that several of the Wabash teams that participate in a dedicated NCAC tournament don't face every NCAC opponent in one-on-one action.

[WAF-WDE]

Of course, my second-favorite school is in a conference that just grew to 16 members, after many years at 14. So, perhaps I am desensitized!

[SPECIAL TEAMS STARTER]

Not to rain on everyone's parade but according to Bob Quillman Rose Hulman will not be joining the NCAC.

https://x.com/IWUhoopscom/status/1743353034569076932

As my famous boss at Pillsbury/Gen Mills used to say, "Not defending, just reporting".

[CollegeGolf18]

Not to rain on everyone's parade but according to Bob Quillman Rose Hulman will not be joining the NCAC.

https://x.com/IWUhoopscom/status/1743353034569076932

As my famous boss at Pillsbury/Gen Mills used to say, "Not defending, just reporting".

FWIW - that was 8 months ago. Take it with a grain of salt at this point.