MBB: MAC Freedom League

[bill]

JM,

I've been out of touch for a while...but what FDU rumors?? Go to where? My source close to the program hasn't mentioned a single thing to me about a move.

And for what it's worth, I'm surprised Wilkes moved without Kings. I may be overestimating their rivalry, I guess!

[kate]

Hello Bill - One probably couldn't underestimate their rivalry, in that not only are they in the same city, but directly next door.   Apparently when one ego-centered conference gets set on adding teams, for WHATEVER reason, they will and did just that!   Forget fanbase, traditional d3 rivalries or polling the students - it becomes a done deal.   Sad

[Pat Coleman]

  Forget fanbase, traditional d3 rivalries or polling the students - it becomes a done deal.   

Did hear that Lyco surveyed student-athletes on this, for what it's worth.

[kate]

Getting dinner here in Easton, but this thought just came to mind - of course, the Lycoming football team is undoubtedly thrilled at the thought of beating Juniata, Moravian, probably Susquehanna and possibly Catholic (although i know nothing about the Catholic team)!   Way to dilute an existing fan base there  !   Now, with covid, we - all of us in d3 and those of us that love our existing leagues, need a little continuity.

[Pat Coleman]

I did not get the impression that Lycoming solely surveyed football student-athletes.

[lefty2]

For what it's worth, half of the current MAC membership (more than half once Wilkes/Lyco depart) has joined the conference within the last 15-20 years.

They were all 'pilfered' from somewhere.

[bill]

Getting dinner here in Easton, but this thought just came to mind - of course, the Lycoming football team is undoubtedly thrilled at the thought of beating Juniata, Moravian, probably Susquehanna and possibly Catholic (although i know nothing about the Catholic team)!   Way to dilute an existing fan base there  !   Now, with covid, we - all of us in d3 and those of us that love our existing leagues, need a little continuity.

Kate, just an FYI - those are the schools Lycoming has traditionally played back in an earlier version of the MAC. For example, Lyco and Juniata have played about 50 times...Lyco vs. Susquehanna more than 50. For alumni of a certain age, those schools are the norm!

[kate]

Lefty, my point - why doesn't the landmark go after the likes of Muhlenberg, or others in the Centennial League?   Why keep hitting on the MAC?   What's wrong with the Colonial League?   The MAC has been decimated enough.     And i certainly remember when our MAC was intact, and Lycoming played Moravian, Juniata and Susquehanna.   We've followed the MAC since the '97, '98 season.   Has the landmark thought about wrestling?   Long road trips ahead for those student athletes and as i've said many times, a depleted fanbase, except, of course for each individual school.   Fortunately, Scranton fans will always feel that they're the best, just as i feel that Del Val is - the others, who knows.   For the sake of d3 sports, i wish them the best, but those teams that have left the MAC, i've pretty much lost complete interest in them.

[lefty2]

Lefty, my point - why doesn't the landmark go after the likes of Muhlenberg, or others in the Centennial League?   Why keep hitting on the MAC?   What's wrong with the Colonial League?   The MAC has been decimated enough.     And i certainly remember when our MAC was intact, and Lycoming played Moravian, Juniata and Susquehanna.   We've followed the MAC since the '97, '98 season.   Has the landmark thought about wrestling?   Long road trips ahead for those student athletes and as i've said many times, a depleted fanbase, except, of course for each individual school.   Fortunately, Scranton fans will always feel that they're the best, just as i feel that Del Val is - the others, who knows.   For the sake of d3 sports, i wish them the best, but those teams that have left the MAC, i've pretty much lost complete interest in them.

Kate,
My point is that it works both ways and it will continue to work both ways.  The MAC has been around for more than 100 years and has many different membership variations.  Every school does what they think is best for them.

[NEPAFAN]

   Apparently when one ego-centered conference gets set on adding teams, for WHATEVER reason, they will and did just that!   Forget fanbase, traditional d3 rivalries or polling the students - it becomes a done deal.   Sad

That is an unnecessary dig at the Landmark.

[kate]

Nepa fan, i've always appreciated your posts, but back in 2006 when that landmark mission statement was presented, the words "like-minded" jumped out at me like a charging bear.   Now, some 22 years later, i still fail to see how "like-minded" truly applies itself to d3 sports.   And, don't get me wrong, in our younger years, my hubby & i practically arranged our entire winter lives around our beloved Aggies and the MAC schedule in general, so NOTHING against d3 sports.   And now, even though covid has curtailed our activities greatly, we still follow our team & league.   I can see leagues forming because of financial constraints, but to form a league of like-minded d3 athletes seems ego driven to me.   Why is that?

[kate]

Just one more quick thought - i always felt the purpose of higher education other than the obvious, was to expose people to ALL kinds of nationalities and cultures, including sport's cultures.   Most of our precious athletes won't be going pro, so what better way to 'expose' them to other cultures than in sports, particularly d3 sports.

[bill]

Hello,

Just wanted to clarify my earlier point about Lyco and old conference rivals Juniata, Susquehanna, and Moravian - those numbers I was stating were in regards to their old football schedules...not basketball. Forgot I was posting on the basketball board!!

[NEPAFAN]

Kate:

I just don't see how ego-centered the Landmark is?

Also, would kill for a football program like Del Val in the Electric City...

[kate]

What the heck, Bill - we're all together on here  , and NEPA fan, i told you i liked your posts - even when we were together & i was sparring with the Scranton fans.   Now, after a quick glance on your page, i see that Scranton fans are still the predominate posters - please believe me when i say my Hubby and i miss those trips to Scranton and grabbing a hoagie at the Subway across the street from the gym.   Thanks for the football compliment - that football program took a long time to build, but it sure is fun to watch now.