FB: American Rivers Conference

[doolittledog]

I think it would be nice to find someone out west for BV to have a rivalry with.  Waldorf has been playing many of the IIAC teams in recent years.  Or you could try to steal Northwestern away from the GPAC and the NAIA. 

[Willie University]

I just heard a report from RADIO IOWA that the IIAC commish is looking to add team(s) to conference. Here is what I found on RI web site. There was more to radio report. No schools were mentioned.

Guesses-
Grand View would be my #1 guess.


Iowa Conference exploring expansion
Monday, February 9, 2009, 8:53 AM
By Todd Kimm

The commissioner of the Iowa Conference says the league is looking at the possibility of expanding. The conference has had nine members since Upper Iowa announced in 2003 that is was leaving to join the division two ranks.

Commissioner Chuck Yrigoyen says they'd like to be at an even number for scheduling purposes, and he says they've been discussing the issue to see what they can do.

Yrigoyen says any new member to the conference would need to be the right fit. He says they are fortunate to be a strong group academically, and they want to be sure that any new addition to the league would also have to be strong academically.

Why would we want to do this? We would lose 1 non-conference game I assume. But, I suppose it would probably make us a stronger conference and maybe more likely to get 2 teams in the playoffs with more conference members??

Footballdaddy- I see your point. My first year of college, there were 4 players all from the same high school. They of course were friends before they came and were friends during college and certainly hung out a lot but they also made a lot of other friends and hung out with other people quite a bit too. From what I have witnessed personally during my college years, it will not be an issue I am sure.

Dog- Orlando Walton- not sure why he isn't running. Maybe his eligibility was up.

Heys- Thanks!
Willie U

[Purple Heys]

If Senorita Heys had taken up residence at an IIAC school and then proceeded to have some success for the track team.  Would she have been letting Jr. know on a regular basis just how well she was doing relative to his team?  I am also curious to know if her numbers would be a little lower out here due to the colder weather we get.  Things we will probably never know though. 

Actually she would be jumping indoors just like she is now.  She would be leading the IIAC Women at this point based on her jump this past weekend.  LBSU does an abbreviated indoor season (a couple of tuneups then they do the MPSF league and NCAA prelims, before really getting going on outdoor next month.

MPSF stands for Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.  It includes an affiliation of Pac-10, Big West, Mountain West, WAC, and Big Sky conferences to include sports that the regular leagues don't otherwise have full participation.  Sports like Water Polo and Volleyball and Indoor Track.

She's as equally proud of her brothers as they are of her.  (And they still all fight...so you got that to look forward to Doolittle)   

[dutchfan1]

I just heard a report from RADIO IOWA that the IIAC commish is looking to add team(s) to conference. Here is what I found on RI web site. There was more to radio report. No schools were mentioned.

Guesses-
Grand View would be my #1 guess.


Iowa Conference exploring expansion
Monday, February 9, 2009, 8:53 AM
By Todd Kimm

The commissioner of the Iowa Conference says the league is looking at the possibility of expanding. The conference has had nine members since Upper Iowa announced in 2003 that is was leaving to join the division two ranks.

Commissioner Chuck Yrigoyen says they'd like to be at an even number for scheduling purposes, and he says they've been discussing the issue to see what they can do.

Yrigoyen says any new member to the conference would need to be the right fit. He says they are fortunate to be a strong group academically, and they want to be sure that any new addition to the league would also have to be strong academically.

My guess would be Grand View as well, although I would imagine Northwestern and Briar Cliff are also part of the discussion.

[doolittledog]

Well let's see. 

Grinnell - The only D3 school in Iowa that isn't a part of our conference.  I imagine Grinnell would welcome having less miles to travel to play conference members.  They are strong academically.  Their basketball team is known nationally.  They have a huge endowment, so money won't be an issue for them. 

Grand View - Located in Des Moines, might get our conference some more press in the Des Moines Register.  Just started a football program.  Has been NAIA.  Might start poaching talent that previously might have gone to Simpson or Central...or could open Des Moines area students to the other IIAC schools. 

Waldorf - Somewhat close for BV.  They are located just off of I-35.  Would be easy for most every conference school to get to them.  They have been playing BV and Luther pretty regularly in the past.  Negatives are they are in the NAIA so would have to transition to NCAA status.  They were a JC until 2001 with a small enrollment and endowment. 

Northwestern - Close to BV.  Another Dutch Reformed school so they could also be a rival to Central.  Have had strong athletics programs and strong academics.  Have the largest endowment of any NAIA school in our state.  Negative would be they are NAIA so would have to transition into the NCAA. 

Briar Cliff - A western Iowa school, it would be nice to have a state wide footprint for our conference.  Another catholic school, I suppose Loras would like that.  They have a very poor football team and are NAIA. 

St. Ambrose - Strong NAIA program.  A long time rival to Loras.  A former member of the IIAC.  Supposedly strong academics.  Other than BV, not hard to get to for most IIAC schools.  Catholic...Loras would like that. 

UIU???  Don't see that happening.

Billy Penn???  Maybe, former member that hasn't been gone a decade yet. 

Graceland???  Would be a team for the southern part of our state...that statewide footprint thing.  NAIA

Iowa Wesleyan???  Eh, whatever 

[Purple Heys]

I guess I don't get the "we need another member" thing

Could it be with the increasing travel expenses...especially associated with non-conference games and perhaps the increasing difficulty in scheduling 2 non-con games...it's easier to only have to pursue 1 non-con foe per year rather than 2.

Too bad.  Non-con games give us a chance to compare our conference somewhat (We'd look better if Wartburg would quit getting worked by Auggie)  8)   Yeah, I know, I know...we got punked by Grinnell.   

I would suppose the real answer is $$...as in follow it.  New conference affiliate means one more dues paying member.

My thought is Grinnell.  It's already D3.  It makes geographic sense for them with all their travel to WI and IL.  Plus the MWC is a 10 team conference whose members do not play every other conference member every year in football.  (They have a team to give).

Football-wise, they've beaten us, so maybe they feel they are in a position to be competitive enough in that sport.  I don't know much about they stack up with the other sports though.

[dutchfan1]

Well let's see. 

Grinnell - The only D3 school in Iowa that isn't a part of our conference.  I imagine Grinnell would welcome having less miles to travel to play conference members.  They are strong academically.  Their basketball team is known nationally.  They have a huge endowment, so money won't be an issue for them. 

Grand View - Located in Des Moines, might get our conference some more press in the Des Moines Register.  Just started a football program.  Has been NAIA.  Might start poaching talent that previously might have gone to Simpson or Central...or could open Des Moines area students to the other IIAC schools. 

Waldorf - Somewhat close for BV.  They are located just off of I-35.  Would be easy for most every conference school to get to them.  They have been playing BV and Luther pretty regularly in the past.  Negatives are they are in the NAIA so would have to transition to NCAA status.  They were a JC until 2001 with a small enrollment and endowment. 

Northwestern - Close to BV.  Another Dutch Reformed school so they could also be a rival to Central.  Have had strong athletics programs and strong academics.  Have the largest endowment of any NAIA school in our state.  Negative would be they are NAIA so would have to transition into the NCAA. 

Briar Cliff - A western Iowa school, it would be nice to have a state wide footprint for our conference.  Another catholic school, I suppose Loras would like that.  They have a very poor football team and are NAIA. 

St. Ambrose - Strong NAIA program.  A long time rival to Loras.  A former member of the IIAC.  Supposedly strong academics.  Other than BV, not hard to get to for most IIAC schools.  Catholic...Loras would like that. 

UIU???  Don't see that happening.

Billy Penn???  Maybe, former member that hasn't been gone a decade yet. 

Graceland???  Would be a team for the southern part of our state...that statewide footprint thing.  NAIA

Iowa Wesleyan???  Eh, whatever 

Personally, if the IIAC feels they need to add another school to the conference, I would like to see a school that increases our competitive advantage in the respective sports -- something I don't think several of these schools (Briar Cliff, Grand View, Graceland....) could do.

UIU isn't coming back. The Peacocks jumped ship to move to D2 -- maybe giving token athletic scholarships compensates for, well, Fayette-nam. From what I recall, those bridges were burned years ago.

Wm. Penn doesn't fit in with the rest of the IIAC academically or athletically unless something drastic has changed in the last 10 years.

Waldorf and Northwestern have potential.

It's a tough call -- personally, I like the conference the way it is.

[Klopenhiemer]

Well let's see. 

Grinnell - The only D3 school in Iowa that isn't a part of our conference.  I imagine Grinnell would welcome having less miles to travel to play conference members.  They are strong academically.  Their basketball team is known nationally.  They have a huge endowment, so money won't be an issue for them. 

Grand View - Located in Des Moines, might get our conference some more press in the Des Moines Register.  Just started a football program.  Has been NAIA.  Might start poaching talent that previously might have gone to Simpson or Central...or could open Des Moines area students to the other IIAC schools. 

Waldorf - Somewhat close for BV.  They are located just off of I-35.  Would be easy for most every conference school to get to them.  They have been playing BV and Luther pretty regularly in the past.  Negatives are they are in the NAIA so would have to transition to NCAA status.  They were a JC until 2001 with a small enrollment and endowment. 

Northwestern - Close to BV.  Another Dutch Reformed school so they could also be a rival to Central.  Have had strong athletics programs and strong academics.  Have the largest endowment of any NAIA school in our state.  Negative would be they are NAIA so would have to transition into the NCAA. 

Briar Cliff - A western Iowa school, it would be nice to have a state wide footprint for our conference.  Another catholic school, I suppose Loras would like that.  They have a very poor football team and are NAIA. 

St. Ambrose - Strong NAIA program.  A long time rival to Loras.  A former member of the IIAC.  Supposedly strong academics.  Other than BV, not hard to get to for most IIAC schools.  Catholic...Loras would like that. 

UIU???  Don't see that happening.

Billy Penn???  Maybe, former member that hasn't been gone a decade yet. 

Graceland???  Would be a team for the southern part of our state...that statewide footprint thing.  NAIA

Iowa Wesleyan???  Eh, whatever 

Personally, if the IIAC feels they need to add another school to the conference, I would like to see a school that increases our competitive advantage in the respective sports -- something I don't think several of these schools (Briar Cliff, Grand View, Graceland....) could do.

UIU isn't coming back. The Peacocks jumped ship to move to D2 -- maybe giving token athletic scholarships compensates for, well, Fayette-nam. From what I recall, those bridges were burned years ago.

Wm. Penn doesn't fit in with the rest of the IIAC academically or athletically unless something drastic has changed in the last 10 years.

Waldorf and Northwestern have potential.

It's a tough call -- personally, I like the conference the way it is.

The other school that could get some strong consideration is Morningside.  They restructured their athletic program and are doing quite well.  Plus their coach has been wanting to get into a D3 program for quite some time now. 

Lets be honest the best fit for the conference would be St. Ambrose.  Good football and good in the classroom.  Plus they would be the largest school in the conference. 

The most likely would be Grinnell.  All of the schools mentioned are offering athletic scholarships.  I know there is some debate on whether they are truly an athletic scholarship or if they are more need based.  Either way they are throwing a lot of money at some kids and that money comes from the football program.  Think about coming in and telling every kid that they no longer legally have a scholarship and that their financial aid packages will have to be reworked.  Sounds like it could create a lot of dissension amongst the ranks and you could have a lot of kids jumping ship. 

[5 Words or Less]

Yrigoyen needs more to do

[doolittledog]

Yrigoyen needs more to do

Maybe we could get Yrigoyen to drive up to Fayette, stand outside the UIU athletic department with a boom box over his head, and play this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYpAa5MOzMU

[Purple Heys]

Yrigoyen...didn't Captain Kirk defeat him on the planet Triskelion in TOS Season 2 Episode 16?  (Stardate 3211.7, I believe)

What's he doing on earth?     8)

[DutchFan2004]

With all of these teams mentioned can you see the IIAC going to 12-14 teams and then having a East-West type arrangement and get a championship game?  I don't know what that does to the AQ would that give the IIAC 2 teams if they get to 14 teams since the minimum is 7 teams to get an AQ.  The IIAC West asy would get one and the IIAC East would get one.  Then you would not have to have a bye week cause you could cross conference lines to fill your schedule and not have a bye week so week 11 you could have a championship game for the IIAC crown.  Is this a possibility?

[doolittledog]

With all of these teams mentioned can you see the IIAC going to 12-14 teams and then having a East-West type arrangement and get a championship game?  I don't know what that does to the AQ would that give the IIAC 2 teams if they get to 14 teams since the minimum is 7 teams to get an AQ.  The IIAC West asy would get one and the IIAC East would get one.  Then you would not have to have a bye week cause you could cross conference lines to fill your schedule and not have a bye week so week 11 you could have a championship game for the IIAC crown.  Is this a possibility?

The possibilities here are limitless.  If the NAIA implodes...and that could happen.  Some would go D2, D3 would probably be a better fit for most of them.  There are 10 D3 schools and 10 NAIA schools with football in Iowa.  You could mix and match all kinds of ways.  I suppose you could even call yourselves 2 different conferences with 1 commish and head office. 

I suppose, in the end, I would be against adding a whole bunch of teams because I like having old rivals to play.  You bring in another 7 teams and everything would be a mess...fun maybe...but in the end it would be a mess I think.  Adding 1 team could be a good thing.  As far as football, it gives teams just 1 non-con game to fill every year.  As it stands now filling that 2nd non-con game can become a challenge.  Last year Central and Dubuque had to take 1 year contracts with teams and play on the road.  Last I looked Central still had a TBA for their Sept. 12th game this year.  I suppose Grinnell makes the most sense.  Grinnell is already a D3 member.  The IIAC would be a better fit geographically for them plus they could renew rivalries with Coe and Cornell from their old Midwest Conference days.  For me, I think it would be nice to find a school that is close to BV.  Right now we have Loras and Dubuque, Luther and Wartburg, Coe and Cornell, Central and Simpson that are close to each other and have rivalries.  BV is stuck out west all by themselves.  Bring in a Waldorf or Northwestern.  Who knows though what, if any, schools are actually interested in joining the IIAC.  There must be some though if the IIAC is talking publicly about adding to the conference. 

[Klopenhiemer]

With all of these teams mentioned can you see the IIAC going to 12-14 teams and then having a East-West type arrangement and get a championship game?  I don't know what that does to the AQ would that give the IIAC 2 teams if they get to 14 teams since the minimum is 7 teams to get an AQ.  The IIAC West asy would get one and the IIAC East would get one.  Then you would not have to have a bye week cause you could cross conference lines to fill your schedule and not have a bye week so week 11 you could have a championship game for the IIAC crown.  Is this a possibility?

This is a possibility but it would have to be under the circumstances as the NSIC and the NCC.  These are two of the D2 conferences that were in the midwest.  The NCC basically dissolved when the SoDak and NoDak schools went D1. Thus leaving a few teams in limbo.  Due to travel the NSIC took those teams in and then divided into two divisions. 

The IIAC could do this but the GPAC and the other conferences in the state would have dissolve for this to be a reality.  Plus there would be a lot of logistical issues with the NAIA and NCAA deal.  It would be fun to see it happen though.  One thing I would suggest is that they do a state war such as the NISC and the WIAC used to do a board war.  This would fill up the non conference games and settle the scores of who is better in state small college wise.  Imagine a Wartburg vs. St. Ambrose match up.  BV vs. Morningside match up.  Northwestern vs. Central match up.  Cornell vs. Grinnell match up part 2.  Simpson vs. Grandview part 2.  Luther vs.  Briar Cliff.  Coe vs. Graceland.  Dubuque vs. Iowa Weslyn.  Loras vs. William Penn.  There are some good match ups in these.  They could even do a kickoff weekend or closing weekend at the UNI Dome.  A lot of possibilities to have a lot of fun with football in Iowa. 

[Ralph Turner]

A question to the intelligentsia of the IIAC...

These are the schools in the exploratory year...

Doane, Concordia-NE, Hastings and William Jewell...

Are any of those schools likely candidates?

You can throw in full member Neb Wes if you like.