FB: American Southwest Conference

[crufootball]

Just so everyonce can know, the full order from Texas Football went

1. UMHB
2. LC
3. McMurry
4. HSU
5. ETBU
6. MC
7. TLU
8. SRSU
9. HPU

[etbu27]

A good question indeed. I can say that it will be an experience for their players but 2 1-AA opponents on a D3 slate is a bit much....especially for a team that isnt the most successful in their conference. No offense to McM fans.

And the HSU is a bit harsh considering the 2 and 3 picks.

My personal sleepers this season are ETBU and TLU......TLU is returning a promising QB and several key players.

[roocru]

Information on UMHB expanded field house to be completed in September;

http://www.cruathletics.com/news/2011/6/20/GEN_0620114801.aspx

[Toby Taff]

july....1 month closer

[etbu27]

The rich get richer...

[lewis]

Former HPU player and NFL star Kenneth Gray on ballot for Texas Sports Hall of Fame
http://www.hpusports.com/news/2011/7/2/Gen_0702115401.aspx

[etbu27]

ETBU sad to see Offensive Coordinator Zack Bryant leave but excited about new coaching shifts.

http://www.etbu.edu/Current_Athletic_News/sports_item.htm?NewsID=2343

[Ralph Turner]

McMurry accepted into D-II process.


From the press release...

Acceptance by the NCAA means that McMurry begins its candidacy period
in 2011-12, and would be eligible to compete in NCAA Division II
playoffs for the first time in 2014-15.

The War Hawks will compete one final year in Division III as a member
of the American Southwest Conference in 2011-12.

...

"We started down this road because of the impact the Division II
transition has had on the academic profile of those schools who had
journeyed before us. And while that motivated our initial
investigation, we've learned of the variety of benefits that accrue a
successful transition to NCAA Division II," said Russell. "We are
eager to get underway and are appreciative of the confidence placed in
us by the McMurry Board of Trustees, the Heartland Conference and the
NCAA."

During the candidacy process, the Heartland Conference accepted
McMurry as a member beginning in 2012-13. That would allow for 12 of
the War Hawks' 19 intercollegiate sports to be sponsored by the
Division II conference that features schools from Texas, Arkansas,
Oklahoma, and Kansas.

Football, men's & women's indoor and outdoor track along with men's
and women's swimming will compete independently.

There were significant advantages to the institution for McMurry to become a "partial scholarship model" institution.

D3football.com/d3sports.com should have the full story on the front page later today.

[crufootball]

How hard is it to be an independent in DII? 

[Ralph Turner]

How hard is it to be an independent in DII?  

There are several options that are available in D-II.

You get your "money" games from D-1 FCS.

There are several D-II independents that you need to play for playoff consideration.

There are open dates from the other conferences.  Filling an 11-game schedule is possible.  As I understand it, there are no AQ's in D-II football.

But, the most likely scenario is that D-II in Texas will have changed by the time that the 2014 season rolls around.  Tarleton and ACU are rumored to be moving to D-1.  The LSC is losing its OK members.  I think that the Lone Star Conference and the Heartland Conference will re-configure in that time period.

[TXGuru]

Could sum1 please explain to me about HPU...They seem to have a good coaching staff...and GREAT facilities for d3...is there a reason why its not translating into football wins?

[etbu27]

IMHO its similar to why SRSU isnt great...just arent many recruits out that way that would pick that school. Competing with ACU, WTAMU, TTU, HSU, McM, Angelo St., Tarleton even Midwestern St. and I think anyone would agree that of all those HPU would be the least attractive on all fronts. (Except Tarleton...but at least they are a winning program that has scholarships for athletics.)

But on another note, whos stoked for Kickoff?? August is just over 2 weeks away!!

[Bill McCabe]

Could sum1 please explain to me about HPU...They seem to have a good coaching staff...and GREAT facilities for d3...is there a reason why its not translating into football wins?

They won in the past.  They need to have a few winning seasons to start attracting players again.  Easier said than done, but there will be a time when they start winning big again.

[TxFight]

It seems to me like the HPU defense has fallen on hard times in recent seasons.  The offense has been pretty potent for a while (struggled last season though) but the defense has been the downfall of the team.  In the ASC your in trouble if you cant field a good defense because just about every offense can light you up for some serious points in a hurry if your not careful.  HPU will struggle next year, but give it time and they will rebound.

[Pat Coleman]

McMurry accepted into D-II process.


From the press release...

Acceptance by the NCAA means that McMurry begins its candidacy period
in 2011-12, and would be eligible to compete in NCAA Division II
playoffs for the first time in 2014-15.

The War Hawks will compete one final year in Division III as a member
of the American Southwest Conference in 2011-12.

...

"We started down this road because of the impact the Division II
transition has had on the academic profile of those schools who had
journeyed before us. And while that motivated our initial
investigation, we've learned of the variety of benefits that accrue a
successful transition to NCAA Division II," said Russell. "We are
eager to get underway and are appreciative of the confidence placed in
us by the McMurry Board of Trustees, the Heartland Conference and the
NCAA."

During the candidacy process, the Heartland Conference accepted
McMurry as a member beginning in 2012-13. That would allow for 12 of
the War Hawks' 19 intercollegiate sports to be sponsored by the
Division II conference that features schools from Texas, Arkansas,
Oklahoma, and Kansas.

Football, men's & women's indoor and outdoor track along with men's
and women's swimming will compete independently.

There were significant advantages to the institution for McMurry to become a "partial scholarship model" institution.

D3football.com/d3sports.com should have the full story on the front page later today.

We didn't run a story, only because it's just a repeat of what was said in December. The only reason we would have done another story would be if a school did an about-face, like New Orleans.