FB: American Southwest Conference

[jekelish]

UTD to the Lone Star Conference is now official. I can honestly say I never expected them to actually make the jump. I have to assume the way the ASC is starting to fall apart changed the game for them.

https://utdcomets.com/news/2023/7/19/baseball-ut-dallas-accepts-invitation-to-join-lone-star-conference.aspx

[UMHB03]

UTD to the Lone Star Conference is now official. I can honestly say I never expected them to actually make the jump. I have to assume the way the ASC is starting to fall apart changed the game for them.

https://utdcomets.com/news/2023/7/19/baseball-ut-dallas-accepts-invitation-to-join-lone-star-conference.aspx

It's looking more and more inevitable that UMHB and HSU will be joining them before long. It's the only option.

[jekelish]

UTD to the Lone Star Conference is now official. I can honestly say I never expected them to actually make the jump. I have to assume the way the ASC is starting to fall apart changed the game for them.

https://utdcomets.com/news/2023/7/19/baseball-ut-dallas-accepts-invitation-to-join-lone-star-conference.aspx

It's looking more and more inevitable that UMHB and HSU will be joining them before long. It's the only option.

Yep, unless I'm missing something, and unless the new commissioner can pull a rabbit out of a hat with new teams, the ASC will be down to 5 schools in 2025, by my count? I feel like UTD bailing might have been the death blow.

[TheChucker]

The LSC is such a massive conference for non-football sports already. I think UTD would be the 17th member after UFS leaves. If current ASC members are essentially forced into D2, would the LSC conference be too big? Any other LSC non-football schools moving out or up to D1?

For football, it sounds like the LSC would welcome more TX schools to replace the Pacific Northwest affiliates.

[Ron Boerger]

The new commissioner has a few months to get something, anything going, otherwise the Baptist Four will do what they need to do out of self-preservation.  And it may be too late already.

[Etchglow]

The new commissioner has a few months to get something, anything going, otherwise the Baptist Four will do what they need to do out of self-preservation.  And it may be too late already.

Honestly, I think the ASC is done at this point unless they find someone to merge with. I don't see enough schools to poach to keep them in the playoffs. All that is left is riding it out until we lose auto bids and then figuring out where the pieces land...

[jekelish]

The LSC is such a massive conference for non-football sports already. I think UTD would be the 17th member after UFS leaves. If current ASC members are essentially forced into D2, would the LSC conference be too big? Any other LSC non-football schools moving out or up to D1?

For football, it sounds like the LSC would welcome more TX schools to replace the Pacific Northwest affiliates.

It's interesting you mention that, because I just heard a theory floated earlier today that some of the Baptist schools in the LSC might be thinking they can break off with the remaining ASC schools to create a new D2 conference in Texas, apart from the LSC.

[Etchglow]

The LSC is such a massive conference for non-football sports already. I think UTD would be the 17th member after UFS leaves. If current ASC members are essentially forced into D2, would the LSC conference be too big? Any other LSC non-football schools moving out or up to D1?

For football, it sounds like the LSC would welcome more TX schools to replace the Pacific Northwest affiliates.

It's interesting you mention that, because I just heard a theory floated earlier today that some of the Baptist schools in the LSC might be thinking they can break off with the remaining ASC schools to create a new D2 conference in Texas, apart from the LSC.

I think there is only one Baptist school in the lone star conference (Dallas Baptist) if you believe what Wikipedia says. The most likely thing I see is that 2 or 3 more of the Baptist four get invites to join the lsc. That would allow them to ditch the last two pnw football affiliates. I saw this over on the D2 football forums:

Finally announced. This was one of them teams I spoke of in another thread during off season.

There is one, maybe two more as well. Not sure when.

Also hearing about two other universities that are being considered.

If all are invited and accept, thst would be 13 teams. But I only expect 12 max.

[TheChucker]

The LSC is such a massive conference for non-football sports already. I think UTD would be the 17th member after UFS leaves. If current ASC members are essentially forced into D2, would the LSC conference be too big? Any other LSC non-football schools moving out or up to D1?

For football, it sounds like the LSC would welcome more TX schools to replace the Pacific Northwest affiliates.

It's interesting you mention that, because I just heard a theory floated earlier today that some of the Baptist schools in the LSC might be thinking they can break off with the remaining ASC schools to create a new D2 conference in Texas, apart from the LSC.

There might not be enough Baptist schools to do that, but I wouldn't be surprised if ASC folks consider trying to peel off some private or smaller schools from the LSC for non-football sports. 

My post above was wrong. UTD would be the 18th LSC full member after UA Fort Smith leaves but is replaced by Sul Ross.

[Ralph Turner]

Are HPU and LeTourneau acceptable to the SCAC?

HPU makes a nice travel partner for McMurry

[Ralph Turner]

Are HPU and LeTourneau acceptable to the SCAC?

HPU makes a nice travel partner for McMurry.

[Ron Boerger]

Are HPU and LeTourneau acceptable to the SCAC?

HPU makes a nice travel partner for McMurry.

I guess the question as much as acceptability would be can the SCAC easily deal with that many schools?  HPU brings a football team which would shore up the small numbers there (six if everyone who has committed to playing by 2026 actually does).  I could see the SCAC jumping on HPU for that reason alone.  For some reason I seem to remember discussion of LeTU being approached in the past but being happy to remain in the ASC; obviously that could change given the current climate.

[jekelish]

Are HPU and LeTourneau acceptable to the SCAC?

HPU makes a nice travel partner for McMurry.

I guess the question as much as acceptability would be can the SCAC easily deal with that many schools?  HPU brings a football team which would shore up the small numbers there (six if everyone who has committed to playing by 2026 actually does).  I could see the SCAC jumping on HPU for that reason alone.  For some reason I seem to remember discussion of LeTU being approached in the past but being happy to remain in the ASC; obviously that could change given the current climate.

My understanding is that that's exactly what happened. They were approached and said no thank you. Not sure they would still have a spot so they might well be kicking themselves right about now. Also been hearing some rumors that HPU is potentially on a financial precipice and could be in trouble in the coming years, so I think the SCAC might steer clear of that one as well, but who knows.

[Mavchamp]

The LSC is such a massive conference for non-football sports already. I think UTD would be the 17th member after UFS leaves. If current ASC members are essentially forced into D2, would the LSC conference be too big? Any other LSC non-football schools moving out or up to D1?

For football, it sounds like the LSC would welcome more TX schools to replace the Pacific Northwest affiliates.

IF...HUGE IF....IF ETBU were forced to go to D2.....my guess is that they would join the Great American Conference instead of the LSC.

Geographically....the GAC makes a ton more sense.


Marshall, Texas  to Alva ,Oklahoma 485 Miles
to Weatherford, Oklahoma 423 miles
to Bethany, Oklahoma 365 miles
to Russellville, Arkansas 284 miles
To Shawnee, Oklahoma 285
To Searcy, Arkansas 265 miles
To Ada, Arkansas 237 miles
To Monticello, Arkansas 197 miles
to Durant, Oklahoma 193 miles
To Arkadelphia, Arkansas 150 miles (Twice)

TOTAL:  3,034 miles.  8 of the rivals are less than 300 miles from ETBU.

Vs. LSC

Marshall, Texas to Silver City, New Mexico 939 miles
to Portales, New Mexico 605 miles
to Canyon, Texas 531 miles
to Odessa, Texas 504 miles
to Lubbock, Texas 497
to Laredo, Texas 461
to San Angelo, Texas 410 miles
to Laredo, Texas 453 miles
to Oklahoma City, OK 354 miles
to San Antonio, Texas 353 miles
to Lawton, Oklahoma 343 miles
to Wichita Falls, Texas 291 miles
to Austin, Texas 276 miles
to Fort Smith, Arkansas 251 miles
to Denton, Texas 188 miles
to Magnolia, Arkansas 104 miles
to Tyler, Texas 62 miles

TOTAL: 6,269 miles.  11 rivals are over 300 miles from Marshall.


GAC makes a lot more sense.  But D2 still seems like a long shot.  But D-3 options are thin.  ASC seems to be on life support.  SCAC may or may not be interested.  SAA seems a longshot.

Not sure a partnership with the SCIAC helps much..... some crazy travel. 

The more I read up on the NAIA (Sooner Conference)....it's just not a great fit for ETBU athletically..... even if it makes TOTAL geographic sense.  Travel wise it's a GREAT fit with Fort Worth, Waxahachie, Plainview, Tyler, Pineville (La)..... but with ETBU having hockey, Lacrosse, rugby.... seems to be a longshot.......'

[Ralph Turner]

Mavchamp, I do not see Rugby on the ETBU website.