FB: American Southwest Conference

[TLU02SA]

SCAC football is still on very uncertain footing - there are only six teams committed to play and not all of them until 2026.  Jek has a really good handle on this, but I still would not be surprised if the SCAC is forced to offer either HPU or ETBU.  Both would be in decent position from a travel partner perspective (HPU, McMurry; ETBU, Centenary).  And I've often thought of all the Baptist Four, HSU would be the best add as they are already quite competitive with Trinity in a number of sports besides football. 
This article says Schreiner won't start play until 2025 but I would have expected there to be a coach announced by now - so they can start recruiting athletes in the class entering 2024, playing a JV schedule.

This is why I think, ultimately, all four of the Baptist schools end up in the SCAC.  For that stability.  It may not be what everyone wants but convenience is part of the equation when forming DIII conferences. 

Also, I just don't get the argument that UMHB and HSU have been too dominate.  In football, UMHB has been the dominate program but neither of these schools have dominated the ASC across all sports like Trinity has dominated the SCAC (both before and after the formation of the SAA). 

I also am skeptical that Schreiner is actually starting a football program.

[BSCpanthers]

It says Schreiner will field a team in fall of '25, so they still have nearly 2 years before they play a down. 

[crufootball]

It says Schreiner will field a team in fall of '25, so they still have nearly 2 years before they play a down.

True but unless you want this is be a comedy of errors then like the ASC they need to get moving. If we take Centenary as a good example, they announced in November of 2021 they wanted to start in Fall of 2024, so they named a coach in March of 2022 who spent over a year recruiting so they could play some exhibition games this fall and will play a full slate next year.

There are many reasons why there may be no obvious movement but Schreiner announced in November of 2022 and now its been almost a calendar year and nothing. Again as outsider we can only guess but again like the ASC, silence can be loud if you let it get out of hand.

[Mavchamp]

It says Schreiner will field a team in fall of '25, so they still have nearly 2 years before they play a down.

silence can be loud if you let it get out of hand.

THIS THIS THIS. 

And here we are creeping up on late October and not s single peep from the ASC about securing the future of the conference.  We haven't heard a word from the ASC since late summer.  Just vague talk of alliances with other collapsing conferences and accusations of lack of solidarity of the remaining.

The lack of leadership of the ASC is almost Pac-12-ian.

[Mavchamp]

If the SCAC locks out HPU and ETBU......

It will be interesting to see if they decide to go to the Sooner Conference of the NAIA.  There don't really seem to be any other D3 choices for them.

I just don't see either being a good fit for D2.  The enrollments are just too small.....especially compared to most of the schools in the Lone Star Conference.  The Great American Conference enrollments are significatly smaller than the LSC overall....which bodes well for HPU and ETBU....but they may not even be interested in 2 schools from Texas.  Makes sense for ETBU geographically....but not so much HPU.

I've always thought of the NAIA as somewhat less prestigious than NCAA D3.....but then you think about it.  Outside of the actual fandoms of a team or fans of a conference..... can anyone outside of those circles name a D3 school?  Probably not.  Can they name an NAIA school?  Probably not.  SO what's the difference?  Seems pretty minimal.  Hell....most fans can't even name D2 schools.

Out side of the fanbases of the schools...and message boards like this.....  I don't think people are aware of the who's who of D3 football.  Same with NAIA.

Knowing that..... is D3 more prestigious?  I'm thinking not. 

Instead of perceived prestige.......the question more falls along the lines of..... does the NAIA share the same values and vision that ETBU and HPU have for their schools? Monetarily and otherwise.

Geographically the sooner conference makes perfect sense.  Enrollment wise....it's practically identical to what we see in the ASC and the SCAC.

Louisiana Christian (Pineville, LA) 1,200
Texas Wesleyan (Fort Worth, TX) 2,373
Ottawa University AX (Surprise, AZ) 750
Langston (Langston, OK) 2,554
Panhandle State (Goodwell, OK) 1,207
Southwestern AGU (Waxahachie, TX) 2,080
Arkansas Baptist (Little Rock, AR) 525
Wayland Baptist (Plainview, TX) 5,077
Texas College (Tyler, TX) 972

I still would like to see things work out.......but the silence of the ASC.....coupled by the reluctance of the SCAC to take HPU and ETBU.....and the unfavorable fit of D2 athletics...... this may be the best option. 

At least on paper.....there's some potential for some good rivalries for both.

HPU with Wayland....Wesleyan.....SAGU
ETBU with Louisiana College, Texas College, Arkansas Baptist

Might be worth exploring for either...or both.

Another question....would the SAC even want them? 

[Ron Boerger]

I believe in the NAIA, schools have to foot much more of their travel bills for playoffs than they do in the NCAA.

[D3Navy]

If the SCAC locks out HPU and ETBU......

It will be interesting to see if they decide to go to the Sooner Conference of the NAIA.  There don't really seem to be any other D3 choices for them.

I just don't see either being a good fit for D2.  The enrollments are just too small.....especially compared to most of the schools in the Lone Star Conference.  The Great American Conference enrollments are significatly smaller than the LSC overall....which bodes well for HPU and ETBU....but they may not even be interested in 2 schools from Texas.  Makes sense for ETBU geographically....but not so much HPU.

I've always thought of the NAIA as somewhat less prestigious than NCAA D3.....but then you think about it.  Outside of the actual fandoms of a team or fans of a conference..... can anyone outside of those circles name a D3 school?  Probably not.  Can they name an NAIA school?  Probably not.  SO what's the difference?  Seems pretty minimal.  Hell....most fans can't even name D2 schools.

Out side of the fanbases of the schools...and message boards like this.....  I don't think people are aware of the who's who of D3 football.  Same with NAIA.

Knowing that..... is D3 more prestigious?  I'm thinking not. 

Instead of perceived prestige.......the question more falls along the lines of..... does the NAIA share the same values and vision that ETBU and HPU have for their schools? Monetarily and otherwise.

Geographically the sooner conference makes perfect sense.  Enrollment wise....it's practically identical to what we see in the ASC and the SCAC.

Louisiana Christian (Pineville, LA) 1,200
Texas Wesleyan (Fort Worth, TX) 2,373
Ottawa University AX (Surprise, AZ) 750
Langston (Langston, OK) 2,554
Panhandle State (Goodwell, OK) 1,207
Southwestern AGU (Waxahachie, TX) 2,080
Arkansas Baptist (Little Rock, AR) 525
Wayland Baptist (Plainview, TX) 5,077
Texas College (Tyler, TX) 972

I still would like to see things work out.......but the silence of the ASC.....coupled by the reluctance of the SCAC to take HPU and ETBU.....and the unfavorable fit of D2 athletics...... this may be the best option. 

At least on paper.....there's some potential for some good rivalries for both.

HPU with Wayland....Wesleyan.....SAGU
ETBU with Louisiana College, Texas College, Arkansas Baptist

Might be worth exploring for either...or both.

Another question....would the SAC even want them?

Excellent analysis and perspective.

[Jay Murry]

Hello All,

While I will be following from afar WashU's efforts against North Central Saturday, it won't be idle following.

I will be in the midst of my Rett Gets Rocked 2023 24-hour ultramarathon at WashU to raise awareness of Rett syndrome and research funds to find a cure.  I'm starting around 8:00 Friday night (after I provide the call for the WashU-Saint Louis U. swimming and diving meet), and ending at 8:00 Saturday night. 

Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by a gene mutation on the X chromosome.  It lays in the weeds until a child is between 6-18 months old, just when a child is learning to walk and talk.  Rett is like Lucy in the Peanuts comic strip when she pulls the ball away from Charlie Brown, as he tries to kick it.  Unlike Charlie Brown...when Rett pulls the ball away from children, they don't get a chance to get up and try again.  Children go into severe neurological regression; many end up in wheelchairs and most lose the ability to talk and to do sign language.  Those with Rett also are prone to seizures, extreme nerve pain, GI issues, breathing abnormalities, and eating difficulties that can all be life-threatening.

Researchers are relentless, providing hope on two fronts.  Back in March of this year, Daybue became the first FDA-approved drug to target the effects of Rett syndrome.  Daybue helps blunt some of the seizures and has helped improve some vocal and gross motor skills.  Gene replacement therapy clinical trials in two North American locations have helped one patient sit up independently for the first time in a decade, and to grasp objects for the first time since infancy.

It is this momentum of hope and progress that I am trying to assist and perpetuate.

If you would like to make a donation, click on this Rett Racers link:  https://rettracers.funraise.org/fundraiser/jaymurry

The families of children who have Rett and fight a tough fight every day, will be very grateful for your help.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and enjoy the games this weekend!

[Ralph Turner]

Not a typo...

McM 45 HPU 21.

A dominant performance. After the 1pt loss to open the season against BSC, an OT loss to HSU and a 1-point loss due to a blocked PAT versus ETBU, the team looks like it might be turning the corner.

Next week is Homecoming versus AC and at TLU and hosting SRSU remain.

I believe that I remember from an old media guide, that McMurry and Sul Ross first played in 1923, and may have played more than 90 times in the last century.

McM is now 3-4

[UMHB03]

A win is a win, but a second straight underwhelming effort against an opponent that a typical UMHB team would have beaten by 60.

I hope Harmon is just holding back for next week, because the performances we've seen the last two weeks would give them zero chance of beating HSU with a healthy Glynn.

[umhb2001]

Rivalry week is upon us. Planning on making the trip to Abilene. Should be another fantastic installment in the ongoing rivalry between the top two teams.

As I see it, the key battles are this:

UMHB run D vs the stable of runners for the Cowboys.

Isaac Phe vs a talented HSU defense

Of course I'm taking my Cru by a TD to win. Good luck and good health to all.

[Ron Boerger]

Rivalry week is upon us. Planning on making the trip to Abilene. Should be another fantastic installment in the ongoing rivalry between the top two teams.

As I see it, the key battles are this:

UMHB run D vs the stable of runners for the Cowboys.

Isaac Phe vs a talented HSU defense

Of course I'm taking my Cru by a TD to win. Good luck and good health to all.

If the HSU team that played two weeks ago and should have lost to TLU shows up, Cru by 20. 

[Ralph Turner]

Rivalry week is upon us. Planning on making the trip to Abilene. Should be another fantastic installment in the ongoing rivalry between the top two teams.

As I see it, the key battles are this:

UMHB run D vs the stable of runners for the Cowboys.

Isaac Phe vs a talented HSU defense

Of course I'm taking my Cru by a TD to win. Good luck and good health to all.

If the HSU team that played two weeks ago and should have lost to TLU shows up, Cru by 20.

... or the  HSU team the beat McMurry in OT.

I am not sure how much improvement Coach Neal has accomplished at McM this season.

At the risk of jinxing it, McMurry could end up 6-4, a winning season for the 1st time since Coach Mumme!

[Toby Taff]

Rivalry week is upon us. Planning on making the trip to Abilene. Should be another fantastic installment in the ongoing rivalry between the top two teams.

As I see it, the key battles are this:

UMHB run D vs the stable of runners for the Cowboys.

Isaac Phe vs a talented HSU defense

Of course I'm taking my Cru by a TD to win. Good luck and good health to all.

If the HSU team that played two weeks ago and should have lost to TLU shows up, Cru by 20.

... or the  HSU team the beat McMurry in OT.

I am not sure how much improvement Coach Neal has accomplished at McM this season.

At the risk of jinxing it, McMurry could end up 6-4, a winning season for the 1st time since Coach Mumme!

I think Coach Neal is starting to benefit from the culture he has created. No question I've been a fan of his since I met him. He's a high character guy and brings in people of the same ilk as players and coaches. I think there's a very good possibility that McMurry could win out and I'm here for it.  As for Saturday, I don't know what to expect. This will be the first time since Whitewater Phe will be facing that kind of powerhouse defense (other than in practice) Hopefully the experience against UWW helps keep him calm cool and collected. I'm going to be there with my Kilt on pulling for the Cru.

[UMHB03]

Glynn appears to be healthy now, so unfortunately we won't be seeing the version of HSU that faced McMurry and TLU. UMHB can beat them, but they'll have to play with much more focus and fire than they have the past two weeks.