BB: SLIAC: St Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mr. Ypsi]

I don't really see any conference options for Webster aside from hoping the rest of the SLIAC gets better.  CCIW teams already complain about the distance to Decatur - I can't imagine them accepting a St. Louis team!

Besides, IMO the CCIW is now stable and the perfect size.  Any odd number of teams makes scheduling a mess.  6 is too few for an AQ.  10 or more gets very clumsy, and reduces the odds of ANY one team getting an AQ.  8 is the perfect number, and I trust the CCIW will stay that way!

[Gregory Sager]

I wonder if Webster has ever expolored the idea of a different conference.  I can't really identify another conference that makes sense geographically, but the SLIAC seems to have them handcuffed.  Webster has captured 10 of the last 11 all-sports trophies and it looks like this year will make 11 of 12.  Granted they may be middle to bottom of the pack for most sports in a conference like the CCIW, but surely wouldn't be as overmatched as some of their opponents in the SLIAC are today.

Where would the Gorloks go? As you said, no other conference makes sense for Webster geographically. The CCIW wouldn't take Webster, even if was looking to expand, because Webster's not a good fit for the CCIW in any way, shape, or form -- including competitive level -- and the MWC would consider Webster unsuitable for a number of reasons as well. The HCAC and NAthCon would be more compatible, but neither is realistic in terms of distance.

[Gregory Sager]

I don't really see any conference options for Webster aside from hoping the rest of the SLIAC gets better.  CCIW teams already complain about the distance to Decatur - I can't imagine them accepting a St. Louis team!

Besides, IMO the CCIW is now stable and the perfect size.  Any odd number of teams makes scheduling a mess.  6 is too few for an AQ.  10 or more gets very clumsy, and reduces the odds of ANY one team getting an AQ.  8 is the perfect number, and I trust the CCIW will stay that way!

Plus, among the million and one other reasons why Webster will never be asked to join the CCIW is the fact that the school does not have football, and football is a required sport for full CCIW membership.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Greg, I'd never noticed that Webster doesn't have football - that DOES ice it!

If the CCIW DID ever have to replace a school (hopefully replace, not expand ), I'd assume (for geographical reasons) it would much more likely be someone like Benedictine or Olivet Nazarene (or re-admit Carroll if they didn't burn too many bridges upon their exit ).

[Gregory Sager]

Greg, I'd never noticed that Webster doesn't have football - that DOES ice it!

If the CCIW DID ever have to replace a school (hopefully replace, not expand ), I'd assume (for geographical reasons) it would much more likely be someone like Benedictine or Olivet Nazarene (or re-admit Carroll if they didn't burn too many bridges upon their exit ).

It wouldn't be Benedictine, which will be vetoed by North Central every time it applies for CCIW membership from now until Judgment Day. Olivet Nazarene would pose too much of a hassle, now that the pipeline into D3 has narrowed so much, and ONU shows no signs of being restless within the NAIA, anyway. If it did switch over to the NCAA, it'd be much more likely to go D2 and keep its scholies, IMHO.

Carroll would be the best bet of the three, even though the three downstate schools would have misgivings about adding another Wisconsin school. But if the CCIW had to add a school, my guess is that Aurora would be at the front of the line.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Greg, I'd never noticed that Webster doesn't have football - that DOES ice it!

If the CCIW DID ever have to replace a school (hopefully replace, not expand ), I'd assume (for geographical reasons) it would much more likely be someone like Benedictine or Olivet Nazarene (or re-admit Carroll if they didn't burn too many bridges upon their exit ).

It wouldn't be Benedictine, which will be vetoed by North Central every time it applies for CCIW membership from now until Judgment Day. Olivet Nazarene would pose too much of a hassle, now that the pipeline into D3 has narrowed so much, and ONU shows no signs of being restless within the NAIA, anyway. If it did switch over to the NCAA, it'd be much more likely to go D2 and keep its scholies, IMHO.

Carroll would be the best bet of the three, even though the three downstate schools would have misgivings about adding another Wisconsin school. But if the CCIW had to add a school, my guess is that Aurora would be at the front of the line.

Forgot about Aurora.  I have no idea as to their academic credentials, but they would seem a good fit otherwise.  Not that I'm expecting any turnover any time soon.

[metaljacket]

Webster seems to be dominant in many of the sports over the years, with baseball having the most success. After looking at results over the past five years (i didnt look too hard), I think they are the only team to not only go far in a regional but to win a regional game...but is that their fault that they have been dominant.

I would assume that if you would put them in the CCIW with the same resources and prestige, they could be just as successful as the IWU's and Carthages eventually. They could aso recruit out of Chicago as opposed to St. Louis which I would think everyone would agree there is not as much talent (right? I really have no idea on that one)

I know the top teams in the SLIAC (for baseball at least) get a lot of grief since they play a "easy" schedule. But it's not their fault that other schools are not going and getting the players they need to win. Maybe the top teams in the SLIAC are good, but its true that they dont get challenged at times so how do you prove that?

Does anyone know what Webster's record vs. CCIW teams is over the past 5 years?

Also do you think the top teams in the SLIAC could compete in the CCIW?

[theoneandonly]

Dont take this the wrong way guys.. I may get knocked down on +K anyway but when did this become an all hail CCIW board and not a SLIAC board. I know everyone is talking about Webster but it seems like everyone is just saying they cant compete with the CCIW and they wouldnt fit in the CCIW and CCIW and CCIW and CCIW.. i mean yes, the CCIW is definatly the powerhouse in the Central region, i cant take that away from them, nor would I. but come on, cut the sliac some slack here! Also, Olivet Nazareen would, like stated above probably go D2 to retain scholorship athletes.

[BigPoppa]

Webster seems to be dominant in many of the sports over the years, with baseball having the most success. After looking at results over the past five years (i didnt look too hard), I think they are the only team to not only go far in a regional but to win a regional game...but is that their fault that they have been dominant.

I would assume that if you would put them in the CCIW with the same resources and prestige, they could be just as successful as the IWU's and Carthages eventually. They could aso recruit out of Chicago as opposed to St. Louis which I would think everyone would agree there is not as much talent (right? I really have no idea on that one)

I know the top teams in the SLIAC (for baseball at least) get a lot of grief since they play a "easy" schedule. But it's not their fault that other schools are not going and getting the players they need to win. Maybe the top teams in the SLIAC are good, but its true that they dont get challenged at times so how do you prove that?

Does anyone know what Webster's record vs. CCIW teams is over the past 5 years?

Also do you think the top teams in the SLIAC could compete in the CCIW?

Webster vs CCIW in last five seasons:
2011 0-0
2010 2-1 Beat NPU twice, lost to IWU
2009 0-0
2008 3-1 Split with Millikin, beat Augie and IWU in NCAA regional
2007 4-2 Beat NCC three times, IWU once, lost to IWU and Carthage in NCAA regional

Total: 9-4 vs CCIW since 2007 and 2-2 in NCAA regionals (As a whole, that is a solid record vs the CCIW)

[Hound Dog]

Webster seems to be dominant in many of the sports over the years, with baseball having the most success. After looking at results over the past five years (i didnt look too hard), I think they are the only team to not only go far in a regional but to win a regional game...but is that their fault that they have been dominant.

I would assume that if you would put them in the CCIW with the same resources and prestige, they could be just as successful as the IWU's and Carthages eventually. They could aso recruit out of Chicago as opposed to St. Louis which I would think everyone would agree there is not as much talent (right? I really have no idea on that one)

I know the top teams in the SLIAC (for baseball at least) get a lot of grief since they play a "easy" schedule. But it's not their fault that other schools are not going and getting the players they need to win. Maybe the top teams in the SLIAC are good, but its true that they dont get challenged at times so how do you prove that?

Does anyone know what Webster's record vs. CCIW teams is over the past 5 years?

Also do you think the top teams in the SLIAC could compete in the CCIW?

Webster vs CCIW in last five seasons:
2011 0-0
2010 2-1 Beat NPU twice, lost to IWU
2009 0-0
2008 3-1 Split with Millikin, beat Augie and IWU in NCAA regional
2007 4-2 Beat NCC three times, IWU once, lost to IWU and Carthage in NCAA regional

Total: 9-4 vs CCIW since 2007 and 2-2 in NCAA regionals (As a whole, that is a solid record vs the CCIW)

In 2007, Webster actually lost to Carthage and Augie.  That is the year IWU went 2 and out on their home turf ( 1 of several poor regional showings that they washed away with their magical run last year)

[Hound Dog]

Since I kind of led us off on this tangent, let me clarify that I do not believe the CCIW would be a fit for Webster on several different levels.  The only part that does fit is the recent success of many of their athletic teams.  Facilities, academics, monetary endowments, etc.  are all in contrast to most of the CCIW members. 

The purpose of my original thread was intended to address the lack of competitive balance in the SLIAC and see if anyone had any theories on how this could eventually change.  10 years is a long time to be as dominant as Webster's athletics have been and it would be refreshing to see several different quality schools battle it out annually "like" the CCIW has.

For comparison purposes, the balance in the SLIAC seems like the American League East of the late 90's to early 2000's with the Yankees being completely dominant, where as I'd like to see the American League East 2006 through Present Day where 3 different teams have won the division and no team has repeated as division champs.

[BigPoppa]

Other SLIAC schools just need to raise the bar of expectations for their baseball programs. I find it hard to believe that there are not more quality baseball players in a great baseball town like St. Louis. Those kids are going somewhere... why not SLIAC schools. Heck... if Whitewater can convince kids to spend four years in THAT town, how hard can it be to get kids to SLIAC schools?

[theoneandonly]

BigPoppa, Have you ever been to Carlinville (Blackburn College) Eureka (Eureka College), Greenville (Greenville College).. There isint much to look at in/around or do in those "college towns"

[Hound Dog]

Not to mention the cost of attending SLIAC schools as opposed to a state school such as Wisc-Whitewater.

[metaljacket]

The purpose of my original thread was intended to address the lack of competitive balance in the SLIAC and see if anyone had any theories on how this could eventually change.  10 years is a long time to be as dominant as Webster's athletics have been and it would be refreshing to see several different quality schools battle it out annually "like" the CCIW has.

Why is Webster so dominant and how can the SLIAC change???

SLIAC schools need to make their coaches full time, period! Now I could be totally off on this because I only talked to one coach in the SLIAC but she explained that many schools have part time coaches. Teams cannot compete recruiting wise with part time coaches.

Any schools in the CCIW with primary part time coaches?