FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[formerd3db]

If UST goes Pioneer League, it may make some sense to continue the game, especially while UST is getting into a full Pioneer League mentality (instead of playing scholarship D2/D1 squads in nonconference).  But if the Pioneer uses UST to make a full 10-game schedule for all schools around (no-nonconf), then it is truly dead.

FCS teams can play 12 regular season games now.

As long as the Tommies stay in the Pioneer, I think the game goes on.

I dont see it continuing, definitely not as an annual event.  What's in it for UST?  besides, SJ2 can fill that spot on their schedule with Mac, which supposedly is going to return to the MIAC fold if UST was gone.  (talk about improving your strength of schedule (sarcasm))

What do you mean what's in it for UST?  The UST/St. John's game is a huge rivalry and tradition.  That  alone makes it a legit and worthwhile reason to continue it.  In addition, several DIII teams play FCS non-scholarship schools (and some play an occasional game against the lower tier FCS schools) and there is no reason not to (IMO) if that is what they choose to do for a non-conference game.  It wouldn't hurt UST because you still have to win the conference in the Pioneer League to get the FCS AQ, they are allowed to play 12 games if they want so, unless the Pioneer League mandated that its member schools play each other in the conference, a non-conference game for UST against St. Johns certainly could be done.  Just my opinion as an outsider to your league and although you obviously disagree with me, I understand if you may have more underlying information than me regarding the desires/potential plans, potential options regarding all this that UST may be and/or would consider (taking into consideration, any other potential mandates that may be in place as discussed.)

[Mr.MIAC]

I've known about these developments for some time.

You Tommies have to get your story straight. Was this a planned exit or not?  I recommend you have an insiders pow-wow so that you can work out which story line you want to pursue: aggrieved victim of the losers or dastardly mastermind manipulating the losers into throwing you into that briar patch.

Either way, SJ2 will find it difficult to stay relevant. Condolences.

[TheChucker]

I've known about these developments for some time. The real losers in this whole deal are SJ2. I feel for them. If you're a rural Catholic college with middling academics and lower tier athletics, competing with a major urban Catholic university with strong academics and first tier athletics, it's going to be difficult. I hope SJ2 is up to the challenge. The world needs places producing ditch-diggers too...

I'm guessing this is at least somewhat tongue in cheek. Nonethless... Mary Hardin-Baylor (a D3 baptist university) is a short drive down I-35 from Baylor (D1 power-five baptist university). UMHB is thriving in both numbers and athletics. Point being, as long as USJ offers a unique and relevant proposition for students, it will continue to do just fine.

[Mr.MIAC]

I've known about these developments for some time. The real losers in this whole deal are SJ2. I feel for them. If you're a rural Catholic college with middling academics and lower tier athletics, competing with a major urban Catholic university with strong academics and first tier athletics, it's going to be difficult. I hope SJ2 is up to the challenge. The world needs places producing ditch-diggers too...

I'm guessing this is at least somewhat tongue in cheek. Nonethless... Mary Hardin-Baylor (a D3 baptist university) is a short drive down I-35 from Baylor (D1 power-five baptist university). UMHB is thriving in both numbers and athletics. Point being, as long as USJ offers a unique and relevant proposition for students, it will continue to do just fine.

What is this "somewhat tongue in cheek" of which you speak? 

[Pat Coleman]

All chest-thumping aside, I have pondered whether the presence of a second D-I in the Twin Cities market pulls some Strib coverage away from the MIAC. It'll be interesting to see how they staff that, if/when the time comes.

[TheChucker]

All chest-thumping aside, I have pondered whether the presence of a second D-I in the Twin Cities market pulls some Strib coverage away from the MIAC. It'll be interesting to see how they staff that, if/when the time comes.

The only decent MIAC coverage provided by the "Strib" is from Reusse. I have a lot to complain about with Reusse, but he's very good with baseball and small college; and by small college, I don't mean just UST.

If you're talking about other media like the WCCO 50,000 watt radio juggernaut, that only served to suck PR away from competing schools. UST has been very smart to use them for game broadcasts.

[Mr.MIAC]

All chest-thumping aside, I have pondered whether the presence of a second D-I in the Twin Cities market pulls some Strib coverage away from the MIAC. It'll be interesting to see how they staff that, if/when the time comes.

Minnesotans have wanted another D1 school for decades. MIAC coverage will decrease with the departure of UST. However, UST coverage is about to explode. 

[miac952]

I've known about these developments for some time. The real losers in this whole deal are SJ2. I feel for them. If you're a rural Catholic college with middling academics and lower tier athletics, competing with a major urban Catholic university with strong academics and first tier athletics, it's going to be difficult. I hope SJ2 is up to the challenge. The world needs places producing ditch-diggers too...

I'm guessing this is at least somewhat tongue in cheek. Nonethless... Mary Hardin-Baylor (a D3 baptist university) is a short drive down I-35 from Baylor (D1 power-five baptist university). UMHB is thriving in both numbers and athletics. Point being, as long as USJ offers a unique and relevant proposition for students, it will continue to do just fine.

BUT...you don't see TCU, Rice, Sam Houston. Abilene Christian, etc,
etc playing MHB. The rivalry is dead. It was the day UST was excommunicated. SJU now plays in the Ya Ya President's world. They can accept or choose to move on themselves.

[MadRedFan]

this will probably get lost in the various issues that are being discussed here BUT, FCS schools can only play 12 games in certain years, when there are  14 weeks between Labor Day and Thanksgiving I think, or something like that.  It isn't every year, only one year out of 3 or 4. The , next year FCS can play 12 games is 2024, if I read it correctly.

[repete]

All chest-thumping aside, I have pondered whether the presence of a second D-I in the Twin Cities market pulls some Strib coverage away from the MIAC. It'll be interesting to see how they staff that, if/when the time comes.

The only decent MIAC coverage provided by the "Strib" is from Reusse. I have a lot to complain about with Reusse, but he's very good with baseball and small college; and by small college, I don't mean just UST.

If you're talking about other media like the WCCO 50,000 watt radio juggernaut, that only served to suck PR away from competing schools. UST has been very smart to use them for game broadcasts.

My prediction: Reusse will be retired before UST hits .500 in its new football league. Hockey, though, will be a whipping boy for years IMO ... that might be the toughest move.

If UST doesn't do this right, it will become a cold Creighton.

[Pat Coleman]

It actually won't be hard for St. Thomas to get to .500 in the Pioneer Football League. A ranked D-III team could probably do it without a single "D-I" recruiting class.

[formerd3db]

this will probably get lost in the various issues that are being discussed here BUT, FCS schools can only play 12 games in certain years, when there are  14 weeks between Labor Day and Thanksgiving I think, or something like that.  It isn't every year, only one year out of 3 or 4. The , next year FCS can play 12 games is 2024, if I read it correctly.

Due to FCS having playoffs, right?  Are FCS schools allowed to have a game to start their season before Labor Day as did a couple of the schools this year?

[formerd3db]

It actually won't be hard for St. Thomas to get to .500 in the Pioneer Football League. A ranked D-III team could probably do it without a single "D-I" recruiting class.

I would agree with that.  Also, only occasionally i.e. every few years is there a Pioneer League team that is talented enough to compete with some of the scholarship FCS teams.

[jamtod]

It actually won't be hard for St. Thomas to get to .500 in the Pioneer Football League. A ranked D-III team could probably do it without a single "D-I" recruiting class.

I would agree with that.  Also, only occasionally i.e. every few years is there a Pioneer League team that is talented enough to compete with some of the scholarship FCS teams.

I don't have much context but San Diego won a first round game in both 2016 and 2017 before getting stomped by NDSU both times.

[faunch]

I've known about these developments for some time. The real losers in this whole deal are SJ2. I feel for them. If you're a rural Catholic college with middling academics and lower tier athlcs, competing with a major urban Catholic university with strong academics and first tier athletics, it's going to be difficult. I hope SJ2 is up to the challenge. The world needs places producing ditch-diggers too...

Go crawl back your hole..we are generally tired 💤 of you.

So does U$T going D1 actually mean that O-Shag-Hennessy stadium will get a second bathroom built?
I was there tonight for Cretin-Derham Hall's homecoming game with less than half the stadium
filled and there simply are not enough toilets.