FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BDB]

and I don't have a boat right now. 

The virus is one thing but what I'm really worried about is what happened to Duffman's boat! 

[TheChucker]

There's a rumor traveling among Cob alumni that Concordia and Moorhead State are in talks to resume that rivalry (hopefully I'm not repeating this, but I'm not going back 50 pages to look). It would potentially replace Augustana on MSU's schedule if they go D1. I think that would be a big win for both schools as those games used to attract some nice crowds and TV coverage in the Red River Valley.

It could just be the beers talking among middle-aged guys for all I know, but the source of those rumors still has connections.

[DuffMan]

The virus is one thing but what I'm really worried about is what happened to Duffman's boat! 

I haven't had a boat in 6 years!    We have several at the inlaws cabin that we're free to use, and we generally spend a lot of time there, so it hasn't been too pressing.
I've been trying to get the Mrs. to sign off on a new one, but it hasn't happened yet.

[Texas Ole]

There's a rumor traveling among Cob alumni that Concordia and Moorhead State are in talks to resume that rivalry (hopefully I'm not repeating this, but I'm not going back 50 pages to look). It would potentially replace Augustana on MSU's schedule if they go D1. I think that would be a big win for both schools as those games used to attract some nice crowds and TV coverage in the Red River Valley.

It could just be the beers talking among middle-aged guys for all I know, but the source of those rumors still has connections.

Wow!  I think regionally that is a great game.  I almost asked about a St. Cloud/SJU game, but then I realized that game has a major challenge.  I think it is great for schools to have a rival outside of a conference.  Those games can be fun for fans without killing one's conference season.  There is a part of me though that worries UST leaving the MIAC is the beginning of the end for the conference.  What happens if another school or more decides it is better off leaving the MIAC?  That scares me.  I miss the MIAC.  It is good sports that you could enjoy with family and friends.

[sjusection105]

There is a part of me though that worries UST leaving the MIAC is the beginning of the end for the conference.  What happens if another school or more decides it is better off leaving the MIAC?  That scares me. 

The horse is out of the barn & the president of a Scandinavian college on the hill is at the center of that decision.........

[TheChucker]

There is a part of me though that worries UST leaving the MIAC is the beginning of the end for the conference.  What happens if another school or more decides it is better off leaving the MIAC?  That scares me. 

The horse is out of the barn & the president of a Scandinavian college on the hill is at the center of that decision.........

The options for the remaining schools are so limited for football, I think the conference remains as is. Just smaller. Members will need to add a non-conference game. As I commented above, I hope the Cob extra game is Moorhead State.

Mac is absolutely terrible in football (stomped by Carleton last year and Hamline's only win) so I don't see them re-joining.

Even the best UMAC schools are far below mid-level MIAC teams in football, so those schools aren't an option. Although UMAC is losing MacMurry, so maybe that conference goes looking for members too.

The MIAC's bylaws require members to be private liberal arts schools that are current D3 members, so that limits options too, unless the bylaws are changed of course.

[faunch]

The virus is one thing but what I'm really worried about is what happened to Duffman's boat! 

I haven't had a boat in 6 years!    We have several at the inlaws cabin that we're free to use, and we generally spend a lot of time there, so it hasn't been too pressing.
I've been trying to get the Mrs. to sign off on a new one, but it hasn't happened yet.

You know what BOAT really means???

[jknezek]

The virus is one thing but what I'm really worried about is what happened to Duffman's boat! 

I haven't had a boat in 6 years!    We have several at the inlaws cabin that we're free to use, and we generally spend a lot of time there, so it hasn't been too pressing.
I've been trying to get the Mrs. to sign off on a new one, but it hasn't happened yet.

You know what BOAT really means???

Bring Out Another Thousand... or as my mom says about dad's... a hole in the water into which one throws money and very occasionally brings home a lot of work that turns into a very overpriced dinner.

[faunch]

There is a part of me though that worries UST leaving the MIAC is the beginning of the end for the conference.  What happens if another school or more decides it is better off leaving the MIAC?  That scares me. 

The horse is out of the barn & the president of a Scandinavian college on the hill is at the center of that decision.........

The options for the remaining schools are so limited for football, I think the conference remains as is. Just smaller. Members will need to add a non-conference game. As I commented above, I hope the Cob extra game is Moorhead State.

Mac is absolutely terrible in football (stomped by Carleton last year and Hamline's only win) so I don't see them re-joining.

Even the best UMAC schools are far below mid-level MIAC teams in football, so those schools aren't an option. Although UMAC is losing MacMurry, so maybe that conference goes looking for members too.

The MIAC's bylaws require members to be private liberal arts schools that are current D3 members, so that limits options too, unless the bylaws are changed of course.

Could or would SJU ever play games against the bottom feeders of the NSIC (Upper Iowa, SWMSU, UMN-Crookston or UMary)? They play those teams in hoops.
I'm sure there are advantages and disadvantages...thoughts, comments?

[DuffMan]

I almost asked about a St. Cloud/SJU game, but then I realized that game has a major challenge.

The major challenge being that SCSU cut their football program.

[DuffMan]

You know what BOAT really means???

I'm fully aware of the expenses of boats.  You gotta pay to play.

[TheChucker]

There is a part of me though that worries UST leaving the MIAC is the beginning of the end for the conference.  What happens if another school or more decides it is better off leaving the MIAC?  That scares me. 

The horse is out of the barn & the president of a Scandinavian college on the hill is at the center of that decision.........

The options for the remaining schools are so limited for football, I think the conference remains as is. Just smaller. Members will need to add a non-conference game. As I commented above, I hope the Cob extra game is Moorhead State.

Mac is absolutely terrible in football (stomped by Carleton last year and Hamline's only win) so I don't see them re-joining.

Even the best UMAC schools are far below mid-level MIAC teams in football, so those schools aren't an option. Although UMAC is losing MacMurry, so maybe that conference goes looking for members too.

The MIAC's bylaws require members to be private liberal arts schools that are current D3 members, so that limits options too, unless the bylaws are changed of course.

Could or would SJU ever play games against the bottom feeders of the NSIC (Upper Iowa, SWMSU, UMN-Crookston or UMary)? They play those teams in hoops.
I'm sure there are advantages and disadvantages...thoughts, comments?

That big challenge for non-con games vs. the NSIC is that conference is so big. NISC teams don't play non-con anymore in football. Even with SCSU and Crookston dropping, there are 14 teams left. This is one reason I'm skeptical that the Cobs will play the Dragons annually again (even though others believe it will happen).

[formerd3db]

I just posted some thoughts and shared information concerning this current crisis with regard to my alma mater over on the OAC board.  I won't re-post those here, so any of you who might be interested can review those over there.

I would like, however, to give a shout out to Pat and Keith for their recent Podcast.  I finally had the time to listen to it and, while they always do an excellent job with those, I thought this one was one of their best ever.  The difficult and diverse topics regarding this current crisis and time of uncertainty affecting football and the educational aspects of DIII colleges/universities were covered by them and their guests extremely well.  So thanks for that Pat and Keith.  As you mentioned, none of us have any answers and while there are many uncertain potential scenarios being considered, at least we have all that to think about and discuss.

[faunch]

There is a part of me though that worries UST leaving the MIAC is the beginning of the end for the conference.  What happens if another school or more decides it is better off leaving the MIAC?  That scares me. 

The horse is out of the barn & the president of a Scandinavian college on the hill is at the center of that decision.........

The options for the remaining schools are so limited for football, I think the conference remains as is. Just smaller. Members will need to add a non-conference game. As I commented above, I hope the Cob extra game is Moorhead State.

Mac is absolutely terrible in football (stomped by Carleton last year and Hamline's only win) so I don't see them re-joining.

Even the best UMAC schools are far below mid-level MIAC teams in football, so those schools aren't an option. Although UMAC is losing MacMurry, so maybe that conference goes looking for members too.

The MIAC's bylaws require members to be private liberal arts schools that are current D3 members, so that limits options too, unless the bylaws are changed of course.

Could or would SJU ever play games against the bottom feeders of the NSIC (Upper Iowa, SWMSU, UMN-Crookston or UMary)? They play those teams in hoops.
I'm sure there are advantages and disadvantages...thoughts, comments?

That big challenge for non-con games vs. the NSIC is that conference is so big. NISC teams don't play non-con anymore in football. Even with SCSU and Crookston dropping, there are 14 teams left. This is one reason I'm skeptical that the Cobs will play the Dragons annually again (even though others believe it will happen).

I thought about that 10 seconds after I posted it. Also it probably wouldn't be beneficial for a D2 league to have their lower level teams losing to a D3 program.

[formerd3db]

There is a part of me though that worries UST leaving the MIAC is the beginning of the end for the conference.  What happens if another school or more decides it is better off leaving the MIAC?  That scares me. 

The horse is out of the barn & the president of a Scandinavian college on the hill is at the center of that decision.........

The options for the remaining schools are so limited for football, I think the conference remains as is. Just smaller. Members will need to add a non-conference game. As I commented above, I hope the Cob extra game is Moorhead State.

Mac is absolutely terrible in football (stomped by Carleton last year and Hamline's only win) so I don't see them re-joining.

Even the best UMAC schools are far below mid-level MIAC teams in football, so those schools aren't an option. Although UMAC is losing MacMurry, so maybe that conference goes looking for members too.

The MIAC's bylaws require members to be private liberal arts schools that are current D3 members, so that limits options too, unless the bylaws are changed of course.

Could or would SJU ever play games against the bottom feeders of the NSIC (Upper Iowa, SWMSU, UMN-Crookston or UMary)? They play those teams in hoops.
I'm sure there are advantages and disadvantages...thoughts, comments?

That big challenge for non-con games vs. the NSIC is that conference is so big. NISC teams don't play non-con anymore in football. Even with SCSU and Crookston dropping, there are 14 teams left. This is one reason I'm skeptical that the Cobs will play the Dragons annually again (even though others believe it will happen).

I thought about that 10 seconds after I posted it. Also it probably wouldn't be beneficial for a D2 league to have their lower level teams losing to a D3 program.

That is a good point, faunch.  The other side of the coin to that dilemma at any division level, IMO, has always been if such schools are supposed to be better than their lower level counterparts as they almost always claim, then there is no reason not to play them-just go out and prove it by beating them.  Of course, there are always exceptions to this situation as you point out and therein lies taking the chance. It certainly is, however, a great opportunity and memorable chance of a lifetime for the players on the teams who do pull the upsets.