FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

From the POV of a soon-to-graduate GAC footballer:

http://www.startribune.com/don-t-boot-st-thomas-from-the-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference/508345162/?fbclid=IwAR1ocd7upHmHbnC7iFtUBYDsv7HAcoKe0Fo0BCHKiqJU4zu5xhbdcWTn_0s

[BDB]

With his career over he needs to become a regular poster here. Gets a couple zings in at the end.

[faunch]

From the POV of a soon-to-graduate GAC footballer:

http://www.startribune.com/don-t-boot-st-thomas-from-the-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference/508345162/?fbclid=IwAR1ocd7upHmHbnC7iFtUBYDsv7HAcoKe0Fo0BCHKiqJU4zu5xhbdcWTn_0s

Counter point:

http://www.startribune.com/yes-have-st-thomas-leave-the-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference/508345132/

[OzJohnnie]

From the POV of a soon-to-graduate GAC footballer:

http://www.startribune.com/don-t-boot-st-thomas-from-the-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference/508345162/?fbclid=IwAR1ocd7upHmHbnC7iFtUBYDsv7HAcoKe0Fo0BCHKiqJU4zu5xhbdcWTn_0s

Counter point:

http://www.startribune.com/yes-have-st-thomas-leave-the-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference/508345132/

The fact is, my alma mater is no longer a peer institution to St. Olaf, Carleton or St. John's. These colleges have stayed much more committed to their liberal arts mission than St. Thomas. Defeating St. Olaf in football 97-0 isn't a good look, but at the end of the day, we just aren't in the same category anymore.

Stable athletic conferences are built on common identities. The Big Ten, for example, is an association of northern, research universities that legitimately see each other as peers. The Ivy League is a collection of elite, private universities that place emphasis on undergraduate education. This is in contrast to the MIAC, which consists of liberal arts colleges and St. Thomas

[USTBench]

Any chance you guys can copy and paste the Gustie comment? Don't feel like subscribing to the Trib to read it.

[OzJohnnie]

Any chance you guys can copy and paste the Gustie comment? Don't feel like subscribing to the Trib to read it.

https://outline.com/yGcYdG

[faunch]

Any chance you guys can copy and paste the Gustie comment? Don't feel like subscribing to the Trib to read it.

Clear your cache/cookies...close then reopen your browser.

[OzJohnnie]

From the POV of a soon-to-graduate GAC footballer:

http://www.startribune.com/don-t-boot-st-thomas-from-the-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference/508345162/?fbclid=IwAR1ocd7upHmHbnC7iFtUBYDsv7HAcoKe0Fo0BCHKiqJU4zu5xhbdcWTn_0s

Counter point:

http://www.startribune.com/yes-have-st-thomas-leave-the-minnesota-intercollegiate-athletic-conference/508345132/

https://outline.com/NaG62r

[USTBench]

I enjoyed and agree with most of what both those gentlemen had to say. I do feel UST is just sort of this meandering money grabbing gold plated amoeba trying to be all things simply because it can. But when you try to be all things you really just end up being nothing, which is why the board of trustees, president, AD, etc might need to lock themselves in a room and decide "What should UST look like in 2030?" If the answer is, "Pretty much what it is now," well, then stop expanding just because you can, and rededicate yourself to creating a quality homogeneous undergraduate experience and smooth things over with the rest of the MIAC. If the answer is "Boston College" (although I think that is wildly lofty and Drake, Butler, Valpo, Duquense, Dayton are probably more aligned with what is a practical vision) then make a pit-stop in DII, prepare to have a PAINFULLY awful athletic department for at least 3 or 4 years and work towards readying yourself to be a mid-major Division 1 school with non-scholarship football.

[Texas Ole]

I think there is something bigger brewing.  It is my understanding President Anderson has long wanted to rejoin the Midwest Conference.  Travel and costs were the major concerns and keeping the Oles in the MIAC.  Also there is a large group of Oles that view Luther as our main rival so if they are possibly joining the Midwest as someone commented that would intrigue some at Olaf.  There are other schools that certain alums view as major rivals, but the average student doesn't realize.  The Mac angle is also interesting as they would return for football.  It is my guess that St. Olaf and possibly 2-3 other schools have a new home if this vote fails.  That is the only reason I could see this being put to a vote.  The Oles probably have the most to lose due to the sheer number of sports sponsored.  They would likely have to find new homes for certain sports especially the hockey teams.  Knowing some of the donors to the school I don't see them dropping any sports anytime soon.

Hearing that Augsburg may cast the deciding votes might give some insight to the issue.  What if this is more about graduate students playing sports?  I believe the MIAC is one of 2 conferences to not allow graduate or non-traditional students to participate in intercollegiate athletics.  UST has a large graduate program.  There are others who have seen there graduate programs grow.  Augsburg is one of those.  I know the graduate student eligibility has been an issue in the past, and I think St. Olaf along with a few others have stated they would leave immediately if that passed.  I think that might be one of the main issues with this vote.

If it weren't for travel costs and other risks I think St. Olaf would have left the MIAC a few years ago.  One of the reason for the new ice arena was travel.  There wasn't enough ice time in Northfield so the players (no team bus) were having to drive to other area arenas for practices.  The liability was getting too high.  St. Olaf wants to keep as many of teams on campus as much as possible especially for practices.  It makes it easier when putting together class schedules along with alleviating other issues.

My guess is that the MIAC is on life support.  If UST is voted out I could see SJU and maybe 1 or 2 other schools leaving.  I think SJU to maintain the rivalry and there superiority complex.  I could see others leave the MIAC due to graduate student issue.  That would open the door for the MIAC to expand, a school to add sports, or both.  If UST is not removed I think a few schools could leave the conference.  Hockey could play a huge role in whether or not a school chooses to stay or leave.

[hazzben]

I don't think Ruesse is sending Anderson a Christmas card this year.

The more I hear the less impressed I am with him. Clocked and dagger scheming, and then hiding behind the MIAC when asked to comment on a vote he's spearheading.

If UST gets ousted, I'm going to attend two non-Bethel games next year. SJU v. UST & UST v. Olaf. One for pure nostalgia, one just to see a good ole bloodletting.

[OzJohnnie]

If this is an Ole manoeuvre to cynically manipulate the MIAC then I say vote stay and let the Ole's go their own narrow ways.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

its not like the Oles havent left before.

[D O.C.]

Is ice fishing better in a harsh winter such as 2018-19?

[OzJohnnie]

one just to see a good ole bloodletting.

Can you imagine?  The officiating crew will need to come heavy.  We won't have seen a game like this one since... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWAQ8rTBLUk

And can you imagine Caruso recruiting for it?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhpvvobULYA