FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

sfury · May 22, 2019, 01:14:39 PM

St. Thomas won the Durenberger every year from 1980-1996. No one cared. No one cares now either. What changed? Football.

miac952 · May 22, 2019, 01:15:57 PM

Quote from: TheChucker on May 22, 2019, 12:53:46 PM
Quote from: miac952 on May 22, 2019, 12:46:01 PM
The "involuntary" language here is important. My understanding is UST, and a team of well payed lawyers, are working with the NCAA to go directly the DI route vs. stopping for the 5 year cup of coffee in DII; due the forced nature of the departure. There is not much precedence for this exemption but the NCAA has brought greater flexibility recently, and UST knows a guy with some clout in the main office now in McDonough. Oh the irony.

Also ironic in all of this is UST talked MIAC membership into re-welcoming St Olaf back many years ago when the rest of the conference didn't want them back in. Now the little weasel on the hill backstabs them. I am hoping his scholarly pursuits haven't been in the field of History.

If this is true, it would answer a some questions on how this all played out (e.g. secrecy from schools, involuntary removal vs. voluntary like many thought would happen over the years, etc.)

I've heard the message I noted above independently from the few people I still know in the UST athletic office. They believe there is a strong case they can make. Direct to DI is the primary and most preferred pathway. Other options like the NSIC and other DIII conferences are secondary plans. Strangely, I have heard the former IIAC mentioned as more of a possibility than the WIAC.

Pat Coleman · May 22, 2019, 01:17:52 PM

Quote from: Gregory Sager on May 22, 2019, 01:10:47 PM
Sometimes it's what's not in a document that's the most telling. In that FAQ that UST just released, there's not one single mention of UST's ongoing D3 membership or of the possibililty of moving to D1 or D2. UST's leadership isn't even entertaining that issue within a public mode. Instead, the FAQ is all about "changing conferences".

Sure. Except the conference could be the NSIC.

gbpuckfan · May 22, 2019, 01:22:10 PM

I thought it was "If you can't beat them, join them" not "If you can't beat them, kick them to curb and admit our failings."

I agree, I think this is a sad day. Get better. Look in the mirror, first.

Now, way over on the shore of Lake Michigan maybe I just don't understand why that's not possible. A fuller explanation of that would be nice.

5 Words or Less · May 22, 2019, 01:23:48 PM

Quote from: Pat Coleman on May 22, 2019, 01:17:52 PM
Quote from: Gregory Sager on May 22, 2019, 01:10:47 PM
Sometimes it's what's not in a document that's the most telling. In that FAQ that UST just released, there's not one single mention of UST's ongoing D3 membership or of the possibililty of moving to D1 or D2. UST's leadership isn't even entertaining that issue within a public mode. Instead, the FAQ is all about "changing conferences".

Sure. Except the conference could be the NSIC.

Are D2 transitions immediate?

hickory_cornhusker · May 22, 2019, 01:32:42 PM

Quote from: miac952 on May 22, 2019, 01:15:57 PM
Quote from: TheChucker on May 22, 2019, 12:53:46 PM
Quote from: miac952 on May 22, 2019, 12:46:01 PM
The "involuntary" language here is important. My understanding is UST, and a team of well payed lawyers, are working with the NCAA to go directly the DI route vs. stopping for the 5 year cup of coffee in DII; due the forced nature of the departure. There is not much precedence for this exemption but the NCAA has brought greater flexibility recently, and UST knows a guy with some clout in the main office now in McDonough. Oh the irony.

Also ironic in all of this is UST talked MIAC membership into re-welcoming St Olaf back many years ago when the rest of the conference didn't want them back in. Now the little weasel on the hill backstabs them. I am hoping his scholarly pursuits haven't been in the field of History.

If this is true, it would answer a some questions on how this all played out (e.g. secrecy from schools, involuntary removal vs. voluntary like many thought would happen over the years, etc.)

I've heard the message I noted above independently from the few people I still know in the UST athletic office. They believe there is a strong case they can make. Direct to DI is the primary and most preferred pathway. Other options like the NSIC and other DIII conferences are secondary plans. Strangely, I have heard the former IIAC mentioned as more of a possibility than the WIAC.

Would be a big jump for the WIAC to let in a full member that isn't in the University of Wisconsin system but it would give them enough for an AQ in baseball and men's hockey and they would be only one short in women's hockey.

miac952 · May 22, 2019, 01:36:35 PM

BDB · May 22, 2019, 01:38:30 PM

Quote from: jamtoTommie on May 22, 2019, 12:15:04 PM
Hey BDB ol' buddy ol' pal from my favorite conference the WIAC. How you doing old friend? I hope you and the other wonderful Sconnie folks are doing well. Can I get you a refill of your ~~Miller Lite~~? LEINENKUGELS

Minny people that cross the St. Croix to live are known in these parts as "Minnesota Move-Overs." I know, I am one.

But if you guys are coming, then it's important to get your beer straight, so I corrected your post for you.

Honestly, I think this whole thing bites. But if UST decides to stay D3 then I hope it joins what is currently known as the WIAC. Let it be changed and grow.

02 Warhawk · May 22, 2019, 01:42:10 PM

So should St. John's start looking over their shoulder? Considering they will benefit the most from a UST-less MIAC in football. Better start punting on second down to keep the score down.

I'm about 75% joking.

This whole thing blows my mind.

faunch · May 22, 2019, 01:44:37 PM

Sending this to Dr. Anderson @ SOC

This might be more suitable:

Anybody want to help hand these out the Coalition of Losers players and coaches this fall?

CNU85 · May 22, 2019, 01:47:18 PM

Quote from: gbpuckfan on May 22, 2019, 01:22:10 PM
I thought it was "If you can't beat them, join them" not "If you can't beat them, kick them to curb and admit our failings."

I agree, I think this is a sad day. Get better. Look in the mirror, first.

Now, way over on the shore of Lake Michigan maybe I just don't understand why that's not possible. A fuller explanation of that would be nice.

Exactly! Oh well. UST will survive and thrive! Similar issue happened to CNU in the USA South. They won 15 of 16 President's Cups. The pressure was on for CNU to leave. It would have gone to a vote eventually but CNU found a way out -- The CAC and for Football the NJAC. However, the CAC is having issues now in reverse. The less competitive teams are leaving.

If you don't like UST winning all the time....then beat them!

art76 · May 22, 2019, 02:08:39 PM

We've talked in part as to what the possible outcomes might be. The following are listed in no particular order - but what makes the most sense for the Tommies now?

1. Jump directly to D1.
2. Go the "standard route" and go through D2 to D1.
3. Stay in D3 and join another conference like the WIAC or ARC.

Fall out discussion:

1. How long before MAC comes back to the MIAC for football?
2. Can St. Scholastica beat them out of that position? (Or any other school for that matter?)
3. How disparate will be the scores between the Tommies and the CoL? (It is my opinion that we are going to have some mighty entertaining games this fall.)
4. How long before the MIAC implodes under more back-stabbing and nay-saying?

FWIW - I can see how the Tommies could make a better spin to the NCAA because they were "kicked to the curb" as opposed to wanting to leave the MIAC.

Conspiracy theorists are saying, "I know - it all was an evil genius ploy all along to get the NCAA to play along so that the Tommies don't have to do 5 years of penance in D2."

So many tangents, so little time.

jamtod · May 22, 2019, 02:12:01 PM

Quote from: art76 on May 22, 2019, 02:08:39 PM
We've talked in part as to what the possible outcomes might be. The following are listed in no particular order - but what makes the most sense for the Tommies now?

1. Jump directly to D1.
2. Go the "standard route" and go through D2 to D1.
3. Stay in D3 and join another conference like the WIAC or ARC.

Fall out discussion:

1. How long before MAC comes back to the MIAC for football?
2. Can St. Scholastica beat them out of that position? (Or any other school for that matter?)
3. How disparate will be the scores between the Tommies and the CoL? (It is my opinion that we are going to have some mighty entertaining games this fall.)

FWIW - I can see how the Tommies could make a better spin to the NCAA because they were "kicked to the curb" as opposed to wanting to leave the MIAC.

Conspiracy theorists are saying, "I know - it all was an evil genius ploy all along to get the NCAA to play along so that the Tommies don't have to do 5 years of penance in D2."

So many tangents, so little time.

My preferred conference routes are:
1. WIAC
2. ARC
3. Summit/Pioneer? - D1
4. NSIC - D2

As far as the scores for this fall - I favor the approach of getting up by 40 in the 1st quarter and then just play crushing defense and kneel the ball every down on offense, if that's what they really want us to do.

bluestreak66 · May 22, 2019, 02:19:54 PM

How bad do we think the St. Thomas-St. Olaf game is going to be this year? Do you think Caruso is going to be blood drunk?

art76 · May 22, 2019, 02:21:15 PM

Quote from: jamtoTommie on May 22, 2019, 02:12:01 PM
As far as the scores for this fall - I favor the approach of getting up by 40 in the 1st quarter and then just play crushing defense and kneel the ball every down on offense, if that's what they really want us to do.

Naw, just play crushing defense and have all the points be defensive points. Run no offensive plays of any kind. That would be humiliating to the nth degree.