FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

Total agreement with SFury.

The other thing that jumped out to me was this quote:

The MIAC presidents acted to preserve our conference. Presidents' Council Chair Rebecca Bergman notes in her remarks on the full-page statement that "after extensive discussions, the Presidents' Council determined that there was no path forward that preserved the MIAC in its current form." Had the presidents not negotiated an exit for St. Thomas, it was clear that the MIAC, one of the very best Division III conferences in the U.S., would soon no longer exist in anything like its current form, and a great strength for our schools—and more important, our students—would be lost.

1. It is obviously lost on the presidents that the ouster of UST has actually diminished the MIAC. Are we still "one of the very best"? Maybe...I hope so...I'm far from convinced. At the very least, it's clear the COL wield power. They are willing to threaten the other schools, who not only play for the joy of the game, but also have the will to compete, and relish the pursuit of victory, even when falling short of the goal.

2. "It's all about the students," the presidents piously clamour. Except the UST students, they don't count because they are good at things and win too much. Or the SJU & BU (and GAC, Concordia...) student athletes, who took pride in competing against great teams. Go back and listen to Bethel's Assistant AD's interview. He said Bethel Student Athletes were stunned and saddened. They wanted to play against the best, realized it made them better, and recognized the struggle was what made the victories sweeter. Don't pretend you did this for the students. Not when you're issuing threats. This was done to coddle the weak.

3. This statement gives me no confidence that the COL is done purging anything approximating greatness from this league.

[sjusection105]

3. This statement gives me no confidence that the COL is done purging anything approximating greatness from this league.

We have a B-I-N-G-O

[GoldandBlueBU]

3. This statement gives me no confidence that the COL is done purging anything approximating greatness from this league.

We have a B-I-N-G-O

Indeed.  SJU is obviously the king of the hill in terms of what the COL cares about, so how long until they are attacked?  For reasons that Haz laid out very well in a recent post, they are much less well suited to make the D2 or D1 move that UST is considering.

I wonder if conversations are being had behind closed doors between the MIACers who openly wanted UST to stay, the ones that wanted UST to stay, but felt cornered into voting to kick them out, and perhaps some high performing UMAC teams about a future conference?

It certainly would seem wise to seek out a solution pre-emptively instead of waiting for the COL to kick out SJU, and leave everyone scrambling..

Edit - I could also see the UMAC leadership looking at the MIAC shakeup, and potential for future shakeups and being happy with their current situation, rather than moving to a potentially much more difficult conference. (if say, UNW and or CSS wanted to join a new re-mix of the non-tom tossing teams)

[miac952]

When an English PhD College President and a PR professional come together to craft a letter to the editor you get gems like this:

We let the MIAC media statement stand without further comment because we understood that we had agreed to do so.

A lot of words, no substance, Dr. Craft. I fully understand the need for the gag order. Every time they talk or write they dig the whole a little deeper. Pribbenow email, media statement, letter to the editor.

[GoldandBlueBU]

The Pribbenow email makes me curious - did he write that with the plan that the recipient was going to "leak" it to the media, since he knew he was supposed to stay quiet, but really felt like he wanted his thoughts shared?

Or was it a true leak, and Pribbenow was communicating with someone under the idea that it would not be shared with anyone?  If it's the latter, I would imagine that relationship is going to be a little bit strained...

[PurpleTide]

When an English PhD College President and a PR professional come together to craft a letter to the editor you get gems like this:

We let the MIAC media statement stand without further comment because we understood that we had agreed to do so.

A lot of words, no substance, Dr. Craft. I fully understand the need for the gag order. Every time they talk or write they dig the whole a little deeper. Pribbenow email, media statement, letter to the editor.

According to the English PhD College President and the PR professional, UST was not forced out of the MIAC, they were "led to leave".

[art76]

As I am not as "connected" as some on this board, what follows may not be seen as probable, but what if The #tomtoss is just the first temblor in a major shake up of conferences in the upper Midwest, or even in the NCAA as a whole? Could a new conference be formed? If we're going to dream, why not dream big? What are the chances of BU, St. John's and Concordia talking some non-MIAC/D3 teams like UMD, St. Cloud State or Mankato State into becoming a D3 conference that truly rivals the WIAC in football clout? Invitations could be extended to non-MIAC D3 teams as well, like St. Scholastica or NAIA Jamestown ND. It would/could be a real gauntlet if all interested parties bought in. Maybe even have the Tommies join to keep alive the rivalry game? Just trying to think a bit outside the box as it has been painted thus far. Comments encouraged.

Edit: If the top 4 teams in the MIAC leave in two years to form a new conference, my money is betting the MIAC dissolves and is no more.

Second edit: Basically, this is calling the bluff on the COLs.

[TheChucker]

When an English PhD College President and a PR professional come together to craft a letter to the editor you get gems like this:

We let the MIAC media statement stand without further comment because we understood that we had agreed to do so.

A lot of words, no substance, Dr. Craft. I fully understand the need for the gag order. Every time they talk or write they dig the whole a little deeper. Pribbenow email, media statement, letter to the editor.

So everyone criticizes the Presidents for not speaking out, and now that one does, he gets criticized for speaking out?

No substance? Here it is. Quote: "All those familiar with the MIAC will know that it [athletic competitive parity] was not the only concern: some were troubled about problems with sportsmanship; some about the safety of students in contact sports; still others about the approach to varsity sports in the first place." Summarized in one sentence.

[OldAuggie]

When an English PhD College President and a PR professional come together to craft a letter to the editor you get gems like this:

We let the MIAC media statement stand without further comment because we understood that we had agreed to do so.

A lot of words, no substance, Dr. Craft. I fully understand the need for the gag order. Every time they talk or write they dig the whole a little deeper. Pribbenow email, media statement, letter to the editor.

So everyone criticizes the Presidents for not speaking out, and now that one does, he gets criticized for speaking out?

No substance? Here it is. Quote: "All those familiar with the MIAC will know that it [athletic competitive parity] was not the only concern: some were troubled about problems with sportsmanship; some about the safety of students in contact sports; still others about the approach to varsity sports in the first place." Summarized in one sentence.

Completley ageee Chucker. That one sentence is clear and concise, he could go on and on but a short answer is effective.  This sentence does answer the question I had which is; why do this? Question is answered for me: They wanted UST out and they did it with trembling and hand wringing but they did it. Appears that you guys want to kill the messenger(s).

[hazzben]

So everyone criticizes the Presidents for not speaking out, and now that one does, he gets criticized for speaking out?

No substance? Here it is. Quote: "All those familiar with the MIAC will know that it [athletic competitive parity] was not the only concern: some were troubled about problems with sportsmanship; some about the safety of students in contact sports; still others about the approach to varsity sports in the first place." Summarized in one sentence.

Completley ageee Chucker. That one sentence is clear and concise, he could go on and on but a short answer is effective.  This sentence does answer the question I had which is; why do this? Question is answered for me: They wanted UST out and they did it with trembling and hand wringing but they did it. Appears that you guys want to kill the messenger(s).

1. This statement is a letter to the editor, weeks (and months) after these presidents should have been speaking out. It's not an interview where they have to field questions and pushback. There's very little accountability with this statement.

2. They did this under the cover of darkness and only now make vague statements about who was concerned about what. "All those familiar with the MIAC" ... really, because of all the public statements made up to this point? I call B.S. We had rumors and hearsay and second hand info. Don't wine that the PR sucks when you put a gag order on this, did it in an underhanded way, and then do a press release that flat out says it was because of competitive imbalance. Should we just guess which schools concerns fell where?

- UST's not nice when they beat us = Olaf?? Augsburg??
- Our boys weren't safe in a collision sport = Carleton?? Mac?? Hamline?? [Augsburg wrestling is clearly the next threat if these schools are being consistent]
- UST cares about winning too much = Olaf?? Carleton?? Mac?? 

3. Don't pretend UST and other schools with the desire to compete weren't drug down this path against their will. As if in the end the MIAC had a final moment of warm fuzzied agreement where everyone, even if for different reasons, felt at peace with what was happening. Schools were threatened, one was "involuntarily removed", and others are left wondering if they're next.

There was a much more honest solution. Some of these schools should have realized the issue isn't UST or D3 or athletes/coaches actually trying to win and pursue excellence. It's that they are better off going the route of club sports across the board. It's varsity collegiate athletics. Maybe it's not a good fit for your schools, make them club sports. Don't try to expunge excellence from the league or try to reimagine what college athletics should be about. And you wonder why uninformed people have the notion the average D3 team couldn't beat a good HS team. 

[crufootball]

When an English PhD College President and a PR professional come together to craft a letter to the editor you get gems like this:

We let the MIAC media statement stand without further comment because we understood that we had agreed to do so.

A lot of words, no substance, Dr. Craft. I fully understand the need for the gag order. Every time they talk or write they dig the whole a little deeper. Pribbenow email, media statement, letter to the editor.

So everyone criticizes the Presidents for not speaking out, and now that one does, he gets criticized for speaking out?

No substance? Here it is. Quote: "All those familiar with the MIAC will know that it [athletic competitive parity] was not the only concern: some were troubled about problems with sportsmanship; some about the safety of students in contact sports; still others about the approach to varsity sports in the first place." Summarized in one sentence.

I was confused by the mention of "safety of students in contact sports", is this implying that St. Thomas was too rough on its opponents?  I realized that large margin of victories has been mentioned but football is going to be violent no matter the final score.

[USTBench]

When an English PhD College President and a PR professional come together to craft a letter to the editor you get gems like this:

We let the MIAC media statement stand without further comment because we understood that we had agreed to do so.

A lot of words, no substance, Dr. Craft. I fully understand the need for the gag order. Every time they talk or write they dig the whole a little deeper. Pribbenow email, media statement, letter to the editor.

So everyone criticizes the Presidents for not speaking out, and now that one does, he gets criticized for speaking out?

No substance? Here it is. Quote: "All those familiar with the MIAC will know that it [athletic competitive parity] was not the only concern: some were troubled about problems with sportsmanship; some about the safety of students in contact sports; still others about the approach to varsity sports in the first place." Summarized in one sentence.

A quote from the Concordia president about the safety of students playing contact sports is the biggest joke I've ever heard. They are routinely the most physical team in the MIAC, play the most physical style of offense and schedule UW-Whitewater as a non-conference opponent.

And if it is the "concern" of other member institutions, need I remind them that the very essence of football is the physical imposition of your will over your opponent. If that opponent is weaker, they should get stronger, like Bethel, SJU, Concordia or Gustavus. All schools who have stood toe-to-toe with UST and/or defeated them. If you are not up to that task, then you should CUT YOUR FOOTBALL PROGRAM for the "safety" of your players.

[DuffMan]

It's varsity collegiate athletics. Maybe it's not a good fit for your schools, make them club sports. Don't try to expunge excellence from the league or try to reimagine what college athletics should be about. And you wonder why uninformed people have the notion the average D3 team couldn't beat a good HS team. 

THIS!

[miac952]

When an English PhD College President and a PR professional come together to craft a letter to the editor you get gems like this:

We let the MIAC media statement stand without further comment because we understood that we had agreed to do so.

A lot of words, no substance, Dr. Craft. I fully understand the need for the gag order. Every time they talk or write they dig the whole a little deeper. Pribbenow email, media statement, letter to the editor.

So everyone criticizes the Presidents for not speaking out, and now that one does, he gets criticized for speaking out?

No substance? Here it is. Quote: "All those familiar with the MIAC will know that it [athletic competitive parity] was not the only concern: some were troubled about problems with sportsmanship; some about the safety of students in contact sports; still others about the approach to varsity sports in the first place." Summarized in one sentence.

I would argue that Mr. Craft's much celebrated alumnus and current MN Viking Brandon Zylstra is FAMILIAR with the MIAC and this was his comment the day of the removal, "Before I say bad words, someone want to explain this to me.?" There were a ton of head shaking reactions from Cobber athletes and alumni based on what I saw.

So, no Mr. Craft, those most familiar (your student athletes and distinguished alumni) have little understanding the basis of your decision. Hence, why your decision is being ridiculed by the likes of the local crowd and the likes of The NY Times, Washington Post, ESPN, and others.

[sfury]

Concern about the "safety of students in contact sports" is a reason to eliminate your school's football program completely. It makes no sense as a reason to eliminate St. Thomas from every sport in the conference.