FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

Hazzben,

I enjoyed this analogy very much and found it a good use of your Thursday morning.

Bench

My most productive Thursday morning in months 

hazzben +1 for infinity days.

I think some of the downsides of Option 1 and Option 2 could be fleshed out a bit more though. They will both make it difficult for him to spend time with his old best frenemy. And he'll likely have to shed a few pounds before the first date with either of them (ie, drop some sports)

Both good additions to the analogy! Alas, if it had been a Friday afternoon, I have no doubt I wouldn't have missed these glaring omissions.

[AO]

hazzben +1 for infinity days.

I think some of the downsides of Option 1 and Option 2 could be fleshed out a bit more though. They will both make it difficult for him to spend time with his old best frenemy. And he'll likely have to shed a few pounds before the first date with either of them (ie, drop some sports)

No way, option 1 calls for some major bulking to impress the model.  Adding 5,000 seats to every venue and recruiting players who have 24/7 stars rather than a gpa/act as their most important attribute, as well as coaches with name recognition (who probably just got fired and are looking a for a nice rebound school).

[wally_wabash]

Forgive me if this has been covered but-

I've read several posts here that indicate St. Thomas not passing go and going directly to Division I is an option.  Is there any kind of precedent for this?  For anybody else, transitioning to Division I athletics is something like a 10 year process.  Does the MIAC squabble really exempt St. Thomas from that process?  I think St. Thomas ending up somewhere that isn't Division III is likely, but it feels like a huge reach to think they'll be playing FCS ball in 2021- or that that is even a realistic option. 

[hazzben]

Forgive me if this has been covered but-

I've read several posts here that indicate St. Thomas not passing go and going directly to Division I is an option.  Is there any kind of precedent for this?  For anybody else, transitioning to Division I athletics is something like a 10 year process.  Does the MIAC squabble really exempt St. Thomas from that process?  I think St. Thomas ending up somewhere that isn't Division III is likely, but it feels like a huge reach to think they'll be playing FCS ball in 2021- or that that is even a realistic option.

That's why Option 1 is the equivalent of Jim landing Nadia in American Pie. Probably only happens in the movies.

[jamtod]

Forgive me if this has been covered but-

I've read several posts here that indicate St. Thomas not passing go and going directly to Division I is an option.  Is there any kind of precedent for this?  For anybody else, transitioning to Division I athletics is something like a 10 year process.  Does the MIAC squabble really exempt St. Thomas from that process?  I think St. Thomas ending up somewhere that isn't Division III is likely, but it feels like a huge reach to think they'll be playing FCS ball in 2021- or that that is even a realistic option.

It's an extreme longshot and I don't see any precedent for it under the NCAA current rules. As a UST fan, I understand the desire to pursue all options and swing for the fences (and make whatever case you can to the NCAA) but I don't really like that this crazy attempt is out there in the public narrative. Maybe it makes sense from a PR and fundraising standpoint to be able to tell folks "we are attempting to go straight to D1 because we're kind of a big deal" but it feels a little wacky.

[doolittledog]

Maybe not quite an apples to apples comparison, but Liberty lobbied the NCAA to move from FCS to FBS.  The NCAA was saying Liberty would need a conference invite to make the move, but eventually allowed Liberty to make the move as an Independent. 

[Mr.MIAC]

Or, perhaps UST are pursuing all three (or other) options simultaneously and it does no good to let your date know you're also dancing with someone else. And that you like the other better.

I had that thought as well - seems very realistic.  Why not try to cultivate all three options, and then choose what you want based on aspirations / best fit of the ones that are willing to take you?

They almost have to do it that way, given their relatively short transition time from MIAC to whatever the future is, don't they?  If they spend the first 6-8 months of the post-MIAC breakup announcement 100% pursuing D1, and that doesn't work out, then they're behind on trying to get the NSIC or WIAC relationship to work.

I think there's something to this, but I don't think it's that they like all girls equally (this is a fun analogy btw).

Option 1 - Dating the Upperclassmen Model (aka, waiver straight to D1): This is super sexy and would be a major PR coup. But right now, UST is the 'late bloomer' nerd who actually has a good physique and above average looks, when you strip away the tucked in polo and glasses. It's a risky, ballsy move by the late blooming nerd. It could blow up in his face, with the whole cafeteria laughing at him for even trying to land a date to the prom with this hotty...the upside is huge though. And to the astute model, this is the kid who might end up a surgeon, or a unicorn tech founder, etc. But that's not guaranteed either. The nerd will have to navigate this flawlessly, needs some help from connections in the cool crowd, and needs a bit of a makeover (or at least a mockup of what he'd look like post makeover and post surgical residency).

Option 2 - Dating the fellow Sophomore Cheerleader (aka, going D2) - She's cute, not super model cute, but cute. She's also got a rep for being a little trashy, but the 'high potential nerd' is ok with that, because he's only dating her as a stepping stone for building street cred and his later play at landing the upperclassmen model. She's recently broken up with her boyfriend and word is she's looking (i.e. Augustana is leaving the NSIC). She's not as smart or as wholesome as nerd's last girlfriend (who dumped him for weird reasons). She's typical HS hot, nice bod, wears a bit too much makeup, and to the uninformed is a clear step up from the ex (the masses who view D2 as way superior to D3). The problem is she's been around, isn't overly smart, and while she'll be a boost to the nerd's immediate street cred, she's not really marriage material. If this plays out, nerd secretly hopes he doesn't get her pregnant and stuck with her for the next 20+ years. Though if this happens nerd will play it off like he was always smitten with sophomore cheerleader and wanted nothing more than to get her preggos and have to shotgun wedding this action.

Option 3 - Dating cuter, but less intelligent friend of nerd ex-girlfriend (aka, going to the WIAC) - Nerd always felt a bit superior to his ex (she was a fellow 'cuter than people realize nerd'), or so some of her friends perceived. He was shocked when she dumped him, but was glad she allowed them to play it off as mutual parting of ways. In reality, she was cute, super smart, and they had history and great chemistry. She was massively underrated, and in hindsight, the nerd is wishing he'd treated her better, but he can't admit this now. Also, all the parents realize that the ex is really the diamond in the rough. Some have dated/married the model, some have dated/married the cheerleader, some have dated/married the cuter, less intelligent friend. A select few dated the model or the cheerleader, saw the light, and dumped her for the 'secretly cute nerd.' This latter group in particular realizes how happy they've been with their life since this move, even though it ran against the grain of success. These parents wish they could talk sense into the nerd and his ex, but kids will be kids. If nerd is forced to date the cuter, less intelligent friend there is some upside. When things click, they really click, it's just not as natural & consistent it was before (i.e. winning the WIAC in all sports isn't as easy as winning the MIAC). It's also undeniable that this isn't as natural a fit as the ex, but the nerd got bigger than his britches, or so some of the ex's family perceived. So now nerd has to make lemonade out of lemons and pretend he's ok with the fact that it's a more stable relationship, but it's kinda weird culturally and he always feels a bit like an outsider with her blue collar family. But there's no way the nerd will ever admit this was option 3, and that he secretly made a play for both the cheerleader and the model, but was turned down. He's also really glad that although the 'cuter, less intelligent friend of his ex' knows he wanted other cuter girls, she's just happy to have him in the end.

NB: Nerd's conscience knows that 'cuter, but less intelligent friend of nerd ex-girlfriend' is actually plenty intelligent in her own way, she just has different academic interests. Nerd's conscience means no offense to 'cuter, but less intelligent friend of nerd ex-girlfriend' (aka the WIAC) and is only doing this as a tongue in cheek analogy to UST's secret 'dance card.' Meanwhile, anything that appears offensive regarding D2, absolutely was intentional by nerd's conscience.

Also, this was way too much fun.

Should this post have a trigger warning? Maybe we should post it over on the Me Too Movement's FB page and solicit feedback. Or maybe not...

[Pat Coleman]

Perhaps UST's scorched-earth media campaign against the MIAC needs a little radio silence to let their potential new partners get comfortable with UST as a colleague, collaborative and all that.

What media campaign did UST wage that scorched earth? Pretty sure all the scorching came from commentators, most of them national, that UST didn't need to say anything to. Wire pieces said it all.

[sjusection105]

+K Hazz.
sfury  you may have a challenger for the Christmas list / Night Before Christmas take off.

[jamtod]

Perhaps UST's scorched-earth media campaign against the MIAC needs a little radio silence to let their potential new partners get comfortable with UST as a colleague, collaborative and all that.

What media campaign did UST wage that scorched earth? Pretty sure all the scorching came from commentators, most of them national, that UST didn't need to say anything to. Wire pieces said it all.

We know by now that Oz doesn't want to let any facts get in the way of the axe that he is compelled to grind.

[faunch]

Perhaps UST's scorched-earth media campaign against the MIAC needs a little radio silence to let their potential new partners get comfortable with UST as a colleague, collaborative and all that.

What media campaign did UST wage that scorched earth? Pretty sure all the scorching came from commentators, most of them national, that UST didn't need to say anything to. Wire pieces said it all.

I wouldn't call it a scorched 🥵 earth campaign...more like a play the victim narrative.

[USTBench]

Perhaps UST's scorched-earth media campaign against the MIAC needs a little radio silence to let their potential new partners get comfortable with UST as a colleague, collaborative and all that.

What media campaign did UST wage that scorched earth? Pretty sure all the scorching came from commentators, most of them national, that UST didn't need to say anything to. Wire pieces said it all.

I wouldn't call it a scorched 🥵 earth campaign...more like a play the victim narrative.

It'll be interesting to see how SJU/CSB plays it.

[ChicagoTommie]

Interesting UST getting 2 athletic directors from Penn State...this makes me believe that they are extremely serious about moving up not staying in division 3...Thoughts?

http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/penn-state-athletics-assistant-ad-cory-chapman-set-to-leave-department,1480662/

[USTBench]

Interesting UST getting 2 athletic directors from Penn State...this makes me believe that they are extremely serious about moving up not staying in division 3...Thoughts?

http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/penn-state-athletics-assistant-ad-cory-chapman-set-to-leave-department,1480662/

I think the people they've targeted and the conversations with Jennifer Flowers lead me to believe the WCHA is on the horizon in the near future, and major fundraising for a hockey facility is in the works. Penn State hockey didn't even exist a decade ago and now they've made the last two NCAA tournaments. 

[jamtod]

Interesting UST getting 2 athletic directors from Penn State...this makes me believe that they are extremely serious about moving up not staying in division 3...Thoughts?

http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/penn-state-athletics-assistant-ad-cory-chapman-set-to-leave-department,1480662/

Is there something confirming that this guy is actually coming to UST? I wouldn't be surprised but this looks to be speculation, not confirmation.

If it's true, the hockey connections are really interesting.