FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[MiacMan]

I'm guessing the Tommies won't care either way, whether they play this year or not. Everybody redshirts if they don't play. If they do play, the coaches find out who they can use on their future roster. Win-win. Also, Fyi, Missouri Valley is not far off, and they'll be playing the Gophs in Non-Con within 10yrs. You heard it here first.

I'm not sure why arguably the best FCS conference in the country would be so eager to add a DIII school, maybe I'm wrong.  Guess we'll find out.

For a Twin Cities presence. And yes, there will be some long afternoons at TCF but, big paydays, the kind that help build programs.

[faunch]

I'm guessing the Tommies won't care either way, whether they play this year or not. Everybody redshirts if they don't play. If they do play, the coaches find out who they can use on their future roster. Win-win. Also, Fyi, Missouri Valley is not far off, and they'll be playing the Gophs in Non-Con within 10yrs. You heard it here first.

I'm not sure why arguably the best FCS conference in the country would be so eager to add a DIII school, maybe I'm wrong.  Guess we'll find out.

For a Twin Cities presence. And yes, there will be some long afternoons at TCF but, big paydays, the kind that help build programs.

U$T = Football 🏈 irrelevance the next 10+ years.
Mark my words...TCF will have a Red Out when the Tommie$ cross river to get bitch slapped for $$$!

[MiacMan]

I'm guessing the Tommies won't care either way, whether they play this year or not. Everybody redshirts if they don't play. If they do play, the coaches find out who they can use on their future roster. Win-win. Also, Fyi, Missouri Valley is not far off, and they'll be playing the Gophs in Non-Con within 10yrs. You heard it here first.

I'm not sure why arguably the best FCS conference in the country would be so eager to add a DIII school, maybe I'm wrong.  Guess we'll find out.

For a Twin Cities presence. And yes, there will be some long afternoons at TCF but, big paydays, the kind that help build programs.

U$T = Football 🏈 irrelevance the next 10+ years.
Mark my words...TCF will have a Red Out when the Tommie$ cross river to get bitch slapped for $$$!

That would be fine. I am sure UST would love to scoop up more Johnnie $$$! Talk about having your cake and eating too! We could all party at Faunchie's before the games!

[SagatagSam]

I'm guessing the Tommies won't care either way, whether they play this year or not. Everybody redshirts if they don't play. If they do play, the coaches find out who they can use on their future roster. Win-win. Also, Fyi, Missouri Valley is not far off, and they'll be playing the Gophs in Non-Con within 10yrs. You heard it here first.

I'm not sure why arguably the best FCS conference in the country would be so eager to add a DIII school, maybe I'm wrong.  Guess we'll find out.

A guy in my office played MVFC ball (2019 grad) at University of South Dakota and claims to keep in touch with the AD. He says UST joining the MVFC is "laugh out loud ridiculous" right now as it is supported by no one (not even a middling like USD), and says the league probably wouldn't consider it until UST establishes monkey-stomp dominance over the rest of the PFL for about a decade.

Take that for what its worth.

[jamtod]

I'm guessing the Tommies won't care either way, whether they play this year or not. Everybody redshirts if they don't play. If they do play, the coaches find out who they can use on their future roster. Win-win. Also, Fyi, Missouri Valley is not far off, and they'll be playing the Gophs in Non-Con within 10yrs. You heard it here first.

I'm not sure why arguably the best FCS conference in the country would be so eager to add a DIII school, maybe I'm wrong.  Guess we'll find out.

A guy in my office played MVFC ball (2019 grad) at University of South Dakota and claims to keep in touch with the AD. He says UST joining the MVFC is "laugh out loud ridiculous" right now as it is supported by no one (not even a middling like USD), and says the league probably wouldn't consider it until UST establishes monkey-stomp dominance over the rest of the PFL for about a decade.

Take that for what its worth.

I'd absolutely agree with that "right now" and don't think it would make any sense, which is why UST is going the Pioneer League route.

I'm not sure what level of performance would be required in the future to make it possible, but the fact we'll be Summit conference mates in other sports with many of those teams would seem to work in our favor.
Monkey-stomp dominance for a decade seems to be an exaggeration in my mind.

[GoldandBlueBU]

I'm guessing the Tommies won't care either way, whether they play this year or not. Everybody redshirts if they don't play. If they do play, the coaches find out who they can use on their future roster. Win-win. Also, Fyi, Missouri Valley is not far off, and they'll be playing the Gophs in Non-Con within 10yrs. You heard it here first.

I'm not sure why arguably the best FCS conference in the country would be so eager to add a DIII school, maybe I'm wrong.  Guess we'll find out.

A guy in my office played MVFC ball (2019 grad) at University of South Dakota and claims to keep in touch with the AD. He says UST joining the MVFC is "laugh out loud ridiculous" right now as it is supported by no one (not even a middling like USD), and says the league probably wouldn't consider it until UST establishes monkey-stomp dominance over the rest of the PFL for about a decade.

Take that for what its worth.

I'd absolutely agree with that "right now" and don't think it would make any sense, which is why UST is going the Pioneer League route.

I'm not sure what level of performance would be required in the future to make it possible, but the fact we'll be Summit conference mates in other sports with many of those teams would seem to work in our favor.
Monkey-stomp dominance for a decade seems to be an exaggeration in my mind.

It seems like a stretch to me too?  If UST is able to beat or be competitive against some Missouri Valley teams in non-conference games, then maybe they prove that they're worthy?

[Redtooth]

I'm guessing the Tommies won't care either way, whether they play this year or not. Everybody redshirts if they don't play. If they do play, the coaches find out who they can use on their future roster. Win-win. Also, Fyi, Missouri Valley is not far off, and they'll be playing the Gophs in Non-Con within 10yrs. You heard it here first.

I'm not sure why arguably the best FCS conference in the country would be so eager to add a DIII school, maybe I'm wrong.  Guess we'll find out.

A guy in my office played MVFC ball (2019 grad) at University of South Dakota and claims to keep in touch with the AD. He says UST joining the MVFC is "laugh out loud ridiculous" right now as it is supported by no one (not even a middling like USD), and says the league probably wouldn't consider it until UST establishes monkey-stomp dominance over the rest of the PFL for about a decade.

Take that for what its worth.

I think your coworker might be hearing a slightly veiled explanation from his friends in the USD Athletic Department....the big issue with the MVFC and UST right now is how it would impact the recruiting of 5 current schools that all spend considerable time and effort recruiting in the TC for football talent.  The rosters of NDSU, UND, USD, SDSU and UNI are covered with players from around the TC.....those schools all need to evaluate the impact of UST in their Summit League sports to determine how UST in MVFC would change their current recruiting and roster construction.

[SagatagSam]

I think your coworker might be hearing a slightly veiled explanation from his friends in the USD Athletic Department....the big issue with the MVFC and UST right now is how it would impact the recruiting of 5 current schools that all spend considerable time and effort recruiting in the TC for football talent.  The rosters of NDSU, UND, USD, SDSU and UNI are covered with players from around the TC.....those schools all need to evaluate the impact of UST in their Summit League sports to determine how UST in MVFC would change their current recruiting and roster construction.

I don't doubt that is a factor, but UST is going to be competing with those schools for Twin Cities recruits as a PFL member starting right now. The issue will ultimately become "what can they do for/what do they bring to the MVFC?" If they can't build a program, there is no chance.

[jamtod]

I think your coworker might be hearing a slightly veiled explanation from his friends in the USD Athletic Department....the big issue with the MVFC and UST right now is how it would impact the recruiting of 5 current schools that all spend considerable time and effort recruiting in the TC for football talent.  The rosters of NDSU, UND, USD, SDSU and UNI are covered with players from around the TC.....those schools all need to evaluate the impact of UST in their Summit League sports to determine how UST in MVFC would change their current recruiting and roster construction.

I don't doubt that is a factor, but UST is going to be competing with those schools for Twin Cities recruits as a PFL member starting right now. The issue will ultimately become "what can they do for/what do they bring to the MVFC?" If they can't build a program, there is no chance.

Same thing that some of those same schools saw which led to the Summit League invite, I suspect.

[AO]

I think your coworker might be hearing a slightly veiled explanation from his friends in the USD Athletic Department....the big issue with the MVFC and UST right now is how it would impact the recruiting of 5 current schools that all spend considerable time and effort recruiting in the TC for football talent.  The rosters of NDSU, UND, USD, SDSU and UNI are covered with players from around the TC.....those schools all need to evaluate the impact of UST in their Summit League sports to determine how UST in MVFC would change their current recruiting and roster construction.

I don't doubt that is a factor, but UST is going to be competing with those schools for Twin Cities recruits as a PFL member starting right now. The issue will ultimately become "what can they do for/what do they bring to the MVFC?" If they can't build a program, there is no chance.

They're going to be recruiting with UST for walk-ons, but I really doubt many guys are going to turn down a MVFC scholarship to go to UST.  If the UST administration really wants to get to the MVFC they can do it, but it's going to be more of a money issue than a competition issue.  It's going to be enormously expensive to add scholarships and stipends for football and rent or build a bigger stadium.  I also don't know how this would impact Title IX.  If the scholarships are relatively equal before going to the MVFC you can't just add 63 scholarships to the men without adding any for the women.  Get ready to start women's rowing and field hockey, or cut a couple men's sports.

[SagatagSam]

I think your coworker might be hearing a slightly veiled explanation from his friends in the USD Athletic Department....the big issue with the MVFC and UST right now is how it would impact the recruiting of 5 current schools that all spend considerable time and effort recruiting in the TC for football talent.  The rosters of NDSU, UND, USD, SDSU and UNI are covered with players from around the TC.....those schools all need to evaluate the impact of UST in their Summit League sports to determine how UST in MVFC would change their current recruiting and roster construction.

I don't doubt that is a factor, but UST is going to be competing with those schools for Twin Cities recruits as a PFL member starting right now. The issue will ultimately become "what can they do for/what do they bring to the MVFC?" If they can't build a program, there is no chance.

Same thing that some of those same schools saw which led to the Summit League invite, I suspect.

Yes, because UST, as much as it pains me to say, has the potential to raise the profile of the Summit League by bringing a huge endowment to the table and a commitment to athletics. Whether we want to admit it or not the MVFC is on a completely different level than the Summit. As far as the greater landscape of Division I, the Summit is barely on the radar. Yes, we here in Sioux Falls are proud of the Summit League and like the conference basketball tournament here every March, but we have to acknowledge it for what it is--a conference that isn't even close to sniffing "mid-major" status and won't for the foreseeable future.

By contrast, the MVFC is one of if not the premier FCS conference. Everyone knows about NDSU, but last year MVFC had 3 teams of the 8 national quarterfinal teams. MVFC teams went head-to-head for the crown in two of the last nine FCS National Championship Games.

That's why I think UST has got to show it can dominate in PFL play and show they can be competitive nationally before MVFC opens its doors.

[SagatagSam]

Facilities are also a huge part of that equation. USD just poured close to $30M into DakotaDome. South Dakota State totally renovated its stadium for $65M. There isn't a football stadium in the conference that seats under 10K.

I don't know if playing at Allianz is even feasible given the howling that comes from soccer players about what American Football does to the natural grass, but that's something UST is going to have to figure out in addition to demonstrating it can survive in the conference.

[USTBench]

I think your coworker might be hearing a slightly veiled explanation from his friends in the USD Athletic Department....the big issue with the MVFC and UST right now is how it would impact the recruiting of 5 current schools that all spend considerable time and effort recruiting in the TC for football talent.  The rosters of NDSU, UND, USD, SDSU and UNI are covered with players from around the TC.....those schools all need to evaluate the impact of UST in their Summit League sports to determine how UST in MVFC would change their current recruiting and roster construction.

I don't doubt that is a factor, but UST is going to be competing with those schools for Twin Cities recruits as a PFL member starting right now. The issue will ultimately become "what can they do for/what do they bring to the MVFC?" If they can't build a program, there is no chance.

Same thing that some of those same schools saw which led to the Summit League invite, I suspect.

Yes, because UST, as much as it pains me to say, has the potential to raise the profile of the Summit League by bringing a huge endowment to the table and a commitment to athletics. Whether we want to admit it or not the MVFC is on a completely different level than the Summit. As far as the greater landscape of Division I, the Summit is barely on the radar. Yes, we here in Sioux Falls are proud of the Summit League and like the conference basketball tournament here every March, but we have to acknowledge it for what it is--a conference that isn't even close to sniffing "mid-major" status and won't for the foreseeable future.

By contrast, the MVFC is one of if not the premier FCS conference. Everyone knows about NDSU, but last year MVFC had 3 teams of the 8 national quarterfinal teams. MVFC teams went head-to-head for the crown in two of the last nine FCS National Championship Games.

That's why I think UST has got to show it can dominate in PFL play and show they can be competitive nationally before MVFC opens its doors.

I see what you're saying, but I don't think it's a matter of if but when UST joins the MVFC, and the MVFC wants the TC market, I would suspect, especially since it will most likely lose Youngstown and Western Illinois is holding on by a thread. I think Esten has already intimated conversations have been had.

UST's athletic campus is going to change dramatically and I would suspect Allianz will come into play for a few years. I think baseball moves off campus, as UST looks to reconfigure its stadium to make a cozy FCS field and bring hockey and an indoor facility closer to - or on campus.

[USTBench]

Facilities are also a huge part of that equation. USD just poured close to $30M into DakotaDome. South Dakota State totally renovated its stadium for $65M. There isn't a football stadium in the conference that seats under 10K.

I don't know if playing at Allianz is even feasible given the howling that comes from soccer players about what American Football does to the natural grass, but that's something UST is going to have to figure out in addition to demonstrating it can survive in the conference.

League attendance averages around 10,700 per game. UST could look to Stony Brook to bring a cozy FCS stadium to an urban campus. I don't think it needs to be this monolithic structure, that's a misnomer about moving to the FCS. Look at SDSU, they built an 18,000 seat stadium and only draw around 12,000 a game. That's a lot of empty seats.

[hazzben]

Competing interests and historical precedent suggests there would be differing levels of motivation/need to play.

I think you are right on this, and that we'll probably see the hard-line #tomtoss contingent more likely to call off their seasons individually.

I agree with this, was texting jamtod along those lines earlier this week. I think the hard line tomtoss schools likely want to pause or cancel fall sports. But it gets a little murkier because schools like Hamline and Augsburg, that were on board with the toss, have a financial incentive to play and keep students on campus for 'normal' fall enrollment, and the linked tuition, room, and board dollars.

It's a weird situation. COVID issues aside, you've got a conference that wasn't exactly playing nice in the sandbox. And now they've got to figure out what to do for fall sports.

Do they put those differences aside and come together? Not easy given you've got presidents/institutions with competing interests on whether or not to play.

Or do the fault lines actually get deeper?

If certain schools opt to cancel, but lets say some mix of SJU, UST, Bethel, GAC, Augsburg, Hamline, and Concordia still want to pay. Do they move forward with their own round robin and/or try to pick up some games from other schools to fill out a schedule. The latter wouldn't seem to be an option. But if the conference can't make a decision and some schools opt out on their own, my guess would be all bets are off in terms of cancelling non-con games then too.

Crazy times.