FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[sjusection105]

U$T students expecting a sell out when Drake comes to campus.

The jokes write themselves......

[sjusection105]

Gustie making big announcement today...upgrading and looking to establish themselves as the King of the MIAC jungle.

https://twitter.com/GustieAthletics/status/1362779304774557700

https://athletics.blog.gustavus.edu/2021/02/19/lund-center-project-to-break-ground-this-spring/?fbclid=IwAR2GQL7g-b-NpzR5ydd-QSLfELEIZmJ7PrGQEDg2iEOhW8SXecnntk2je1c

A rare triple post-
These artist renderings look awesome- Gusties are making the push. They will certainly take some recruits from SJU & Bethel with these facilities.

[USTBench]

Gustie making big announcement today...upgrading and looking to establish themselves as the King of the MIAC jungle.

https://twitter.com/GustieAthletics/status/1362779304774557700

https://athletics.blog.gustavus.edu/2021/02/19/lund-center-project-to-break-ground-this-spring/?fbclid=IwAR2GQL7g-b-NpzR5ydd-QSLfELEIZmJ7PrGQEDg2iEOhW8SXecnntk2je1c

Looks pretty schnazy.

Where will U$T build an indoor turf facility?
Once GAC completes their upgrades one could argue that the Tommie$ will lag behind the U of M, MN-State Mankato, SJU, and GAC when it comes to year round training facilities.

If I'm betting money I'd say baseball is getting moved off campus.

To the Twin's AAA facility?

Who knows? But that's a ton of real estate for a non-revenue generating sport that plays maybe 3 or 4 home double headers a year because of weather.

[faunch]

Gustie making big announcement today...upgrading and looking to establish themselves as the King of the MIAC jungle.

https://twitter.com/GustieAthletics/status/1362779304774557700

https://athletics.blog.gustavus.edu/2021/02/19/lund-center-project-to-break-ground-this-spring/?fbclid=IwAR2GQL7g-b-NpzR5ydd-QSLfELEIZmJ7PrGQEDg2iEOhW8SXecnntk2je1c

Looks pretty schnazy.

Where will U$T build an indoor turf facility?
Once GAC completes their upgrades one could argue that the Tommie$ will lag behind the U of M, MN-State Mankato, SJU, and GAC when it comes to year round training facilities.

If I'm betting money I'd say baseball is getting moved off campus.

To the Twin's AAA facility?

Who knows? But that's a ton of real estate for a non-revenue generating sport that plays maybe 3 or 4 home double headers a year because of weather.

Don't the Pipers already play there?

[USTBench]

Gustie making big announcement today...upgrading and looking to establish themselves as the King of the MIAC jungle.

https://twitter.com/GustieAthletics/status/1362779304774557700

https://athletics.blog.gustavus.edu/2021/02/19/lund-center-project-to-break-ground-this-spring/?fbclid=IwAR2GQL7g-b-NpzR5ydd-QSLfELEIZmJ7PrGQEDg2iEOhW8SXecnntk2je1c

Looks pretty schnazy.

Where will U$T build an indoor turf facility?
Once GAC completes their upgrades one could argue that the Tommie$ will lag behind the U of M, MN-State Mankato, SJU, and GAC when it comes to year round training facilities.

If I'm betting money I'd say baseball is getting moved off campus.

To the Twin's AAA facility?

Who knows? But that's a ton of real estate for a non-revenue generating sport that plays maybe 3 or 4 home double headers a year because of weather.

Don't the Pipers already play there?

Not sure what kind of agreement Hamline has but my guess is CHS wouldn't have too much of an issue making it work. Besides, my guess is the baseball team would be among many UST sports that would also like a turf indoor facility. Never got the sense college baseball teams gave much of a rip where they played since most in the upper midwest have to go to Florida during spring break to get about 50% of their games in.

[Pat Coleman]

That facility is going to be used a lot more now. The Saints only played 50 or so home dates per year in the Northern League/American Association. I know the state of Triple-A might be a little bit in flux right now but they are definitely going to have a lot more dates going forward.

[USTBench]

That facility is going to be used a lot more now. The Saints only played 50 or so home dates per year in the Northern League/American Association. I know the state of Triple-A might be a little bit in flux right now but they are definitely going to have a lot more dates going forward.

Part of the reason UST was attractive to the Summit League outside of location was the fact that it sponsors men's soccer and baseball. That said, the fact is baseball will never be a flagship sport at UST at the D1 level and it will most likely be the sport that suffers the most during this transition. There's lots of logistics to be worked out, with space, configurations, etc. I know US Bank has been used quite a bit for college baseball as well (but that must be wildly expensive so it's probably best when multiple universities time games to rent the facility), so it's not as if CHS is the only option. I just think with the flexibility of college baseball, general apathy towards it by alumni and students, and the need for a suitable arena/indoor practice facility, that the real estate baseball currently holds on campus could be put to better use. There is no shortage of places nearby that UST can play/practice baseball, and a turf indoor practice facility will allow them more space to practice in the winter. Also, D1 hockey is an awesome fan experience and can be quite lucrative when the right facilities in place, and I have no doubt an on-campus basketball/hockey facility would be far more valuable than the 5 acres needed for a baseball field.

Who knows what will ultimately happen, but if I'm looking at this thing from a dollars perspective my guess is baseball gets the heave ho. 

I also anticipate UST acquiring some land near campus.

[Pat Coleman]

That facility is going to be used a lot more now. The Saints only played 50 or so home dates per year in the Northern League/American Association. I know the state of Triple-A might be a little bit in flux right now but they are definitely going to have a lot more dates going forward.

Part of the reason UST was attractive to the Summit League outside of location was the fact that it sponsors men's soccer and baseball. That said, the fact is baseball will never be a flagship sport at UST at the D1 level and it will most likely be the sport that suffers the most during this transition. There's lots of logistics to be worked out, with space, configurations, etc. I know US Bank has been used quite a bit for college baseball as well (but that must be wildly expensive so it's probably best when multiple universities time games to rent the facility), so it's not as if CHS is the only option. I just think with the flexibility of college baseball, general apathy towards it by alumni and students, and the need for a suitable arena/indoor practice facility, that the real estate baseball currently holds on campus could be put to better use. There is no shortage of places nearby that UST can play/practice baseball, and a turf indoor practice facility will allow them more space to practice in the winter. Also, D1 hockey is an awesome fan experience and can be quite lucrative when the right facilities in place, and I have no doubt an on-campus basketball/hockey facility would be far more valuable than the 5 acres needed for a baseball field.

Who knows what will ultimately happen, but if I'm looking at this thing from a dollars perspective my guess is baseball gets the heave ho. 

I also anticipate UST acquiring some land near campus.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if UST does what the Gophers do and utilize a number of locations. If CHS isn't fully available, then some games at the Bank, some at Target Field, and some at CHS. And maybe a few on campus if their schedule includes local schools other than the Gophers.

[Retired Old Rat]

That facility is going to be used a lot more now. The Saints only played 50 or so home dates per year in the Northern League/American Association. I know the state of Triple-A might be a little bit in flux right now but they are definitely going to have a lot more dates going forward.

Part of the reason UST was attractive to the Summit League outside of location was the fact that it sponsors men's soccer and baseball. That said, the fact is baseball will never be a flagship sport at UST at the D1 level and it will most likely be the sport that suffers the most during this transition. There's lots of logistics to be worked out, with space, configurations, etc. I know US Bank has been used quite a bit for college baseball as well (but that must be wildly expensive so it's probably best when multiple universities time games to rent the facility), so it's not as if CHS is the only option. I just think with the flexibility of college baseball, general apathy towards it by alumni and students, and the need for a suitable arena/indoor practice facility, that the real estate baseball currently holds on campus could be put to better use. There is no shortage of places nearby that UST can play/practice baseball, and a turf indoor practice facility will allow them more space to practice in the winter. Also, D1 hockey is an awesome fan experience and can be quite lucrative when the right facilities in place, and I have no doubt an on-campus basketball/hockey facility would be far more valuable than the 5 acres needed for a baseball field.

Who knows what will ultimately happen, but if I'm looking at this thing from a dollars perspective my guess is baseball gets the heave ho. 

I also anticipate UST acquiring some land near campus.

I think that the neighborhood would go bat **** crazy if UST were to attempt any nearby land acquisition.

[jamtod]

That facility is going to be used a lot more now. The Saints only played 50 or so home dates per year in the Northern League/American Association. I know the state of Triple-A might be a little bit in flux right now but they are definitely going to have a lot more dates going forward.

Part of the reason UST was attractive to the Summit League outside of location was the fact that it sponsors men's soccer and baseball. That said, the fact is baseball will never be a flagship sport at UST at the D1 level and it will most likely be the sport that suffers the most during this transition. There's lots of logistics to be worked out, with space, configurations, etc. I know US Bank has been used quite a bit for college baseball as well (but that must be wildly expensive so it's probably best when multiple universities time games to rent the facility), so it's not as if CHS is the only option. I just think with the flexibility of college baseball, general apathy towards it by alumni and students, and the need for a suitable arena/indoor practice facility, that the real estate baseball currently holds on campus could be put to better use. There is no shortage of places nearby that UST can play/practice baseball, and a turf indoor practice facility will allow them more space to practice in the winter. Also, D1 hockey is an awesome fan experience and can be quite lucrative when the right facilities in place, and I have no doubt an on-campus basketball/hockey facility would be far more valuable than the 5 acres needed for a baseball field.

Who knows what will ultimately happen, but if I'm looking at this thing from a dollars perspective my guess is baseball gets the heave ho. 

I also anticipate UST acquiring some land near campus.

I think that the neighborhood would go bat **** crazy if UST were to attempt any nearby land acquisition.

So about the status quo for the last 40+ years when UST acquires land in the area? Don't see any reason for that to change, but also UST has steadily acquired land despite the protestation.

I'm still angling for the St Kate's campus athletic village after they go under and have no choice but to merge with beloved big brother Thomas.

[USTBench]

That facility is going to be used a lot more now. The Saints only played 50 or so home dates per year in the Northern League/American Association. I know the state of Triple-A might be a little bit in flux right now but they are definitely going to have a lot more dates going forward.

Part of the reason UST was attractive to the Summit League outside of location was the fact that it sponsors men's soccer and baseball. That said, the fact is baseball will never be a flagship sport at UST at the D1 level and it will most likely be the sport that suffers the most during this transition. There's lots of logistics to be worked out, with space, configurations, etc. I know US Bank has been used quite a bit for college baseball as well (but that must be wildly expensive so it's probably best when multiple universities time games to rent the facility), so it's not as if CHS is the only option. I just think with the flexibility of college baseball, general apathy towards it by alumni and students, and the need for a suitable arena/indoor practice facility, that the real estate baseball currently holds on campus could be put to better use. There is no shortage of places nearby that UST can play/practice baseball, and a turf indoor practice facility will allow them more space to practice in the winter. Also, D1 hockey is an awesome fan experience and can be quite lucrative when the right facilities in place, and I have no doubt an on-campus basketball/hockey facility would be far more valuable than the 5 acres needed for a baseball field.

Who knows what will ultimately happen, but if I'm looking at this thing from a dollars perspective my guess is baseball gets the heave ho. 

I also anticipate UST acquiring some land near campus.

I think that the neighborhood would go bat **** crazy if UST were to attempt any nearby land acquisition.

It's inevitable, and not one person near campus has the capital required to do anything but complain.

[OzJohnnie]

It's inevitable, and not one person near campus has the capital required to do anything but complain.

Heh.  What was that again about the MIAC unfairly accusing U$T of being a bad conference partner?

[USTBench]

It's inevitable, and not one person near campus has the capital required to do anything but complain.

Heh.  What was that again about the MIAC unfairly accusing U$T of being a bad conference partner?

I guess I fail to see the correlation between campus expansion and winning too many D3 conference championships. And I don't really buy the notion that an institution, individual, whatever, should hamstring their ambition to appease their competitors. That said, an urban university having issues with neighbors who didn't think through moving next to a university is not unique to UST. The Grand Forks Herald and Fargo Forum is full of similar letters-to-the-editor regarding UND's and NDSU's construction. Sure, it's great to have thousands of acres in corn country with lakes and forests and whatnot, but UST doesn't have that near their main campus. At the end of the day, UST going all in on being a comprehensive university in the heart of St. Paul will be a good thing for St. Paul at the aggregate level. There's still land that can be acquired around the Midway that will be minimally disruptive, but at the end of the day UST is going to do what they think is best for UST. I can't stop that train from rolling down the tracks and neither can anyone else.

There's the way I wish things were, and the way things are. I always liked the idea of small, private, liberal arts colleges nestled quietly into nice neighborhoods or small towns, which is the reason I looked at MIAC schools for college. But UST recognized something I didn't, and adapted accordingly. I hate to say it, but when millennials' kids are college age there's not going to be enough of them that see the value in what half of the current MIAC has to offer, and ROI on a liberal arts degree will become a real discussion in most people's kitchens. Concordia is barely hanging on, and I'm sure there's others that are having similar issues. The cat is out of the bag, and the fact is few people have enough in their kid's 529 to make a Hamline worth while. Do you want your kid to go six figures into debt only to end up shopping their Hamline BA around the Twin Cities for a decent job?

Carleton, Mac, SJU/CSB, Bethel, St. Olaf and Gustavus will ultimately survive, adapt, and likely thrive, but will probably go separate ways from an athletics standpoint. Unfortunately, my guess is the prognosis for the rest of the MIAC is very bleak.

[OldAuggie]

UST Bench in his classic tone, fortelling the fate of several MIAC schools.

[Texas Ole]

I've long thought UST going D1 is a good move for the MIAC and UST.  It will allow UST to grow and help MN as a state and other schools with graduate degrees.  I think SJU will be looking closely at UST to see if it makes sense move up to D1.  SJU would be at a disadvantage with the current lack of graduate programs and location when it comes to a potential move.  I don't see it SJU making that move, but I am not fully sold they are happy in the MIAC.  It is no secret we have MIAC schools hanging on by a thread.  The pandemic isn't helping.  I think Augsburg is probably in a safe position due to some of its programs.  There is this growing push for STEM education.  STEM education is just a nice little buzzword.  There are other careers.  The problem is that students need to make sure they have a plan coming out of college with whatever degree they earn. 

I think a baseball field is the least concern of UST.  Several D1 programs share facilities with minor league teams.  That is common.  If the NCAA changes its baseball season which I believe was proposed recently that may change.  Also private schools can do quite well in baseball.  It may be that UST baseball is the D1 flagship sport.  Neither Iowa State nor Wisconsin play baseball.  The Northern schools are at a disadvantage with baseball, but it is possible.