MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Titan Q]

I've heard quite a bit of chatter lately about MWC schools Carroll and St. Norbert petitioning to join the CCIW.  Sounds like the discussion is at a pretty serious level. 

[petemcb]

For Carroll, that would be a return to the CCIW, wouldn't it?  St. Norbert would make for some lengthier roadtrips than the CCIW is accustomed to.  It seems like Lake Forest would be a more geographically-friendly addition to the conference.  Where is this "chatter" coming from?

[Titan Q]

For Carroll, that would be a return to the CCIW, wouldn't it?  St. Norbert would make for some lengthier roadtrips than the CCIW is accustomed to.  It seems like Lake Forest would be a more geographically-friendly addition to the conference.  Where is this "chatter" coming from?

I heard it last week from someone associated with the CCIW and then again today from people very much in the know at two different MWC schools. 

The two MWC schools have approached the CCIW together and initiated this process.  The CCIW schools are basically in the process of voting "yes" or "no" for it.  As far as who is for and who against, the CCIW person I spoke with only knew that North Park is against.

[petemcb]

Would there be any conference advantages to adding schools?  Would it change the conference in the eyes of the NCAA for tournament purposes?  Could the CCIW ever figure out what to do with their end-of-season conference tournament with two additions to their stable?    It took long enough to come up with the present format.....

[petemcb]

And who exactly "approaches" and who exactly votes?  Is it AD's, college presidents, or who? 

[Titan Q]

And who exactly "approaches" and who exactly votes?  Is it AD's, college presidents, or who? 

I believe the presidents are ultimately responsible for decisions like this.  And keep in mind, they look at things from a much broader perspective than just men's basketball. 

I should add that the gut reaction of all 3 people I've talked to is that this won't end up happening.

[petemcb]

That's part of why the inclusion of St. Norbert's surprises me.  That sounds like a big increase in travel budget, although as I think about it, I guess they might be trying to lose the trips to Grinnell, Illinois College and any others that would be a longer trip than maybe Augie or Millikin, who would be the two longest trips in the CCIW.  What other factors go into a decision like this?  I haven't been around for a proposed conference switch like this.  It seems like a trade-off in terms of academics.  Schools like Grinnell, Lawrence, Beloit and Lake Forest are highly-rated liberal arts institutions. 

[Dennis_Prikkel]

I've heard quite a bit of chatter lately about MWC schools Carroll and St. Norbert petitioning to join the CCIW.  Sounds like the discussion is at a pretty serious level. 

TQ - when i was associated with the CCIW the chatter was all about Benedictine.  At that time it was understood that North Central was against it.

Has Carroll changed presidents.  The one who had Carroll leave the CCIW said he was doing it mainly because he thought the MWC had better academic schools, which got President Campbell at Carthage very disturbed.

Lake Forest has already been in the CCIW,  a charter member in fact and left after the 1962-63 school year.  Some of their football and basketball battles with Wheaton in the fifties were legendary.

St. Norbert's would be a hike for all three southern schools - and isn't it a Catholic school?  That might bring up some negatives as well.

What's that line from blazing saddles... "We'll take the n******, but we don't want no damn Irish."

Very interesting, TQ, thanks for bringing it up - I'll have to ask next time I'm near anyone who could know something.

You are right that its the Council of Presidents that decide things like this, but they usually put a lot of weight in what their athletic directors say.

Personally, I see no upside in playing in DePere, Wisconsin.

dgp

[petemcb]

Either my computer or Cal Lutheran's broadcast is struggling, but the last I saw Carthage was down 43-32 with about 16 and a half minutes left in the game.

[cardinalpride]

Anyone know why Matt Rogers has only played 21 minutes in 2 games so far this season for North Central?  Is he recovering from an injury?  I apologize if this has already been mentioned.

Yes he is just getting back in the swing of things after suffering a couple of injuries in the off season.  Hopefully it doesn't take him to long to work his way back into playing shape.

[cardinalpride]

Cal Lu up on Carthage 83-74 with just under a minute to play.  The video feed is nice.  Steve D. with 34 points in the game!

[petemcb]

Carthage loses 84-78.  Steve D. finished with 37 or 38.

[cardinalpride]

Carthage loses 84-78.  Steve D. finished with 37 or 38.

Announcers for the game were former all pro running back from the San Diego Super Chargers Chuck Muncie and Joe (get this last name) Butt itta(eat ah)!

[AndOne]

Regarding the above posts relative to the possibility of St. Norbert and Carroll joining the CCIW:

1. Carroll was in and then left. Why would the Presidents and ADs let them back in? Why are they a good fit now when they weren't at the time they left?

2. Its 4 1/2 hours by bus from North Central and Wheaton to St. Norbert. Add at least 2 more hours from Wesleyan, and 3 from Millikin. It would be a hike from Augie as well.
Longer conference road trips anybody?

3. May have been just two fans of two different MWC teams ripping other schools in the conference, but this summer I was advised by fans of 2 separate MWC schools that St. Norbert, Ripon, and Monmouth sometimes have a tendency to admit good athletes who would not have otherwise qualified academically. I have no way to know if this is true or not. I guess this could be proven by an internal audit of applied/admitted students but, if true, why would the current CCIW member institutions consider admitting schools engaged in this behavior?  

Just some food for thought.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I have no particular feelings one way or the other about Carroll (afterall, they were a member when I was in school ), but St. Norbs would be ridiculous.  It would either add lodging costs for Augie, IWU, and Millikin, or one hellacious day of travel.

Personally, I think eight is the perfect size for a conference.  Everyone plays each date (with any even number); but with 6 there is no AQ, with 10 there's a terrible imbalance between conference and non-con games.  And I say NO to divisions, if that would be the plan.