Small Colleges Starting Football

[Ralph Turner]

They already play in the WIAC in men's soccer. Maybe they can join the UW schools for all sports.

Yea but does Finlandia really want to go to the WIAC, the best d3 conference, and go 0-10 every season?

Since the WIAC is the UW campuses in d3, I can't imagine a small private school in the UP fully joining (or being allowed to join) that conference!

Whatever conference (if any) they join is going to entail a heckuva lot of travel, but there are a couple closer (and easier) than the MIAA - just because they are in Michigan doesn't mean they are really in the same state as the MIAA!

If the upper peninsula is UP, what do they call the southern half of the state?

[Mr. Ypsi]

They already play in the WIAC in men's soccer. Maybe they can join the UW schools for all sports.

Yea but does Finlandia really want to go to the WIAC, the best d3 conference, and go 0-10 every season?

Since the WIAC is the UW campuses in d3, I can't imagine a small private school in the UP fully joining (or being allowed to join) that conference!

Whatever conference (if any) they join is going to entail a heckuva lot of travel, but there are a couple closer (and easier) than the MIAA - just because they are in Michigan doesn't mean they are really in the same state as the MIAA!

If the upper peninsula is UP, what do they call the southern half of the state?

If referring to both in a sentence, we are the LP.

Otherwise, we're 'Michigan' and they're an afterthought!

[hickory_cornhusker]

They already play in the WIAC in men's soccer. Maybe they can join the UW schools for all sports.

Yea but does Finlandia really want to go to the WIAC, the best d3 conference, and go 0-10 every season?

Since the WIAC is the UW campuses in d3, I can't imagine a small private school in the UP fully joining (or being allowed to join) that conference!

Whatever conference (if any) they join is going to entail a heckuva lot of travel, but there are a couple closer (and easier) than the MIAA - just because they are in Michigan doesn't mean they are really in the same state as the MIAA!

I was joking about joining the WIAC although they already have their foot in the door there and there is nothing in the WIAC's constitution that says member schools have to be a UW or even in the state of Wisconsin.

I would say there are three realistic options for Finlandia:

The Midwest Conference but they sit 200 miles north of the closest school (St. Norbrt). A school that is already 430 miles north of the farthest south school (Illinois College).

The Northern Athletics Conference. Rockford College would be the farthest away (probably the only conference where every team is inside 500 miles). The NAthCon though enjoys a small geographic footprint and Marian University is about 270 miles south of Finlandia.

The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference is probably the best fit from a philosophical stand point and the athletic programs appear similar. While Finlandia is added travel to the east (Northland College is 147 miles away and the current eastern most school) the addition of Presentation College's football program (nearly 600 miles away from Finlanida as the western most school in the UMAC) would give 7 full-time football playing members and the 4 teams from the SLIAC would no longer be needed to secure an AQ travel to Southern Illinois and Missouri could be eliminated. Also would give them another men's golf school which would help them secure an AQ there as well.

I'd put my money on UMAC but none of the options look ideal.

[sflzman]

They already play in the WIAC in men's soccer. Maybe they can join the UW schools for all sports.

Yea but does Finlandia really want to go to the WIAC, the best d3 conference, and go 0-10 every season?

Since the WIAC is the UW campuses in d3, I can't imagine a small private school in the UP fully joining (or being allowed to join) that conference!

Whatever conference (if any) they join is going to entail a heckuva lot of travel, but there are a couple closer (and easier) than the MIAA - just because they are in Michigan doesn't mean they are really in the same state as the MIAA!

If the upper peninsula is UP, what do they call the southern half of the state?

In the lower half, it's either Michigan OR the UP....it's not said to be the same to often.....

[Ralph Turner]

They already play in the WIAC in men's soccer. Maybe they can join the UW schools for all sports.

Yea but does Finlandia really want to go to the WIAC, the best d3 conference, and go 0-10 every season?

Since the WIAC is the UW campuses in d3, I can't imagine a small private school in the UP fully joining (or being allowed to join) that conference!

Whatever conference (if any) they join is going to entail a heckuva lot of travel, but there are a couple closer (and easier) than the MIAA - just because they are in Michigan doesn't mean they are really in the same state as the MIAA!

I was joking about joining the WIAC although they already have their foot in the door there and there is nothing in the WIAC's constitution that says member schools have to be a UW or even in the state of Wisconsin.

I would say there are three realistic options for Finlandia:

The Midwest Conference but they sit 200 miles north of the closest school (St. Norbrt). A school that is already 430 miles north of the farthest south school (Illinois College).

The Northern Athletics Conference. Rockford College would be the farthest away (probably the only conference where every team is inside 500 miles). The NAthCon though enjoys a small geographic footprint and Marian University is about 270 miles south of Finlandia.

The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference is probably the best fit from a philosophical stand point and the athletic programs appear similar. While Finlandia is added travel to the east (Northland College is 147 miles away and the current eastern most school) the addition of Presentation College's football program (nearly 600 miles away from Finlanida as the western most school in the UMAC) would give 7 full-time football playing members and the 4 teams from the SLIAC would no longer be needed to secure an AQ travel to Southern Illinois and Missouri could be eliminated. Also would give them another men's golf school which would help them secure an AQ there as well.

I'd put my money on UMAC but none of the options look ideal.

Outstanding analysis and recitation of the options.  +1!

[Ralph Turner]

NAIA Oklahoma Baptist University is considering football after 70 years.

...
Russell said the committee's work is based on a 2006-07 study that shows adding the sport would help increase enrollment, enhance student life and — if done correctly — create new revenue for the university. ...

[frank uible]

For you Centenarians - bring back Cal Hubbard!

[Ralph Turner]

October 18, 2010 Misericordia Press Release announcing football in 2012.

Misericordia will become the 10th MAC school playing football; the current 8 plus affiliate Stevenson in 2011 and then Misericordia in 2012.

[cave2bens]

.
If the upper peninsula is UP, what do they call the southern half of the state?

If referring to both in a sentence, we are the LP.

Otherwise, we're 'Michigan' and they're an afterthought!

Spoken like a true Washtenaw County - type, Mr. Ypsi.  And to think most Michiganders from anywhere west of Chelsea and north of Romeo have been trying to trade the SE corner of the state to Ontario for a 13th rounder and future considerations, like Sudbury, for decades!   

The UP, or shall we reference the short-lived, "Superior" movement for statehood, is decidedly different, especially west of a line from Blaney Park to Grand Marais.  Rabid Packers' fans, Da Yoopers instead of hip-hop, Isle Royale vs Belle Isle, "Nimrods," and the always popular Ole and Swen jokes provide some level of sanity (?) during a seven month, snow season.

"because bourbon out of an old tin cup always tastes better out there;"  - John Voelker

[Mr. Ypsi]

.
If the upper peninsula is UP, what do they call the southern half of the state?

If referring to both in a sentence, we are the LP.

Otherwise, we're 'Michigan' and they're an afterthought!

Spoken like a true Washtenaw County - type, Mr. Ypsi.  And to think most Michiganders from anywhere west of Chelsea and north of Romeo have been trying to trade the SE corner of the state to Ontario for a 13th rounder and future considerations, like Sudbury, for decades!   

The UP, or shall we reference the short-lived, "Superior" movement for statehood, is decidedly different, especially west of a line from Blaney Park to Grand Marais.  Rabid Packers' fans, Da Yoopers instead of hip-hop, Isle Royale vs Belle Isle, "Nimrods," and the always popular Ole and Swen jokes provide some level of sanity (?) during a seven month, snow season.

"because bourbon out of an old tin cup always tastes better out there;"  - John Voelker

You either missed or misinterpreted my emoticon.  I am a HUGE fan of the UP.  Once my wife retires (in April) and son #2 is safe to leave alone (who knows? ), we plan to upgrade the RV and spend summers in the UP (and Maine, and general traveling), and winters where it is decidedly warmer than anywhere in Michigan.

[Ralph Turner]

Going off of Ralph's:

New school timeline...

2011 -- Presentation (UMAC), Stevenson (MAC); Birmingham-Southern (SCAC) completes reclassification, New Orleans (Independent)?

2012 -- Finlandia (Independent), Misericordia (MAC)

2013 -- George Fox (NWC).

Any word on Hendrix?

Update..

2011 -- Presentation UMAC, Stevenson (MAC), BSC (SCAC, NewConf in 2012)

2012 -- Finlandia (Independent), Misericordia (MAC)

2013 -- George Fox (NWC), Hendrix (NewConf)

Corrections appreciated.

Thanks, Bill.

[Just Bill]

Change BSC affiliation to "NewConf" not SCAC

[etbu27]

Its wonderful to see schools add the sport.

[ADL70]

Mercer and Stetson

Not d3, but could capture some Florida players who have been going north for d3

http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/default/21/602/

[Ralph Turner]

Mercer and Stetson

Not d3, but could capture some Florida players who have been going north for d3

http://www.pioneer-football.org/news/default/21/602/

Respectfully, I understand what you are saying. IMHO, there are so many talented football players in FL, that there are more D-1 FCS and D2 talents that don't play beyond high school, that you may not even see the difference.

I don't think that the addition of 2 more programs in that football-laden part of the country will change things.  In fact, it might open up more opportunities as more "mid-level" players play college football.

I have long thought that the difference is not talent, but the desire to play college football, with all of the work, sacrifice and commitment that that entails, regardless of the level.  It is so easy to "hang up the cleats" after high school.  As more players make the commitment to continue playing at "their level" (and peer pressure has some role in that commitment), then the more players will play, either at a Stetson or a D-III up north.