FB: Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Based on how C of the O's tenure in the NAIA ended, I don't think they'd be a good fit for D3.

[Ralph Turner]

Lyon and and getting Texas Wesleyan to reclassify would be the best moves. I also wonder if college of the ozarks would ever join D3

TWU came and went in the ASC in 1 year when TWU reclassified in about 2000. They would have been the 16th member of the ASC that time.

[jaller]

Based on how C of the O's tenure in the NAIA ended, I don't think they'd be a good fit for D3.

I'm in the dark on this— how did it end?

[crufootball]

Based on how C of the O's tenure in the NAIA ended, I don't think they'd be a good fit for D3.

I'm in the dark on this— how did it end?

Guessing this is what Pat was referring to.

https://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/2021/03/12/college-ozarks-ending-its-relationship-naia/4678247001/

[Inkblot]

They're rejoining the NAIA this year.

[jaller]

Based on how C of the O's tenure in the NAIA ended, I don't think they'd be a good fit for D3.

I'm in the dark on this— how did it end?

Guessing this is what Pat was referring to.

https://www.news-leader.com/story/sports/2021/03/12/college-ozarks-ending-its-relationship-naia/4678247001/

Interesting. Thanks for the link

[Ron Boerger]

For those wondering where Schreiner is finding the funds to start a football program, noted in passing today in a Kerr County Lead newsletter was that the school either recently sold or is in the process of selling 200 acres to homebuilder Lennar.   It doesn't seem to quite be a done deal as the P&Z commission is not crazy about Lennar's plans to build half the homes in the development on 2750 square foot lots.  P&Z only approved if such development was limited to 40% but the Kerrville City Council will have the final say now that P&Z has passed this amended proposal. 

[TLU02SA]

SCAC agrees to a five year contract extension with Dwayne Hanberry.

https://www.scacsports.com/news/2022-2023/hanberry_contract_extension

Seems like a stamp of approval on the recent moves the conference has taken.

[Ron Boerger]

SCAC agrees to a five year contract extension with Dwayne Hanberry.

https://www.scacsports.com/news/2022-2023/hanberry_contract_extension

Seems like a stamp of approval on the recent moves the conference has taken.

Must have been D3 commissioner day in the south as the SAA also named their new commish today.

This is a smart move and you have to wonder if the SCAC presidents were worried the ASC would make Dwayne an offer he couldn't refuse, seeing how they are in need of someone to pull a rabbit out of the hat like he did when the SAA split left a total of five teams in the SCAC.  And having CTX and Ozarks in the pipeline when Trinity's and Southwestern's departures were in the rumor stage was genius. 

[Ron Boerger]

Here's an update from Centenary as they head towards varsity football in 2024.

- 75 committed to play in the fall
- offering 2024 athletes
- scrimmage against ETBU Aug 24, Millsaps Aug 19
- four home games in September against small schools and semi-pro teams (I think)
- away games include at Lyon Oct 22 and at TLU (JV)
- some staff has been hired, rest expected by early July

Given Centenary's tiny enrollment (somewhere in the mid-500s, around 40% male), an additional 75 men (though some may have come anyway or are students already there) is huge.

[crufootball]

Here's an update from Centenary as they head towards varsity football in 2024.

- 75 committed to play in the fall
- offering 2024 athletes
- scrimmage against ETBU Aug 24, Millsaps Aug 19
- four home games in September against small schools and semi-pro teams (I think)
- away games include at Lyon Oct 22 and at TLU (JV)
- some staff has been hired, rest expected by early July

Given Centenary's tiny enrollment (somewhere in the mid-500s, around 40% male), an additional 75 men (though some may have come anyway or are students already there) is huge.

I realize it isn't that different than 2 games in 7 days but 2 scrimmages in 5 days when you probably won't have the full 75 at that point seems like it could be a problem.

[Mavchamp]

My question is which of the remaining ASC schools would the SCAC court? My gut tells me Howard Payne and Letourneau are viewed as similar schools (though Letourneau is growing unlike most of the SCAC schools so maybe not), ETBU and Hardin Simmons would be on the bubble, while UMHB and UTD are completely non-starters.

That is a good question.  I suspect there will be discussions (if they have not already ocurred) with Howard Payne, ETBU and Hardin Simmons, and probably even UMHB. But what I expect is Lyons to move all their sports to the SCAC.  With Ozarks in the fold, that makes sense to me.

My expectation is that UMHB, HSU, UTD, and probably ETBU are nowhere in the conversation. UMHB especially, but the other three would also be extreme long shots from what I've heard. The only ones that might *possibly* be considered for expansion are LeTourneau and HPU, but my understanding is that those schools think they align better, from a religious/philosophical standpoint, with schools like ETBU, HSU, and UMHB, so I'd be a little surprised. LeTourneau feels like the highest likelihood but I'm not expecting it. Lyon becoming a full member will definitely at least be in the conversation.

I totally get why the SCAC would be reluctant to adding UMHB and HSU given their domination in football for the last 20 years.....

But curious about the reluctance with HPU and ETBU.

Their enrollments and facilites are comparable to other members.

Academically they would be middle of the road in the conference....not elite, but neither at the bottom.

Long standing rivalries with many in the SCAC.

I've heard HPU might be headed towards some tough financial times......but ETBU is in great shape.  They have seen record enrollments each of the last 4-5 Fall semesters.  Adding more degrees and the campus is growing and upgrading at a rapid pace.  Acceptance rate is 64%, which makes them much more competitive than many in the ASC.

[TLU02SA]

I totally get why the SCAC would be reluctant to adding UMHB and HSU given their domination in football for the last 20 years.....

But curious about the reluctance with HPU and ETBU.

Their enrollments and facilites are comparable to other members.

Academically they would be middle of the road in the conference....not elite, but neither at the bottom.

Long standing rivalries with many in the SCAC.

I've heard HPU might be headed towards some tough financial times......but ETBU is in great shape.  They have seen record enrollments each of the last 4-5 Fall semesters.  Adding more degrees and the campus is growing and upgrading at a rapid pace.  Acceptance rate is 64%, which makes them much more competitive than many in the ASC.

I agree.  I thought the initial push by the SCAC was to shore up numbers to bring football back.  Well...that just pushed Trinity and Southwestern out the door.  I would even invite UMHB and HSU.

[Ron Boerger]

IMO the SCAC football decision had little to do with Trinity and SW moving to the SAA.  Trinity especially is focused on the "national" vs "regional"  Carnegie classification distinction (which changed about 18 months ago) and the SAA move allows them to associate with a bunch of other "national" schools.  Southwestern similarly is a "national" college as classified by Carnegie looking to distinguish themselves from other Texas small colleges.  I don't think they make the move if Trinity doesn't, nor does the SAA bring in just one school in Texas due to travel complications.

This was also a preservational move by the SAA who at the time were unsure about the future of Birmingham-Southern (there are still questions) plus rumblings that at least one other college has financial challenges.

[TLU02SA]

IMO the SCAC football decision had little to do with Trinity and SW moving to the SAA.  Trinity especially is focused on the "national" vs "regional"  Carnegie classification distinction (which changed about 18 months ago) and the SAA move allows them to associate with a bunch of other "national" schools.  Southwestern similarly is a "national" college as classified by Carnegie looking to distinguish themselves from other Texas small colleges.  I don't think they make the move if Trinity doesn't, nor does the SAA bring in just one school in Texas due to travel complications.

This was also a preservational move by the SAA who at the time were unsure about the future of Birmingham-Southern (there are still questions) plus rumblings that at least one other college has financial challenges.

Do you think Trinity and SW still move to the SAA if the SCAC was not looking to expand its membership with schools like McMurry, Lyons, Concordia and Ozarks?  Or was the SCAC's moves more about preservation anticipating Trinity and Southwestern leaving? 

I don't disagree with your statements but I do think the moves the SCAC have made were part of the reasons Trinity and Southwestern are moving to the SAA. 

Does the SAA have more "national" schools?  I hear you on the Carnegie classification but I am not sure I understand the distinction between "regional" and "national".  In my opinion, there are very few D3 schools that have a "national" market.  Trinity is probably one of them but there are very few.