MBB: Landmark Conference

[NJRoyal137]

I am just curious why anyone would ever think Scranton would even entertain D2. I feel D2 is always the confusing level of NCAA.

It's the stair-step to D1, which would help get Scranton even more recognition and national attention

[saratoga]

When various Scranton athletic teams start vying for or winning National Championships (beside women's basketball), and not just Landmark Conference championships, then perhaps the conversation of moving to D-1 may have some merit.

Until then, let's see if some of their conference champions can win some games on the national stage & become relevant beyond Region 5.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

I would speculate, and based on nothing at all, that no one in the athletic dept is in any interest of going D1. I would assume the same from the university itself.

[NJRoyal137]

I would speculate, and based on nothing at all, that no one in the athletic dept is in any interest of going D1. I would assume the same from the university itself.

Oh yeah, most likely they have no interest in it - I just want the university to show some more ambition to grow their name, recognition, reputation and brand in any form.

[saratoga]

Great Day:

Fully agree about wanting to grow the recognition but considering the weekend the Royals just had, they'll be in D-3 for quite some time.

*Lady Royal Softball crushed in the Landmark first round.
Two bad years in a row.

*Men's LAX really crushed in a first round NCAA game.
Getting better but still a light-year away from the big sticks of D3.

*Women's LAX, first round losers.

*Baseball blows 2 games today to lose Landmark championship & any shot at an at-large bid.
One trip to the NCAA tournament in the last 20 years pretty much sums that up.

It kills me to see the baseball team struggle the way they do with all the school has to offer inclusive of one of the nicest ballparks in all of college baseball.

Beyond women's basketball & women's soccer, none of their other sports are quite ready for prime time.

Hopefully, one day that may change.

[saratoga]

P.S.

Kudo's to Royals play by play announcer Dean Corwin for doing 3 Landmark baseball games yesterday & both games today.
Great job all around.
Thanks

[Great Day to be a Royal]

I was not the one who posted about growing the recognition.

I don't see a move beyond where they are now. I truly think winning the conference is the goal, and anything beyond that is gravy.

The baseball outcome was a bummer, but where the program was, and where it is, is leaps and bounds. The kids will continue to come. The school and facility is a draw to any kid who fits the mold.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

And just another point on the baseball team here on the hoops board.

Since joining the Landmark - 9 trips to the conference tournament, 1 championship. 7 20+ win seasons. Prior to this, and in particular prior to coach, 3 MAC Tournament trips, and 0 20 win seasons. The program was a mess prior. It is in a good place now.

[NJRoyal137]

Great Day:

Fully agree about wanting to grow the recognition but considering the weekend the Royals just had, they'll be in D-3 for quite some time.

*Lady Royal Softball crushed in the Landmark first round.
Two bad years in a row.

*Men's LAX really crushed in a first round NCAA game.
Getting better but still a light-year away from the big sticks of D3.

*Women's LAX, first round losers.

*Baseball blows 2 games today to lose Landmark championship & any shot at an at-large bid.
One trip to the NCAA tournament in the last 20 years pretty much sums that up.

It kills me to see the baseball team struggle the way they do with all the school has to offer inclusive of one of the nicest ballparks in all of college baseball.

Beyond women's basketball & women's soccer, none of their other sports are quite ready for prime time.

Hopefully, one day that may change.

I hear you - but I think it is less about competitiveness - they do pretty well in most sports - and more about the ability to recruit better talent regionally and benefit from more visibility on ESPN, regional news, etc. Sports is the front doorstep for many universities - and as the school works to grow a sports communication program, having D1 athletics will only help students that are associated with the Aquinas, 99.5 - not to mention the PT program. My hope is that it would engage the student body a bit more and get them to sporting events. 

[NEPAFAN]

And just another point on the baseball team here on the hoops board.

Since joining the Landmark - 9 trips to the conference tournament, 1 championship. 7 20+ win seasons. Prior to this, and in particular prior to coach, 3 MAC Tournament trips, and 0 20 win seasons. The program was a mess prior. It is in a good place now.

This x100.

They also had 400-500 at every Royal game this weekend. Scranton Mens/Womens soccer won their conference titles, Mens/Womens Basketball won their conference titles, Mens/Womens Lacrosse won their conference titles.

The state of the union is strong.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

Great Day:

Fully agree about wanting to grow the recognition but considering the weekend the Royals just had, they'll be in D-3 for quite some time.

*Lady Royal Softball crushed in the Landmark first round.
Two bad years in a row.

*Men's LAX really crushed in a first round NCAA game.
Getting better but still a light-year away from the big sticks of D3.

*Women's LAX, first round losers.

*Baseball blows 2 games today to lose Landmark championship & any shot at an at-large bid.
One trip to the NCAA tournament in the last 20 years pretty much sums that up.

It kills me to see the baseball team struggle the way they do with all the school has to offer inclusive of one of the nicest ballparks in all of college baseball.

Beyond women's basketball & women's soccer, none of their other sports are quite ready for prime time.

Hopefully, one day that may change.

I hear you - but I think it is less about competitiveness - they do pretty well in most sports - and more about the ability to recruit better talent regionally and benefit from more visibility on ESPN, regional news, etc. Sports is the front doorstep for many universities - and as the school works to grow a sports communication program, having D1 athletics will only help students that are associated with the Aquinas, 99.5 - not to mention the PT program. My hope is that it would engage the student body a bit more and get them to sporting events.

The "front doorstep" I don't think applies to many colleges at the D3 level. Take a look around at the institutes that make up D3, including the U. Reputation precedes itself. The philosophy of division 3 athletics would follow that as well. Sports at much of D3 is a distant second, and I am more than okay with that. 

[saratoga]

My point in highlighting the frustration of not advancing to the NCAA tournament (Baseball) or advancing beyond the first round (men's & women's LAX) is simply to point out that the Royals rarely dominate in athletics beyond a few sports so the notion to make the move into D-2 purgatory for 5 years prior to becoming a D-1 member simply seems illogical.
Once they start winning right & left and need an addition to the Long Center to hold all the Walnut & Bronze National Champion trophies they've accumulated, I'll be the first to give.
For now, let's just focus on improving and being more competitive each & every year in all sports.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

I agree 100%. I see the disappointment on baseball. But given where the program has gone in just the last 20 years, what a welcomed change.

The women's lax team was a 10-9 team (a tough schedule), who should be happy simply playing in an NCAA game.

D1 should never be an option for the school, and the conversation as to it happening is silly, and based on nothing. Not even speculation.

[NJRoyal137]

I agree 100%. I see the disappointment on baseball. But given where the program has gone in just the last 20 years, what a welcomed change.

The women's lax team was a 10-9 team (a tough schedule), who should be happy simply playing in an NCAA game.

D1 should never be an option for the school, and the conversation as to it happening is silly, and based on nothing. Not even speculation.

I don't think it is silly considering there is very little else going on and it comes from a place of just wanting the university to continue to get more attention and respect - however, if given the choice - I much prefer the U get recognized for their ambition and success academically rather than athletically.

[Great Day to be a Royal]

I agree 100%. I see the disappointment on baseball. But given where the program has gone in just the last 20 years, what a welcomed change.

The women's lax team was a 10-9 team (a tough schedule), who should be happy simply playing in an NCAA game.

D1 should never be an option for the school, and the conversation as to it happening is silly, and based on nothing. Not even speculation.

I don't think it is silly considering there is very little else going on and it comes from a place of just wanting the university to continue to get more attention and respect - however, if given the choice - I much prefer the U get recognized for their ambition and success academically rather than athletically.

If you truly mean your point on recognition over athletics, then you are likely recognizing DIII is the proper fit.