University of New Orleans & D3-D1

[cush]

CC did join the scac at the market/housing bubble peak so maybe they are a bubble scac member or at least that was the mindset when extending them an invite. I thought they might drop out this summer but other than going indy again or changing divisions they are in d3 no man's land. If the scac and cc want to stick with each other, than the scac really needs to jump to 14-16 school's and maybe that's where uno  even thought they don't fit the profile could be in play for the scac. Given that the ncac might jump to 12, the scac might also need to worry about keeping centre in the league. Still wondering what the delay is with bringing berry college aboard for the scac to replace depauw, how much dd is there to do?

[Gregory Sager]

If the scac and cc want to stick with each other, than the scac really needs to jump to 14-16 school's and maybe that's where uno  even thought they don't fit the profile could be in play for the scac.

I'd lay extremely long odds against that ever happening. All of the D3 leagues that have at least a modicum of academic cachet tend to guard it very zealously, even at the expense of considerations that might otherwise enhance the league, and the SCAC is no exception. The idea of a league of exclusive private schools that brags on its website about its near-perfect Phi Beta Kappa membership is never going to allow a public, non-exclusive university that is several times larger than the league norm to join its ranks.

[Ralph Turner]

If the scac and cc want to stick with each other, than the scac really needs to jump to 14-16 school's and maybe that's where uno  even thought they don't fit the profile could be in play for the scac.

I'd lay extremely long odds against that ever happening. All of the D3 leagues that have at least a modicum of academic cachet tend to guard it very zealously, even at the expense of considerations that might otherwise enhance the league, and the SCAC is no exception. The idea of a league of exclusive private schools that brags on its website about its near-perfect Phi Beta Kappa membership is never going to allow a public, non-exclusive university that is several times larger than the league norm to join its ranks.

UDallas added a chapter last decade in hopes of getting into the SCAC, and they are still awaiting the invitation ot join.

[Gregory Sager]

If the scac and cc want to stick with each other, than the scac really needs to jump to 14-16 school's and maybe that's where uno  even thought they don't fit the profile could be in play for the scac.

I'd lay extremely long odds against that ever happening. All of the D3 leagues that have at least a modicum of academic cachet tend to guard it very zealously, even at the expense of considerations that might otherwise enhance the league, and the SCAC is no exception. The idea of a league of exclusive private schools that brags on its website about its near-perfect Phi Beta Kappa membership is never going to allow a public, non-exclusive university that is several times larger than the league norm to join its ranks.

UDallas added a chapter last decade in hopes of getting into the SCAC, and they are still awaiting the invitation ot join.

Exactly.

[Ron Boerger]

I don't think CC is going anywhere.  They work very hard to cultivate the "elite academic" vibe that just doesn't come through the same way in d2.  Didn't they just join the conference recently?

SCAC travel costs CC a fortune; every away game is a plane trip.  They still retain a couple of D1 sports so they're not all that in love with the 'pure' D3 model.  D2 would let them play a lot closer to home and financial considerations are a big concern in the Springs right now.  It's purely speculation but their presence in the SCAC is a complication for everyone else in the conference, travel-wise.  It might be that everyone, including CC, would be better served by their departure. 

Travel logisitics seem to be a problem everyone could have anticipated when the SCAC agreed to let CC in. It's not as if they just moved out there.

As other have pointed out, Keith, what seemed like a great idea when school endowments were flush becomes less of one after they lost 30+% of their values.   All of a sudden all those plane flights - and every game involving a CC team involves a flight by someone, be it CC or the visiting team - are much less appealing.   

[Ralph Turner]

University of Dallas to Austin College = 68.0 miles

UDallas to DFW Airport = 11.9 miles half of which is driving to the terminal on the airport grounds to fly to some place like Colorado Springs or Atlanta.

UDallas seems like a perfect travel partner for Austin College instead of Colorado College to me.

[Ralph Turner]

The final crunch in Louisiana is hitting Southern University, too.

Does SU leave the SWAC and move to D-II?  They might make a D-II travel partner for UN, should the Privateers move to D-II.

Southern University

[David Collinge]

The final crunch in Louisiana is hitting Southern University, too.

The 1927 Flood; Huey Long; the demise of the Shreveport Steamer; Hurricane Katrina; Bill Jefferson and his freezer; the ongoing destruction of the coastal wetlands; and now the BP oil spill.  It's hard to know what will be the "final crunch in Louisiana."  

[dodgerwv]

Looks like UNO has much bigger issues than athletic affiliation.  This possibility isn't raised in the story, but you have to wonder how long the state of Louisiana can continue to operate all of their colleges.  Not all that unusual for small private schools to go under, but can anyone think of fairly large state schools that have ceased to exist?  Here's the latest on the budget crunch and dropped academic programs:

http://www.wwltv.com/news/local/Layoffs-elimination-of-programs-planned-for-UNO-other-LSU-System-schools-98638469.html

[Just Bill]

UNO and Centenary have been approved for reclassification by the D-III management council...

http://tinyurl.com/32tcp83

[Tacttm1]

Statement from UNO:


http://www.unoprivateers.com/downloads2/386785.pdf

[Tacttm1]

UNO Athletics had the first public meeting following there push to join D3.  The article linked gives some great detail about UNO's thoughts on ASC (joining, changes, fit) and the interim plan.

I will tell you that there was emphasis on the change to student-focus and plenty of thoughts expressed that football will be a determining factor in the success of the overall athletic program.  That would mean needing to hire an actual "Head Coach" to administer the program and lead the cadre of volunteer assistants.


For now, looks like the upcoming year (s) of transition will be filled with challenges to field teams, gain support and shift attitudes.

http://www.neworleans.com/sports/uno/449085-uno-to-add-football-upgrade-facilities-during-transition-to-division-3.html


((The article mentions the Chancellor saying Kmart education.  What he actually said was K-Mart SERVICE.  This was a mis-quote by the reporter.))

[arktraveler]

That's a neat article - thanks for posting the link. For them to seek the ASC would be natural. They mention that "a couple of the conference's members are looking to leave the ASC." Anybody speculation about what this particularly refers to?

[Ron Boerger]

That's a neat article - thanks for posting the link. For them to seek the ASC would be natural. They mention that "a couple of the conference's members are looking to leave the ASC." Anybody speculation about what this particularly refers to?

Not a whole lot of other conferences for ASC members to choose from unless they want to spend an incredible amount of time and money on travel.   The SCAC will have an opening for a football-playing school in 2011, could TLU slot in?  Would mess up the SCAC's travel partners in TX, tho, unless at the same time they added someone like UDallas as has been speculated from time to time on these boards.    McMurry also seems like it could be a possibility, but they seem happy in the ASC. 

Also wonder how many D3 schools charge their students an athletic fee.   That would seem to give UNO a huge advantage in terms of available funds.   Roughly $100/year x 12000 students = $1.2 million/year.

[Pat Coleman]

I wonder if that's a reference to the attempts to recruit Mississippi College back into Division II.