More speculation on new members

[BGSU-Ph.D.]

From: http://www.sportingnews.com/cfootball/

"If you're wondering why the Mid-American Conference would accept Temple into its football fold, consider that MAC schools likely will begin playing as many as four basketball games against Temple beginning in 2006-07, a relationship that could lead to full conference membership for the Owls (provided an East Coast travel partner joins, too) down the line. . . ."

I'm not sure who he thinks the "East Coast travel partner" would be. I can't think of any likely candidates.

[Schadenfreude]

I'm not sure who he thinks the "East Coast travel partner" would be. I can't think of any likely candidates.

Massachusetts comes to mind.

[TG1996]

I'm not sure who he thinks the "East Coast travel partner" would be. I can't think of any likely candidates.

Massachusetts comes to mind.

They're the first ones I thought of, too, though I didn't know the state of their football program. It's been a *decent* I-AA program in the not too distant past, right?

[Schadenfreude]

Massachusetts comes to mind.

They're the first ones I thought of, too, though I didn't know the state of their football program. It's been a *decent* I-AA program in the not too distant past, right?

The Minutemen won the 1998 national championship. They've had some decent playoff runs. Last season wasn't so hot, but Lindy's figures them 11th best in I-AA for 2005.

About ten years ago, UMass was making noises about trying I-A. The MAC would be a logical place to try it, especially with fellow Atlantic 10 member Temple now in the fold for football.

[Schadenfreude]

Here is a late 2003 news release from the UMass department on the subject of going I-A:

http://umassathletics.collegesports.com ... 03aaa.html

Guided by the findings of a feasibility report, members of a special athletics study committee today said that UMass Amherst should remain at the I-AA level for the time being but continue to lay the groundwork for an eventual move to Division I-A football.

If we are looking for a full sports travel partner out east, I think Massachusetts is most likely to present itself as a strong candidate.

The service academies will never be all sports members of the MAC, and Delaware is in a very good situation that they don't seem to want to leave.

If other schools out east have made noises about going I-A, I'm not aware of them.

[BGSU-Ph.D.]

I guess "likely" means different things to different people. The teams that came to my mind as possibilities were UMass and Delaware (or some other CAA team). Starting in 2007, the CAA (Colonial Athletic Assoc.) will begin to sponsor a 1-AA football league. In the past, CAA teams in basketball and other sports were in various football leagues. This football league will include the likes of Delaware, Maine, Richmond, UMass, and William & Mary. Maybe one of these teams would be interested in the MAC (especially UMass with their A-10 ties to Temple), but I'm not buying it.

[Schadenfreude]

I guess "likely" means different things to different people.

I said "most likely," which isn't quite the same thing as "likely."



Here is a shot of Massachusetts' stadium. It's about as old as ours and seats 17,000:

[Salsa]

Western Kentucky

The deadline for WKU to inform the Sun Belt Conference that it is leaving to join the MAC in 2007 (I think that is the year) without paying a substantial penalty is June 30. So, it looks pretty clear that WKU will not be joining the MAC in 2007. Of course, they could join in 2008 or even later.

I do not know what the significance of the MAC not inviting them now is. I have read on the WKU board that there may be some concern among MAC Presidents about WKU's academics.

Massachusetts

I guess nobody knows what Massachusetts is going to do about becoming 1A in football. There are some who feel that U of Connecticut's success in doing so may influence Massachusetts to make the jump. And maybe the Temple and Massachusetts relationship as members of the A 10 would help in deciding to both be in the MAC. Perhaps the A 10 Conference dropping football would be another factor. I think an all sports, or at least football and basketball, membership in the MAC for both Temple and Massachusetts would make a lot of sense. Buffalo, Massachusetts, and Temple would make a great Eastern trio of members.

In fact, this would be my first choice for eventual MAC expansion. It would really open up the East as a MAC market and would significantly enhance the academic status of the MAC.

Since an offer to WKU seems to have been set back at least a year, this gives the MAC some time to think things over.

I wish we could hear from some Massachusetts fans to find out what their thoughts are.

[Schadenfreude]

The deadline for WKU to inform the Sun Belt Conference that it is leaving to join the MAC in 2007 (I think that is the year) without paying a substantial penalty is June 30.

I thought the deadline was Thursday if they want to get in the MAC by 2006, not 2007.

Also: The A-10's decision to drop football won't be a factor in Massachusetts' thinking. Basically, the A-10 football schools are just heading to the Colonial to play under that banner. A lot of Colonial schools had been playing under the A-10 football banner.

[BGSU-Ph.D.]

I guess "likely" means different things to different people.

I said "most likely," which isn't quite the same thing as "likely."



Here is a shot of Massachusetts' stadium. It's about as old as ours and seats 17,000:

I hate to quibble (well, not really), but your first response was to my claim that I couldn't think of any "likely" candidates.

[Schadenfreude]

I hate to quibble (well, not really), but your first response was to my claim that I couldn't think of any "likely" candidates.

Fair enough.

[Salsa]

Schadenfreude, you may be correct that this week's deadline is for joining in 2006, not 2007.

Perhaps the A 10 dropping football is not a big deal for Massachusetts. It will mean, though, a split membership--one conference for football and another for basketball. I think I'd prefer basketball and football to be in the same conference.

[BGSU-Ph.D.]

Schadenfreude, you may be correct that this week's deadline is for joining in 2006, not 2007.

Perhaps the A 10 dropping football is not a big deal for Massachusetts. It will mean, though, a split membership--one conference for football and another for basketball. I think I'd prefer basketball and football to be in the same conference.

Even assuming UMass wants to go to 1-A in football, I'm still not sure the MAC would make sense. It seems to me that they should try to join the Big East. Plus, Amherst and Philadelphia (Temple) are not exactly close and Buffalo is very far from Amherst. Most of the Ohio schools are closer to Buffalo than is Amherst.

[MiamiBando]

Why don't we just fold in the Ivy League? I mean we could have the Yale Bowl... I like that idea.

Wait, scratch that I was thinking with my Miami head...

[Schadenfreude]

Even assuming UMass wants to go to 1-A in football, I'm still not sure the MAC would make sense. It seems to me that they should try to join the Big East.

It seems to me Temple should try, too.

If the Big East isn't interested in Massachusetts, then the MAC is the only other way for UMass to go I-A.