Western Kentucky not coming to MAC, but considering I-A foot

[orangeandbrown]

Here's an interesting article. The WKU AD says the MAC has not made overtures, and the Sun Belt is their "only option" if they go I-A in football.

http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/sto ... ports.html

[Schadenfreude]

Here's an interesting article. The WKU AD says the MAC has not made overtures, and the Sun Belt is their "only option" if they go I-A in football.

http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/sto ... ports.html

I think you expressed the meaning of this article correctly.

If the MAC were to make an overture, I'm not sure we could rule out Western Kentucky being interested.

Some are reading this as a hint that Temple-to-the-MAC may not be in the works.

I think we'll know for sure what's going on with Temple in a couple more days.

[OptionQB]

The ESPN bottom line ran a "NCAAF" thing about two or three weeks ago that said "Temple announces intentions to maintain D-1 football, but begin as independent in 2005"

So I guess that's our answer. They have something like 6 ACC schools scheduled.

[Schadenfreude]

The ESPN bottom line ran a "NCAAF" thing about two or three weeks ago that said "Temple announces intentions to maintain D-1 football, but begin as independent in 2005"

Option: That crawler text was a severely shortened version of a Temple news release that also emphasized the possibility that Temple could be in a new conference soon.

Here is a link:

http://www.owlsports.com/sports/footbal ... E_ID=15872

The next day, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Temple-to-the-MAC was practically a done deal. The day after that The Blade reported that Temple and the MAC were talking.

Supposedly, the MAC presidents will meet today or tommorrow. We may learn more any time.

It could be that the Temple/MAC talks have fallen apart, that ADs weren't willing to take Temple for football only. We should know shortly.

[NWLB]

It is a shame about WKU, but I can't say I'll shed any tears if Temple doesn't play in the MAC.

Temple is a mistake.

[1987alum]

It is a shame about WKU, but I can't say I'll shed any tears if Temple doesn't play in the MAC.

Temple is a mistake.

I can't wait for this to get settled once and for all. I'm patently surprised that the MAC hasn't been talking to WKU.

[falconfan1]

The USA Today mentions MAC expansion today with Temple and WKU. I have heard from a source at WKU that there is very, very considerable thought being given at the school's highest levels concerning joining the MAC (which, of course, necessitates a move up in football).

At the very least, some of the public posturing is designed to simply allow these decisions to be made in BG, KY without too much "glare". The Hilltopper officials love the MAC.

What will happen is still quite open in my opinion.

Go Falcons!

[PGY Tiercel]

My wife heard on the radio this morning a sports report about a Kentucky University in discussions with the MAC. Unfortunatly she didn't hear what school it was. It very well could be Western, they are the only school in the state with the ability to join. However, it could be UK discussing things about Soccer since UK's men's soccer team is in the MAC.

[UK Peregrine]

Here it is PGY. WKU is in fact discussing a move to MAC as reported in the Louisville Courier-Journal today.

"Western Kentucky athletic director Wood Selig said yesterday that the university has been approached by Mid-American Conference officials, who are interested in replacing schools that are leaving after this season."

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbc ... 002/SPORTS

[BelieveNBG]

This could be real ugly. With all of the confusion about who is Bowling Green, imagine the confusion with WK, located in Bowling Green, Ky., joining the same conference. Folks will never know who we are.

[Schadenfreude]

On Kentucky soccer: They are leaving the MAC. I think Conference USA got a critical mass of schools together for mens soccer, and Kentucky will head there.

I think that puts the MAC in the position of needing another men's soccer program. The only independent in this part of the country appears to be Indiana/Purdue-Fort Wayne.

[1987alum]

On Kentucky soccer: They are leaving the MAC. I think Conference USA got a critical mass of schools together for mens soccer, and Kentucky will head there.

I think that puts the MAC in the position of needing another men's soccer program. The only independent in this part of the country appears to be Indiana/Purdue-Fort Wayne.

I wish it were Indiana/Purdue-Indy; I just love saying ewww-eeee, pooo-eeey.

[TG1996]

On Kentucky soccer: They are leaving the MAC. I think Conference USA got a critical mass of schools together for mens soccer, and Kentucky will head there.

I think that puts the MAC in the position of needing another men's soccer program. The only independent in this part of the country appears to be Indiana/Purdue-Fort Wayne.

I wish it were Indiana/Purdue-Indy; I just love saying ewww-eeee, pooo-eeey.

Only if we get them in all other sports, too... I like the idea of BG coming 15 minutes away from my home.

[kdog27]

I really want WKU to come to the MAC. My mom graduated from WKU so it would create a fun rivalry between her and I. She was there when the Hilltoppers won the national championship in BB. That would have been cool.

[NWLB]

News of WKU not coming to the MAC premature.

WKU discussing move to MAC
School studying I-A football jump


By Michael Grant
[email protected]
The Courier-Journal



Western Kentucky athletic director Wood Selig said yesterday that the university has been approached by Mid-American Conference officials, who are interested in replacing schools that are leaving after this season.

A possible move from the Sun Belt Conference to the MAC has Western officials considering a jump to Division I-A, the highest level of NCAA football.

Selig said MAC commissioner Rick Chryst called him last week to request a profile on Western's athletics and academics.

The MAC is looking at schools to replace Central Florida (a football-only member) and Marshall, who are leaving for Conference USA next season. Selig intends to present MAC officials with information on Western within the next couple of weeks.

"There are a wide variety of aspects that make the MAC a very desirable league for any institution," he said. "Personally, I think the MAC is a league with considerable momentum. The football league had six bowl-eligible teams (last season) and is a top-10 basketball conference.

"It has a very attractive geographic location in respect to Bowling Green. The MAC is also blessed with deep media contracts with ESPN and Fox. It's certainly one of the more televised leagues in America."

Chryst declined to comment on what schools the MAC was considering and wouldn't confirm or deny any discussions with Western.

The Philadelphia Inquirer has reported that Temple is considering a move to the MAC for football only.

Of Western's 20 Division I programs, 18 play in the Sun Belt. The I-AA football program is in the Gateway Conference, and the men's soccer team plays in the Missouri Valley.

Western President Gary Ransdell said the Sun Belt, which sponsors I-A football, has been "exerting pressure" on Western to join the league in football but that the school has been reluctant because of financial reasons.

Ransdell said moving to I-A football might be worth it financially if it meant getting into a league such as the MAC.

"A different conference may present different revenue variables," he said.

Selig said that while a move to the MAC would provide Western with the opportunity to go to I-A football, he has not had in-depth discussions with MAC officials in regards to membership requirements. He said there might be a scenario in which Western football would stay in the Gateway.

A primary difference between Division I-A and I-AA is in football scholarships -- a limit of 85 in I-A vs. 63 in I-AA.

I-A football would require a larger budget, and I-A programs must have at least five home games against I-A opponents.

Western already exceeds the I-A requirement of sponsoring at least 16 sports, but it is 30 athletic scholarships short of the required 200 for all sports.

Selig and Ransdell declined to speculate on the cost of a move to I-A, saying only that the university is studying the issue. Western's annual athletic budget is $10.5 million with $2 million devoted to football. Selig said institutions comparable with Western spend $3 million to $5 million on their I-A football programs.

The Hilltoppers, who play football in 17,500-seat L.T. Smith Stadium, drew an average of 8,760 fans for five home dates last year. The NCAA requires teams to draw 15,000 per game to maintain I-A status, but that requirement is being reviewed.

If the requirement stays, Ransdell said the university will look into addressing the issue. But Selig is confident that there will be some sort of change.

There already are plans to renovate Smith Stadium, but any additional seating would be "modest," Ransdell said.

Chryst said I-A football has been the MAC's "history" but stopped short of saying that new members had to play I-A football.

"All members of the conference have been football members," he said. "But I don't want to speak for the group (of MAC school presidents)."

Western football coach David Elson did not return phone messages. Selig described the Western coaches in all sports as being supportive of any change that benefits the school.

But men's basketball coach Darrin Horn doesn't see the possible move to the MAC as an improvement for his program.

"I know we have to be aggressive in looking for better options," he said. "But I'm not convinced that it's the best thing for basketball" because the MAC typically gets just one bid for the NCAA Tournament.

"It would be one thing if we went to a league like the Missouri Valley," Horn said, "but the MAC is perceived to be a one-bid league. We're in a one-bid league now."

The Sun Belt hasn't received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament since Western got one in 1994, when Horn was a junior guard for the Hilltoppers.

But Ransdell and Selig see a lot of benefits. Selig pointed out the elimination of costly trips to Sun Belt members Denver, North Texas, New Mexico State and Florida International. Next season's MAC alignment will include schools in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Buffalo, N.Y.

And while football is a moneymaker for I-A institutions, Ransdell described I-AA football as "a financial disaster." When the Hilltoppers won the 2002 I-AA championship, the postseason expenses cost the program $100,000.

"You have no chance to increase your revenue capacity," he said. "Your costs simply go up. If you make it to the playoffs, it costs you money. There's no revenue sharing. You might get some TV (coverage), but there is no revenue in it. You're often paying to get on TV."