More talk of WKU to the MAC from "the other" Bowli

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 4:50 pm

This was linked on my MAC sports email list.

It is sounding more and more like WKU to the MAC may very well happen, and quickly.

http://www.topperfan.com/wku/media.htm

PGY Tiercel · Post by **PGY Tiercel** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:05 pm

Anything if they would bring football right away as well or are they planning to wait a year or two?

Tricky_Falcon · Post by **Tricky_Falcon** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:33 pm

A lot of names are surfacing to potentially join the MAC. As of now it's all talk/wishful thinking. Nothing is even close to happening.

PGY Tiercel · Post by **PGY Tiercel** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 5:45 pm

I am aware of that, The last release I had seen, they gave the impressino that IF WKU joins, Football might not join right away. I think that the best way for them to improve their program is to just bring the football program right away and at least get some of the TV/Bowl money the MAC is starting to bring in.

Schadenfreude · Post by **Schadenfreude** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 10:59 am

Tricky_Falcon wrote:A lot of names are surfacing to potentially join the MAC. As of now it's all talk/wishful thinking. Nothing is even close to happening.

I disagree.

If Western Kentucky's AD is this open about it... I think there is a strong chance something could happen there.

A more interesting question is who to pair up with Western Kentucky.

As far as the timeline for bringing in Hilltopper football... it would take a couple of transition years for the move to I-A. Florida Atlantic and Florida International are going through that right now.

NWLB · Post by **NWLB** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 12:18 pm

Posting this a day late, but...

I listened to the entire interview. It really was about the MAC from start to finish. The major points of interest:

WKU is a 1AA member of the Sunbelt, and is curious if something akin to that could be arranged with the MAC. That didn’t seem to be explicitly stated as how they want to join the MAC, or how they would remain a member were they allowed in as such. Given that they do seem to feel they have things to do before they really are ready for full-time 1A football, they might be thinking in terms of how to avoid losing a chance to join the MAC.

They are about to start a 35 million dollar rebuild of the football stadium. However their stadium is also used for classroom space, is asymmetrical like Miami’s, etc. That said, they are looking at fully modernizing all of it, expanding the visitors side seating, adding a large earth hill in one end-zone for pic-nic seating, and adding a massive building in the other zone for offices, training, student aid, etc. None of this is an IF, it is all going to break ground over 24 months.

Their AD said he didn’t know where their basketball coach “got his information” but countered that persons view of the MAC in basketball. He pointed out the MAC has ended higher than their options in the RPIs.

When asked what other conference options there were, he down played the Sunbelt. Said CUSA refused to give them a sniff until they were 1A, and the Atlantic 10 wanted basketball only. In addition at least one 1AA conference snubbed them as well.

The MAC contacted them a few weeks ago and asked for some information about the school, but stated it was only for informational purposes, not as part of any specific process. They seem to think SIU is also being considered by the MAC.

They think very highly of their basketball program, and feel that their addition to the MAC helps make it a multi-bid league for the NCAAs. They were mindful to acknowledge what the MAC has done over the last 15 years, respect the league, but feel it is much better with them than without.

Overall, they clearly are looking at 1A football no matter what. They will expect to keep games with MTSU no matter what. The MAC clearly seems to be first on their mind for an affiliation. They very much want an all-sport affiliation. They are spending serious money on improving facilities. They firmly believe Kentucky can support 1A football at WKU. The announcer indicated there are some WKU fans that think 1A football in the MAC is a mistake and they should remain in 1AA. The AD doesn’t feel that will hold true. They feel the Big East will splinter after a few years. CUSA was hardly mentioned at all, and wasn’t exactly praised as a great option when it was.

They mentioned “the battle of Bowling Greens” only once.

Schadenfreude · Post by **Schadenfreude** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 12:53 pm

A couple of additional thoughts:

1. The only hold up for Western Kentucky going I-A is figuring out for sure what the new standard will be. It looks like attendance will no longer be a measure -- but that's not quite official yet. WKU will need to know what the new measure is before committing to I-A.

2. Expansion talk is getting serious. Here is a news release from the MAC a couple of weeks ago on its new membership standards plan:

http://mac-sports.collegesports.com/gen ... 05aaa.html

Quoting:

"We anticipate final adoption of the Membership Standards Plan by our June 2005 meeting," [MAC Council of Presidents Chairman John Peters, President of Northern Illinois University] concluded. "Regarding expansion, while not desiring to self-impose a time deadline, the matter is certainly a high priority for the conference and we expect discussions to move forward efficiently."

PGY Tiercel · Post by **PGY Tiercel** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 1:07 pm

Thanks for the summary, I was hoping someone would do it so I didn't have to try to listen to it. I'm glad the AD addressed the basketball coaches comments. I thought they were a little weird in other article.

PGY Tiercel · Post by **PGY Tiercel** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 1:14 pm

Schadenfreude wrote:A couple of additional thoughts:

1. The only hold up for Western Kentucky going I-A is figuring out for sure what the new standard will be. It looks like attendance will no longer be a measure -- but that's not quite official yet. WKU will need to know what the new measure is before committing to I-A.

This would be a real benefit to WKU. I still think it would be hard for them to draw the needed crowded under the current standards. I don't think Kentucky has the population for them to draw the average they need. UK and Louisville are just to dominating. I am sure they're chat board would be just like ours "Why don't students come to our games instead of watching UK/UofL on TV" I don't think it matters what school you graduate from in Kentucky, everyone is pretty much a UK or UofL fan. You're either Red or Blue in this state.