FCS/Mid-Major Conference Shuffling

[meganeck]

The OVC almost has to add Chicago St if the numbers continue to dwindle. 

So, to remain a DI conference, the OVC has to have 7 active DI members. If the conference loses two more schools, we'll be right at 7, so we'd have no leeway for any other teams leaving.
The other issue is that you also have to have 6 men's sports and 6 women's sports, each with at least six members sponsoring them. After Little Rock and Tennessee Tech leave, here's where the conference stands on that front:

Men
Basketball - 9
Baseball - 8
Cross Country - 9
Golf - 6 (1 associate member)
Soccer - 9 (4 associate members)
T&F Indoor - 6
T&F Outdoor - 7
Football - 6 + 2 Big South teams

Women
Basketball - 9
Beach Volleyball - 5 (1 associate member)
Cross Country - 9
Golf - 7 (1 associate member)
Soccer - 8
Softball - 9
Tennis - 7 (1 associate member)
T&F Indoor - 8
T&F Outdoor - 8
Volleyball Indoor - 9

So, we're ok as of right now, but if two more leave, then there's a number of sports that could be below the threshold, depending on who it is who leaves.
Chicago State (which I would grudgingly be ok adding if it's a matter of "life or death" for the conference) adds: M&W Basketball, M&W Cross Country, Football, M&W Golf, M&W Soccer, M&W Tennis, M&W T&F, and Volleyball. They do also sponsor women's triathalon, which the compete independently in.
I don't reasonably see anyone else unless someone from DII moves up. I've occasionally heard rumblings of U of Indianapolis as a DI possibility. People often put out Ferris State and Grand Valley State as names who might move to DI, but it seems like they're pretty happy where they are, dominating DII.

As for where we might have to bail to if the OVC implodes...there's not really much in the way of options in our region outside of the MVFC, OVC, or Pioneer League for football, Summit League, OVC, Horizon, and MVC for other sports.
For non-football sports, I'm 100% sure we'd never get invited to the MVC and 98% sure we wouldn't get a Horizon League invite...leaving the OVC or back to the Summit League. So, honestly the best option for the remaining OVC teams (because there'd still be 7 left if two current teams headed out) would be to try to bring up interested DII teams to fill spots.

I hesitate to even put forth the "nuclear option", but I can't say that it doesn't look like we might have been angling for that if we had to go that route....specifically the D2 GLVC.
The GLVC has football and M&W basketball, of course, along with Baseball, M&W Cross Country, M&W Golf, M&W Lacrosse (which we don't have), M&W Soccer, Softball, M&W Swimming & Diving (we also don't have), M&W Tennis (we have women's tennis), Indoor and Outdoor T&F, Volleyball, and M&W Wrestling (which we don't have). The part that makes it look more interesting is that they also have women's bowling and women's STUNT...two sports that we have added this season. Teams like Quincy, McKendree, Indianapolis, Truman State, etc.

 

Scott, thanks for breaking it down for us, still worried about the OVC, especially if the rumors are true of 2 more members leaving. U of Indianapolis would be a good option if they choose to move up. I would hate it but unfortunately moving down is honestly probably our best option, heck in most sports we can't even compete in the OVC
 

[ST_Lawson]

I would hate it but unfortunately moving down is honestly probably our best option, heck in most sports we can't even compete in the OVC

 

I would also hate it, but I can't deny that it makes sense from a competitive, financial, and administrative perspective.

[Western_101]

First Tennessee Tech and now Little Rock

Who could the OVC entice? UMKC and or Oral Roberts? Maybe just so they can extricate themselves from the "Dakota League" OVC wouldn't be a step up but it might be better for travel and better shot at getting the auto bid.
 
 
 

[may know]

Chicago St is the only D1 school who would join the OVC. Buckle your seat belt because we really can’t have the MO/IL/IN schools leave. 
 

[ST_Lawson]

Matt Brown at Extra Points is saying the UAC is also likely targeting SEMO and UT Martin: https://www.extrapointsmb.com/p/everyth ... ealignment
I don't subscribe to it, so I can't see what else he's saying about the OVC's problems.

[Western_101]

Who is the puppet master behindc UAC?

It is predominately D-II move ups.  Our commander in Cheif Beth DeBauche is getting out flanked by D-II universities.  Infringement on territory. Unauthorized and illegal solicitation. 

It is called a court of law use it.

[Western_101]

Illegal solicitation by desperate entities with d-I aspirations must still abide by law. Breaking covenants and causing damages to member institutions of one of the oldest D-1 legacy institutions will not be tolerated.  OVC needs to act.

[leatherneckcountry]

https://x.com/JonRothstein/status/1984265141933002793