ST_Lawson
The White Level
The MAC would be the perfect home for them, but I believe the other Ohio MAC schools have blocked them, at least once, from moving up. Seems like they don't really want another MAC team right in their backyard.
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Western Illinois to the OVC
- Thread starter Sycamorefan96
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The MAC would be the perfect home for them, but I believe the other Ohio MAC schools have blocked them, at least once, from moving up. Seems like they don't really want another MAC team right in their backyard.
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You might enjoy this video. ISU would definitely fit in perfectly in the OVC for football. I highly doubt we'll ever leave the MVC for anything though. ISU has only been in three (technically four) conferences in the last 100 years: Indiana Intercollegiate Conference, Indiana Collegiate Conference, Midwestern Conference, and the MVC. Based on the data I have the IIC and ICC were essentially the same and were both headquartered in Terre Haute. The IIC folded in 1950, the same year that the ICC started, and the ICC mostly involved the same schools that had been in the IIC.
who is this guy? and is that sycamores shirt I see him wearing in the video? I've seen a lot of his videos on realignments and everyone is top notch quality content
bent20
The Odum Level
If the Dakotas and Mo. State leave, the MVC will be an even bigger trainwreck than the OVC. Who are we going to get to replace them?
I think it may be an ISU shirt! I found a video of his on the old ICC. Pretty interesting stuff. Apparently the Midwestern Conference between ISU, Ball St, Illinois State, SIU, and NIU folded because we could find a sixth member and we needed 6 for an AQ at the D1 level (6 is still the requirement).
ST_Lawson
The White Level
You are correct, I watched this one earlier this afternoon and did enjoy it. Lots of good data in it showing a number of reasons why the OVC is the smart choice for us (which doesn't eliminate the emotional attachment I have to a conference we've been in most of my life).
I fully agree though...barring some complete collapse of the MVC, I don't see Indiana State leaving that conference. I could however, see a situation where in a few years, the OVC is looking at their football scheduling agreement with the Big South and trying to figure out how to step away from that, so they are looking at bringing in another football team or two. Meanwhile the Sycamores continue to struggle in the MVFC (sorry, but it is a possibility) for a few more years, watching NDSU and SDSU dominate with occasional appearances in the top 25 of SIU, IL State, UND or YSU. At some point, the OVC floats an idea over suggesting Indiana State move just their football team to the OVC, leaving all other sports in the MVC.
At that point, I'd have to imagine that a football conference footprint where the longest trip is a 4 1/2 hour ride to Martin, TN would be pretty tempting. Especially if the XDSU's are flirting with trying to go FBS either by themselves or with the Montana schools, or if IL State, SIU, and/or MO State are making hints in the direction of the MAC or CUSA.
From a football perspective, neither of us are going to challenge our local Big 10 teams, and we're only very rarely going to prove much of a challenge for even the XDSU's. As much as I like the strength of the MVFC and playing ILSU, SIU, and UNI...all teams that we have long histories playing...for us, at least, I think it makes sense to save a chunk on travel, and roll that into our football gameday experience and/or into other sports. We've both struggled with football attendance recently, so maybe a fun/improved gameday experience with a better chance at some home wins would help bring in a few more fans. Or, roll that savings into basketball and get yourselves back into the NCAA tournament a bit more often.
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The MVFC already is a trainwreck. It's a collaboration of Midwestern football playing public schools that play in leagues that don't sponsor football (MVC, Summit, and Horizon). There's no one currently to replace any of those three schools with.
The private schools (plus UIC) in the MVC are never going to approve a SEMO or a Dakota school to help stabilize the MVFC if things eventually get dicey. Any new schools would have to come in via the Summit League; such as St Thomas if they ever want to sponsor scholarships, Augustana (currently D2), or maybe even Northern Colorado.
There is also Robert Morris from the Horizon League floating around out there. Maybe they should be considered now that WIU is gone.
Prisonmate
The Varsity Level
Yeah, that looks like a retro ISU shirt to me. He also has a video on the Indiana Collegiate Conference.
It's too bad that Midwestern Conference of ISU, Ball St, SIU, NIU, and IL State couldn't find a 6th member to become recognized by the NCAA.
I thought Curtis said all college enrollment was down.
sycamore tuff
The Renn Level
There may be a decline in nationwide enrollment but some colleges are holding their own or growing.
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niklz62
The Menser Level
2 reasons to stay in the MVFC are either building a new stadium (anywhere) OR the Dakotas leave the MVFC. Otherwise we should join the OVC football only to play teams playing the same game as us.
I have my doubts we are building a new stadium or renovated stadium anytime soon (if ever).
The Dakotas are probably stuck in FCS unless the Mountain West has an implosion, caused by a Pac-12 implosion.
Sycamorestateofmind. I get what you’re saying. Did you ever consider the guys like me who come back for Homecoming loving all the friends I haven’t seen tailgating? It’s Tons of fun. Our Kappa Sigma Fraternity has over 150+ coming back to fill up rooms, and eating at Terre Haute restaurants. Isn’t that worth anything to you?
And, I love Sycamore Football. I get it’s A Albatross, but in my mind, it’s worth it.
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I would hope that at a minimum ISU would give the OVC or even the Pioneer League a try before completely dropping the sport if it came down to that. If schools like EIU and WIU can maintain their programs I think we can too, but I'm not sure that continuing to play with FBS wannabes is really the right move for us.
It’s like Purdue or Indiana going to The MAC! NO! Let’s make it better!