Gothmog

You seem to be forgetting that NDSU won 8 games this year, including 3 playoff games, without their potential first round QB.

The tourny to make, Games win.

The trend is away from off-site training camps. I believe 19 NFL teams currently hold training camp at their regular practice facilities. The Vikings deal with Mankato runs through 2018. Although no plans have yet been announced, it seems likely that the Vikings will hold TC in the new facility when it's ready.

I missed that. In any case, his post still makes no sense. Because the Summit wasn't interested in an affiliate Baseball member several years ago (a school that could have been a full member, but cancelled the site visit), they should not be expected to show interest in a new full member now? Really?

Huh? The Summit did not ignore that school 70 miles to the north. In fact, that school cancelled a site visit by Summit officials that very likely would have resulted in a bid. Obviously, the MVFC did snub that northern school, but, IIRC, there was the issue of NCAA sanctions at the time.

No, it does not necessarily indicate that. If Mankato is considering a move, the Summit would be very foolish to not contact them, whether it anticipates losing members, or not.

The problem is conference affiliation (MVFC is a stretch for a DIII school), and how to replace their historic football rivalries in the MIAC.

I agree about St Thomas. It has alumni with deep pockets, solid academic standing, location in the metro area ... It is an absolute natural for DI, particularly in Basketball. What to do with their DIII Football team is a problem. St John's, meh.

Not only does Minnesota have a relatively large population, considering it's lack of DI schools, but it has a thriving economy and a $1.9 billion projected budget surplus. The money is there. There certainly are political hurdles...that's where the vision and leadership comes in.

It's just nonsense that none of MnSCU schools can afford to move up. Sure, funding changes would be necessary, but the money is there, someone just needs some vision and leadership to go get it.

You're suggesting that a state with a population of 5.5M cannot afford more than one DI school...really? There are, for instance, 8 DI institutions in the states of ND, SD, and IA. Those states have a combined population of 4.8M.

Oh, there certainly are problems with Mankato moving up, but I don't think those problems are insurmountable. If Mankato officials really want to move up, they'll find a way. If they do, MSU-Mankato fits the Summit/MVFC perfectly. BTW - I highly doubt the Gophers could, or would block a determined Mankato from moving up. There just isn't a lot of reason for them to do so, Look at the state of Iowa, they have 4 DI schools in a smaller state, that doesn't seem to hurt the Hawkeyes, or the Cyclones at all.

Mankato would be a great addition to FCS, the MVFC, and the Summit League. I sincerely hope they are able to work out the political and financial challenges. Another Minnesota DI school would be great for college sports in the upper midwest.

Mankato is closer to the most distant school in the MVFC than Grand forks is to its closest conference mate in the Big Sky. (Correction: according to google maps it's 22 miles farther from Mankato to Youngstown than it is from Grand Forks to Bozeman) Comparing the media coverage a D-I Mankato would receive in the Twin Cites to a Big Ten game against Wisconsin is silly. Which do you think would get more coverage in the Twin Cities: NDSU at an FCS Mankato, or NDSU at ISUb?

You're missing the point. Admitting Mankato would help stabilize the Summit, which, in turn, stabilizes the MVFC. Given its location 75 miles from the Twin Cities would be very foolish to not consider admitting Mankato. A former teacher's college moved up to "State" university status ...18K enrollment ...located in a gap in the footprint of the conference ... proximity to a major media market ... association with other MVFC schools through the NCC. Minnesota State, Mankato looks more like an MVFC school than just about any other school I can think of.

I know you're heavily invested in the NDSU must join the Big Sky thingy, but what you're saying is ridiculous. Over the last 30 years, Gateway/MVFC membership was been relatively stable ... far more stable than the Big Sky.

IMO, the increased exposure the MVFC would get in the Twin Cities would make Mankato an attractive addition to the conference. Also, it fits well into the conference's footprint, and it would well to stabilize the Summit, which is good for the MVFC. I think the MVFC would jump to admit Mankato.

Again, you're just being ridiculous. Obvious typo.

To provide a little more perspective: 2015 NCAA D-I Hockey final: 635K

You already know the answer to that question ... eat your heart out.

Wow, sour grapes is strong with this one.

Don't be ridiculous. There is no doubt that that has benefitted, along with NDSU. I'm sure you really do understand that..even if you have trouble accepting it.

You're joking...right.

This is just plain silly. Of course, the State of North Dakota has benefitted from the positive exposure it has gotten from NDSU's success. It's hard to imagine how anyone could believe otherwise.

Well, the game yesterday is pretty solid evidence.