SiouxVolley

Darian Chwialkowski, 5-11 OH, West Fargo, also committed

We agree on concept and that it will happen, but I think a deal has been done with the Big Sky to not take more than 4 schools for 5 years. The rumor was that the other Big Sky schools didn't want the XDSU's because they thought eventually the Montanas and them would go off on their own and form a new league. Guess they were right (although it's not a strictly new league). As you can see here, there are many skeptics of this "Great Northern" league, but it's just too compelling for the University Presidents not to get it done.

Yeah, all the time you were arguing that everything wouldn't change and the Big Sky and Summit would stay the same. Are you still sticking with that thought or you attacking anyone who thinks differently? And actually makes you think?

Idaho's AD Rob Spear answered some questions like a year or more ago that would lead me to believe that the Montanas, Idaho and EWU will move to tSL. Q-Speaking about a G5 -P5 split. You've said for years that you want to position Idaho to be in the second tier with the rest of the G5 schools. Do you feel that is Idaho's best position to be in moving forward? A. "I do. I think it's in the second tier with schools that like academic missions and like research missions similar to our university. That is Idaho's best fit. I think that's where we belongo, to surround ourselves with like academic missions and great research programs. In some cases they are land-grant institutions and the flagship institutions of their state. That our long-term vision, to align ourselves that way. In the second tier group of 5." In another interview, he stated the Dakotas were like institutions that Idaho would like as conference mates. Since Idaho had an out of the Big Sky contract if the Montanas and UND were gone, that's another data point that shows Idaho sees the Dakotas and Montanas as a core of a conference. When the IUPU's and W Ill are finally gone from the tSL, think Idaho will move over on the condition that everyone seeks FBS.

Engelstad didn't yield to the Sioux tribal chairmen demands, so he was into Naziism according to their logic. Evergreen State shows that you have to give in on all demands to minority students, except Asians of course because they do well, like no homework and no white people day, otherwise you are a Nazi and racist.

Haven't seen this posted, but delete it if it has been. The LA Times talks about UND hockey, but takes obligatory shots at Engelstad, our Naziism, and anti-Sioux stands too. http://www.latimes.com/sports/more/la-sp-one-team-wonders-20170529-story.html

An article in the JMU student newspaper includes quotes from administrators that an FBS move could be considered. With Liberty getting an FBS waiver, so can JMU, as they have the stadium and support for it. JMU sure doesnt want to fall behind nearby Liberty. Think several CAA schools will move up at the same time, making scheduling easier and cheaper. http://www.breezejmu.org/sports/football/

Why hasn't the Big Sky released schedules for 2018 and 2019 as when Idaho will be joining? More changes still to come?

Does it matter? Carr Sports would have given nearly the same strategy ten years ago as it would today to go FBS. The only difference is the conference, as the WAC was the only possible route ten years ago. Now with FBS waivers like for Liberty, any conference with eight aspirational FCS schools and with FBS capable facilities can go. All of the "Great Northern" schools mentioned need some group of like schools to take the plunge with them, as they need similar scheduling partners to make it financially. Few schools can ever be financially independent at FBS long term, and Liberty has already successfully filled their FBS schedule for a couple years at a huge expense. The MWC for Montana or NDSU would bankrupt them as SDiegoSU or Colo St or UNM have more than double the resources. The MWC isn't interested in them anyway, just like the MVC isn't interested in Dakota schools. Gene Roebuck said when he retired that by 2020 UND would be in the WAC. Replace WAC with FBS, as that is the aim of that comment. Leaders have to be looking at least ten years down the road, or they are not leaders. It would have been a dereliction of duty for an AD to not have tentative plans if an opportunity with bona fide regional and similar schools presented itself.

http://www.tribtoday.com/sports/sport-columns/2017/05/change-on-horizon-after-valpo-exit/ The Horizon will stay at 9 members for next season but Commissioner LeCrone states that they will go to at least 12 later. The Horizon has studied going to 16. Downtown Fort Wayne is getting a modern 5600 seat arena for basketball and concerts, which was just approved this winter, so they seem inevitably gone from tSL. War Memorial Coliseum was a much larger venue downtown where IPFW played sometimes. When the Horizon expands to 12 or more tSL won't have eastern time zone teams anymore, for the first time ever.

UND will play in the Ole Miss Invitational Aug 25-26, which will also have La Tech, Chattanooga, and Florida A&M.

Some fans that will be forever clueless. Look up Carr Sports. No school says they will be moving up before they contact Carr but everyone announces major new reclassification plans soon after they have consulted with them. Thats exactly what happened with Carr Sports and UND the last time. There were fans here that lambasted UND's leadership at the time when I said UND would go DI years before they went. After Carr visited, it was a matter of months before the announcement. Even UAB dropped fb as a result of meeting with Carr, and then had a quick meeting to clean up the mess UAB's President left. It's all very confidential business meetings and report writing. But somehow things always happen after Carr meets with athletics departments.

Carr Sports was in Bozeman in May reviewing Mont State's facilities, and writing a strategic report on what Montana State needs to do, like building an attached IPF to their stadium so its can be co-used as a warming house and hospitality area during games and reworking some grandstands. Coincidentally, Carr Sports has advised many of the recent FCS to FBS moveups on how to strategically prepare. They are often used when schools move up a notch. Troy, Texas St and UTSA used their advise on their FBS moves. Carr Sports' website lists NDSU, SDSU and UND as being recent clients.

The Big Sky doesn't have minimum requirements or EWU would be kicked out.

Engelstad said himself that building a new arena would ensure the UND would keep pace with the Pig Ten schools like Minnie and Sconnie. A big failure again from you.

If not mistaken, that is Hawaii's four team tournament without power schools. Last year's Rainbow Classic had SIU-E, Texas St, Florida Atlantic and of course Hawaii.

No one takes 125 k from what they have already raised to expedite fundraising. That is a risk and a waste if it doesn't work. EWU believes the situation is so urgent that they outsourced for big bucks some one else. No one here has given a satisfactory explanation if my theory is wrong. Why can't EWU just pretend that things will always stay as there are? A. Because they know it won't.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/may/12/ewu-initiates-process-to-examine-fundraising-prosp/ So why is EWU so concerned about keeping up with the Montanas in the facilities race if everything will stay status quo, as numerous trolls and posters have said? But in the very slight chance that those schools are moving to the Slummit and FBS, then is a very big deal for EWU. EWU has been fundraising for some time for an alternative stadium or bigger Roos, but just hasn't made headway.

A top tier club ACHA DI women's hockey league will be formed by the PAC-12, with this tryout camp helping getting recruits: http://pac8hockey.com/games/2017-pac-8-womens-recruiting-camp/ Surely those schools are not looking to start varsity WIH the same time as men's hockey for Title IX purposes?

No they didnt. NKU wanted the Horizon, but accepted the A Sun's invite, and then the Horizon took then late in their transition. NKU probably has the best outlook with their nice arena as any Horizon school. The Cincinnati-Louisville-Evansville Ohio River region is like a powerhouse for bb.

Only a few league will stoop down a take DII moveups. The Big West rejected UCSD, which is one of the premiere academic schools in the world. Southern Indiana would do go to partner with IUPUI or IPFW, whichever is left, and sell themselves as travel partners to the Atlantic Sun or the OVC. Agree that S Indiana may have a bright future.

Of course. A league has to limit games against sub-200 teams, which takes money. The A10 has 14 teams, and only has two sub 200 teams, in Duquense and St Louis. VCU was rated 22 RPI and others such as URI and DaytoN were high too. That is the model that the Horizon and the MVC are looking at. If those leagues expand, it can afford to have one or two sub-200 RPI teams. But the important thing is to be able to afford tough non conference schedules. Having more teams were with more conference games will make OOC games more important but less expensive.

At least 20 in conference games is popular now to bring up their SOS, so mid major commissioners are pushing more for at least 12 teams. The Horizon will probably only add one right away and then two next year. The MVC is planning the same. If on the odd chance that the IP's don't get picked, the Atlantic Sun would offer them, as it needs schools too.

The NCAA softball bracket came out. All 13 SEC teams got in (Vandy doesn't sponsor softball) and eight got to host. Meanwhile, a 54-3 Minnesota team didn't get a one seed and has to play in Tuscaloosa. NDSU takes their losing record to Norman, while Montana goes to Seattle.

The Beaver County Times (Pa) said they have talked about the MVFC. The Big South could work too, as they need teams and Monmouth (NJ) is there for fb.