Summit League Expansion

[notkiotees]

Well, if we were to believe the SF media,Angie is rolling downhill on this. If those opposed to the move are able to stop the Kelby steamroller, they should be prepared for possible reprisals. Hell hath no fury like a rich ahole scorned!

[timt89]

Looks like Augie is going to get a hearing. I would only consider them if St. Thomas does not get in to salvage baseball and reach an even 10 members for travel partners.
letsgodu.com/2020/05/04/augustana-to-receive-a-virtual-tour-and-summit-membership-vote-this-month/

[yote18]

Here’s how I see this playing out. I could see USD,SDSU, and NDSU voting in favor only to save their tails. UND has no ties to Sanford, so they could be the lone Dakota vote against it, but they also have their own budget issues so they’d likely consider the close proximity over anything else to save money and vote yes.

I don’t see DU, ORU, UNO, or KC voting yes. Each of those schools have shown their desires to try and find a better league and likely see this as a WAC move.

To me the swing vote is going to lay with WIU, they’re the school probably struggling the most and the generous well timed gift from Sanford might be enough to persuade them to say yes in hopes of future payouts.

[wrj]

May 5, 2020 12:31:20 GMT -6 yote18 said:

Here’s how I see this playing out. I could see USD,SDSU, and NDSU voting in favor only to save their tails. UND has no ties to Sanford, so they could be the lone Dakota vote against it, but they also have their own budget issues so they’d likely consider the close proximity over anything else to save money and vote yes.

I don’t see DU, ORU, UNO, or KC voting yes. Each of those schools have shown their desires to try and find a better league and likely see this as a WAC move.

To me the swing vote is going to lay with WIU, they’re the school probably struggling the most and the generous well timed gift from Sanford might be enough to persuade them to say yes in hopes of future payouts.

It looks like any current member can qualify as a swing vote. According to the article from Denver a unanimous vote is required for Angie to be admitted to the Summit League.

[Yotes]

I'm sure Sanford has a way to buy Denver's vote. Seems like that's the reason why we've gotten this far in the first place, Sanford is eager to buy their own D1 athletic program (and/or conference).

[kiyoat]

May 5, 2020 12:57:33 GMT -6 Yotes said:

I'm sure Sanford has a way to buy Denver's vote. Seems like that's the reason why we've gotten this far in the first place, Sanford is eager to buy their own D1 athletic program (and/or conference).

I don't know.  To me, Denver is the least likely school to be persuaded by gifts.  They are already the richest school by a long way.  Who knows what politics happen behind the scenes, though.  Denver may have some specific demands of the conference that have nothing to do with money.  We're not likely to ever know.  Should be interesting to follow.  At least we now have something sports-related to talk about. (that and the RPI going away)

[GoYotes]

[leatherneckcountry]

May 27, 2020 14:27:25 GMT -6 GoYotes said:

. Best news I’ve read in awhile

[elcoyote]

Absolutely nothing but speculation here, but I wonder if Summit members are waiting for a decision from the NCAA on St. Thomas on making the jump from D3 to D1 and if that doesn't fly resorting to Augie as plan B? Just a thought.

[Yotes]

While of course I would love to know the specific reason that led to this result, there are about a billion reasons why we never should have gotten this far in the first place.

[easmus]

Hopefully they realized tiny school with small alumni base and endowment and lack of similarities to member schools. Let’s move on.

[Coyote Fan]

i am not sure why anyone that would be in favor of SD being in the Summit would not want Augustana in the league. the whole basis of the MVFC Summit arrangement is so on the basketball side schools like Augie could help the old NCC get back together. On the otherhand those that do not like the arrangement shouldnt want Augie in. I want a conference that includes the same schools for all sports. The Summit does not provide that so SD will always be tied to non football schools pushing their weight around.

[Yote 53]

The old NCC is not getting back together, ever, so I don't even know why you are bringing up that is the "reason for the MVFC/Summit arrangement". There is no arrangement. Morningside is long gone, SCSU has just dropped football and is teetering, UNC is in the Big Sky. The only group any of us wanted "back together" were the Dakota core of USD, SDSU, NDSU, and UND. That has now happened in the MVFC and Summit. Our old rivalries can now continue. Augustana was never a part of that group or that plan. The school just doesn't fit like the rest of the Dakota schools. Seems none of our fan bases really want to be associated with the Vikings.

This result is the way it should be. Augustana should focus on being the best D2 school it can be and forget about Division 1. If Augie really wants to raise its profile and become elite they should aspire to be Grinnell College.

[GoYotes]

All those in favor of giving Augie a fast track D1 transition directly into the Summit League need to remember that USD, SDSU, UND & NDSU all had to spend time in the Great West or as independents prior to reaching the Summit. If they want to join the Summit, they need to establish a track record of their commitment to D1 prior to being invited.

[Yote 53]

I think the WAC is Augie's only option at this point.