UIC to MVC Gaining Traction

by **VUGrad1314** » January 9th, 2022, 6:38 pm

Sounds like UIC to the MVC is gaining a lot of traction. According to Matt Brown the MVC was very impressed with UIC in an in person meeting and a famous Flames alumnus even made an appearance (Curtis Granderson who was a really good Centerfielder for many years in MLB with 40HR power great speed and gold glove caliber defense). Brown says no timetable for the announcement but all signs point to a union between UIC and the MVC. I've been down on this in the past but in another thread Chuck A provided a lot of good insight for what the Flames can bring. They will enhance the reputation of the Valley in many ways and hopefully this will provide a shot in the arm to their basketball program as well. One of the things I love most about the MVC is that it is so good in multiple sports and UIC will help a lot with that. I've come around a great deal on this and think the Flames could end up being a terrific add to the MVC.

https://twitter.com/MattBrownEP/status/ ... age-4.html

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by **RacerJoeD** » January 9th, 2022, 6:49 pm

I have no problem with UIC. They aren’t very good right now, but if they are serious, why not?

by **BCPanther** » January 9th, 2022, 8:01 pm

Staying in Chicago is a big deal.

Bring on the Flames.

I really liked Arlington's potential but I think UIC has a similar upside.

We've got a solid 12.

We're a better league on 7/1/22 than we were on 7/1/21.

by **tribecalledquest** » January 9th, 2022, 8:29 pm

BCPanther wrote:Staying in Chicago is a big deal.

Bring on the Flames.

I really liked Arlington's potential but I think UIC has a similar upside.

We've got a solid 12.

We're a better league on 7/1/22 than we were on 7/1/21.

Agreed.

Baseball is a very good MVC sport. UIC has been among the class of the Horizon League. Last season UIC had a 107 RPI - would have been 4th in the MVC behind Indiana State, DBU and SIU.

They have also been one of the top Men's Soccer programs in the Horizon and the MVC needs teams in that sport.

by **SalukiWorld** » January 9th, 2022, 9:06 pm

https://twitter.com/MarchArchPod/status ... 5792993282

Source: UIC joining the MVC progressing. 8 campus reps + Comm. Jackson visited UIC today. Review of contracts/bylaws and invitation are next up and expect 7-10 days for things to come together. Flames facilities a major highlight during the visit and will be top 3 on day 1.

by **VUGrad1314** » January 9th, 2022, 9:28 pm

Did UTA have a similar overall athletic profile to UIC? I feel like if we were going to roll the dice on a big market school with potential and the choices were UTA or UIC UIC is the better pick. Especially if that rumor about UTA trying to nickel and dime the MVC was true.

by **Greg** » January 9th, 2022, 9:39 pm

UIC fan here. Hope the reports are true and I believe that this could be mutually beneficial. Besides, I like this board quite a bit

by **Rt98** » January 9th, 2022, 11:23 pm

UTA fan here. I imagine the rumors of us trying to nickel and dime the MVC are true. Our administration has been sabotaging our athletics since I can remember. We are growing academically quite a bit, but as far as athletics go our administration makes us look like the country's biggest clown college

by **Sir Sci** » January 10th, 2022, 9:17 am

I remember back when the MVC added Loyola there had briefly been a rumor going around that MVC presidents had toured a school in Chicago and people thought it was UIC. I even saw President Smart that day and asked him about UIC (not really expecting a direct answer) and he just kinda grinned and said something to the effect that nothing was final but they were excited about the possibilities.

My feelings at the time are similar to what they were then: that UIC would be a solid option in a big city, but somewhat underwhelming considering the current MVC is populated by private schools with a history of basketball success and public schools that are ______ State rather than a branch campuses of a larger system. But considering it would immediately be the largest student body in the conference, that concern is mitigated.

Then it was Loyola! And it turned out it was a great decision. And I think UIC would be a good add now, too.

by **jsaluki080** » January 10th, 2022, 9:22 am

Rt98 wrote:UTA fan here. I imagine the rumors of us trying to nickel and dime the MVC are true. Our administration has been sabotaging our athletics since I can remember. We are growing academically quite a bit, but as far as athletics go our administration makes us look like the country's biggest clown college

Hey. Nice to have friendly visitors stop by. Seems like UTA is joining the WAC. Is this officially done? How do you think the common UTA fan feels about joining the WAC? Do you thnk UTA will start up a football program again in the WAC?