Updated 1/6/18: MVC Expansion Poll

[acepurple84]

Part of it is improving the athlete experience. With the transfer portal madness, finding ways to keep our players is an important consideration.

What's the current fun road trip for MVC teams to take? Maybe Chicago? Whatever it is, I'm sure it's not Cedar Falls on January 25. Heading to Arlington in the shadows of Jerryworld would probably be a trip our teams would look forward to each year. Nice restaurants, plenty to do, and a respite from the cold.

Belmont could maybe do the same in Nashville, but Murray, KY isn't going to move the needle for our players.

Then maybe go after a Florida team or one of the many Texas teams down on the coast.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

Belmont could maybe do the same in Nashville, but Murray, KY isn't going to move the needle for our players

Playing in an empty gym in a big city is a heck of an experience. That isn't me grinding an axe, its just a fact.* Maybe UNI coming to Nashville would do it, but I doubt it.









*-https://www.belmontbruins.com/sports/m-baskbl/2019-20/teams/belmont

I agree. That is terribly justification for this. By the argument of making a good trip for our players, I assume that somewhere in Southern California would be a good place for an add? I'd prefer a place that actually has fans (and a lot of them), like Murray.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Belmont could maybe do the same in Nashville, but Murray, KY isn't going to move the needle for our players

Playing in an empty gym in a big city is a heck of an experience. That isn't me grinding an axe, its just a fact.* Maybe UNI coming to Nashville would do it, but I doubt it.









*-https://www.belmontbruins.com/sports/m-baskbl/2019-20/teams/belmont

I agree. That is terribly justification for this. By the argument of making a good trip for our players, I assume that somewhere in Southern California would be a good place for an add? I'd prefer a place that actually has fans (and a lot of them), like Murray.

GCU, NMSU, and Murray all pack them in.

[Dawgbit]

Who remembers the wailing and gnashing of teeth when Loyola was added? Which of these doesn’t fit: Chicago, Nashville, Murray Kentucky?

[RacerJoeD]

Incredible logic.

Let’s play again, which doesn’t fit?
Chicago, Nashville, Carbondale,Ill. ?

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

I'm not sure I understand the argument here. Most schools in our conference are in smaller "college towns" except for Loyola and Evansville, and Evansville doesn't really provide much for the conference. Carbondale, Bloomington, Cedar Falls, Peoria...How is Murray different from these cities? Also, Murray (which I'll admit annoys me a bit living just on the Illinois side of that local rivalry) has a ton of followers which would benefit the conference.

[Action10]

I actually think the conference is better off in smaller (medium) markets with strong fan bases. In Carbondale, "the team" is SIU. It is the same way at UNI, Murray State, and other. Loyola is a big deal in Chicago only when they are in a stretch like they are now. I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

I actually think the conference is better off in smaller (medium) markets with strong fan bases. In Carbondale, "the team" is SIU. It is the same way at UNI, Murray State, and other. Loyola is a big deal in Chicago only when they are in a stretch like they are now. I'm interested to hear what everyone else thinks.

I agree. I think it leads to larger crowds at home games. When SIU is good, fans fill that arena (granted, its been a while, but we are already seeing very good crowds in the Mullins era.) I would love to see Arch Madness in a year where both SIU and Murray are at the top of the conference. I'd believe that would lead to a pretty good Arch Madness crowd.

[Jsnhbe1Birds]

Add these 8. Butler, Xavier, Dayton, Wichita State, Creighton, Marquette, St. Louis, De Paul. Play each team once and best of best 1 time for 18 conference games.

[agernes]

Honest question--has there ever been a study done or any type of research about the effect on recruitment (and general student population) of adding a new conference member? I know it is often said that by adding a school from X, you then open the pipeline to recruit athletes from X and might even get some students from X.

I feel in the current state of things, adding a school in Texas wouldn't have an effect on other MVC teams recruiting Texas. Our games nationally available and coaches can be in constant touch with players anywhere in the world.

And student population...even less of an effect. I don't see how adding UT-A (for example) would then lead to some Texas high schoolers saying "Now I am interested in attending Indiana State!"

Maybe I am overlooking something.

Think people are referring to recruiting student-athletes as opposed to the general population. It opens up a pipeline in Texas for teams to recruit from. "Come to ____ and play in a good league and get to play games close to home once or twice a year"

Yes, a lot of student-athletes pay full tuition. Softball can only give out a 12-full ride scholarships. Track and Field and Cross Country combine for 12.6 equivalent scholarships. So recruiting out of state can be lucrative for schools needing tuition.