Belmont to Missouri Valley

[MolineRacer]

There’s a large segment of alumni and supporters who will not get behind the idea of dropping scholarship football. I don’t think that’s an option. For the record, I’m not in that camp. I’d drop the program entirely if that’s what it took. Ultimately the best scenario is one that includes football and an investment upgrade in the program to bring it to a competitive level within the mvfc.

[mvfcfan]

Why does everyone think Murray State wouldn't be invited to the MVFC? If MSU gets an MVC invite they are in the MVFC Period. We just added North Dakota for crying out loud. The Summit League owes us one. If not then it's time for the MVC to actually sponsor football and bring YSU and perhaps WIU in as a FB Only. Heck if the OVC loses it's AQ in football and becomes a BB only conference we could bring in EIU and SEMO for football only and have a Gateway 2.0.

[BCPanther]

One huge issue with Murray and going to divisions in the MVFC is the massive competitive imbalance.

I can totally see where UNI and Missouri State would be a little hesitant.

West- UNI, Missouri State, NDSU, SDSU, USD, UND

East- WIU, IlSU, InSU, SIU, Murray, Youngstown

I mean the West is so much better than the East it's not even fair.

And SEMO was never in the Gateway and EIU left when they couldn't compete so I have no earthly idea what you're talking about.

[mvfcfan]

One huge issue with Murray and going to divisions in the MVFC is the massive competitive imbalance.

I can totally see where UNI and Missouri State would be a little hesitant.

West- UNI, Missouri State, NDSU, SDSU, USD, UND

East- WIU, IlSU, InSU, SIU, Murray, Youngstown

I mean the West is so much better than the East it's not even fair.

And SEMO was never in the Gateway and EIU left when they couldn't compete so I have no earthly idea what you're talking about.

Talking about dissolving the MVFC. The Dakota schools can go find a new home. The new MVC Football would have 9 or 10 members: the current 5 publics, Murray, YSU, EIU, SEMO, and maybe WIU; with YSU, EIU, SEMO, and WIU being officially "football-only" members in the MVC. Saves everyone on travel, and the Dakotas couldn't block potential MVC additions.

Basically instead of having MVFC football, that is officially separate from the MVC, the MVC itself would actually sponsor football.

[SalukiWorld]

One huge issue with Murray and going to divisions in the MVFC is the massive competitive imbalance.

I can totally see where UNI and Missouri State would be a little hesitant.

West- UNI, Missouri State, NDSU, SDSU, USD, UND

East- WIU, IlSU, InSU, SIU, Murray, Youngstown

I mean the West is so much better than the East it's not even fair.

And SEMO was never in the Gateway and EIU left when they couldn't compete so I have no earthly idea what you're talking about.

Talking about dissolving the MVFC. The Dakota schools can go find a new home. The new MVC Football would have 9 or 10 members: the current 5 publics, Murray, YSU, EIU, SEMO, and maybe WIU; with YSU, EIU, SEMO, and WIU being officially "football-only" members in the MVC. Saves everyone on travel, and the Dakotas couldn't block potential MVC additions.

That's not going to happen, the Dakotas bring in so much money and prestige to the MVFC

[IllinoisState]

One huge issue with Murray and going to divisions in the MVFC is the massive competitive imbalance.

I can totally see where UNI and Missouri State would be a little hesitant.

West- UNI, Missouri State, NDSU, SDSU, USD, UND

East- WIU, IlSU, InSU, SIU, Murray, Youngstown

I mean the West is so much better than the East it's not even fair.

And SEMO was never in the Gateway and EIU left when they couldn't compete so I have no earthly idea what you're talking about.

You don't do divisions by geography as the main division.

[VUGrad1314]

When FCS football is holding back the progress of a basketball-based league maybe we do need to re-evaluate. I know I'm probably not the best person to say this as my school is not a football school but at the end of the day as much prestige as the Dakotas bring the conference FCS football is still FCS football and that prestige pales in comparison to the prestige that could come from Murray State being in the conference and succeeding under our banner. Assuming football is indeed the sticking point, we cannot let FCS football dictate our basketball decisions if we want to be the best league we can be in the sport that truly matters in this league. If splitting off from the Dakotas in football can make us a better basketball league I think that option should absolutely be considered.

[BCPanther]

When FCS football is holding back the progress of a basketball-based league maybe we do need to re-evaluate. I know I'm probably not the best person to say this as my school is not a football school but at the end of the day as much prestige as the Dakotas bring the conference FCS football is still FCS football and that prestige pales in comparison to the prestige that could come from Murray State being in the conference and succeeding under our banner. Assuming football is indeed the sticking point, we cannot let FCS football dictate our basketball decisions if we want to be the best league we can be in the sport that truly matters in this league. If splitting off from the Dakotas in football can make us a better basketball league I think that option should absolutely be considered.

In theory I agree completely.

As a school that depends on football as an avenue to raise money, it gets a little more complicated. Every UNI fan on earth would tell you we're a basketball school (until Jake leaves) but the vast majority of our fundraising comes from football donors. It's a really weird dynamic.

[All-MVC Fan]

I hope everyone remembers that the MVFC was widely considered the best FCS conference most years before the Dakotas showed up. Not by the margin it is now, but if they’re going to hold the MVC hostage to money losing FCS football, either bring the XDSU’s into the Valley, or cut them loose. The football side if the conference will be fine.

Basketball is where our bread is buttered. Football is an afterthought. By both necessity and practicality.

[BearsCountry]

One huge issue with Murray and going to divisions in the MVFC is the massive competitive imbalance.

I can totally see where UNI and Missouri State would be a little hesitant.

West- UNI, Missouri State, NDSU, SDSU, USD, UND

East- WIU, IlSU, InSU, SIU, Murray, Youngstown

I mean the West is so much better than the East it's not even fair.

And SEMO was never in the Gateway and EIU left when they couldn't compete so I have no earthly idea what you're talking about.

If Murray joins and we haven't bolted yet. MVFC needs to go a Valley division and a Summit division. WIU will squeal but they can go to the OVC if they want to complain. Youngstown State flies everywhere and everyone flies to them anyways so they can be the #6 in the Summit division.