UIC a good fit for Valley?

[isumvc1]

UI-C does have appropriate sports for MVC inclusion

[Chuck A]

Okay. It's Cedar Falls. So crucify me. The next time I make a post I'll make sure my spelling is correct and that I know the location of all of the Valley schools. That's the least I can do as this seems to be a qualification for inclusion into the MVC.

It's not a huge deal the first time...it better not happen again though

A very quick way to lose all credibility, for pretty much every, is to call us N...I...U... which I actually have to type like that because other fan-bases do it on purpose to get a rise out of us so it's auto-corrected to UNI. Give it a shot.

Also to say we play in Cedar Rapids. You may fly into Cedar Rapids, because they have a larger airport than Cedar Falls/Waterloo. However, it's over an hour south on interstate 380

I won't make that mistake again and should've known better. We used to be conference mates in the old Mid-Continent Conference.

I also understand the use of the name in athletics. We are the University of Illinois at Chicago on official documents and letterheads, not Illinois-Chicago (as the media portrays us) or UI-Chicago. In sports however, we are UIC.

[thefish7]

I don't hugely dislike UIC as a candidate if the MVC goes to 12. If they're only going to 10 and add another public school, it could upset the balance and cause BU, DU, UE to leave. Personally, while I understand the public/private thing (especially when it comes to academics, which aren't driving the bus in our conference), when the public school doesn't have football interest it does not bother me. So, from an athletics standpoint, WSU is a good partner in the MVC because as of now they have aspirations for football. As a Bradley fan I'm much more concerned about football/non-football discord threatening our conference than I am about public/private issues.

In those terms, UIC > Loyola-Chicago because in general I think UIC's athletics are in better shape. As far as I know UIC has no interest in football whatsoever, and I remember that at least for awhile the Flames were pretty good at soccer (I haven't been paying good attention these days, so maybe they still are).

Also, fwiw, there are several Bradley fans who have a poor impression of UIC based on treatment they received from the athletic department there when Bradley was playing at UIC. It's all hearsay for me, since I've never been to a game there but that colors at least BU fans' feelings about UIC in the MVC. For me, UIC is a decent candidate, but behind the Belmont, ORU, Valpo, Detroit "tier" if the league only adds one member. If they add 3, and UIC was one, I'd be totally fine with that.

[uniftw]

I'd bet most would agree with your "it can't be a football first school". However, I do wonder what the opinion of Murray State would be then.

They have football...but they aren't a football first school. The could move all sports to MVC but leave football where it is in the OVC.

[UE 71]

No. It's time to step forward, not backward.

[acepurple84]

The MVC should forget the Private vs Public school and pick the best school that will
1. Meet the standards of the Bylaws set forth by the conference.
2. Not be in trouble with the NCAA and be under investigation.
3. Win against schools outside the conference.

[thefish7]

I'd bet most would agree with your "it can't be a football first school". However, I do wonder what the opinion of Murray State would be then.

They have football...but they aren't a football first school. The could move all sports to MVC but leave football where it is in the OVC.

Murray State would be fine (or even totally awesome) if the MVC goes to 12. If that's the only addition, the non-football schools may want to take notice.

[cpacmel]

I'd bet most would agree with your "it can't be a football first school". However, I do wonder what the opinion of Murray State would be then.

They have football...but they aren't a football first school. The could move all sports to MVC but leave football where it is in the OVC.

You think the OVC is going to let them move all their sports, but allow them to stay in the OVC for football only?

I sure don't.

[uniftw]

I'd bet most would agree with your "it can't be a football first school". However, I do wonder what the opinion of Murray State would be then.

They have football...but they aren't a football first school. The could move all sports to MVC but leave football where it is in the OVC.

You think the OVC is going to let them move all their sports, but allow them to stay in the OVC for football only?

I sure don't.

I do. They've done it in the past with schools, and they don't really want to put in danger the number of teams playing football. They have only 9 football playing schools right now in conference (and one that plays football in the Pioneer league...same one as drake).

8 league teams doesn't work for crap...and is one or two teams away from losing an autobid in the playoffs.

That being said, I don't think the MVFC wants any part of Murray State. They have a 16K stadium...but it's all on one side....it's like a bigger version of Indiana State (https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Roy%20St ... a=N&tab=il). The MVFC already doesn't play a true round robin, and that isn't liked by any of the members. They haven't won the OVC since 2002, haven't won it outright since 1996. Have just 5 winning seasons since 2000, and never more than 7 wins.

[tribecalledquest]

I would be open to UIC but only in a 12 team scenario with Loyola came with them.

I heard from a generally solid source that Oral Roberts to the MVC was a done deal but who the hell knows.