Jason…
Thank you for taking the time to do this. I really do appreciate it.
Attacking our poor NC SOS is going to be a focus for me in the next three months. You have some good ideas and are on the right track.
We need to get a buy-in from all coaches, ADs and presidents if we are ever going to ascend back to a level of relevancy and respectability.
Thanks again – stay tuned!
Go Braves!
Doug
This response was sent March 9 of last year, the same day I sent the original e-mail. He might have thought about my suggestion, but didn't go about implementing it. If he implemented it, why would Illinois State's WHOLE non-conference schedule (with the exception of the MWC challenge game and the road game against North Carolina-Wilmington) consist of teams in the bottom half of the RPI rankings? Some of these teams might have been good in the past, but seriously, SIU-Edwardsville? Jacksonville State? South Dakota? These are not good teams.
Unfortunately, while Illinois State has been very well-known for poor scheduling, they aren't the only culprits. Wichita State (tied in first place) played Chicago State, Nicholls State, and worst of all, Alabama A&M. Chicago State has been worse this year, but Alabama A&M is from the SWAC Conference, widely considered one of the worst two conferences in the country (the worst, until the Great West Conference was formed and gave the SWAC a run for its money). There are other examples of bad scheduling, but there are too many to list.
In other words, the Valley should schedule much harder. Teams should have a philosophy of playing the best schools anywhere and anytime - even if there is no return game.
I will be sending the original e-mail to the AD's of the MVC schools. It's worth a shot, since I (and many other fans) would like to see this conference return to greatness.
