Sounds like Wichita St to the AAC... Who gets an Invite?

[Svoboda]

Villanova plays FCS football. Even won a national title a few years ago with current Chicago Cub Matt Szczur.

They are basketball first, but have been just fine in football as well without hurting their basketball.

They also have one of the highest funded FCS programs thanks to the nice media contract the Big East has had for awhile. Tell me, how much does each school in the Valley make from their media contract?

[pafan]

Tell me, how much does each school in the Valley make from their media contract?

IIRC the ESPN3 contract was for a one-time donation of equipment plus the value of their distribution service. So $0.00.

[Wufan]

I know the argument has become football vs basketball, but I think the REAL argument is that the MVC should fund their basketball programs with the goal being the creation of s sustainably successful program. The easy answer is to divert funds away from football, which does not earn money for most Universities. That is very simplistic, but in WSUs situation it did work. There was certainly some frustration from Shocker fans that no one else jumped on the bandwagon within the conference.

Once it became apparent that Wichita was able to create a sustainable model, and that no other school in the conference had the resources to match, it became apparent to the powers that be that a new affiliation was needed. The "football at WSU" evaluation was designed to do far more that bring football back (a secondary consideration). The true reason for it was to actively put the Shockers on the market for a new conference.

Is dropping football the right thing to do for MVC schools? Maybe ISUb? The right thing to do for WSU is to put itself into a situation that furthers the likelihood of continued basketball success.

[tribecalledquest]

I know the argument has become football vs basketball, but I think the REAL argument is that the MVC should fund their basketball programs with the goal being the creation of s sustainably successful program. The easy answer is to divert funds away from football, which does not earn money for most Universities. That is very simplistic, but in WSUs situation it did work. There was certainly some frustration from Shocker fans that no one else jumped on the bandwagon within the conference.

Once it became apparent that Wichita was able to create a sustainable model, and that no other school in the conference had the resources to match, it became apparent to the powers that be that a new affiliation was needed. The "football at WSU" evaluation was designed to do far more that bring football back (a secondary consideration). The true reason for it was to actively put the Shockers on the market for a new conference.

Is dropping football the right thing to do for MVC schools? Maybe ISUb? The right thing to do for WSU is to put itself into a situation that furthers the likelihood of continued basketball success.

I agree with your last paragraph.

[municup14]

I did hear from a prominent Sycamore backer that they
Did indeed look into dropping football awhile back.
Football is so expensive.

[UEACES80]

Many schools will drop football in the next 5-15 years due to the Medical Insurance related to brain injuries lawsuits. I might be an exception but I was pleased when UE dropped football - just wish the money had gotten thrown into basketball, baseball and soccer budgets.

[Redhawk]

It's really just logic. When money is an issue you can choose to under fund two programs, dooming them both to mediocrity or try and make one elite.

Money is an issue with all the Valley schools but consider this....

Illinois State spent 20 million on a beautiful stadium upgrade.
MSU spent 23.5 million on their own stadium expansion.
SIU spent 25 million on a completely new stadium.

Even with these major commitments to Football all three schools are on the rise in basketball.
Without WSU they will be the favorites for the MVC title next season along with fellow MVFC member UNI.
Only Loyola from the non football members will be in the title conversation.

Apparently FCS football isn't "dooming them to mediocrity."

[Cdizzle]

Money is an issue with all the Valley schools but consider this....

Illinois State spent 20 million on a beautiful stadium upgrade.
MSU spent 23.5 million on their own stadium expansion.
SIU spent 25 million on a completely new stadium.

Even with these major commitments to Football all three schools are on the rise in basketball.
Without WSU they will be the favorites for the MVC title next season along with fellow MVFC member UNI.
Only Loyola from the non football members will be in the title conversation.

Apparently FCS football isn't "dooming them to mediocrity."

What the what?!

Even MSU and SIU fans would take offence to their basketball programs 'being on the rise.' 95% of those fanbases want to get rid of their head coaches but know the university doesn't have the funds to do it. That's about as far from 'on the rise' and as close to 'hamstrung by budget' as you can get. I hold no opinion as to whether teams should keep or drop football, but your argument is just based in fantasyland.

Your second argument is that if you remove the non-mediocre team, suddenly 5 teams are vying for the title and are therefore not mediocre. Only WSU has been consistently non-mediocre in recent years, and only UNI has risen above mediocrity with regularity in recent years.

[Redhawk]

What the what?!

Even MSU and SIU fans would take offence to their basketball programs 'being on the rise.' 95% of those fanbases want to get rid of their head coaches but know the university doesn't have the funds to do it. That's about as far from 'on the rise' and as close to 'hamstrung by budget' as you can get. I hold no opinion as to whether teams should keep or drop football, but your argument is just based in fantasyland.

Your second argument is that if you remove the non-mediocre team, suddenly 5 teams are vying for the title and are therefore not mediocre. Only WSU has been consistently non-mediocre in recent years, and only UNI has risen above mediocrity with regularity in recent years.

SIU was in the play-In game for 5 years straight and just finished tied for 3rd in the Valley.
MSU just came off of two play-in game seasons to win 17 games. They are recruiting at a much
higher level now and trending upward as well.
ISU has improved it's finish in the MVC every year for the past 5 seasons.

[tribecalledquest]

It's really just logic. When money is an issue you can choose to under fund two programs, dooming them both to mediocrity or try and make one elite.

Money is an issue with all the Valley schools but consider this....

Illinois State spent 20 million on a beautiful stadium upgrade.
MSU spent 23.5 million on their own stadium expansion.
SIU spent 25 million on a completely new stadium.

Even with these major commitments to Football all three schools are on the rise in basketball.
Without WSU they will be the favorites for the MVC title next season along with fellow MVFC member UNI.
Only Loyola from the non football members will be in the title conversation.

Apparently FCS football isn't "dooming them to mediocrity."

SIU will be a favorite next year?