Belmont to Missouri Valley

[VUGrad1314]

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.

Brilliant idea! This would solve a lot of issues and hopefully help get the Racers in! The Dakotas keep their rivalires the MVC teams keep theirs and there's still enough crossover for both divisions to benefit while the basketball side of the league gets another great program! Let's make this happen. But watch this be some sort of whining about academics or something as a reason Murray State can't be invited. I don't understand why that matters for an athletic conference but apparently it does.

[VUGrad1314]

If this tweet is to be believed Murray State may have other options. I hope we don't lose them to another conference.

https://twitter.com/low_madness/status/ ... 4807092226

[valleydays]

Seems as if it were up to the fans, Murray would already be in the MVC. Patience is still in order, but it's also looking more and more like last time that the Lords of the MVC really aren't interested in the Racers.

First it was "We'd love to have you, but we can't work with 11 schools." Then it was "Man, if only you could get Belmont to come with you."

Wonder what the excuse is this time? Football? Really?

I really get the sense of, "Hey, we like your men's basketball team, but we can't get past flying our volleyball team to Paducah and riding a bus an hour to get to you."

So, as a Racer fan, I'm getting tired of the runaround and am about ready to move on. If Murray isn't good enough to join this league, I hope other options ARE being worked on. It's a shame, but maybe the MVC just isn't into us and never will be.

[mvfcfan]

Seems as if it were up to the fans, Murray would already be in the MVC. Patience is still in order, but it's also looking more and more like last time that the Lords of the MVC really aren't interested in the Racers.

First it was "We'd love to have you, but we can't work with 11 schools." Then it was "Man, if only you could get Belmont to come with you."

Wonder what the excuse is this time? Football? Really?

I really get the sense of, "Hey, we like your men's basketball team, but we can't get past flying our volleyball team to Paducah and riding a bus an hour to get to you."

So, as a Racer fan, I'm getting tired of the runaround and am about ready to move on. If Murray isn't good enough to join this league, I hope other options ARE being worked on. It's a shame, but maybe the MVC just isn't into us and never will be.

Don't forget the Ol' "Missouri State won't have a travel partner for volleyball and women's basketball" excuse. Hopefully Murray State is coming, but I'm losing faith. It's more than SIU being stubborn. If it was just SIU they'd be outvoted 9-1.

[MNPanthers]

It's more than SIU being stubborn. If it was just SIU they'd be outvoted 9-1.

I have no idea if it's true, but it would hardly be surprising if the Valley went into this expansion plan in agreement that they would only add unanimous candidates. It's a good way of showing respect to your original schools.

If it is true, Jackson needs to get them to fall in line. Give em 1 more shot to come to their senses and proceed without their vote. We don't have time for that BS

[mvfcfan]

It's more than SIU being stubborn. If it was just SIU they'd be outvoted 9-1.

I have no idea if it's true, but it would hardly be surprising if the Valley went into this expansion plan in agreement that they would only add unanimous candidates. It's a good way of showing respect to your original schools.

If it is true, Jackson needs to get them to fall in line. Give em 1 more shot to come to their senses and proceed without their vote. We don't have time for that BS

Well said. Does anyone on here think that Texas A&M actually wanted Texas in the SEC? I'm sure the Aggies were probably told, we're adding them whether you like it or not, and you'll vote yes unless you want to look like a little child. SIU not wanting Murray State to be viewed as an equivalent is pretty weak (if true) and just shows how far the University has fallen in the past 15 years.

[BCPanther]

I don't have strong feelings one way or another on Murray but I will say that I think market it playing a part in this because the further we can expand onto other Bally Sports networks with our TV deal, the more sponsorship dollars open up in regions we haven't been in.

Belmont is going to get us on Bally Sports South. Murray duplicates Bally Sports Midwest. If we took Oral Roberts it gets us on Bally Sports Oklahoma, if we took Milwaukee it gets us on Bally Sports Wisconsin, if we take Arlington it gets us on Bally Sports Southwest.

I'm not saying I agree with any of it but it has to play a factor.

[Buxcies]

I'm probably reading between the lines too much, but after listening to Jeff Jackson's opening remarks about Belmont and its location in the city of Nashville, I don't think Murray State is a top priority for further expansion. Cities/markets are driving expansion instead of basketball success more than we'd like to think. I'm sure it's been said before but university presidents see plenty of quality basketball programs in the conference, now they need larger markets in order to draw more future students.

[SalukiWorld]

I'm probably reading between the lines too much, but after listening to Jeff Jackson's opening remarks about Belmont and its location in the city of Nashville, I don't think Murray State is a top priority for further expansion. Cities/markets are driving expansion instead of basketball success more than we'd like to think. I'm sure it's been said before but university presidents see plenty of quality basketball programs in the conference, now they need larger markets in order to draw more future students.

Murray State is my #1 option for the Valley but I don't think people realize where Murray, KY is actually located. It's literally in the middle of nowhere. It's a very similar town to Carbondale, IL except Carbondale is at least kind of near St. Louis. Murray, KY is in no mans land.

[Red]

It's officially official. Belmont joins the MVC on July 1, 2022.