Which of these team would you be okay with joining the MVC?

[Mikovio]

Yeah, just add Murray and UIC. UIC maintains our Chicago presence and they're no worse than Loyola was when they were added. I am hesitant on branch schools in general but in this case I'd make an exception.

I would say calling UIC branch school is like, to a (much) lesser extent, calling UCLA a branch school.

It's worse. The UIC chancellor was dismissed 20+ years ago because it was starting to draw students from the Champaign campus. It's run by a Board of Trustees of Champaign folks. I'd imagine the U of Cal is more diversified in its structure.

[IllinoisState]

I'm a hard no on UIC because of their actions toward Valley schools and fans, historically. They can rot as far as I'm concerned. Act like a preschool, you can continue to play in a preschool league.

Can you explain this? Not doubting you, but I've never heard anything about this.

I would like to hear more about this as well.

Yeah, just add Murray and UIC. UIC maintains our Chicago presence and they're no worse than Loyola was when they were added. I am hesitant on branch schools in general but in this case I'd make an exception.

I would say calling UIC branch school is like, to a (much) lesser extent, calling UCLA a branch school.

It's worse. The UIC chancellor was dismissed 20+ years ago because it was starting to draw students from the Champaign campus. It's run by a Board of Trustees of Champaign folks. I'd imagine the U of Cal is more diversified in its structure.

Getting the UAB treatment.

They really need to separate themselves from U of I.

[mvfcfan]

You mean UIC is not UI Champaign?

[BearsCountry]

Don't want to go too far down the football rabbit hole, but when the Gateway Conference lost Eastern Illinois, that was kind of the beginning of everything getting weird.

If we could ditch the Dakotas while hanging onto WIU (difficult), add Murray and we could survive at 8 teams. But it would be a challenge. If only Western Ill was an hour north and had a following in the Quad Cities, they could be in the mix for an all-sport invite. But they are a struggle-bus program in nowheresville.

Football issue could have been solved in the mid 00s when Western Kentucky wanted to join the MVC in all sports. Bradley and the privates had their normal hissy fit and the rest is history.

[Mikovio]

Getting the UAB treatment.

They really need to separate themselves from U of I.

Not sure it's as drastic as that though. They had been offering full scholarships to Champaign admittees and drawing away students which was a no-go. I don't think UI has ever negatively interfered with UIC's athletics. But if they ever had a Loyola type F4 run and beat Champaign in the NCAAT the reaction might not be so favorable. A Porter Moser wouldn't be getting the kind of raise he got at Loyola. Their affiliation with UI can be a strength in many ways but a handicap in others. If it were to ever happen it would be interesting to say the least. We know SIU's Carbondale and Edwardsville campuses have had their drama.

[third rail]

No expansion if those are the choices. All of them will still be available if anyone leaves. We traded up dumping Loyola for Belmont. Why water it back down?

I can understand going to 11 with UIC because of the need to maintain the Chicago market.

How are the private schools going to vote to add four publics and no privates?

[IllinoisState]

No expansion if those are the choices. All of them will still be available if anyone leaves. We traded up dumping Loyola for Belmont. Why water it back down?

I can understand going to 11 with UIC because of the need to maintain the Chicago market.

How are the private schools going to vote to add four publics and no privates?

The private schools are the ones who want UMKC and UTA who are both public schools.

[third rail]

No expansion if those are the choices. All of them will still be available if anyone leaves. We traded up dumping Loyola for Belmont. Why water it back down?

I can understand going to 11 with UIC because of the need to maintain the Chicago market.

How are the private schools going to vote to add four publics and no privates?

The private schools are the ones who want UMKC and UTA who are both public schools.

I understand that is what has been reported, but that is two and not four.

Is there already a deal in place to a private or two that hasn't been reported?

[third rail]

Inst fans need to be quiet. Just be glad you haven't moved down to the ovc. You're last on the totem poll even if more schools join. Why do you even have football? You have the worst stadium in d2....d2!!!

No, that's Murray with Missouri State in close pursuit.

What is Murray College going to do with football? Indiana State is the only MVFC school that voted to accept them.

[goramblers2011]

We traded up dumping Loyola for Belmont. Why water it back down?

She didn't break up with me! I dumped her!

Cope.