Montana and Montana State to WAC?

[LakeJack]

http://missoulian.com/sports/college...cc4c002e0.html

It sounds like the Grizzlies and Montana State received formal invites from the WAC on Friday - the same day the Big Sky invited in North Dakota, South Dakota and Southern Utah.

With a new president (Royce Engstrom) on board, Montana is behaving cautiously.

"It's going to be something that's going to be back to us in the next few weeks," O'Day said Monday. "And then President Engstrom will have to take a look at it."

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

http://missoulian.com/sports/college...cc4c002e0.html

It sounds like the Grizzlies and Montana State received formal invites from the WAC on Friday - the same day the Big Sky invited in North Dakota, South Dakota and Southern Utah.

With a new president (Royce Engstrom) on board, Montana is behaving cautiously.

"It's going to be something that's going to be back to us in the next few weeks," O'Day said Monday. "And then President Engstrom will have to take a look at it."

Not possible. The Big Sky commissioner has flat out stated that formal invites are a thing of the past.

I would be curious to know if USD fans would be as excited with the prospect of the Big Sky without Montana and Montana State?

[propar80]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

Not possible. The Big Sky commissioner has flat out stated that formal invites are a thing of the past.

Now that's funny!

Thank you...thank you...thank you Big Sky(especially the California schools) for putting the Ki-bosh on SDSU and NDSU's admission to the BSC years ago. We owe you a lot...I'm not kidding...SDSU owes you a lot!!

Go Jacks!!

[joeybrownerHOF]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

Not possible. The Big Sky commissioner has flat out stated that formal invites are a thing of the past.

I would be curious to know if USD fans would be as excited with the prospect of the Big Sky without Montana and Montana State?

Not really. It would still be a nice conference and better than the alternative. If USD had an invite to the MVFC for football then things would be different. Almost every USD fan I know would like the Summit/MVFC over the Big Sky, with or without Montana schools. I think everything will work out. I just want an official announcement one way or the other.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

Not really. It would still be a nice conference and better than the alternative. If USD had an invite to the MVFC for football then things would be different. Almost every USD fan I know would like the Summit/MVFC over the Big Sky, with or without Montana schools. I think everything will work out. I just want an official announcement one way or the other.

This is my thinking as well. The Big Sky would still be a good conference, but some of the shine would be off if the Montana schools were gonzo.

I would also like an official announcement, all the innuendo and assumptions can be a bit misleading as to what is actually going on.

[goon]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

I wouldnt be suprised if they hold out just to get a chace to get into MVC next year. If now I am sure the Big sky will be willing to allow them at any time. So why not do Summit and hope MVFC lets them in, if not, a year from now join the big sky.

[usdfbalum]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

Not possible. The Big Sky commissioner has flat out stated that formal invites are a thing of the past.

I would be curious to know if USD fans would be as excited with the prospect of the Big Sky without Montana and Montana State?

I am only one USD fan, but my thought is:

Of course I would be less thrilled with the BSC without Montana or Montana St. The conference is weaker without them.

USD, like SDSU and NDSU a few years back, need a conference for football. If the BSC is the option offered- it is what has to be done. If a MVFC invite was offered, I know USD would take it from talking with the Athletic Department. The offer is not out there now, so USD, regardless of what the MT schools do - will have to go BSC.

I am excited to get USD into a conference - bottom line.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

I am only one USD fan, but my thought is:

Of course I would be less thrilled with the BSC without Montana or Montana St. The conference is weaker without them.

USD, like SDSU and NDSU a few years back, need a conference for football. If the BSC is the option offered- it is what has to be done. If a MVFC invite was offered, I know USD would take it from talking with the Athletic Department. The offer is not out there now, so USD, regardless of what the MT schools do - will have to go BSC.

I am excited to get USD into a conference - bottom line.

I can appreciate that.

Can I ask, would you be excited if USD were leaving the Summit (and potential future membership to MVFC) to join the SWAC or Southland conferences?

From an outsiders perspective, if the Montana schools leave, the Big Sky would be on par with those conferences. Just my opinion and not intended as smack in any way.

[joeybrownerHOF]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

[QUOTE=SF_Rabbit_Fan;162975]I can appreciate that.

Can I ask, would you be excited if USD were leaving the Summit (and potential future membership to MVFC) to join the SWAC or Southland conferences?

From an outsiders perspective, if the Montana schools leave, the Big Sky would be on par with those conferences. Just my opinion and not intended as smack in any way.[/QUOT

Why don't you just give us your numbers for the Big Sky. We both know what you are trying to do.

[usdfbalum]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

I can appreciate that.

Can I ask, would you be excited if USD were leaving the Summit (and potential future membership to MVFC) to join the SWAC or Southland conferences?

From an outsiders perspective, if the Montana schools leave, the Big Sky would be on par with those conferences. Just my opinion and not intended as smack in any way.

A good freind of mine lost his job in 2008 and was thankfully offered a comparable job out in Seattle. It was a good job, but not his ideal job because he was a life long Nebraskan and loved being near his family. He ended up moving his family out there because it was way better than unemployment. Someday a good job will open up again that is a good fit in Omaha, but until then he sure is grateful for the company that hired him and gave him another chance.

Kind of the same situation for USD IMO.

[IdahoJack]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

From what I have gathered from friends who graduated from a WAC school (University of Idaho), the WAC is going to invite Texas State and Texas San Antonio for all sports, Denver and Seattle for all sports except football. According to them the University of Montana has an open invitation to join if they decided to make the jump to FBS, with no real feel if Montana State has the same invite. My personal opinion is that Montana will take their time making a decision. Their athletic programs and facilities would be instantly better than many of the teams in the WAC, but they wouldn't compete nationally in FBS like they do now in FCS. It'll be a tough decision for them.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

Why don't you just give us your numbers for the Big Sky. We both know what you are trying to do.

I don't have any numbers for the Big Sky, I think others have broken down GPI's and rankings and the like. I'm not a USD fan, but I'm not trying to play gotcha in this thread. I'm trying to have an honest conversation.

I'm just saying the Big Sky isn't as glamorous as it seems at first glance, especially if Montana leaves. There is no question they are the crown jewel of that league. The MVFC wouldn't be as attractive if Youngstown, UNI, or SIU left either.

Being in the Big Sky will make life easier for the football coaches and schedule makers. It will make life harder for every almost every other person in the athletic department.

Travel costs will be higher. USD is traveling a ton right now and seems to be doing ok, I won't dispute that. I don't doubt that they will be able to make ends meet regardless of their conference choice. But every single dollar that goes toward travel cost is taken away from another area, whether it is hiring another coach or improving facilities or cutting sports or something else.

If USD fans could choose between the Big Sky and MVFC/Summit, which would they choose? USD made the jump to DI not knowing where their conference home would be, why not stick out independence for a few years and lobby the MVFC/Summit schools HARD for football admission.

[joeybrownerHOF]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

I don't have any numbers for the Big Sky, I think others have broken down GPI's and rankings and the like. I'm not a USD fan, but I'm not trying to play gotcha in this thread. I'm trying to have an honest conversation.

I'm just saying the Big Sky isn't as glamorous as it seems at first glance, especially if Montana leaves. There is no question they are the crown jewel of that league. The MVFC wouldn't be as attractive if Youngstown, UNI, or SIU left either.

Being in the Big Sky will make life easier for the football coaches and schedule makers. It will make life harder for every almost every other person in the athletic department.

Travel costs will be higher. USD is traveling a ton right now and seems to be doing ok, I won't dispute that. I don't doubt that they will be able to make ends meet regardless of their conference choice. But every single dollar that goes toward travel cost is taken away from another area, whether it is hiring another coach or improving facilities or cutting sports or something else.

If USD fans could choose between the Big Sky and MVFC/Summit, which would they choose? USD made the jump to DI not knowing where their conference home would be, why not stick out independence for a few years and lobby the MVFC/Summit schools HARD for football admission.

Fair enough. I don't know what conference they would choose. Yes the geography and travel costs may better in the Summit/MVFC, however there may be other revenue streams or factors other than just athletics that make the Big Sky the right choice. I am not an insider and don't know what is going on behind the scenes. No doubt UM and/or MSU could leave any day or year but that is something that all conferences at our level have to deal with. Maybe something is brewing where some teams are thinking of leaving the Summit? Who the heck knows and if so I would be just as concerned as a Summit non-MVC member that such members have almost no ability to add any new schools if such school has football or needs a home for their football program. If I had a vote, I would take a Summit/MVFC offer, if a MVFC invite was on the table. I am not a fan of the football independence. A scheduling agreement would soften the blow somewhat but a few years of independence might be 10 years of independence. A Big Sky invite is now and may not be available again. The landscape is dynamic. I have no idea how it will shake out and what is ultimately best for USD. That decision is above my pay grade. Whatever choice is made it has to be made without looking back. I have enjoyed the process and discussion on all boards. I am a sports fan and even though we root for different schools it is always enjoyable to discuss athletics in an adult manner. Don't get me wrong smack is fun as well but it has its time and place.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

A good freind of mine lost his job in 2008 and was thankfully offered a comparable job out in Seattle. It was a good job, but not his ideal job because he was a life long Nebraskan and loved being near his family. He ended up moving his family out there because it was way better than unemployment. Someday a good job will open up again that is a good fit in Omaha, but until then he sure is grateful for the company that hired him and gave him another chance.

Kind of the same situation for USD IMO.

That's a good way of putting it, and I think you're right, to a degree.

But in your analogy, USD isn't unemployed right now. 14 sports have a home.

A better analogy would be:

Your friend has a job in Omaha that isn't ideal, but he is getting by and has a decent chance at a big promotion if he plays his cards right. By taking a job in Seattle, he burns bridges at his current employer, eliminating a potential opportunity if he ever wants to move back. He also has a non-compete which requires him to pay his current employer if he quits. And his wife (fans) won't see him as much which will put a strain on home life.

Still a good idea to move?

[usdfbalum]

Re: Montana and Montana State to WAC?

USD is not burning a bridge. The relationship with the Summit has been good and Douple knew that one of USD's number 1 goals was to find a home for Football. USD was encouraged that by joining the Summit it would better position them for a MVFC slot. That has not helped and we are where we are today.

Institutions are not as irrational as fans on chat boards. They understand what USD has to do.

That's a good way of putting it, and I think you're right, to a degree.

But in your analogy, USD isn't unemployed right now. 14 sports have a home.

A better analogy would be:

Your friend has a job in Omaha that isn't ideal, but he is getting by and has a decent chance at a big promotion if he plays his cards right. By taking a job in Seattle, he burns bridges at his current employer, eliminating a potential opportunity if he ever wants to move back. He also has a non-compete which requires him to pay his current employer if he quits. And his wife (fans) won't see him as much which will put a strain on home life.

Still a good idea to move?