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There have been five universities conference changes/move ups announced in the last 10 days or so with two today. One may affect the Summit League.
1. Hampton is moving from the MEAC to the Big South.
2. South Carolina-Upstate is also moving to the Big South.
3. UC San Diego is moving from DII to the DI Big West
4. Cal State Bakersfield is moving from the WAC to the Big West.
5. Presbyterian is moving its football program to non-scholarship status and joining the Pioneer league for football.
The move of Bakersfield leaves the WAC in tough shape with 7 teams plus Cal Baptist who will begin its transition to DI and join the WAC next year. The WAC also includes Chicago State who is in desperate financial and enrollment condition and may have to cut DI sports or perhaps even close. All of that probably makes UMKC even more anxious to leave the WAC. They are reviewing their athletic situation with the possibility of dropping to DII or DIII or changing conferences, with The Summit the best conference option if they leave the WAC. It is quite conceivable that the WAC will be down to five permanent members with one additional team in transition next year (Bakersfield's departure is not until 2020 so they may have a little time to find another team or two to begin transition.) In addition NMSU certainly would accept any alternative if one became available as would GCU, Seattle, Utah Valley State and Rio Grande Valley. I have always thought NMSU would be a good add for the Summit as well if they can find a solution for football or become willing to move it to FCS.
The move of Hampton to the Big South stabilizes the Big South football situation since Presbyterian is moving to the Pioneer League for football.
1. Hampton is moving from the MEAC to the Big South.
2. South Carolina-Upstate is also moving to the Big South.
3. UC San Diego is moving from DII to the DI Big West
4. Cal State Bakersfield is moving from the WAC to the Big West.
5. Presbyterian is moving its football program to non-scholarship status and joining the Pioneer league for football.
The move of Bakersfield leaves the WAC in tough shape with 7 teams plus Cal Baptist who will begin its transition to DI and join the WAC next year. The WAC also includes Chicago State who is in desperate financial and enrollment condition and may have to cut DI sports or perhaps even close. All of that probably makes UMKC even more anxious to leave the WAC. They are reviewing their athletic situation with the possibility of dropping to DII or DIII or changing conferences, with The Summit the best conference option if they leave the WAC. It is quite conceivable that the WAC will be down to five permanent members with one additional team in transition next year (Bakersfield's departure is not until 2020 so they may have a little time to find another team or two to begin transition.) In addition NMSU certainly would accept any alternative if one became available as would GCU, Seattle, Utah Valley State and Rio Grande Valley. I have always thought NMSU would be a good add for the Summit as well if they can find a solution for football or become willing to move it to FCS.
The move of Hampton to the Big South stabilizes the Big South football situation since Presbyterian is moving to the Pioneer League for football.